Butler County Genealogical Resources
Local Repositories and Resources
for Butler County, Ohio Historians and Genealogists
300 North Third Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
(513) 894-7156
Open Monday-Thursday 9-9, Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-5, Sunday
1-5
Refer to the web page: http://www.lanepl.org/history.htm
The George
Cummins Local History Room houses many items of interest to
researchers.
All available Butler County census microfilms and printed indexes can
be
found there. The library also has the most extensive collection of
Hamilton,
Ohio newspapers including:
-
Butler County Democrat, weekly, 1870-1891, 1893-1909
-
Hamilton Daily Republican, 1892-1895
-
Daily Republican News, 1898-1919
-
Hamilton Daily Democrat, 1886-1897
-
Hamilton Evening Democrat, 1897-1903
-
Hamilton Evening Journal, 1908-1937
-
Hamilton Daily News-Journal, Journal-News, 1938-present
-
Hamilton (Evening) Sun, 1902-1906
-
Hamilton Intelligencer, 1821-1825, 1828-1840, other years
available
-
Hamilton Telegraph, weekly, 1848-1862, 1867-1917
-
Hamilton True Telegraph, 1868-1869
Also available are many Hamilton City Directories, city, county,
church,
and business histories. The library is considered the foremost
repository
for historical and genealogical printed material related to Hamilton.
The library also provides its patrons with a number of research
databases which are accessible from the library. The databases
include
Ancestry.com, Archives USA, and the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day
Saints Family History Library Family Search.
15 South College Ave.
Oxford, Ohio 45056
(513) 523-3035
[email protected]
Open Monday-Friday 10-12 and 1-5, Thursday evenings
6-9, Saturday 10-1
The Smith
Library of Regional History opened in 1981 and was named for
William
and Ophia Smith. Their published works and personal papers formed the
nucleus
of the collection. Financial gifts from the Smith family helped build
this
addition to the Oxford Lane Public Library. The Smith Library has
materials
on the history of the City of Oxford and surrounding townships, all of
Butler County, Southwestern Ohio, and for some topics the entire State
of Ohio. General historical studies on the Old Northwest Territory and
the Ohio River Valley are also included. Emphasis is placed on the
nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries. The collection is non-circulating. The
collection
includes but is not limited to the following:
-
County histories for nearly all Ohio counties and a few from other
states
-
Census indexes for Ohio and select other states
-
Biographies of prominent men and women from the area
-
Travel journals and narratives describing the region in the early days
-
Theses and dissertations on wide variety of subjects ranging from
Ohio's
underground railroad to Miami Valley paper manufacturing.
-
Teachers' guides for instruction in local and regional history
-
Yearbooks from local public schools, private schools, colleges, and
Miami
University
-
Books on regional architecture, the Civil War, church histories, family
histories, and related subjects.
-
50+ periodical subscriptions including: Ohio History, Traces of
Indiana
and Midwest History, Queen City Heritage, Hoosier Genealogist, Old
Northwest
-
Maps: fire insurance, topographic, county atlases
-
Photographs: individuals, families, residences, businesses from Oxford
area
-
Oxford Village Records
-
Oxford Township Records
-
Oxford Business Records
-
Church Records
-
Cemetery Records
-
Records of Oxford Clubs and Organizations
-
Oxford Telephone Directories
-
Manuscripts: diaries, letters, scrapbooks, postcards, notes, typescripts
-
Newspapers: Oxford, Hamilton, and Cincinnati
-
Census microfilms for local Ohio counties and a few Indiana counties
-
City Directories for Hamilton and Cincinnati (1860-)
-
microfilmed Butler County birth, marriage, death, will, and deed records
Middletown Branch
125 South Broad Street
Middletown, Ohio 45044
(513) 424-1251
Open Monday-Friday 9-9, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 1-5 (except
during summer)
The Library houses the Genealogy
and Ohio History Room. Emphasis is
placed on Ohio as well as Kentucky, West Virginia and the colonial
states.
Resources include:
-
Histories for Middletown, Butler County, and Ohio
- Butler County Atlases
- Middletown City Directories: 1891 through the present (1891-1929
are on microfilm, the others are in paper form).
-
Middletown Newspapers and some pre-1900 Butler County newspapers on
microfilm
- Middletown Journal Obituary index: 1980-1993
-
Butler County census records on microfilm, 1820-1930 (with the
exception of 1890)
Sources for Genealogical Research: A Brief Tour of the Genealogy and
Ohio History Room can be obtained by sending a self-addressed,
stamped
envelope to the library.
University of Cincinnati Libraries
Blegen Library-Eighth Floor
Clifton West Campus
Cincinnati, Ohio
(513) 556-1959
Mailing Address:
Archives and Rare Books Department
P.O. Box 210113
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0113
[email protected]
Open Monday-Friday 8-5
The library is home to the Ohio Network
Collection which includes government
records from eight counties in southwestern Ohio, including Butler
County.
The following Butler County records are available:
-
Board of County Commissioners: Journal 1804-1901 and Index (15
microfilms)
-
Building and Zoning Department: Building Plans 1959-1971
-
Record of Arrests, 1859-1861
-
Tax Delinquents, 1814-1815
-
Township Reports of Fines and Crimes, 1861-1870
-
City of Hamilton Municipal Court: Criminal Trial Case Files, 1960-1964
-
Middletown City Commissioners: Departmental Reports, 1907-1975
-
Middletown City Manager's Files, 1947-1972
-
Middletown City Correspondence, 1907-1975
-
Middletown City Commissioners, Minutes, 1907-1975
123 North Third St.
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
(513) 887-3437
[email protected]
Open Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Closed Weekends and Holidays
Please phone ahead before your visit.
The Records Center is the main repository for county records from
such
departments as Probate Court, County Recorder, Clerk of Courts, and
County
Commissioners. On most Tuesdays and Thursdays volunteers from local
genealogical
societies are available to assist researchers. The center also accepts
mail requests when they are specific in nature. Requests should include
names being researched, applicable dates, types of records being
sought,
and authorization for copying. The first five copies are complimentary
and thereafter are .05 for each page. Fees for certifications and
mailing
are extra. Available records include:
-
Birth Records 1856-1857, 1867-1908
-
Death Records 1849-1850, 1856-1857, 1867-1908
-
Testamentary Records 1803-1961
-
Will Records 1803-1963
-
Estate Packets 1803-1923+
-
Marriage Records 1803-1994
-
Estate Inventory Records 1803-1923+
-
Supreme Court Records 1803-1842
-
District Court Records 1852-1858
-
Common Pleas Records 1822-1932
-
Tax Duplicates 1820-1923+
-
Code Records 1853-1905
-
Grand Lists 1848-1919
-
County Infirmary Records 1840-1920
-
Tax Assessors' Reports 1826-1855
-
Naturalization Records 1804-1900s
-
Commissioners Minutes 1803-1990
-
Book of Estrays (Strays) 1803-1815
-
Chancery Records 1815-1863
-
Plat Maps 1836-1895
Please keep in mind that this list is not all inclusive and that many
more
records are available. Contact the center for specifics.
Administrative Center
130 High Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
(513) 887-3192
The Butler County Recorder has the following types of records on file:
-
Military Service Discharges (searchable on-line)
- Veteran
Grave Registration Lists (searchable on-line)
- Deeds (warranty, survivorship, quit claim, sheriff)
-
Certificates of Transfer (affidavits, easements, leases)
-
Certificates of Title to Registered Land
-
Mortgages (releases, assignments, assumptions, subordinations,
encumbrances,
waivers of priority)
-
Land Contracts
-
Plats (showing locations of lots)
-
Annexations
-
Street Name Changes
-
Vacating of Streets
-
Bills of Sale
-
Corporation Name Changes, Mergers, Cancellations
- Liens (mechanic's, federal tax, personal tax, unemployment
compensation,
worker's compensation)
Most of these record types deal with land ownership and are useful for
placing an ancestor in a given place at a given time. Other records of
genealogical interest include corporation records and military
discharge
papers.
Butler County Recorder: Danny Crank
327 North Second Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
(513) 896-9930
[email protected]
Open Tuesday-Sunday 1-4 p.m.
The museum and research library of the Butler County Historical
Society
are housed in the Benninghofen House, a restored mansion. The research
library contains the following materials of interest to genealogists:
-
Surname Index of over 5,000 local persons
-
Butler County Marriage Records 1803-1847 and 1853-1858
-
Butler County Birth Records March 1856 to March 1857 and 1867-1872
-
Butler County, Ohio Cemetery Records, Volumes 1-12 (this series covers
most graveyards in the county)
-
Hamilton, Ohio City Directories 1858, 1861-62, 1875, 1876, 1884, 1893,
1899, 1900- 1976
-
Middletown, Ohio City Directories 1891, 1917 to 1966, 1988
-
Butler County, Ohio Directories 1873, 1883, 1920, 1955
-
Obituaries 1908-1930 (in binders)
-
Marriages, Deaths and Divorces copied from old newspapers (in binders)
-
Personal Tax Books 1847-1900's
-
Plat Maps 1836, 1875, 1895, 1910, 1914, 1930
-
John Woods Court Papers (containing references to early Hamiltonians,
1799-1854)
-
Hamilton High School Annuals 1898-1951
-
Account Books and Ledgers from businesses including those operated by
Traber,
Finley, Owens, and Deuscher
-
Butler County Census 1860, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920
-
Old newspapers on microfilm: Venice Graphics, 1887-1910; Butler
County Press, 1900-1946; Deutsche-Amerikaner, all available
issues; Hamilton True Telegraph, 1861-1870; Hamilton Herald,
1885-1887; Hamilton Daily Democrat, 1887-1888; Western
Telegraph,
1841-1843
-
Civil Docket Books 1922, 1925, 1927
-
D.A.R. Patriot Index
-
Official Roster of Soldiers of the American Revolution Buried in
Ohio
-
Roster of Ohio Soldiers, 1861-1866, War of the Rebellion
-
Official Roster of Ohio Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, World
War I,
1917-1918
-
Books on Butler County and its early pioneers
-
Files on early businesses, churches, institutions, etc.
-
Photographs of people, places and businesses
The staff of the society will also assist researchers who are unable to
come to the library. They ask only that you include a self-addressed,
stamped
envelope with your request.
Open Monday-Friday 10-4, Saturday 11-3
Butler County
Veterans On-line Database
The Monument was erected to "perpetuate the memory of the soldiers,
sailors,
and pioneers of Butler County." The building was dedicated in 1906 and
built on the same land where Fort hamilton stood in the 1790's. The
monument
houses military displays and features an inscribed wall containing the
names of early servicemen from the county.
Family History Centers
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(to find a Family History Center near you, call
1-800-346-6044)
Fairfield Branch
4831 Pleasant Ave.
Fairfield, Ohio 45014
(513) 844-8866
Open Wednesday and Friday, 10-2; Tuesday and Thursday, 6-9
P.M.
Norwood Branch
5505 Bosworth Place
Norwood, Ohio 45212
(513) 531-5624
Open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 10-2; Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday
6-9
Montgomery/Blue Ash Branch (North Cincinnati)
8250 Cornell Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249
(513) 489-3036
Open Tuesday 10-9, Wednesday 6-9 p.m., Thursday 10-2 and
6-9,
Saturday 10-2
City of Hamilton Health Department
Hamilton City Health Department
1 Renaissance Center
345 High Street - Third Floor
(513) 785-7080
This office has birth and death records from 1913 to the present for
events occuring within the Hamilton City limits. The records are
indexed
alphabetically by year.
301 South Third Street
(corner of Third and Ludlow)
(513) 863-1770
Open Monday-Friday 8:30-4:00
Birth and death records for Butler County townships can be found at
this office. Their records start in 1909. Uncertified copies of records
can frequently be obtained free of charge.
City of Middletown Health Department
Middletown City Health Department
1 Donham Plaza
(513) 425-7851
This office has birth and death records for events occuring within the
Middletown City limits.
Butler County History Collaborative (Historical Sites)
Middletown Historical Society Canal Museum
1605 North Verity Parkway
Middletown, Ohio
(513) 422-7161
Located along the historic route of the Miami-Erie Canal, the Canal
Museum,
a relocated lock tenders house, offers Middletown and Miami-Erie Canal
history through artifacts, photographs, and videos.
Monroe Historical Society Museum
Main and Elm Streets
Monroe, Ohio 45050
(513) 539-7310
The Museum houses many displays and artifacts depicting the history of
Monroe, platted in 1817, and the surrounding area.
Trenton Historical Society Museum
17-A East State Street
Trenton, Ohio 45067
(513) 988-9634
The Museum, located in the circa 1890 Adam Shafer house, displays
exhibits
relating to the development of Trenton, platted 1816, and the
surrounding
area.
Chrisholm Historic Farmstead
2070 Woodside Road
Hamilton, Ohio
(513) 867-5835
Open only for special events at this time
This home was built in 1830 by Christian Augspurger, leader of the
local
Amish-Mennonite settlement. The original building was destroyed by fire
in 1873 with the present brick farmhouse being built by Samuel
Augspurger
in 1874.
Butler County Historical Society Benninghofen House
327 North Second Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
(513) 896-9930
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 1-4
This is the restored mansion of Hamilton industrialist, John
Benninghofen.
The Italianate style structure was the home of Benninghofen family
members
from 1874-1947. It was placed on the National Register of Historic
Places
in 1973. Refer to the above for information on the
Society library's holdings.
Lane-Hooven House
319 North Third Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
(513) 863-1389
This octagonal house is one of only four-hundred in the United States.
Built in 1863 by Hamilton industrialist Clark Lane, the home is located
in Hamilton's German Village. It is also listed on the National
Register
of Historic Places.
Elisha Morgan Farm Mansion
6181 Ross Road
Gilbert Farm Park
Fairfield, Ohio 45014
(513) 867-5300
Open by appointment only
This brick farm house was built in 1817 and is listed on the National
Register
of Historic Places. The original building was left intact but an
addition
to the house was completed in 1858 in the Greek Revival style.
Governor Bebb Cabin
1979 Bebb Park Lane (off State Route 126)
(513) 867-5835
The Cabin was the birthplace and boyhood home of Ohio's 19th Governor,
William Bebb. Built in 1799, it is one of seven structures, including a
covered bridge, which were moved to the park as part of the pioneer
village.
McGuffey Museum
Spring and Oak Sts.
Oxford, Ohio 45056
(513) 529-2232
The Museum honors William Holmes McGuffey, Miami University professor
and
compiler of the McGuffey Eclectic Readers. His readers educated
generations
and earned him the title "Schoolmaster to the Nation." The Museum is
located
in the house where McGuffey lived from 1833 to 1836.
Pioneer Farm and Museum
Hueston Woods State Park
Brown Road
Oxford, Ohio 45056
(513) 523-8005
This farmhouse contains furniture, clothing, and toys typical of a 19th
century family. The home was originally constructed in the early 19th
century
and is now under the care of the Oxford Museum Association.
Butler-Warren County African American Historical Society
4521 Poppy Drive (P.O. Box 715)
Middletown, Ohio
(513) 424-1791
If you found these web pages to be informative, please consider
becoming
a member of the Southwest Butler County Genealogical Society. Your
participation
is needed to further the work of the Society.
This site was created by David J.
Endres.
Those with questions, comments, or additional information are
encouraged
to contact the compiler.
© 1998-2004 by David J.
Endres
This site was created on July 4, 1998.
Updated on 25 June 2004.