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Ottawa 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

Ottawa County, Ohio Facts

When was Ottawa County, OH Created?
Ottawa County was created on March 6, 1840 from Erie County, Lucas County and Sandusky County. This county was named for the Ottawa Indians; Ottawa means “trader” in their language .

What is the County Seat of Ottawa County, OH?
The County Seat is located in Port Clinton also, the county government website is www.co.ottawa.oh.us/ .

What counties are adjacent to Ottawa County, OH?
Bordering Counties are Ontario, Canada (north and east), Erie County, Sandusky County, Wood County, Lucas County .

Ottawa County, OH Vital Records

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

Ottawa County, OH Census Records


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

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

Ottawa County, OH Courthouse and Government Records

Ottawa County Courthouse

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

Ottawa County, OH Societies and Family History Resources

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

  • Ottawa County Chapter, OGS, PO Box 193, Port Clinton, OH 43452-0193; Phone: (419) 898-0850; Ottawa County Chapter, OGS generally meets on the third Tuesday of each month (except July-none and August-picnic) at 7:00pm at the Community Room of the Ida Rupp Public Library, 310 Madison St., Port Clinton. This OGS Chapter meets monthly at the Ida Rupp Public Library.
  • Ottawa County Historical Society, PO Box 385, Port Clinton, OH 43452-0385; Phone: (419) 836-7449; The Ottawa County Historical Society restored the circa 1820 residence of Benajah and Rachael Wolcott, called the Keeper’s House. Slide presentations on Ottawa County history are available as well as the monthly open house and activities.
  • Elmore Historical Society, PO Box 154, Elmore, OH 43416-0154; Phone: (419) 862-3552; The Elmore Historical Society is renovating the Elmore Depot using funds raised from the Portage River Festival.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society, PO Box 144, Marblehead, OH 43440-0144; Phone: (419) 798-2094;
  • 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 Ottawa County, OH Researchers through message boards and forums?

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

Ottawa Co. OH Books, Newspapers & Publications

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

Ottawa Co. OH Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Ottawa Co. OH General and History Websites

Ottawa Co. OH Immigration & Naturalization

Ottawa Co. OH Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Ottawa Co. OH Military Records