Fairfield County Research

Volunteers at the Fairfield County Genealogical Library will do research for you. Please read our research policy before sending requests. Send your research request to research@fairfieldgenealogy.org. At present, we do not accept PayPal for research payment.


Obituary Index: 19th century through December 2021

A – B |   | C – E |   | F – G |   | H – K |   | L – M | | N – R |  | S |   | T – Z |

We are continuing to collect obits from all years prior to 1978. If you have any you would like to share with us please contact us at librarian@fairfieldgenealogy.org.

To obtain a copy of an obituary, contact the Library. Copies are $2.50 each by E-mail or by mail (with a SASE), or 25 cents each (regular copy fee) at the library.


Research Topics

Births and Deaths: Births and deaths were first recorded beginning in May 1867. These records are merely a single line in a ledger in Probate Court. Beginning in December of 1908, birth and death certificates were instituted. A certificate is one sheet of paper for each event. These certificates originate at the county level then are sent on to a state agency.

The chapter has abstracted the Probate Court births and deaths (1867-1908) and provides this information in 5 publications. Digitized images of the Probate Court Birth and Death ledger books can be found on FamilySearch.org.

The library has a collection of Fairfield County death certificates. Family Search has digitized images of Ohio death certificates from 1908 through about 1953.

Marriages and Divorces: Marriages are recorded in Probate Court. The early marriage records contain only basic information: bride, groom, date of marriage, presiding officer, and maybe who obtained the license. Beginning in mid-1899 more information was recorded.

The chapter has abstracted the Probate Court marriages from 1803 to mid-1886 and provides this information in 5 publications. Digitized images of Probate Court marriage records from1803 to mid-1880 can be found on FamilySearch.org.

In addition, marriages (1801-1836) from the Lancaster Gazette have been abstracted from the paper’s Ye Ancient Swain’s section.

Divorces did occur in our early history. The early divorces were brought before the Supreme Court and the Chancery Court. Later divorces were filed in Common Pleas Court. A list of 19th century divorces can be found in our Members Only section.

Wills, Estates, Guardianships, Partition Records: Estates have always been a part of our history, with courts providing for the settlement of property after someone’s death. Estates in Fairfield County are settled in Probate Court. When minor children are involved, a guardianship case might have also been created.

Fairfield County estates are found by case number. This index, for 1803 through 1899, also points to will books. The chapter has this index in book form for purchase. Use this index to find wills from 1900 through May 1936. The estates (if they still exist) up to about 1885 and all of the will books are on Familysearch.org.

At times at someone’s death, multiple individuals find themselves as the owners of a parcel of property and they wish to partition the land equally or have the land sold and proceeds divided equally. In this situation, one heir would go to Common Pleas Court and file a “Petition to Partition Land”. The court had an obligation to find all heirs/owners. These court cases are in Partition Books found in the genealogical library. Partition record cases for 1803 through 1899 are found with the estate case numbers. Abstracts of partition court cases from 1812 to 1900 are available for purchases from the Chapter.

Churches: Religion was an important part of our ancestors lives. Church records might aid in finding that birth or death before 1867. A minister might have been given on a marriage record. Finding that minister’s church could aid in placing your ancestor in a location. There were many early churches in the townships of Fairfield County. Here is a list, by surname, of ministers registered in Fairfield County 1837-1880.

Master Index for Church Record Books: This is a master index for all of the church record books that we have available for research. The index gives the surname, given name and the title of the book in which they can be found. The books themselves have indices to tell you the page number. The third column is to indicate whether this publication is available for purchase from us. This is indicated by the letters PFS – Publication for Sale.

Master Index for Church Record Books A-K

Master Index for Church Record Books L-Z

Military: Every generation have experienced some conflict. Many of Fairfield County’s early settlers were Revolutionary War veterans. We are providing the following lists for your use.

  • Fairfield County in the Civil War
  • Revolutionary War veterans who lived/died in Fairfield County
  • War of 1812 soldiers from Fairfield and Pickaway County by company
  • War of 1812 soldiers from Fairfield and Pickaway County by surname
  • In what war could your ancestor have fought?
  • The 17th OVI roster is in our Members Only section.

Land Records: Land ownership was one reason many pioneers came to Fairfield County. Fairfield County land was sold by the Federal government to individuals at the Chillicothe Land Office. All records from this office are now at the Ohio History Connection. Some Federal land records can be found on FamilySearch.org.

Deeds between two individuals are recorded in the Recorder’s Office. Deeds from 1803 to 1899 can be found on FamilySearch.org. The Grantee (buyer) and Grantor (seller) indexes are also on Family Search.

Fairfield County was surveyed using the range, township, section method. By finding these coordinates, you can find your ancestor’s land. This map provides the range and township numbers for Fairfield County.

Newspapers: Newspapers provide not only genealogical information but also provide a look into the happenings during our ancestor’s lifetime. The Chapter has abstracted information from the Lancaster Eagle for years 1815-1837 and 1899, 1905, and 1907. Also abstracted is the Lancaster Gazette from 1826-1910. This information is available in 7 publications.

The Ohio History Connection has many of the early Fairfield County newspapers on microfilm.

Immigration information: Why did people move to Fairfield County and how did they get here?

Miscellaneous: Items of general interest: