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The Wayne County (OH) Wiki was started in 2014. Since its introduction, library staff have a new vision for the Wiki. To find out more about the Wayne County (OH) Wiki and its vision, please read About Wayne County (OH) Wiki.

Births and Deaths

Birth and death records in Wayne County, Ohio were first recorded in 1856 and 1857 as the result of an Ohio Act passed in 1855. However,this first attempt did not last long. About 10 years later, Ohio attempted once again to record births and deaths. The recording of most births and deaths began in 1867. These were recorded at the county level. In December 1908, births and deaths were recorded at the local level and copies were sent to the Ohio Department of Health. The Wayne County Cemetery Preservation Society has compiled an index to the Wayne County Death Records 1867-1908. Another index to early death records may be found through the Rutherford B. Hayes Online Obituary Index.

Buildings

There are many historical buildings still standing in Wooster, Ohio and Wayne County, Ohio. Other buildings have been razed. The Genealogy and Local History Department has some exterior photos of buildings. Most are found in published books such as Picturesque Wayne, Wooster Souvenir, Historic Heritage, and many of the published books about local areas such as Creston, Dalton, Doylestown, Orrville, Rittman, and Shreve. Some photos may be found on the Wayne County, (OH) Wiki. Historic Founders' Row District is one example of a neighborhood researching their homes.

The department does not have interior photos of buildings. We do have city and county directories which may be used to research the owners of homes. Directories in connection with plat maps and deed searchers may aid researchers in tracking previous owners of the property or building to see if early photos still exist.

The Wayne County Historical Society maintains a list of Wayne County Historical Landmarks through their website.

Marriages and Divorces

In the state of Ohio, marriages are recorded at the county level. The years and Marriages were first recorded once the county was established.

In Ohio, marriages begin when the county was first organized. For Wayne County, Ohio, marriages begin in 1812. However, most parents were not listed on marriages in Wayne County until 1899.

Domestic Relations Court was not established in Wayne County, Ohio until 1914. Divorces prior to this time may be found in Chancery Records, Land Deeds, Supreme Court Records, Journals, Newspapers and other possible places. The department has been working on an early divorce index.

Business

Downtown Wooster, Ohio was the core for industry in the 19th and early to mid 20th centuries. Early Wooster industry is much forgotten. Likewise, early industry in other towns throughout Wayne County, Ohio is not recorded in much detail. Through deed searches, court records, newspaper searches, local histories maintained by area historical societies, history books, and memories of the residents and former residents of Wayne County, a listing of past and present business is in the process of being created. On the Business Portal of the Wayne County (OH) Wiki, hundreds of businesses may be found. Some of these businesses have a recorded history; others do not.

Cemeteries

There are more than 240 known cemeteries in Wayne County, Ohio. Some of these cemeteries are gone with no record of the burials. Several attempts have been done through the years to record the known burials. The most recent recordings started in 2001 when the Wayne County Cemetery Preservation Society was established. For the most up-to-date list of known cemeteries, visit the Society's website.

Churches

Many churches representing a variety of denominations have come and gone in Wayne County, Ohio. The whereabouts of many early church records in Wayne County, Ohio are unknown. The Genealogy and Local History Department of the Wayne County Public Library has very few church records but several church histories. The department is currently working on a list of churches that have at one time or still do exist locally. The Wayne County Cemetery Preservation Society does have an alphabetical index to the Wooster German Lutheran and Reformed Church Birth and Baptism Records of Wayne County, Ohio 1819-1854.

Census

The United States takes a census of her residents every 10 years. The first U.S. Census was taken in 1790. The most recent was taken in 2010. However, there is a 72 year privacy law which limits access to the detailed information on the census. The 1940 U.S. Census is the latest census available for public viewing. The state of Ohio did not take any State Census. On occasion, researchers may find an enumeration of residents. Several do exist for Wooster, Ohio and Wayne County, Ohio. Quadrennial Enumeration are available for Wayne County for the years 1815, 1819, and 1823. For Wooster, there is a Quadrennial Enumeration for 1887 and 1907.

Military

Wayne County, Ohio has a history of great activity in wartime. With the Northwest Territory came great opportunity for westward expansion and the opportunity to own affordable land. Many soldiers of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 received land in what became Ohio. Not all soldiers settled west. Often times, descendants of those war soldiers and early founders of the country came west to look for greater opportunity. Many settled in Wayne County, Ohio. Local history books includes lists of soldiers who served or was known to have been pensioners of the early wars. Other resources include lists of soldiers buried in Wayne County, Ohio.

Court

Wayne County, Ohio was established in 1812. Many of the early court records are housed in the Genealogy and Local History Department of the Wayne County Public Library. These records are preserved on microfilm. Others copies may be found at Microfilm Services located in the Administration Building at 428 W. Liberty St. in Wooster, Ohio.

Schools

Ethnicity and Immigration

Organizations

Genealogies and Biographies

Townships

Property