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Lake County, Ohio
Genealogy, History & Facts

Lake County, Ohio Facts

When was Lake County, OH Created?
Lake County was created on March 6, 1840 from Cuyahoga County and Geauga County. This county was named as such due to it bordering Lake Erie.

What is the County Seat of Lake County, OH?
The County Seat is located in Painesville also, the county government website is www.lakecountyohio.org/ .

What counties are adjacent to Lake County, OH?
Bordering Counties are Ontario, Canada, Ashtabula CountyGeauga County (south and east), Cuyahoga County (south and west) .

Lake County, OH Vital Records

Where can find Lake County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Lake County vital records can be found at the Ohio Department of Health which has Birth Records since Dec 20, 1908; Death Records since since 1954 and copies of Marriage and Divorce Records since 1918 to present There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Ohio for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Lake County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Ohio Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Application to mail. The Archives Division has copies of births before 1908, death before 1944 and marriage records before 1949.

Lake County, OH Census Records


What Lake County, OH census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Lake County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 18401850186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

Lake Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Lake Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Lake Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Ohio Census Records Research Guide

Lake County, OH Courthouse and Government Records

Lake County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Lake County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Lake County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in Ohio courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless Ohio residents. The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Lake County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also Ohio Courthouse Records Research Guide.

Lake County, OH Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Lake County, OH?
A list of Lake County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Ohio Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

  • Lake County Chapter, OGS, Morley Library, 184 Phelps, Painesville, OH 44077-3927; Phone: (216) 257-3384, Lake County Genealogical Society is now meeting at the new Morley Library lower level meeting room. Meetings are the last Thursday of the month at 10:00 am, except January potluck, July family picnic, occasionally early in November, and no meetings in August and December. This OGS Chapter’s holdings, housed at the Morley Library, occupy the Library’s Genealogy Department that is staffed by knowledgeable Chapter members who maintain and compile genealogical information. A detailed history of people from the Isle of Man, listing 1,218 names, is available for research.
  • Lake County Historical Society, 415 Riverside Dr, Painesville, OH 44079-5321; Phone: (440) 639-2945; The Lake County Historical Center operates an indoor/outdoor museum, Shadybrook that traces the history of Northeast Ohio and Lake County from pre-Columbian times to the present. With an extensive library and archives, the Society is the center of historical research and interpretation in the county.
  • Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society, PO Box 1, Buckeye Lake, OH 43008-0001; Phone: (740) 929-1998; The Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society places special interest in collecting historical material from all localities in the Buckeye Lake area. The history of the Ohio Canal will be preserved, as well as historical material from the era of the Amusement Park at Buckeye Lake including a refurbished rocket ship.
  • Great Lakes Historical Society, PO Box 435, Vermilion, OH 44089-0435; Phone: (800) 893-1485; The Great Lakes Historical Society maintains the Inland Seas Maritime Museum that specialize in ship models, paintings, artifacts, navigational instruments, and exhibits relating to the Great Lakes. Experience all new hands-on, interactive and multi-media displays added in 2001. The Society also maintains the Clarence S. Metcalf Library and Lake Erie Shipwreck Research Center.
  • Morley Library, 184 Phelps St, Painesville, OH 44077; 440-352-3383
  • Lake Erie Islands Historical Society, PO Box 25, 441 Delaware Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456-0025; Phone: (419) 285-2804; The Lake Erie Islands Historical Society has a 6,000 sq. ft. building, with local history vineyards, wineries, and hostels. The Battle of Lake ship model collection tracing the development of shipping on the Great Lakes from 1600-2000. They also have Interlakes Regatta Assn. Trophies and photos from 1885, a research library, archives, and genealogy data on island families.
  • Indian Museum of Lake County, PO Box 883, Willoughby, OH 44096-0883; Phone: (440) 951-3813; The Indian Museum of Lake County is located on the west end of the Lake Erie College campus and displays a collection of prehistoric Indian artifacts, dating from 10,000 B.C. to 1650 A.D., predominantly found in northeastern Ohio. The Museum also has exhibits of North American Indian handcrafts dating from 1800 to the present day.
  • Lake Township Historical Society, PO Box 482, Uniontown, OH 44685-0482; Lake Township Historical Society maintains both sites for tours including bus tours. The museum has permanent and movable displays. The school house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The society provides research into Lake Township history, programs such as Fire Side Chats on history related subjects, takes part in local events, maintains an archives of historical related objects and materials, has home and garden tours, special holiday events and provides special programs for Lake Township Schools.
  • Lakeside Heritage Society Inc, 324 W 3rd St, Lakeside, OH 43440-1471; Phone: (419) 798-5519; The Lakeside Heritage Society preserves the history of the area. Its archives house books, photographs, maps, documents, pamphlets, and clippings of Lakeside and the Marblehead Peninsula. A collection of artifacts found at the Civil War prison on Johnson’s Island is on display.
  • Lakewood Historical Society, 14710 Lake Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107-1353; Phone: (216) 221-7343; Housed in an 1838 pioneer home, the Lakewood Historical Society Museum features furniture and artifacts of early Lakewood. The Society also offers free tours and maintains a library/archive.
  • Nesmith Lake Historical Society, 475 W Waterloo Rd #5, Akron, OH 44314-3466; Phone: (330) 753-4501;
  • Perry Historical Society of Lake County, PO Box 216, Perry, OH 44081-0216; Phone: (440) 259-4541; The Perry Historical Society of Lake County gathers information about Perry and its heritage. The Society’s holdings include a genealogical collection. It has initiated a historic house program, and displays exhibits at the Perry Public Library.
  • Portage Lakes Historical Society, 3560 Peninsula Dr, Akron, OH 44319-2933; Phone: (330) 644-4547; The Portage Lakes Historical Society has historic boat tours with markers dating back to the early 1800s. There is a stagecoach stop, a mill from around 1817 and maps from 1918 including a map of Portage Lakes Lock 1 to Wolf Creek Lock in Barberton.
  • Ohio Historical Society, Archives-Library Division,  1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211; Telephone: 614-297-2300
  • Ohio Genealogical Society, 713 South Main Street, Mansfield OH 44907-1644

Where can I connect with other Lake County, OH Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Lake County, OH?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Lake County.

Lake Co. OH Books, Newspapers & Publications

Lake Co. OH Church / Bible Records & Cemeteries / Graveyards

Lake Co. OH Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Lake Co. OH General and History Websites

Lake Co. OH Immigration & Naturalization

Lake Co. OH Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Lake Co. OH Military Records