About Census Records in Ohio

Federal Census Returns for the State of Ohio

• The state government of Ohio did not create a state sponsored census.
• A Federal Government Census for the state of Ohio was created every ten years beginning in 1810. Most of the 1810 Census was destroyed during the War of 1812. The Auditor of the State's Tax Duplicates 1801-1838 can be used as an alternative source of information.
• The 1890 Federal Census records were destroyed in Washington DC. The Special Veteran's Census (1890) can be used as an alternative source.
• OHS holds:
  1. Federal Census Returns for the State of Ohio 1820-1880 and 1900-1930.
  2. Indexes to Federal Census records from 1820-1880 and 1900-1920.
  3. Census holdings are listed by county in the Online Collection Catalog. Each county record lists the roll numbers available in the microfilm room. Search the catalog by keyword title for Federal Census for _____ County. Fill the blank with the name of the county needed.

Mortality Census Schedules for Ohio

• Mortality Schedules include the names of persons who died one year prior to June 1 of the year in which the schedules were compiled.
• OHS holds:
  1. 1850 -- for counties whose names begin with the letters H-W ONLY
  2. 1860 -- all counties
  3. 1880 -- for counties whose names begin with the letters A-Geauga ONLY
  4. only 1850 is indexed

Quadrennial Enumerations

• Quadrennial Enumerations consist of a census of males over twenty-one years of age residing in a county. They show address, race, occupation, and whether a freeholder of land.
• Enumerations were used to determine voting districts, and were taken every four years from 1803 to 1911.
• Prior to 1863 enumerations recorded only white males.
• Quadrennial Enumerations are arranged within volumes by township and then by inhabitant's name.
• Where a span of dates is indicated, the records exist for every FOURTH year therein.
• Not all townships are represented for every county listed.
• OHS holds:
  Brown 1887-1891, 1903 || Clinton 1907 || Columbiana 1899-1903 || Coshocton 1883, 1891 || Delaware 1887 || Fairfield 1831; 1839; 1847-1851; 1859 || Fayette 1887-1891; 1899 || Gallia 1899 ||
  || Jefferson 1883-1907 || Lawrence 1891-1907 || Miami 1827, 1837 || Morrow 1867; 1871-1883; 1891-1907 || Perry 1847-1871; 1879-1887 || Pickaway 1891-1903; n.d. || Portage 1831-1839 || Shelby 1819-1875 || Washington 1887-1911 ||

Guidelines for offsite reference and vital records requests, see http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/archlib/refemail.html






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