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Lorain County, Ohio
Genealogy, History & Facts

County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links

Lorain County, Ohio Facts

When was Lorain County, OH Created?
Lorain County was created on December 26, 1822 from Cuyahoga County, Huron County and Medina County (Organized in 1824). This county was named for the Province of Lorraine, France .

What is the County Seat of Lorain County, OH?
The County Seat is located in Elyria also, the county government website is www.loraincounty.us/ .

What counties are adjacent to Lorain County, OH?
Bordering Counties are Ontario, Canada, Cuyahoga County, Medina County, Ashland County, Huron County, Erie County .

What cities and towns are in Lorain County, OH
Cities and towns located in the County include Amherst, Elyria, Oberlin, Avon, Lorain, Sheffield Lake, Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, Vermilion, Grafton, Rochester, South Amherst, Kipton, Sheffield, Wellington, LaGrange . Other communities include Include Brentwood Lake.

Lorain County, OH Vital Records

Where can find Lorain County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Lorain 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 Lorain 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.

Lorain County, OH Census Records


What Lorain County, OH census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Lorain County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

Lorain Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Lorain Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Lorain 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

Lorain County, OH Courthouse and Government Records

Lorain County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Lorain County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Lorain 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 Lorain 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.

Lorain County, OH Societies and Family History Resources

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

  • Lorain County Chapter, OGS, PO Box 865, Elyria, OH 44036-0865; Lorain County Chapter, OGS has regular meetings at North Ridgeville Public Library, 7pm on the second Monday unless otherwise stated. Special meetings will be announced in The Researcher. The Lorain County Chapter maintains the Hicks Memorial Library located within the Hickories Museum located at 509 Washington Avenue in Elyria.
  • Lorain County Historical Society, 509 Washington Ave, Elyria, OH 44035-5128’Phone: (440) 322-3341; The Lorain County Historical Society maintains the Hickories Museum, an 1895 mansion with period furnishings and architectural and decorative details intact. The former servants rooms currently house a local history and genealogy library. The museum also features changing exhibits on Lorain County’s rich cultural heritage. Museum tours Tuesday through Saturday 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. or by appointment.
  • Amherst Historical Society, 113 S Lake St, Amherst, OH 44001-2009; Phone: (440) 988-7255; The Amherst Historical Society has developed an OAHSM certified museum of local history. The Sandstone Center Living History Museum contains a one-room school, church, and octagonal barn, along with an “Amherst” room, and a 1930-era kitchen as well as a Greek revival sandstone house.
  • Avon Historical Society , 35748 Detroit Rd, Avon, OH 44011-1657; Phone: (440) 937-5516; The Avon Historical Society focuses on education and preservation.
  • Belden Historical Society, 246 Miller Ct, Elyria, OH 44035-8118; Phone: (440) 926-2680; The Belden Historical Society maintains a museum, a one-room schoolhouse, and a Veterans Park. Tours and reenactments are provided at the schoolhouse site by appointment.
  • Black River Historical Society, 309 W 5th St, Lorain, OH 44053-3330; Phone: (440) 245-2563; The Black River Historical Society maintains the Moore House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as it’s museum. The Society’s collection includes photographs, artifacts and histories of Lorain, its people, and its industries, past and present. “Suitcase Talks” are available for educational programming for schools and groups.
  • Carlisle Township Historical Society, 12064 Robson Rd, Grafton, OH 44044-9163; Phone: (440) 458-4375; The Carlisle Township Historical Society has local artifacts to increase public awareness of the area’s local history. The historical and genealogy society is small and meets at the Carlisle Fire Station, which was an old schoolhouse.
  • Columbia Historical Society Inc, PO Box 983, Columbia Station, OH 44028-0983; Phone: (440) 236-8170; The Columbia Historical Society promotes interest in the local history of the area by maintaining a former farmhouse as the Bronson House Museum. The museum is the last home of the first pioneer woman, Sally Bronson, in Columbia Township in 1807.
  • Grafton Village History Association, 960 Main St, Grafton, OH 440441432
  • North Ridgeville Historical Society Inc, 145 Stanford Ave, Elyria, OH 44035-6009; Phone: (440) 322-9669; The North Ridgeville Historical Society maintains the main floor of the Old Town Hall, used as a community museum, and is restoring a one-room frame school for future tours.
  • Oberlin Heritage Center, PO Box 0455, Oberlin, OH 44074-0455; Phone: (440) 774-1700; The mission of Oberlin Heritage Center/O.H.I.O. is to preserve and share Oberlin’s unique heritage and to make its community a better place to live, learn, work and visit. It offers guided tours of the Oberlin Heritage Center and many public programs throughout the year.
  • Pittsfield Township Historical Society, 18938 Pitts Rd, Wellington, OH; Phone: (440) 647-2203;
  • Rochester Historical Society, 49707 Griggs Rd, Wellington, OH 44090-9247; Phone: (440) 647-4865; The Society preserves the history and artifacts of Rochester and maintains the Old Rochester Depot.
  • Sheffield Village Historical Society & Cultural Center, 4921 Detroit Rd, Garfield Farms, Sheffield Village, OH 44054; Phone: (440) 934-1514
  • Southern Lorain County Historical Society, PO Box 76, Wellington, OH 44090-0076; Phone: (440) 647-4367; The Southern Lorain County Historical Society preserves the area’s heritage and administers the Spirit of ’76 Museum. It houses over a dozen original paintings of Archibald McNeil Willard, the Ohio wagon painter who created the inspirational “Spirit of 76” paintings, and over 6,000 other area artifacts.
  • 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 Lorain County, OH Researchers through message boards and forums?

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

Lorain Co. OH Books, Newspapers & Publications

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

Lorain Co. OH Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Lorain Co. OH General and History Websites

Lorain Co. OH Immigration & Naturalization

Lorain Co. OH Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Lorain Co. OH Military Records

AlpineLorain Co. OH Schools & Directories