Ohio Genealogical Records

Ohio Birth & Baptism Records

Ohio County Births (1841-2003)

Digital images of birth certificates issued by the state of Ohio, which include name; date and place of birth; gender; parent's names, ages and places of birth and other details. Records can be searched by a name index.

Ohio Birth Index (1908-1964)

An index to 8.22 million births recorded in the state. It lists name, date and place of birth and a reference which can be used to obtain a full birth record.

Ohio Births and Christenings (1821-1962)

An index to birth and christening records, including name, date and place of birth/baptism, parents' names and other details.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US Consular Reports of Births (1910-1945)

An index to and images of 36,000 birth records for children of US citizens registered abroad. Records contain child's name, date and place of birth, parents' names and ages, occupations, residence, passport numbers, consulate where registered, parents' naturalization dates, parents place of of birth and number of living children to the parents.

Ohio Marriage & Divorce Records

Ohio Marriages (1803-1900)

Around 215,000 marriage records from the beginning of Ohio's statehood onwards.

Ohio County Marriages (1789-2013)

Images of over 4.5 million marriages recorded at Ohio county courthouses. Entries can be searched by a name index.

Ohio Marriage Index (1970-2007)

Abstracts of marriage records, which list the names, birth years and residences of brides and grooms. The index covers around 3 million marriages and can be used to located full marriage records.

Ohio Marriage Records (1970-2011)

An index to over 3.5 million marriages, including a reference to order a full marriage certificate.

Ohio Divorce Index (1962-2007)

An index to close to 2 million divorces filed in Ohio, including the name of the husband and wife, years of birth, year of divorce, county of residence, number of minor children, marriage duration, grounds for divorce and to whom a decree was granted. The index can be used to locate further records.

Ohio Death & Burial Records

Ohio Deaths (1908-1953)

An index to over 3.5 million deaths registered by Ohio state, linked to images of death certificates, which may include name, date and place of death, gender, race, marital status, date and place of birth, occupation, parent's names and places of birth, cause of death and more.

Ohio County Death Records (1840-2001)

Digital images of 2.15 million death certificates, which include name, gender, colour, marital status, date and place of death, cause of death, date and place of birth and parents' names and places of birth. Searchable by a name index.

Ohio Deaths (1908-2007)

Transcriptions of over 5.3 million death records from Ohio state. They may list the name of the deceased, their: residence, date and place of death, age or date of birth, place of birth, race, education, father's name and more.

Ohio Death Index (1959-2012)

An index to 5.8 million death records, including a reference which can be used to order a full death certificate.

Ohio Deaths and Burials (1854-1997)

An index to around 545,000 death and burial records. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

Ohio Census & Population Lists

Mormon Membership Lists (1830-1848)

Names of 104,000 Mormons extracted from church membership records. The database may also contain gender, parents' names, spouse's name, children's names, date of birth, date of marriage, date of death, residence, burial location and church ordinances.

Ohio Census & Substitutes Index (1790-1890)

An index to over 485,000 names listed in federal censuses, pensioner lists, slaves schedules, voters lists and veteran schedules.

US WWII Old Man's Draft Registration (1942)

Records registering over 15 million men born between 1877 and 1897, including name, age, birth date and place, residence, employer, and physical description.

1940 United States Census (1940)

A name index and digital images of registers recording almost 135 million people living in the United States. The registers record age, place of birth, relationships, occupations and more.

1930 United States Census (1930)

An index to 125 million people living in the United States, linked to registers recording their age, place of birth, family relationships and more.

Newspapers Covering Ohio

The Cleveland Jewish News Obituary Index (1964-2007)

A database of 27,854 obituary notices which appeared in the Cleveland Jewish News. Each entry contains the deceased's name, date of death, and in which issue of the Cleveland Jewish News the obituary appeared. Each entry usually contains the deceased's age, birthplace, and maiden name. The name of the cemetery is occasionally noted.

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

Newspapers.com (1728-Present)

A growing collection of text-searchable, digitalised newspapers from the United States of America. Contains thousands of titles and over 100 million pages.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Ohio Wills & Probate Records

Ohio Wills & Probate Records (1786-1998)

An index to and images of more than 1.2 million wills and probate documents. They typically record details of the deceased's relatives; and sometimes describe real and personal property, sentiments, convictions, intended places of burial and more.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. I (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. II (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Ohio Immigration & Travel Records

Ohio County Naturalisation Records (1800-1977)

Digital images of around 390,000 cards recording naturalisations. May include date and place of birth, date of arrival in the US and more. Searchable by a name index.

New York Passenger and Crew Lists (1909-1957)

Digital images of registers recording the arrival of passengers and crew at New York harbour. Varying details are included, such as name, age, gender, occupation, nationality, race, last place of residence, intended place of residence and more. The registers can be searched by a name index of over 28 million names.

Canada-US Border Crossings (1895-1956)

This database contains an index of aliens and citizens crossing into the U.S. from Canada via various ports of entry along the U.S.-Canadian border. It may include name, age, date and place of birth, gender, ethnicity/nationality, names of friends and relatives and more.

San Francisco Passenger Lists (1893-1953)

Name index and images from passenger lists of those arriving in San Francisco, California. Records details, such as place of birth and occupation of around 3 million people.

New York Passenger Arrival Lists (1892-Present)

Images of passenger and crew lists, searchable by an index of more than 51 million names. Lists may contain details such as age, gender, place of origin, occupation and much more.

Ohio Military Records

Ohio Soldiers in WWI (1917-1918)

Containing information on over 250,000 individuals, this database is a great source of military information on your Ohio ancestors. Information that may be listed for each individual includes the soldier's name, age, birthplace, address, branch of service and enlistment date, military rank and discharge status, brief history of military career, and date and cause of death if occurred during enlistment.

Ohio Soldiers in the War with Spain (1898-1899)

An official record of the Ohio regiments in the Spanish-American War, including details of over 19,000 men from Ohio who served in the war.

Registers of Deaths of Union Volunteers (1861-1865)

An index and digital images of registers listing the deaths of around 250,000 Union soldiers. The registers list name, rank, company, date and place of death, cause of death and miscellaneous notes.

World War II Young American Patriots (1941-1945)

Brief details of around 60,000 servicemen from Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Contains religious affiliation, photographs, education history, parents' names and more.

US World War II Draft Registration Cards (1942)

Digital images of over 10 million registration cards, which record name, address, date and place of birth, next of kin, employer and more. Cards can be searched by a name index.

3rd Constitutional Convention of Ohio Proceedings (1873)

Details of meetings discussing the reorganization of the state constitution to permit annual sessions of the legislature, a veto for the governor which could be overridden by a three-fifths vote of each house, establishment of state circuit courts, eligibility of women for election to school boards, and restrictions on municipal debt.

US Passport Applications (1795-1925)

Digital images of applications for passports, which list name, date and place of birth, father's particulars, immigration and naturalisation details, residence, occupation, photograph and more. Searchable by a name index.

US Social Security Applications & Claims Index (1936-2007)

An index to 49 million applications and claims for social security. The index includes name, SSN, date and place of birth, nation of citizenship, gender, father's name, mother's maiden name and race.

FBI Case Files (1908-1922)

Over 2.3 million records from investigations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

US Pension Office Correspondence (1889-1904)

Name index and images of the name and subject index to correspondence of the Records and Pension office. Searchable by an index of almost 800,000 names.

Ohio Taxation Records

Ohio Tax Records (1800-1850)

Digital images of registers recording the names of land owners, the location and lot number of their land(s), remarks on the land(s), their value and taxable value. Searchable by a name index.

IRS Tax Assessment Lists (1862-1918)

An index to and digital images of registers recording 8.8 million instances of taxation. The records list the name of the person or business being taxed: their address and details tax assessed and paid.

Ohio Land & Property Records

Ohio Tax Records (1800-1850)

Digital images of registers recording the names of land owners, the location and lot number of their land(s), remarks on the land(s), their value and taxable value. Searchable by a name index.

US General Land Office Records (1796-1907)

An index to and digital images of 2.2 million land patents, primarily cash and homestead, from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Ohio Homestead & Cash Entry Patents (1770-1908)

Documents recording land transfers. The records contain names, acreages, signatures, dates, mineral rights, bounds, descriptions of land and more.

US Early Land Records & Plats (1785-1898)

Maps of Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin listing land owners and details of the land.

Ohio Early Land Ownership Records (1803-1899)

A database of details from land ownership records, listing details for around 1,000 parcels.

Ohio Directories & Gazetteers

Ohio & Florida City Directories (1902-1960)

An index to and digital images of books that describe various facets of the state and list around 5 million inhabitants. They may include address, occupation, business name, property status, wife's name and more.

Williams' Ohio State Directory (1872-1875)

Images from books, searchable by a text index, that lists important information about the area and the names of residents and businesses.

Ohio State Gazetteer, Shipper's Guide & Directory (1864)

A searchable book containing information relating to the area, its residents and businesses.

Names & PO Addresses of Farmers in Ohio (1878)

A text index linked to digital images of a book that lists important information about the area and the names of its residents and businesses.

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

Ohio Cemeteries

Ohio Gravestones (1700-Present)

A growing database of over 200,000 gravestones, searchable by name and organised by cemetery.

US Veteran's Gravesites (1775-2008)

A database containing details of the burial of 7.6 million US military veterans. Entries may contain details of birth, next of kin and more.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

US Cemetery Interment Control Forms (1928-1962)

This database contains cards recording details for members of the US Army interred in national cemeteries. May include details of next of kin, military service and other details.

Ohio Obituaries

Ohio Obituary Index (1814-2013)

An index to over 2.75 million obituaries detailing the lives of Ohioans. The index lists the source where the full obituary can be found.

The Cleveland Jewish News Obituary Index (1964-2007)

A database of 27,854 obituary notices which appeared in the Cleveland Jewish News. Each entry contains the deceased's name, date of death, and in which issue of the Cleveland Jewish News the obituary appeared. Each entry usually contains the deceased's age, birthplace, and maiden name. The name of the cemetery is occasionally noted.

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

US Obituary Collection (1700-Present)

A growing database containing 10s of millions of abstract obituaries with a reference to the publication it occurred in and a link to the full obituary if available online.

Ohio Histories & Books

US County and Regional Histories and Atlases (1804-1984)

A collection of 2,200 books recording history, biographical sketches, maps, business notices, statistics and population numbers, pictures, descriptions of industry and business, stories of early settlement and pioneers, colleges and universities, military history, geography etc. of localities in the US.

3rd Constitutional Convention of Ohio Proceedings (1873)

Details of meetings discussing the reorganization of the state constitution to permit annual sessions of the legislature, a veto for the governor which could be overridden by a three-fifths vote of each house, establishment of state circuit courts, eligibility of women for election to school boards, and restrictions on municipal debt.

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

Mary Evans Picture Library (2000 BC-Present)

A database of over 300,000 photos, etchings, engravings and other mediums depicting places and events in the British Isles and the rest of the world.

Ancestry Member Stories (6000 BC-Present)

Over 7 million remembrances and historic details submitted by Ancestry members. Useful for local historians.

Ohio School & Education Records

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

A growing index to over 300 million entries in middle school, junior high, high school, and college yearbooks linked to digital images of the yearbook pages. Yearbooks usually include name and photo, but may include biographical data, such as family relations, academic achievements and hobbies.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

An index to and digital images of over 20,000 year books, listing details of schools, students and staff. Many contain photographs.

US School Catalogues (1765-1935)

A variety of publications listing names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with US universities, seminaries and theological institutes, normal schools, medical schools, academies, military schools, etc. Records include catalogues, obituary records and necrologies, class histories, speeches and addresses, commencement exercises, class reports, registers, prospectus, circulars, proceedings, annual reports, magazines and other documents.

High School Student Lists (1821-1923)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated primarily with preparatory and similar schools, including academies, high schools, seminaries, reform schools, institutes, industrial schools, military academies, dance schools, grammar schools, Latin schools and others. Searchable by an index of around 650,000 names.

US College Student Lists (1763-1924)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of college students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with places of learning. They include catalouges of students and officers, histories, biographical sketches, retrospectives, memorials, registers, anniversary books, annual reports, addresses and commencement exercises, alumni lists, lists of lectures and courses, board proceedings, catalogues of fraternity members, and other items.

Ohio Occupation & Business Records

Ohio Crew List Arrivals (1929-1958)

This database is an index to crew lists of vessels that arrived at Toledo, Ohio. The majority of the crew members were U.S. and Canadian citizens.

Names & PO Addresses of Farmers in Ohio (1878)

A text index linked to digital images of a book that lists important information about the area and the names of its residents and businesses.

LDS Seventy Quorum Membership (1835-1846)

This database contains an index of names and other vital information extracted from church records listing men who held a high office in and around Kirtland, Ohio, and Nauvoo, Illinois, in the early nineteenth century.

FBI Case Files (1908-1922)

Over 2.3 million records from investigations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

US Federal Census Non-Population Schedules (1850-1880)

An index and digital images of schedules recording statistical data concerning agriculture, industry, social and other areas. Includes many people and businesses.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Ohio

US Quaker Genealogies (1650-1893)

An indexed work including genealogical charts listing over 30,000 Quakers from Indiana, Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina.

Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books (1620-1938)

Pedigrees of women who were descendants of one or more servicemen of The American Revolutionary War. Contains 100,000s of names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Families in the US (1600-1920)

Genealogical charts, and coats of arms where appropriate, of prominent families in America's early history.

Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Ohio Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

History of England Society & Government (56 BC-1867)

A lengthy history of England detailing the country's connection to the U.S.A. Includes much detail on royalty, nobility and other historical figures of note.

Ohio Church Records

LDS Seventy Quorum Membership (1835-1846)

This database contains an index of names and other vital information extracted from church records listing men who held a high office in and around Kirtland, Ohio, and Nauvoo, Illinois, in the early nineteenth century.

US Quaker Meeting Records (1681-1935)

An index to and digital images of documents recording almost 6 million names. They include registers of births, marriages and deaths; lists of members; movement of members between congregations; records of discipline; disownment; burials and more.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Index to Quaker Records (1680-1940)

An index to close to 900,000 names occurring in Quaker meeting records. These cover items such as discipline, admittance, movement between meetings, some vital events and much more.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

Biographical Directories Covering Ohio

US County and Regional Histories and Atlases (1804-1984)

A collection of 2,200 books recording history, biographical sketches, maps, business notices, statistics and population numbers, pictures, descriptions of industry and business, stories of early settlement and pioneers, colleges and universities, military history, geography etc. of localities in the US.

Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans (1904)

A ten volume work containing close to 20,000 biographies of notable Americans.

American Biographical Library (1774-1949)

Over 75,000 biographies covering congressmen, women, military and other notable individuals.

Biography & Genealogy Master Index (1600-Present)

An index to millions of biographies, listing names, dates of birth and death and the biography's source publication.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

Ohio Maps

US County and Regional Histories and Atlases (1804-1984)

A collection of 2,200 books recording history, biographical sketches, maps, business notices, statistics and population numbers, pictures, descriptions of industry and business, stories of early settlement and pioneers, colleges and universities, military history, geography etc. of localities in the US.

US Early Land Records & Plats (1785-1898)

Maps of Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin listing land owners and details of the land.

US Enumeration District Maps & Descriptions (1940)

Maps recording districts used to allot areas in which census takers would operate. Searchable by street name and more.

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Ohio Reference Works

Periodical Source Index (1825-Present)

An index to over 2.7 million articles published in various genealogical, historical and ethnographic publications.

US Free Genealogical Data Search Engine (1513-Present)

A search engine that covers over 2.5 million pages of vital records, family trees, biographies and other genealogical resources.

A Guide to the NARA Field Branches (1988)

Details of record collections held by numerous sub-branches of The National Archives.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

US Family Historian's Address Book (1997)

A directory of bodies that hold important collections of genealogical and historical records, ordered by state. As it was published in 1997, some contact details may be out of date, but the organizations' names can be used to locate updated information.

Historical Description

OHIO. This state has heretofore been classed among the North-west States of the American Union; but the vast accumulation of territory lying still farther west and north has left Ohio more properly among the Middle States, on the Atlantic side of the continent: indeed, her relative position, considered in regard to the present north-western possessions of the United States, is actually that of one of the Eastern States of this republic. Marietta, the oldest town in the state, was settled, in 1788, by the “New England Ohio Company.” The next permanent settlement was at Columbia, in the following year. In 1791, a company of French emigrants founded the town of Gallipolis. Large bodies of New England people, in 1796, settled several towns on Lake Erie. Before the above settlements were undertaken, several of the neighboring states, which, by charter or otherwise, were proprietors of various tracts of unappropriated western lands lying within this territory, had, from time to time, relinquished their claims; and numerous Indian titles were also extinguished by treaty. A territorial government was formed in 1799, in which year the legislature convened for the first time, at Cincinnati, and elected General William H. Harrison as delegate to Congress. A state constitution was formed in 1802, by virtue of which, and under authority of Congress, Ohio became an independent member of the federal Union.

Boundaries and Extent

Bounded north by the State of Michigan and Lake Erie; east by the States of Pennsylvania and Virginia, being separated from the latter by the Ohio River; south by said river, which divides it from Kentucky; and west by the State of Indiana. The Ohio River washes the border of the state, through its numerous meanderings, for a distance of over 430 miles. The state contains 40,000 square miles, and measures 200 miles from north to south, by 220 miles from east to west. It lies between 38° 30' and 42° north latitude, and between 80° 35' and 84° 42' west longitude.

Government

The constitution provides for the election of a governor biennially; but he cannot be elected for more than three terms in succession. Members of the Senate, 36 in number, are elected for two years, one half chosen annually. The House of Representatives is composed of 72 members, elected for one year. All these elections are by the people. The state secretary, treasurer, and auditor are chosen by the legislature, in joint ballot, for three years. The sessions of the General Assembly commence annually on the first Monday in December, at Columbus, the capital of the state. White males, 21 years of age, residents for one year in the state, and tax-payers, are entitled to the right of suffrage. The constitution has been recently revised and modified; but its new features do not seem to be essential improvements in principle upon its former provisions.

Judiciary

The judges of the Supreme Court, of the Common Pleas Courts, and of the city courts, are appointed, by concurrent vote of the two houses of the legislature, for seven years. The oldest Supreme Court judge in commission officiates as chief justice. There are four of these judges, two of whom hold a court in each county once a year. The Common Pleas Courts are held in some counties three times in each year, in others only twice, by a president judge and three associates. There are Superior Courts established in Cincinnati and in Cleveland; also a commercial court in the former city.

Education

On the admission of this state into the Union, it was stipulated, for certain considerations, that one thirty-sixth part of all the territory should be set apart for the maintenance of common schools. This liberal reservation makes ample provision for securing to coming generations the advantages of early instruction; and, thus far, the compact, on the part of the state, has been faithfully carried out Good schools are diffused all over the land; and all needful attention and aid are given by the people to their support and improvement. There are many thousands of public grammar and primary schools in the state, some hundreds of academies or similar seminaries, and about twenty universities, colleges, and other institutions of a high order. The amount of the school fund owned by the state is above $1,700,000; and nearly $300,000 is annually apportioned to the several counties for school purposes. The number of persons over 20 years of age, who can neither read nor write, is about 35,000.

Finances

The state revenues are chiefly derived from taxes of various descriptions, viz., on real and personal property, professions, pedlers, foreign insurance agencies, auctioneeys, brokers, banks, joint stock companies, &c, also from land sales, canal tolls, dividends on state property, interest on surplus revenue and other investments, &c. The expenditures include appropriations for state government purposes, interest on foreign debt, common schools, repairs on public works, &c. The total amount of the state debt, at the close of the fiscal year of 1849, including nearly $17,000,000 foreign debt, was somewhat over $19,000,000. The difference between the receipts and disbursements for the same year showed a balance in the treasury of $554,000. Upwards of $3,000,000 worth of stock in various public works is owned by the state, which yields liberal dividends. The gross income of these works, in 1849, was over $740,000. The total value of taxable property was about $430,000,000, and the revenue from taxes on real and personal estates amounted to $1,260,000.

Surface, Soil, &c.—Near the borders of Lake Erie, and for some distance in the interior of the northern part of the state, the surface is generally level, and occasionally somewhat marshy. The section of country in the vicinity of the Ohio River, in the eastern and southeastern quarters, is elevated and broken, although there are no lofty mountains in the state. But the entire region is a table land, reaching to a height of 600 to 1000 feet above the ocean level. The most level and fertile lands are situated in the interior, through which flows the River Scioto. Vast prairies lie near the head waters of that river, of the Muskingum, and the two Miami Rivers, upon which there is no growth of timber, but which yield abundance of coarse grass. The forests, in other parts, produce oaks, walnut, hickory, beech, birch, maple, poplar, sycamore, papaw, cherry, buckeye, and whitewood, in all their varieties. Pines are uncommon, and the whitewood is generally substituted. The staple agricultural product of the state is wheat, of which enormous quantities are annually exported. Rye, oats, buckwheat, Indian corn, and other grains, are raised in great profusion; and nearly every species of garden vegetable is cultivated successfully. It is estimated that nine tenths of the land is adapted to purposes of agriculture, and that three fourths of it is extraordinarily fertile. Fruits of all descriptions known in the same latitude grow luxuriantly in all parts of the state.

Rivers

Besides the noble Ohio, which washes the south and south-east borders of the state, there are its numerous tributaries, some of which are streams of considerable magnitude, and extensively navigable. The Muskingum, which enters the Ohio at Marietta, affords navigation for boats through an extent of 100 miles. The Scioto, navigable for 130 miles, discharges itself into the Ohio at Portsmouth. The Great Miami, a rapid stream, after a course of 100 miles, joins the Ohio in the south-west corner of the state. The Little Miami, 70 miles in length, falls into the Ohio near Cincinnati. These rivers have many branches and forks, extending in various directions. A number of large streams flow northwardly into Lake Erie; as the Maumee, Huron, Sandusky, Cuyahoga, Vermilion, Ashtabula, Grand, and Black Rivers. These also have many branches.

Internal Improvements

Many important public works have been undertaken and accomplished in this state. The Ohio Canal, 307 miles in length, extends from Cleveland, on the shore of Lake Erie, to Portsmouth, on the Ohio River; and there are connected with it sundry branches, one of which reaches 50 miles.. This work, commenced in 1825 and completed in 1832, cost $5,000,000. The Miami Canal, 178 miles long, extends from Cincinnati, and connects with the Wabash and Erie Canal at Defiance. This is also intersected by several branches. The Mahoning, a branch of the Ohio Canal, commences at Akron, and extends 88 miles, to Beaver River. Two continuous lines of railroad extend across the state, from north to south-one from Cincinnati to Sandusky, the other from Cincinnati to Cleveland, which is also connected by railroad with Pittsburg, Buffalo, Sandusky, and Toledo. There are numerous important lines in progress, extending east and west, and, indeed, in almost every direction.

Minerals

Ohio does not present so great a variety of geological formations as are found in most other states. It is found that there are five distinct divisions of rocks, viz., blue limestone, the thickness of which is estimated at from 700 to 1000 feet; black shale, 250 feet; fine-grained sandstone, 350 feet; conglomerate, 200 feet; and coal series, 2000 feet. Indications of all these several formations are found in some counties; while in others those of only one or two of them are discoverable. The great coal region lies on the western bank of the River Ohio, and occupies not far from one fourth part of the whole state. The strata, as usual elsewhere, are interspersed with beds of iron ore; and immense quantities of both these materials are obtained from this quarter of the state. . It is affirmed, in a Cleveland journal of March, 1851, that 1200 square miles in Ohio are underlaid with iron; and that a tract explored in 1838 was found adequate to furnish iron throughout an extent of 61 miles long by 60 wide, one square mile of which would yield 3,000,000 tons of pig iron —so that this district would contain 1,000,000,000 tons. If 400.000 tons were taken from it annually, it would require 2500 years to remove the whole.

Manufactures

The manufactures of this state are confined principally to articles the raw materials of which are of home growth, as wool, iron, leather, tobacco, flour, sugar, wax, lard, silk, potash, &c. All the usual collateral branches are also carried on to any required extent Though not strictly connected with this item, it may be proper here to remark that millions of horses, mules, neat cattle, sheep, and swine are raised within the state, and that great numbers of living animals, as well as vast quantities of packed beef and pork, are annually sent to eastern markets.

Population

The people of Ohio are remarkable for industry, enterprise, and public spirit They have “increased and multiplied,” through accessions from the older states, and from Europe, in an almost incredible ratio. The growth of the population has been without parallel, until, perhaps, the recent thronging towards the golden land in the farthest west From the time when the first census was taken, a period of only 60 years, the number of inhabitants has been augmented from 3000 to nearly 2,000,000.

Climate

In general, the climate through out the state is highly favorable to human health. The summer season, though warm, is regular, with the occasional and somewhat rare exception of a whirlwind or hurricane. The winters are not severely cold, nor subject to violent storms; and the intermediate seasons are delightfully pleasant. It is true that in some of the marshy localities, giving rise to unwholesome vapors, the inhabitants are subject to those peculiar distempers always prevalent in such districts; but even there, the range of disorders scarcely extends beyond fevers and agues.

Curiosities

The remains of ancient Indian villages, mounds, and fortifications, discoverable in many counties of the state, constitute the most remarkable subjects of curious interest Particular descriptions of these vestiges may be found in Howe’s Historical Collections of Ohio, a work of 600 pages, octavo, full of minute detail, published at Cincinnati, in 1850. In the Scioto valley, within a compass of 12 to 15 miles around the city of Chilicothe, these extraordinary monuments are very numerous. A map, showing their respective positions, and an ample and very able account of a series of explorations made in that region, and elsewhere in the valley of the Mississippi, by Messrs. Squier and Davis of Ohio, between 1845 and 1847, may be found in the Transactions of the American Ethnological Society, vol. ii.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States (1854) by Thomas Baldwin

Most Common Surnames in Ohio

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Smith118,3781:1004.10%1
2Miller79,9771:1485.87%7
3Johnson67,6561:1763.08%2
4Brown63,2251:1883.56%4
5Williams58,5871:2033.05%3
6Jones56,5561:2103.40%5
7Davis52,6781:2253.76%6
8Wilson36,8381:3223.78%9
9Moore35,2051:3374.09%13
10Thomas34,7991:3413.99%12
11Taylor34,5441:3443.86%11
12Thompson29,7861:3993.78%20
13Clark29,4201:4044.08%22
14Jackson28,7671:4133.46%16
15Martin28,7291:4133.51%17
16White28,3211:4193.49%18
17Baker27,6241:4305.12%36
18Hall26,8661:4424.33%30
19Anderson26,6681:4452.63%8
20Harris25,9721:4573.37%21
21Lewis24,1431:4923.74%25
22Robinson23,9851:4953.82%27
23Young23,6161:5033.94%31
24King22,9051:5194.08%32
25Adams22,5151:5274.06%34
26Hill21,0501:5643.87%35
27Allen20,8831:5693.34%28
28Evans20,3651:5834.49%46
29Scott20,3421:5843.79%38
30Wright19,7111:6033.55%33
31Campbell19,4831:6103.95%41
32Myers19,2861:6166.58%84
33Walker18,7911:6322.96%26
34Phillips18,4961:6424.21%47
35Roberts18,2281:6523.85%43
36Green17,1841:6913.20%37
37Reed17,0321:6974.90%66
38Lee16,9681:7002.02%15
39Morris16,2621:7304.06%55
40Mitchell16,2321:7323.56%45
41Snyder16,0271:7417.70%144
42Carter15,9461:7453.28%42
43Stewart15,6171:7603.88%54
44Turner15,1621:7833.54%48
45Howard15,0351:7904.52%70
46Bailey14,9691:7934.18%64
47Fisher14,7521:8055.32%94
48Cox13,9601:8514.06%67
49Long13,9161:8534.86%87
50Ross13,8291:8594.68%80
51Morgan13,7841:8623.78%60
52Edwards13,3861:8873.15%49
53Ward13,3001:8934.03%71
54Murphy13,2321:8983.44%58
55Parker13,0151:9133.12%51
56Hughes12,8671:9234.22%78
57Wagner12,7481:9326.07%139
58Bell12,7231:9333.52%62
59Gray12,4041:9573.86%75
60Price12,1141:9804.15%86
61Rogers12,0401:9863.12%57
62Bennett11,8371:1,0033.64%74
63Gibson11,7001:1,0154.88%117
64Jenkins11,6381:1,0204.25%100
65Hamilton11,3261:1,0494.35%102
66Russell11,1891:1,0614.04%95
67Nelson11,0981:1,0702.07%39
68Weaver10,8491:1,0956.16%195
69Perry10,8131:1,0983.94%98
70Adkins10,7531:1,10412.06%448
71Patterson10,6131:1,1194.16%107
72Wood10,5981:1,1213.15%69
73Stevens10,5691:1,1244.47%119
74Brooks10,4321:1,1383.19%73
75Fox10,3521:1,1475.05%147
76Rose10,3341:1,1495.16%156
77Carpenter10,3051:1,1526.13%212
78Foster10,2401:1,1603.48%81
79West9,9331:1,1963.87%104
80Watson9,8311:1,2083.08%76
81Wells9,8061:1,2114.41%130
82Jordan9,7661:1,2163.85%108
83Cole9,6401:1,2323.80%109
84James9,5651:1,2423.17%79
85Henderson9,5351:1,2463.48%99
86Burns9,4531:1,2564.27%131
87Powell9,4081:1,2623.42%97
88Coleman9,4001:1,2633.37%92
89Wallace9,3421:1,2713.68%110
90Kelly9,3341:1,2722.83%72
91Reynolds9,2391:1,2853.61%105
92Crawford9,1321:1,3014.24%134
92Webb9,1321:1,3014.31%137
94Alexander9,0541:1,3123.45%101
95Woods9,0481:1,3134.10%132
96Butler9,0171:1,3173.19%88
97Graham9,0071:1,3193.48%103
98Porter8,9251:1,3314.43%153
99Hayes8,8871:1,3363.61%114
100Black8,7761:1,3534.27%145
101Barnes8,7161:1,3633.11%89
102Marshall8,6861:1,3673.82%128
103Meyer8,6831:1,3684.16%142
104Arnold8,6591:1,3724.62%175
105Cunningham8,5931:1,3824.89%197
106Ferguson8,5541:1,3884.45%166
107Richardson8,4901:1,3992.71%77
108Hoffman8,4451:1,4064.58%178
109Rice8,3931:1,4154.40%169
110Mason8,3001:1,4314.11%151
111Owens8,2861:1,4333.64%127
112Sullivan8,1921:1,4502.79%83
113Wolfe8,1761:1,4537.32%332
114Sanders8,1321:1,4602.90%90
115Yoder7,9661:1,49117.22%924
116Henry7,9301:1,4983.77%138
117Riley7,9241:1,4994.69%209
118Kennedy7,9151:1,5003.48%129
119Ellis7,8911:1,5053.23%115
120Elliott7,8361:1,5164.38%189
121Shaw7,8071:1,5213.74%143
122Bowman7,7951:1,5245.67%267
123Mills7,7591:1,5314.07%171
124Keller7,7361:1,5355.79%274
125Bryant7,7201:1,5383.18%116
126Richards7,6901:1,5444.62%217
127Schneider7,6041:1,5625.36%258
128Montgomery7,6021:1,5625.08%239
129Peters7,5951:1,5644.34%198
130Palmer7,5401:1,5753.81%159
131McCoy7,4561:1,5935.27%260
132Hunt7,4141:1,6023.67%152
133Weber7,3951:1,6064.98%244
134Simmons7,3911:1,6072.90%106
135Murray7,3851:1,6083.20%124
136Simpson7,3461:1,6173.61%149
137Schmidt7,3261:1,6213.71%160
138Daniels7,3111:1,6243.96%179
139Walters7,2451:1,6395.28%268
140Spencer7,2351:1,6424.17%201
141Hicks7,2301:1,6433.68%161
142George7,2291:1,6434.47%222
143Boyd7,2011:1,6493.58%154
144McDonald7,1671:1,6573.06%122
145Kelley7,1631:1,6583.97%185
146Harrison7,1451:1,6623.02%120
147Tucker7,1201:1,6683.39%140
148Wheeler7,1081:1,6714.41%225
149Hunter7,1051:1,6723.59%158
150Conley7,0711:1,6809.82%560
150Hart7,0711:1,6803.93%186
152Berry7,0521:1,6843.99%192
153Chapman6,9761:1,7024.18%215
154Shaffer6,9401:1,7119.05%522
155Peterson6,8651:1,7301.88%59
156Lucas6,8281:1,7395.29%284
157Armstrong6,7951:1,7483.87%196
158Gordon6,7701:1,7543.15%136
159Morrison6,7291:1,7654.28%231
160Ryan6,7211:1,7673.53%170
161Watkins6,6581:1,7844.08%221
162Mullins6,6411:1,7887.65%461
163Dunn6,6251:1,7933.48%172
164Harper6,5851:1,8044.07%224
165Carr6,5721:1,8074.18%230
166Stephens6,5611:1,8103.58%180
167Gardner6,5601:1,8103.48%173
168Nichols6,5261:1,8203.51%177
169Lawson6,4741:1,8344.42%245
170Pierce6,4601:1,8383.69%199
171Combs6,4101:1,8539.35%602
172Warner6,4091:1,8535.80%336
173Hawkins6,3961:1,8573.53%182
173Payne6,3961:1,8573.60%191
175Perkins6,3891:1,8593.97%226
176Willis6,3741:1,8633.83%216
177Day6,3341:1,8754.46%256
178Johnston6,3321:1,8763.59%193
179Rodriguez6,3281:1,8770.74%14
180Bishop6,3171:1,8804.11%234
181Howell6,2891:1,8884.34%248
182Dean6,2871:1,8894.10%235
183Williamson6,2661:1,8954.22%243
184Zimmerman6,2651:1,8965.62%333
185Burton6,2441:1,9024.37%253
186Jacobs6,2401:1,9033.94%228
187Wise6,2081:1,9136.87%439
188Carroll6,1871:1,9203.42%184
189Brewer6,1481:1,9324.56%271
190Barker6,1391:1,9355.29%313
191Ball6,1031:1,9465.88%368
192Lane6,0991:1,9473.61%208
193Griffin6,0681:1,9572.40%111
194Fields6,0561:1,9614.56%277
195Duncan5,9881:1,9833.33%187
196Griffith5,9361:2,0015.59%357
197May5,9151:2,0084.34%270
198Ray5,9101:2,0103.42%202
199Barnett5,7901:2,0514.60%288
200Steele5,7481:2,0665.07%325
RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Smith36,9301:875.85%1
2Miller28,7291:11110.26%6
3Brown18,0771:1775.09%3
4Jones15,6221:2054.91%5
5Davis15,0771:2125.95%7
6Williams14,0621:2274.40%4
7Johnson13,9951:2283.66%2
8Wilson10,8661:2945.78%8
9Clark10,3001:3106.16%10
10Moore9,7681:3276.11%12
11Baker9,1751:3498.24%25
12Thompson8,9701:3575.69%13
13Thomas8,4971:3765.81%16
14Taylor8,2671:3874.87%9
15Martin8,0641:3975.48%15
16Young7,8181:4096.78%24
17Myers7,6091:42013.14%65
18White7,5511:4234.68%11
19Snyder6,4281:49713.69%84
20Lewis6,3211:5065.33%22
21Scott6,2801:5096.02%29
22Evans6,2551:5118.49%43
23Hall6,1301:5225.06%20
24King6,0771:5265.74%27
25Fisher6,0391:5309.03%49
26Reed5,6931:5627.56%42
27Anderson5,6801:5633.89%17
28Wright5,5851:5735.23%26
29Hill5,5061:5815.21%28
30Cook5,4111:5916.18%33
31Long5,3431:5998.92%58
32Adams5,1181:6255.25%31
33Harris5,1001:6273.97%18
34Robinson4,9491:6464.77%30
35Allen4,8971:6534.06%21
36Green4,8951:6534.02%19
37Campbell4,8481:6605.63%34
38Stewart4,7581:6726.65%45
39Murphy4,7341:6755.00%32
40Jackson4,6881:6823.18%14
41Morris4,5081:7096.47%46
42Walker4,4801:7143.81%23
43Weaver4,2551:75211.51%131
44Bell4,1451:7716.23%51
45Ward4,0371:7926.04%50
46Roberts4,0091:7985.02%39
47Wolf3,8201:83713.16%173
48Price3,7031:8646.73%67
49Morgan3,6901:8675.74%53
50Wood3,6351:8804.55%38
51Parker3,5711:8954.45%37
52Patterson3,4631:9236.87%75
53Wagner3,4391:93011.13%166
54Collins3,4191:9354.50%41
55Turner3,4001:9414.31%40
56Lee3,3421:9574.05%35
57Fox3,3401:9578.39%118
58Phillips3,2891:9725.50%59
59Ross3,2491:9846.47%76
60Edwards3,2201:9934.92%52
61Hamilton3,1661:1,0106.48%80
62Gray3,0741:1,0405.17%61
63Foster3,0471:1,0495.13%62
64Kelly3,0441:1,0514.18%44
65Carter3,0431:1,0513.70%36
66Hoffman3,0391:1,0529.39%158
67Meyer3,0281:1,0569.37%159
68Cox3,0121:1,0625.02%57
69Kelley2,9801:1,0736.28%82
70Graham2,9761:1,0756.41%88
71Russell2,9631:1,0796.35%86
72Cooper2,9621:1,0804.96%60
72West2,9621:1,0806.41%90
74Crawford2,9561:1,0827.40%117
75Shaw2,9301:1,0916.76%103
76Porter2,9101:1,0996.44%95
76Burns2,9101:1,0995.66%74
78Warner2,9061:1,10010.04%175
79Henry2,8861:1,1086.78%107
80Armstrong2,8851:1,1087.62%129
81Mitchell2,8811:1,1104.51%54
82Hughes2,8691:1,1156.19%89
83Keller2,8561:1,12012.22%227
84Ryan2,8411:1,1265.34%69
85James2,8351:1,1285.72%78
86Johnston2,8161:1,1367.26%122
87Wise2,7601:1,15914.92%297
88Bennett2,7541:1,1615.18%70
89Rice2,7411:1,1675.95%91
90Black2,7211:1,1756.97%121
91Cole2,7041:1,1835.20%73
92Watson2,7011:1,1844.57%63
93Palmer2,6951:1,1876.49%110
94Bailey2,6891:1,1894.88%66
95Carpenter2,6681:1,1997.15%130
96Hart2,6541:1,2056.47%112
97Wells2,6401:1,2115.73%92
98Richards2,6361:1,2138.20%160
99Arnold2,6241:1,2197.24%140
100Wallace2,6231:1,2195.86%97
101Stevens2,6031:1,2295.57%85
102Rogers2,5941:1,2334.14%55
103Kennedy2,5871:1,2366.38%114
104Jenkins2,5811:1,2395.80%99
105McDonald2,5571:1,2514.90%72
106Sullivan2,5311:1,2633.77%48
106Barnes2,5311:1,2635.36%83
108Bowman2,4881:1,2859.59%197
109Huffman2,4431:1,30918.40%463
110Ford2,4321:1,3155.39%96
111Welch2,4151:1,3245.98%115
112Riley2,4111:1,3265.59%104
113Brooks2,3951:1,3354.37%68
114Henderson2,3821:1,3424.75%77
115Shaffer2,3721:1,34815.74%396
116Powell2,3521:1,3605.51%106
117Howard2,3501:1,3613.79%56
118Walters2,3431:1,36511.35%254
119Rose2,3311:1,3727.60%167
120Butler2,3081:1,3864.39%71
121Hunt2,2981:1,3925.30%102
122Bowers2,2951:1,39312.21%291
123Beck2,2861:1,39910.22%238
124Gardner2,2651:1,4126.17%136
125Marshall2,2611:1,4145.89%125
126Day2,2601:1,4157.16%163
127Mills2,2431:1,4266.13%138
128Chapman2,2391:1,4286.51%151
129Shafer2,2131:1,44517.13%477
130Elliott2,1981:1,4557.72%180
131Alexander2,1821:1,4665.10%105
132Peters2,1771:1,4697.97%191
132Fry2,1771:1,46911.15%280
134Carr2,1421:1,4936.26%152
135Andrews2,1381:1,4966.31%154
136Boyd2,1331:1,4995.99%144
137Cunningham2,1291:1,5026.14%149
138Hoover2,1261:1,50413.88%388
139Woods2,1231:1,5065.75%134
140Hunter2,1181:1,5105.17%113
141Gibson2,1111:1,5155.11%111
142Snider2,1101:1,51616.24%473
142Ellis2,1101:1,5164.67%94
144Schmidt2,1051:1,5198.61%214
145Jacobs2,0941:1,5278.44%210
146Zimmerman2,0881:1,53212.79%356
147Weber2,0691:1,54611.32%302
148Mason2,0571:1,5554.73%101
149Hartman2,0321:1,57411.80%331
150Davidson2,0211:1,5828.16%211
151Nelson2,0181:1,5852.91%47
152Cline2,0021:1,59715.91%492
153Berry1,9841:1,6125.39%135
154Reynolds1,9801:1,6154.08%81
155Bishop1,9451:1,6446.94%184
156Wheeler1,9271:1,6594.91%120
157Richardson1,9231:1,6633.28%64
157Williamson1,9231:1,6636.60%172
159Spencer1,9161:1,6695.67%155
160Webb1,9041:1,6805.26%141
161Nichols1,9031:1,6805.43%146
162Harper1,8951:1,6877.02%192
163Dunn1,8851:1,6964.48%109
164Morrison1,8811:1,7006.48%174
165Schneider1,8511:1,72812.57%407
166Shoemaker1,8281:1,74914.65%498
167Harrison1,8091:1,7684.12%100
168Murray1,7821:1,7954.70%128
169Sanders1,7641:1,8134.15%108
170Norris1,7611:1,8168.79%265
171Gilbert1,7431:1,8356.04%176
172Curtis1,7401:1,8386.07%179
173Simpson1,7291:1,8504.53%127
174Mathews1,7281:1,8515.87%171
175Coleman1,7241:1,8553.75%93
176McCoy1,7151:1,8657.59%235
177Kline1,7081:1,87211.64%409
178Baldwin1,6871:1,8966.66%207
179Stone1,6821:1,9014.20%116
180Sharp1,6691:1,9166.89%217
181Welsh1,6661:1,9198.40%273
182Griffith1,6651:1,9218.42%274
183Lawrence1,6571:1,9306.48%201
184Perry1,6561:1,9313.56%87
185Lane1,6441:1,9454.64%145
186Leonard1,6301:1,9626.57%209
187Pierce1,6271:1,9654.40%133
188George1,6231:1,9706.86%222
189Drake1,6201:1,9747.92%256
190Craig1,6011:1,9976.85%225
191Dixon1,5611:2,0495.96%193
192Hayes1,5421:2,0744.91%164
193McKee1,5391:2,07810.97%430
194Dean1,5301:2,0905.51%189
195Lucas1,5251:2,0979.12%346
196Hull1,5241:2,09810.22%402
197Osborn1,5231:2,1009.03%342
198Hopkins1,5201:2,1045.28%177
199Tucker1,5171:2,1083.95%124
200Warren1,5161:2,1094.21%143