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Williams County, Ohio
Genealogy, History & Facts

Williams County, Ohio Facts

When was Williams County, OH Created?
Williams County was created on April 1, 1820 from Columbiana County and Stark County. This county was named for David Williams (1754-1831), captor of spy John André during the Revolutionary War.

What is the County Seat of Williams County, OH?
The County Seat is located in Bryan also, the county government website is www.co.williams.oh.us/ .

What counties are adjacent to Williams County, OH?
Bordering Counties are Hillsdale County, Michigan, Fulton CountyHenry CountyDefiance CountyDeKalb County, Indiana, Steuben County, Indiana .

Williams County, OH Vital Records

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

Williams County, OH Census Records


What Williams County, OH census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Williams County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1820183018401850186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

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

Williams County, OH Courthouse and Government Records

Williams County Courthouse

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

Williams County, OH Societies and Family History Resources

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

  • Williams County Chapter, OGS, PO Box 293, Bryan, OH 43506-0293; Phone: (419) 636-3751; Williams County Chapter, OGS meets at the East End Community, East End Park, OH on the second Monday of each month at 7:30pm except June when we meet the second Monday for a dinner and presentation of First Family certificates. No meeting in July and August. The William County Genealogical Society’s holdings are housed in the genealogical section of the Bryan Public Library. The Society’s publications include volumes of the census, cemetery, and marriage records of Williams County townships.
  • Williams County Historical Society, PO Box 415, Montpelier, OH 43543-0415; Phone: (419) 485-8200; The Williams County Museum Complex is located on the fairgrounds in Montpelier, the museum houses changing exhibits and permanent displays ranging from early Williams County history to the 1980s. A new museum feature is the Children’s Own Museum with children’s hands-on exhibit area that includes a dress-up room, a miniature office, a drawing and coloring station and a sand table to replicate an archaeological dig. The Farm Museum presents the farming heritage of Williams County.
  • Edgerton Historical Society, 237 E Bement St, Edgerton, OH 43517-9688; Phone: (419) 298-2124; The Edgerton Historical Society has exhibits at homecomings. Educational programs and bus tours of historical places in the area are available.
  • Tiffin River Scenic & Historic Association, PO Box 648, Stryker, OH 43557-0648; Phone: (419) 636-9269; The Tiffin River Scenic and Historic Association initiated the development of the Rupps and the Knights Landing Parks on Tiffin River, successfully halted a 1988 proposal which would have required the channelization of the entire Ohio length of the Tiffin River, and has initiated plans for replacing the covered bridge at Lockport.
  • Williams County Records Center, 107 West Butler, Bryan, OH 43506; 419-636-8253
  • Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University, Jerome Library, 5th Floor, Bowling Green, OH 43403; Phone: (419) 372-2411; The Center for Archival Collections is a local history repository at Bowling Green State University, collecting materials that document the history of Northwest Ohio and Bowling Green State University. Collections include archives, public records, manuscripts, newspapers and photographs
  • 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 Williams County, OH Researchers through message boards and forums?

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

Williams Co. OH Books, Newspapers & Publications

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

Williams Co. OH Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Williams Co. OH General and History Websites

Williams Co. OH Immigration & Naturalization

Williams Co. OH Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Williams Co. OH Military Records