ARCHIVES/
LIBRARY

DEATH
CERTIFICATE
INDEX

STATE ARCHIVES

About the Ohio Online Death Certificate Index

Thanks for using the Ohio Online Death Certificate Index (ODCI) database, 1913-1937.

The original source of the information contained in this database are computer printouts of 1970's Ohio Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics databases that indexed Ohio Death Certificates. The ODCI database is a product of the Ohio Vital Information for Libraries Center (OVIL), a grant-funded project of the State Library of Ohio, OPLIN, and the Ohio Historical Society.

Despite the use of the most up to date technology, and our best efforts, we anticipate that you may find errors in the data. Errors may originate from anywhere in the production process--from within the original Death Certificate, typos in the original 1970s-era Vital Statistics database, the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) program misreading letters and numbers, or human error on the part of OVIL staff in correcting or verifying the OCR product. We estimate an accuracy rate of 85-95%.

The OCR program used to create the online database takes the scanned image (an electronic snapshot image of the index page) and processes it into a text file, matching the shapes of the letters as closely as possible. Errors can occur, particularly with letters of similar appearance.

A common error of the OCR program is confusing the letters O D C U C Q. Other letter groups often confused are -- J I L - M N V W - B S E F - K X - R A. Please take this into consideration while searching the database. If a search on the name JOHNSON does not return expected results, try something like JCHNSCN. Similarly, if a search on the name ADDIE does not return expected results, try something like AOOIE. In the date and certificate fields the numbers 8 6 9 0 3 are problematic and often confused for each other by OCR. Online search help is available as you search the database.

Please send known problems/errors to us at cfdata@ohiohistory.org (or by postal service to Death Index, State Archives, Ohio Historical Society, 1982 Velma Ave., Columbus, OH 43211). We will continue to work on improving the accuracy of the data, verifying against the hardcopy index.

If you do not find a name you think should be in the ODCI, and you want a copy of that individual's Death Certificate, write to OHS Research Services at Archives/Library, Ohio Historical Society, 1982 Velma Ave., Columbus, OH 43211. State the name, how you are searching it, the date of death, and enclose payment of $3.00 (out of state) or $3.18 (in state). For further clarification, please see "About Birth and Death Records in Ohio."