Portal:Local history

Local History Portal

Wayne County, Ohio Online Resource Center Portals Organization • Genealogy • Local History

Main

Digital Collection

Townships

Welcome to the Wayne County Public Library Local History Portal.

Township History

Buildings

Business History

Cemeteries

Churches

Education

Military

Organizations

Recreation

Local History Resources

There are many resources available in our department. Our department has newspapers on microfilm dating back to 1822. This resource may be very time consuming but very rewarding. Newspapers dating before 1870s do not include much local news. You may find the occasional marriage or death announcement. You may find listings of estate sales and legal notices that may provide clues to other resources to consider.

As the turn of the 20th century approaches, the local newspapers were social columns. Such items as births, marriage, and death announcements may be listed. Also, you may find information on who is visiting who and where the visit takes place. Information about military, and community involvement may be found. Wayne County School Reunions, family reunions, and information pertaining to local churches and businesses may be mentioned.

Through the years, many newspapers articles have been clipped on specific topics. Some of these may be found in the lateral files. Other clippings may be found in a variety of 3-ring notebooks and organized according to subject. Information on historical businesses may be found in the business collection and township articles in the township notebooks. Some of the information will become available through the Wayne County (OH) Wiki.

About Local History Portal

The local history portal focuses on history of Wayne County, Ohio including township histories and information pertaining to the towns and cities of long ago through present day. It is the desire to provide information on businesses, churches, schools, residences, non-profit organizations, military information and many other components of history. When available, digital images will be uploaded to the Wayne County (OH) Wiki to enhance the experience of our researchers. However, to compile a comprehensive history of Wayne County, Ohio, it takes time and volunteers--both of which are in great demand. If your are interested in helping "populate" the local history portal, please contact Deb in the Genealogy and Local History Department.

General information regarding the history of Wayne County, Ohio may be found by choosing one of the record types listed in the "Main" tab. For images pertaining to local history, see the other two tabs: Digital Collection and Historical Atlas. To go directly to a township page, use the search field and type in the full township name, full county name, and full state name. Do not use abbreviations. For example,if you are interested in finding information on Plain Township, type in "Plain Township, Wayne County, Ohio". If you are interested in finding information on a town or city in Wayne County, type in the search field the full name of the town and the full name of the state. For example, if you are interested in information on Doylestown, type "Doylestown, Ohio".

About Digital Collection Tab

The Digital Collection includes links to images of churches, schools, businesses and residents. In addition, local historian Harry S. McClarran has agreed to loan us some photos from his extensive collection to add to the Wiki. In honor of his years of work, we have an entire section on Wiki devoted to his collection.

The Digital Collection has a place for individuals to submit copies of their photographs and documents. If interested, please contact the department.

About Historical Atlas Tab

The Historical Atlases tab includes links to early plat maps of Wayne County, Ohio.

Images of historical directories and business letterheads may be found through the [ https://www.wcpl.info/wiki/index.php/Portal:Business/Directory Business Gallery] located through the Business Portal.

Images to the Digital Collection and images with indexes for the Historical Atlases will be added as they become available and time permits.