Changes

There have been three laws passed in the state of Ohio regarding the recording of vital records.  The first law was passed in 1856.  This statute required birth, death, and marriage registration.  This law was generally disregarded by individuals.  The second law was passed in 1867.  It required that births and deaths be recorded at the county level.  Although it was required by law, many births and deaths still were not recorded. In 1908, the third law was passed, mandating the recording of births and deaths at the state level.  As a result, births and deaths occurring from 20 December 1908 forward are more complete.

There have been three laws passed in the state of Ohio regarding the recording of vital records.  The first law was passed in 1856.  This statute required birth, death, and marriage registration.  This law was generally disregarded by individuals.  The second law was passed in 1867.  It required that births and deaths be recorded at the county level.  Although it was required by law, many births and deaths still were not recorded. In 1908, the third law was passed, mandating the recording of births and deaths at the state level.  As a result, births and deaths occurring from 20 December 1908 forward are more complete.  Birth and death certificates after 1908 are available through the Ohio Department of Vital Statistics or county Health Departments.  Ohio death certificates from 1908-1953 are available through [https://familysearch.org FamilySearch].

==Ohio Births Prior to 1867==

==Ohio Births Prior to 1867==

There are a few known counties that have surviving copies of birth records prior to 1867.  Wayne County, OH has some births recorded for the year ending 1 March 1857.  The [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohwayne/wcgs/wcgs_index.html Wayne County Genealogical Society] has a publication of the vital records from 1856-1857.  A copy of the [http://clevnet.bibliocommons.com/item/show/6638051048_wayne_county,_ohio_births,_deaths_and_marriages,_1856-1857_with_some_1858_included book] can be found in our department.  Other known counties with early birth and death records include the following:

There are a few known counties that have surviving copies of birth records prior to 1867.  Wayne County, OH has some births recorded for the year ending 1 March 1857.  The [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohwayne/wcgs/wcgs_index.html Wayne County Genealogical Society] has a publication of the vital records from 1856-1857.  A copy of the [https://search.clevnet.org/client/en_US/clevnet/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:6638051/one book] can be found in our department.  Other known counties with early birth and death records include the following:

* [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Gallia_County,_Ohio Gallia County] – birth and deaths from 1864

* [https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Gallia_County,_Ohio Gallia County] – birth and deaths from 1864

Our department has two different books recording the births in Wayne County, OH.  ''Wayne County, OH Births 1800-1870'' was started by a member of the Wayne County Genealogical Society years ago.  The births recorded in this book are not actual births.  Rather, the book is a compilation of early births that may have occurred in Wayne County, OH.  The compiler used more than 14 different resources.  Some of the most commonly referred resources include, with their abbreviations:

Our department has two different books recording the births in Wayne County, OH.  ''Wayne County, OH Births 1800-1870'' was started by a member of the Wayne County Genealogical Society years ago.  The births recorded in this book are not actual births.  Rather, the book is a compilation of early births that may have occurred in Wayne County, OH.  The compiler used more than 14 different resources.  Some of the most commonly referred resources include, with their abbreviations:

* [http://clevnet.bibliocommons.com/item/show/115616048_history_of_wayne_county,_ohio History of Wayne County, Ohio] by Ben Douglass => DG <br/>

* [https://search.clevnet.org/client/en_US/clevnet/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:656492/one History of Wayne County, Ohio] by Ben Douglass => DG <br/>

* [http://clevnet.bibliocommons.com/item/show/119858048_commemorative_biographical_record_of_wayne_county,_ohio,_containing_biographical_sketches_of_prominent_and_representative_citizens,_and_of_many_of_the_early_settled_families Commemorative Biographical Record of Wayne County, Ohio], originally published by J.H. Beers & Co. => BE <br/>

* [https://search.clevnet.org/client/en_US/clevnet/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:115604/one Commemorative Biographical Record of Wayne County, Ohio], originally published by J.H. Beers & Co. => BE <br/>

* [http://clevnet.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1977888048_history_of_wayne_county,_ohio History of Wayne County, Ohio] published by B.F. Bowen Co. => BO <br/>

* [https://search.clevnet.org/client/en_US/clevnet/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:1977888/one History of Wayne County, Ohio] published by B.F. Bowen Co. => BO <br/>

* 1988 International Genealogical Society (IGI) => IG <br/>

* 1988 International Genealogical Index (IGI) => IG <br/>

* [http://clevnet.bibliocommons.com/item/show/2924854048_1850_wayne_county_census Abstracts of the 1850 US Census of Wayne County, Ohio] => C50 <br/>

* 1992 International Genealogical Index (IGI) => IG <br/>

* [http://clevnet.bibliocommons.com/item/show/358688048_census_of_1880,_wayne_county,_ohio 1880 US Census of Wayne County, Ohio] => C80 <br/>

* [https://search.clevnet.org/client/en_US/clevnet/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:2924854/one Abstracts of the 1850 US Census of Wayne County, Ohio] => C50 <br/>

* [https://search.clevnet.org/client/en_US/clevnet/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:358688/one 1880 US Census of Wayne County, Ohio] => C80 <br/>

The front of the book gives a list of the various abbreviations used in the resource.

The front of the book gives a list of the various abbreviations used in the resource.

Unfortunately, the compilation of early birth records has not been completed.  The compiler completed the surnames beginning with the letter A thru letter R.  He started but did not complete surnames beginning with S.  He passed away prior to the completion of the book.

Unfortunately, the compilation of early birth records has not been completed.  The compiler completed the surnames beginning with the letter A thru letter R.  He started but did not complete surnames beginning with S.  He passed away prior to the completion of the book.

A second book in our collection is [http://clevnet.bibliocommons.com/item/show/3580900048_birth_records_of_wayne_county,_ohio,_1867-1908 Wayne County, Ohio Birth Records 1867-1908].  The book is divided in two parts.  Volume 1 is organized by the father’s last name.  In volume 1, the father’s name and mother’s maiden name are listed.  Each child that was born to them and that was recorded is listed beneath the father and mother and indented a few spaces.  Many of the children do not have names.  At the time the birth was recorded, a name had not been given to the child, yet.  Also, the compiler of the book lumped children together as being born in the same township.  This is not necessary accurate.  The researcher would need to refer to the original birth records on microfilm to verify the township in which the child was born.  The volume and page number in which the birth was recorded can be found following each child listed.

A second book in our collection is [https://search.clevnet.org/client/en_US/clevnet/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:3612518/one Wayne County, Ohio Birth Records 1867-1908].  The book is divided in two parts.  Volume 1 is organized by the father’s last name.  In volume 1, the father’s name and mother’s maiden name are listed.  Each child that was born to them and that was recorded is listed beneath the father and mother and indented a few spaces.  Many of the children do not have names.  At the time the birth was recorded, a name had not been given to the child, yet.  Also, the compiler of the book lumped children together as being born in the same township.  This is not necessary accurate.  The researcher would need to refer to the original birth records on microfilm to verify the township in which the child was born.  The volume and page number in which the birth was recorded can be found following each child listed.

Volume 2 of the book covers the delayed births.  In the 1930s when Social Security came into effect, many individuals did not have actual birth records to prove their birth date.  They would need to have someone write a letter verifying the applicant’s birth date.  We do not have the original delayed birth records in our department.

Volume 2 of the book covers the delayed births.  In the 1930s when Social Security came into effect, many individuals did not have actual birth records to prove their birth date.  They would need to have someone write a letter verifying the applicant’s birth date.  We do not have the original delayed birth records in our department.

==Contact Information==

==Contact Information==