OHHAMILT-L Archives

From: Phyllis Garratt <>
Subject: [OHHAMILT] Hamilton Co Research Tips
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2001 09:52:34 -0700

I returned Friday from a research trip to Cincinnati. As promised, here
are some tips. I hope this is not too long. Anyone wishing more details
can email me. My research time period was Cincinnati from 1836 through
1931 and focused on my German Protestant ancestors who arrived in the
city in 1836.

1. Absolutely essential is a booklet put out by the Hamilton Co.
Chapter of the Ohio Gen. Society called "Guide to Genealogical Resources
in Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio". It costs about $7 or $8. I
used this book every day! It has addresses, hours, holdings information
and more for most of the resources in the area. It can be ordered from
them directly by writing to them at: PO Box 15865, Cincinnati, OH
45215-0865, or access their web site at: http://members.aol.com/ogshc.
You can also purchase a copy at the Ohio Bookstore when you get into
town. They are located at 726 Main Street (downtown). Their phone number
is (513) 621-5142. They also carry other books of genealogical interest.

2. The public library located at 800 Vine Street is fabulous! You
Cincinnati locals are so lucky! I spent a total of 4 days here (they are
open 9-9 Monday through Firday, Sat 9-6, and Sun. 1-5, so you can really
pack in the research time here!) I could have spent at least another 2
weeks here. They have a hard copy of the Sanborn insurance maps (1904
edition) that are not bound in a book so are easy to photocopy on one of
their many copiers (regular, oversize, and color). They also have the
maps on microfilm (includes the essential 1887 edition), but they are
hard to use as you only see a small section of the map at a time which
frequently does not include the street name in that particular frame.
For those needing to match up current addresses to those prior to the
address change in the 1890's, you'll need to use the microfilm. The
Historical Society also has microfilm and a hard copy (but it is bound)
of the Sanborn maps, but they complained that the book was too heavy to
carry out. Only after some discussion and convincing did they finally
bring it out. It was not that heavy. (More on the Historical Society
later).

3. All of my people are buried at Spring Grove Cemetery. This is a
beautiful cemetery! The people there are also extremely helpful and
nice. I was very impressed. You can search their records yourself on one
of two microfiche readers in the main office. Copies are 10 cents. Ask
them for a plot map that will show who is buried where within that
particular family plot. You will find the plot and section numbers on
the microfiche records. Quite frequently, no markers were ever placed.

4. The 10th floor of the Hamilton County Probate Court (located at 230
E. Ninth St.) has books containing beautiful marriage certificates which
you can copy yourself for 10 cents each. I almost didn't even go there,
but was really glad I did. I spent only a half day there. Could have
spent up to 2 days. They also have wills and other records.

5. Hamilton County Administration Building (located at 138 E. Court St)
houses the offices of the Recorder, Auditor, and Treasurer. Among other
things, you will find deeds and some military discharge records on the
2nd floor, and plat maps on the third floor. Here I found a transfer of
property when my great grandfather died, which gave estate information
including lot numbers of property owned. Then the plat maps on the 3rd
floor showed me where the properties were located and what the new
street names and addresses are today. It was here that I finally learned
where my ancestors had lived on Queen City Avenue (I had photos of the
house from the 1890's). I was amazed at how often street names were
changed over the years! I could not have pieced this all together with
having visited this office. Their official hours are 8-4 (unofficially
they open at 6:30 am). The first morning I arrived at 9 am and all the
machines were taken. (Most of the people doing research here are
professional title searchers and there is no time limit to the use of
the machines.) They showed me where I would find the records I was
looking for and suggested I come back the next day by 8 am at the latest
in order to get a machine. I could come back as early as 6:30 am, but no
one would be there to help me until 7 or so, if I needed help. I spent a
half day there. Could have spent a full day or 2.

6. I did not get to the Hamilton County Courthouse. Will do so on my
next trip.

7. If you make an appointment in advance (best to call several weeks in
advance), you can have a half-day time period to search birth and death
records at the City of Cincinnati Elm Street Health Center located at
1525 Elm Street, phone number: (513) 352-2912. There is parking on the
street or in back. They are on the 4th floor. They require you to let
them make a copy of your driver's license before you can do research.
All their information is on file cards or in books. They told me they
have no photocopier, but a sign on the wall said otherwise. No forms
either, so bring a large pad of paper and be prepared to write. I wrote
for 3 hours straight. Lots of information here including cause of death.
Since it is all indexed alphabetically, you may find that missing
ancestor. Well worth the trip.

8. I had planned to do research at Blegen Library Rare Books and
Archives located on the University of Cincinnati Campus, but they are in
the process of moving their holdings around and would prefer not to have
visitors until after October 1st. They said I could submit my questions
by mail and they would help me. There is a $10 minimum charge.
Photocopies are 10 cents each. I would call in advance if you plan to go
there. Phone: (513) 556-1959.

9. Cincinnati Historical Society is located downstairs at the
Cincinnati Union Terminal Building. They have an extensive photograph
collection, as well as many other records (once again, see the Hamilton
CO Guide to Research for more info). Their hours are 12-5 Monday through
Friday, and 9-5 on Saturday. I must offer a word of caution here. I was
shocked by the continual rude behavior of the librarian who "assisted"
me and others. Her mission seemed to be to discourage, insult, and
intimidate the folks who visited the library. She was supposedly the
genealogy expert there, but I found this to not be true. Also, she told
me (and others) numerous times that we wouldn't find what we were
looking for (I did). I did find that 2 other employees were more
helpful, though still reluctant. I found out later by talking to other
local librarians at several different facilities that the Historical
Society does not have a very good reputation along these lines. What a
shame. Anyway, don't be intimidated. Be polite, but don't let them
discourage you from searching for a particular record. The one thing
they do have that no one else has, is complete records of the German
Pioneer Society. I found a 2 page biography on my great grandfather!
It's all in german, but you can always get it translated when you get
home. They also have an album of photographs of many of the members of
this society and can make copies for a fee of about $29 for an 8X10
photo. If I had not persisted in my search, I would never have know that
they had photographs taken about 1875 of two of my ancestors!

10. Travel details: I flew from Oakland, California to Columbus, Ohio
via Chicago on United Arilines for $289 round trip. I picked up a rental
car at the airport from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and paid $242 for a 4-door
compact with airconditioning (ac is a must in Cincinnati!), which I kept
for 10 days. The drive from Columbus to Cincinnati took 1 hour and 45
minutes. I stayed at the Garfield Suites Hotel (phone:(513) 421-3355)
and paid $120 per night (tax is included in this). parking at the garage
next door was $5 per day. Local calls from the room were 95 cents. (I
only made 2 local calls). I've heard you might be able to get a better
rate if you say you are there doing genealogy research. Can't hurt to
ask. The rooms all have separate bedrooms and a full-sized kitchen, I
ate 95% of my meals here and saved time and money that way. When I
first arrived at the hotel, I was sorry I had booked there (the
neighborhood was not the best at night and the road noise was a bit
heavy. I ended up sleeping with ear plugs.) You might want to request a
room on the quieter side. (Our room faced the library which my husband
liked because when he didn't go over to the library with me, he could
keep an eye on me as I walked over there and then returned back to the
room at 9 pm). This is the hotel that the goverment has the military and
the IRS stay at when in town. Its nice enough. It's very convenient and
close to a number of research places you will be visiting (many within a
short 3 block walking distance, and the library right across the
street!). I felt the neighborhood was safe during the day, but would
not be on the streets here after dark. Crime is not uncommon in this
neighborhood. But, if I had it to do over again, I would stay here
again. It's just too convenient!

11. Cincinnatians are wonderful people! I found them to be refreshingly
friendly, upbeat, helpful, and kind. I can hardly wait to go back.

Phyllis in California

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