Ross County Court of Common Pleas
Probate-Juvenile Divisions
Archive
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Ross County Court of Common Pleas
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The Archives structure was originally built in 1878 as the Ross County Sheriff’s jail and jailer’s residence. It contained 16 cells used for males, one holding cell for females, and one holding cell for the mentally ill. Sheriff Fred Heinzelman was the last Sheriff to actually reside in the jail. When Sheriff Thomas Hamman took office in 1977, he converted the living quarters into office space.
In July of 1989, the Sheriff’s Department moved into the newly completed law complex. The Ross County Commissioners then approved the use of the old jail as the Ross County Probate Archives. The Archives was officially dedicated and opened for public use in April of 1996.
This may be the first time you have visited the Probate court of Ross County. We would like to welcome you to the oldest Probate Court in Ohio.
The records of the Probate Court of Ross County are a treasure trove of historical information. Many of these records pre-date the establishment of the State of Ohio in 1803.
Chillicothe was the capitol of the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio established by the Ordinance of 1787. General Arthur St. Clair, the Territorial Governor, issued marriage licenses in Ross County in 1798 and the Probate Court continues this service today.
Estate records or inventories of decedent estates were filed in the Probate Court beginning in 1797. These early records reflect values made in two monetary systems, i.e. American dollars and cents and British pounds, shillings, and pence. Estates are also currently administered in this Court.
The Board of County Commissioners recognize the importance of these records and provide space for the storage of our inactive records by the establishment of the Ross County Archives.
All visitors are respectfully requested to treat all of these records with the utmost care being especially careful not to deface, alter, remove, or damage them in any way because many of them are irreplaceable.
Severe penalties may be imposed against anyone failing to honor this request.
On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and myself, I personally welcome you to our facility.
Richard G. Ward, Judge
Building Address Mailing Address Phone: (740) 774-1179 Ext. 113 Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Closed for Lunch (Noon-1:00 p.m.) or by email to Janet Ackley |
Visitors to the Archives
Please note that we only have one Archivist on staff. Before you visit, please contact our Archivist, Janet Ackley, at (740) 774-1179 ext 113 or email her at jackley@horizonview.net to make sure that she will be here to accommodate you.
Marriage Records
Marriage Record IndexRoss County Marriages 1951-1975 by Groom
Ross County Marriages 1951-1975 by Bride
¨ 1798-1876 Marriage registers-Personal information not included
“Ross County Marriage Index” by Bob Casari
¨ 1877-1900 Marriage registers-Personal information not included
“Ross County Marriage Index” by Bob Casari
¨ 1900-1976 Marriage registers-Personal information included
Indexed in individual volumes
¨ 1977-1992 Marriage registers-Personal information included
Indexed by males in General Marriage Index
¨ 1993-Present Marriage registers-Personal information included
Indexed in individual volumes – computerizedMarriage Affidavits (Parental consent of underage bride and/or groom)
¨ 1816 – 1855
¨ 1855 – 1870
¨ 1871 – 1885
¨ 1886 – 1896
¨ 1897 – 1900Birth Records (Recording not mandated by law until 1867)
Birth Records Index
¨ 1867 – 1908 Probate Birth Records-Primarily township records
General Index to Probate Court Birth Records
¨ 1888 – 1980 Health Department Records-Primarily city records
¨ 1908–Present Recorded and housed at the Health Department
Delayed Birth Registration and Corrections
Delayed Birth Record and Change of Name Index¨ 1941 – 1960 19 Volumes – Indexed in each volume
Death Records
Death Records Index
¨ 1867 – 1908 Probate Death Records – Primarily township deaths
General Index to Probate Court Death Records
¨ 1888 – 1908 Health Department Records – Primarily city deaths
¨1908 – Present Recorded and housed at the Health DepartmentProbate Records (General Index for all probate proceedings)
Probate Index
¨ 1797 – Present Estate proceedings
¨ 1801 – Present Guardianship proceedings
¨ Naturalization records
¨ Lunacy proceedings
¨ 1801 – Present Miscellaneous suits
Questions & Answers
Q.
What is the cost of a copy?
A.
An uncertified copy is $.05 per page and a certified copy is $2.00 per page
Q.
How do I get a copy?
A.
Write down the information you are wanting, include a check or money order made payable to Ross County Probate Court along with a self addressed stamped envelope and mail to: Ross County Probate Court Archives 2 N. Paint Street, Suite A, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
Ross County Genealogical Society
444 Douglas Avenue
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
Phone: (740) 773-2715
Hours: M-W-F 1:00-4:00p.m. TH – 6:00-9:00 p.m. SAT- 9:00-1:00
Vital Statistics Section
475 Western Avenue, Suite A
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
Phone: (740) 779-9630
Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
140-146 South Paint Street
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
Phone: (740) 702-4145
Hours: M-Th 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. F-Sat 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sun-Closed
Bennett Hall
571 West Fifth Street
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
Phone: (740) 774-7201
Hours: M-Th 8:00 am-9:00 p.m. F-8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 12:00 noon-4:00 p.m.
39 West Fifth Street
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
Phone: (740) 773-1896
Hours: T-W-F-Sat 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Closed All Holidays
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