Thank you for registering for the online course, Ohio Family History Research!
Throughout its history as a territory and state, Ohio has long been a destination for people migrating for new opportunities, from early fur traders and homesteaders to African Americans travelling in the Great Migration of the 20th century. This four-part online seminar will provide an overview of the records, resources, repositories, and strategies for exploring your Ohio roots. We will also discuss the historical context that shaped the records available for your Ohio ancestors. Whether Ohio was a final destination for your ancestor or a stop along their journey west, join us for this deep-dive into family history research for the Buckeye State.
This course includes four 90-minute classes and exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation. These recordings and all course materials will be available for the foreseeable future.
COURSE SCHEDULE
April 3 - Class 1: Settlement and Migration
Presented by Rhonda R. McClure
In this first class, we will discuss the historical context of Ohio’s settlement—from early fur traders in the 18th century, to westward-bound homesteaders, African Americans travelling in the Great Migration of the 20th century, and beyond. You will learn how this history shaped the records available for your Ohio Ancestors.
April 10 - Class 2: Land Records
Presented by Sheilagh Doerfler
Land records are an important, but sometimes overlooked resource for many family historians. They can include critical clues to identifying extended family members, the location of ancestral homesteads, and family relationships. In this class, learn how you can locate, read, and apply the information contained in Ohio land records to your own family history.
April 17 - Class 3: Essential Records for Ohio Family History Research
Presented by Hallie Kirchner
In this class, we’ll share go-to Ohio-based resources, including vital records, histories, genealogies, tax records, and more. We will also touch on physical and digital repositories for Ohio resources.
August 24 - Class 4: Strategies Through Case Studies
Presented by Melanie McComb
In this final class, you’ll learn how to put the strategies and resources discussed throughout the course into practice. We’ll walk through several case studies breaking down brick walls in Ohio research.
COURSE HANDOUTS
Resources Shared in Class 1 Live Q&A
Class 3 Additional Handout - Ohio Local Enumerations
Resources Shared in Class 4 Live Q&A
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
Class 1: Settlement and Migration
Live broadcast: April 3, 2024
Presented by: Rhonda R. McClure
Running time: 1:48:20
Class 2: Ohio Family History Research
Live broadcast: April 10, 2024
Presented by Sheilagh Doerfler
Running time: 1:40:45
Class 3: Essential Resources for Ohio Family History Research
Live broadcast: April 17, 2024
Presented by Hallie Kirchner
Running time: 1:48:21
Class 4: Strategies Through Case Studies
Live broadcast: April 24, 2024
Presented by Melanie McComb
Running time: 1:29:23
OTHER RESOURCES
Webinar: Ohio Research: Go-To Published Resources
Webinar Syllabus: Ohio Research: Go-To Published Resources
Webinar: Where?: Understanding Boundaries and Jurisdictions
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Sheilagh Doerfler, Genealogist joined American Ancestors as a member of the Research Services team in 2013. She received her B.A. in History and Communication from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Sheilagh is a frequent contributor to American Ancestors magazine and the American Ancestors blog, Vita-Brevis. Her areas of expertise includes DNA, Adoption, New England, New Netherland, Ireland, Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Norway, and Sweden.
Hallie Kirchner, Genealogist has a B.A. in History with minors in Art History and German Language and an M.A. in Historic Preservation. She joined American Ancestors in 2019 after several years of working in architectural restoration and preservation in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her previous work experience includes the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, the West Virginia Railroad Museum, and Bender Library at American University. While at the NYG&B, she was part of the research team who compiled the popular New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer. She is also a long-time volunteer for Unclaimed-Persons.org, assisting coroners in locating next-of-kin of deceased individuals. Her areas of expertise include 19th-century America, Germany, New York, New York City, Norway, Italy, westward migration, immigration history, and descendancy research.
Rhonda R. McClure, Senior Genealogist is a nationally recognized professional genealogist and lecturer. Before joining American Ancestors in 2006, she ran her own genealogical business for 18 years. She was a contributing editor for Heritage Quest Magazine, Biography magazine, and was a contributor to The History Channel Magazine and American History Magazine. In addition to numerous articles, she is the author of twelve books including the award-winning The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Online Genealogy, Finding your Famous and Infamous Ancestors and Digitizing Your Family History. She is the editor of the newly released 6th edition of the Genealogist’s Handbook for New England Research. Her areas of expertise include, immigration and naturalization, late 19th- and early 20th-century urban research, missionaries, State Department Federal records, New England, Mid-West, Southern, German, Italian, Scottish, Irish, French Canadian, and New Brunswick research as well as Internet research, genealogical software and online trees.
Melanie McComb, Genealogist assists library visitors, both on-site and online, with their family history research. She is an international lecturer who teaches on a variety of topics. Melanie holds a B.S. degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. She previously served as the social media coordinator for the NextGen Genealogy Network, a non-profit that creates a community for younger genealogists, where she managed the Facebook and Twitter accounts. She continues her interest in helping younger genealogists get involved at American Ancestors by assisting with educational programs from local schools, scout groups, and universities.