The Library's Genealogy & Local History department houses one of the nation’s largest and oldest genealogy collections. Highlights include the complete U.S. federal census (1790–1930), passenger lists, city directories, military histories, maps, church and cemetery records, and slave and freedmen records. Resources from all 50 states and many foreign countries are available.

Services

Genealogy and Local History Department staff offers specialized reference assistance to all customers, from children and beginning genealogists to professional researchers and scholars. The department presents monthly tours, co-sponsors programs with the Hamilton County Genealogical Society, and will develop programs tailored to the needs of any size class or group, including family reunions. To schedule a program, contact the department in person, by phone, or email.

Related Library Resources

Related Library Databases

Featured Research Databases

HeritageQuest

Access selected U.S. Federal Census Records 1790–1930; family and local history books; and an index of genealogy and local history articles.

Fold3 History & Genealogy Archives

Historical documents; census records 1860-1930; documents on U.S. presidents and wars; newspapers; naturalization papers; city directories.

NewsBank (Ohio Newspapers)

Full-text articles from the Cincinnati Post (1990-2007), Columbus Dispatch, Toledo Blade, Cleveland Plain Dealer, and the Dayton Daily News.

Cincinnati Post (1882-1969)

This fully searchable online archive captures local history in the late 19th and 20th centuries with articles from The Cincinnati Post.

TBT: Salmon Chase and a Dream for Presidency and Democracy

Explore the history of a Cincinnatian who become Governor of Ohio, Supreme Court Justice, and namesake of one of the world's largest banks.

TBT: Preserving the Records of Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery

Follow the journey of preserving over 4,000 records of local history from a cemetery dating back to 1880 into the CHPL Digital Library.

TBT: The Great Windstorm of 1915

Learn about the most damaging storm in Cincinnati’s history which hit July 7, 1915, told by CHPL’s Genealogy & Local History Department.

TBT: Benn Pitman and the Origins of Phonography

Before audio recordings, the Pitman phonography method spread across America thanks to Benn Pitman.

Genealogy Staff Picks

The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy

by Blaine T. Bettinger

"Blaine Bettinger has written a colorfully illustrated and clearly explained source on what today has become the most widely used tool in genealogy research."

 

 

 

Staff pick Genealogy and Local History staff, Main Library

Recommended Reads - Genealogy

Staff Picks: Genealogy

Check out these great Library books from our Genealogy and Local History staff.
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