Births started in Ohio in 1867 and were recorded at the local level. Births were recorded at both the local and state level beginning in December 1908.
Wayne County, Ohio Online Resource Center:Main Page
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Wayne County, Ohio
Welcome to the
Online Resource Center
The Community History Wiki
People Records ↑Up
There are many resources available when researching one's family history. Some of the main areas include Vital Records (Births, Marriages, Deaths), Census Records, Court Records, Biographies and Compiled Genealogies to name a few.
Divorces
Early divorces may be found in Common Pleas Court: Supreme Court Records, in Journals, and in newspapers.
Deaths
Deaths started in Ohio in 1867 and were recorded at the local level. Deaths were recorded at both the local and state level beginning in December 1908.
Census
The U.S. Census was first taken in 1790. It has been taken every 10 years. The individual details for the 1950 U.S. Census was released April 1, 2022.
Court
Early court records include wills, estates, naturalizations, criminal and civil actions, list of jurors, ministers being ordained, international vendors, and much more.
Genealogies
Use Compiled genealogies with caution. These usually include secondary information and may be correct or incorrect.
Infrastructure ↑Up
Infrastructure focuses on the history of the county, its buildings and property, transportation and much more.
County Histories
Community and county histories contain information on people and places. You may find information on churches, schools, businesses, early settlers and much more.
Historical Buildings
Many communities have historical buildings, some that have been recognized while others have not.
Cemeteries
There are more than 230 cemeteries in the county. Many are still in existence while others have not survived the test of time.
Property
Property records include land deeds as well as taxes. Often, land deeds are the only resource available to researchers that may provide evidence of a parent-child relationship.
Transportation
The first train arrived in Wooster, Ohio in 1852. The railway opened opportunities for people to travel longer distances at quicker rates.
Genealogy is much more than names, places and events. It is important to understand the social history of a community. Businesses, organizations, churches, schools, and ethnic groups help make up the social aspects of a community. Newspapers include a wealth of information about the community.
Businesses
In many of the local municipalities, the downtown area was the center of the business industry. As the years went by, businesses set up shop throughout the county.
Organizations
Organizations have been common throughout history. They provide many services at little or no cost to many. Some have been long lasting while others were in existence for a limited period of time.
Churches
When the early settlers started a new community, the first and most important public building to be erected was the church. The church was the hub for many social activities.
Schools
Education has always been very important in Wayne County. In 1878, historian Ben Douglass stated that "Education in Wayne county is perhaps as far advanced as in any other county in the State, and that in its progress and development it can challenge comparison with the foremost in Ohio."
Ethnicity
Many immigrants to the United States brought traditions, elements of their culture, skills, trade and much more to the United States. Often, they came with very little in their pockets seeking a better life for themselves and their descendants.
Immigration
From the beginning of our country, our nation has been a melting pot. Immigrants came to Colonial America and the United States to seeking economic opportunities or seeking asylum from religious and/or government persecution.
Military
Learn about the individuals who served for the U.S. Armed Services in wars from the Revolutionary War through World War II.
Newspapers
Historical newspapers were the "Social Media" of their time. If you want to find out the latest gossip, spend some time reading the news of long ago.
Research ↑Up
There is a growing number of collections becoming available online. The library offers many resources, both local and national to help assist you in your research.
Digital Collection
The number of digital collections becoming available through commercial businesses and non-profit organizations is improving access to valuable documents and information. Wayne County, Ohio digital collections may be found through a variety of websites.
Databases
The library has access to several subscriptions databases. In addition, volunteers and staff have created a number of unique databases for the county.
Collection
Our collection includes books on Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New York, Indiana, and West Virginia. In addition, there is a growing collection of family papers and family histories available for visitors to browse.
Finding Aids
Several subject bibliographies have been prepared to assist researchers with the collection. These include books on a variety of ethnic groups, military, women's history, heraldry, the Mayflower, organizing your genealogy, preservation, and much more.
Classroom
Whether you are a novice or seasoned researchers, there is something here for you. Several instructional videos have been prepared. In some cases, several documents that go along with the instructional videos are available through the classroom.
Wiki ↑Up
Any special collections have ongoing projects, rules, staff, and volunteers to help provide material and services to researchers.
Projects
Rules
Staff
Volunteers
Discord
Portals
- Featured
Recent Edits
- Jenny Heiks Variety Store (Aug 8)
- Joyful Cafe (Aug 8)
- John Mierer - Baker (Aug 8)
- Jodi's Closet (Aug 8)
- Jacob Frick & Company (Aug 8)
Picture of the Day
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Newspaper ad
| Date | 1917/01/03 |
| Organization name | |
| Industry Sector |
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| Year | 1917 |
| Newspaper title | Wooster Daily Republican |
| Page number | 3 |
- Public Library
Beginning June 1, 2021, the Genealogy and Local History will be open the following hours:
| Monday | 10:00 am–8:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 10:00 am–8:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am–8:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am–1:00 pm |
Facial masks are strongly recommended regardless of vaccination status.
If you do not feel comfortable coming into the library, curbside service is available at all locations.
telephone: 330-262-0916, ext. 4670