Local Government Records

The Center for Archival Collections was a founding member of the Network of American History Research Centers established by the Ohio Historical Society in 1970. Until the program was disbanded in the early 2000s, many early historical records documenting local governments in a 19-county region in Northwest Ohio were microfilmed by the CAC for preservation purposes. As a result, the CAC has an extensive collection of local government records, including those of counties, municipalities, townships and school districts. A comprehensive listing of the CAC's holdings in microfilm follows; a separate finding aid describes the local government records that we hold in print.

Records are arranged alphabetically by office of origin. County records are listed first, followed by municipalities, townships, and school districts.

Policy on Confidential Materials in Public Records

Ohio Revised Code 149.43 mandates the confidentiality of public records which pertain to physical or psychiatric examinations, adoptions, probation and parole proceedings. With these records, access only will be provided with the Director's permission, provided names have been eliminated where possible, and the researcher has signed the Confidentiality Agreement. Certain records also require researchers to obtain the written permission from the director of the originating agency.

Researchers wishing to access restricted records from the Children's Services Board should contact the Probate Judge of the originating county and follow those instructions for getting written permission to access information in the records.

Researchers interested in contemporary records, especially those involving specific court cases, arrests and their disposition, or any record not listed here on the CAC's inventories should contact the County Courthouse where the events took place for more information.

Online Resources by County