Fulton County Chapter of Ohio Genealogical Society

Current Chapter  information and History

Founded in 1978, the Fulton County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society’s first meeting involved about 20 people.  Meetings were held alternately between the Swanton Public Library and the Senior Citizen Center and YMCA in Wauseon, Ohio.  Annual dues were $5.  In 1980, the chapter received its charter from the Ohio Genealogical Society. 

First housed at the Swanton Public Library in Swanton, Ohio, then moved to the Fulton County Historical Society for several years, the chapter’s collection of over 1,300 books and over 200 rolls of microfilm is now located at the Evergreen Public Library, 253 Maple Street, Metamora, Ohio.  The filmed records include newspapers for towns in the county through 1910; birth and death records beginning in 1867; marriage records from 1864 (although the county was formed in 1850, a fire in July 1864 destroyed many early records).  The library holdings include family histories, county histories, obituaries, tombstone inscription books, as well as a wide variety of other Ohio county records.  Research help at the library is available with advance notice by volunteer members.

The very first president of our society, Diane Gagel, is currently past president of Ohio Genealogical Society.  Founding member, Jana Broglin, CG, having held many offices over the years in our chapter, is a past trustee of Ohio Genealogical Society.  Other first officers were:  Marilyn Clay, vice president; Shirley Campbell, recording secretary; Joan Westfall, corresponding secretary; Marietta Buckenmeyer, registrar; Merril Bernath, treasurer; Ruth Baird, publications committee chair; Loretta Mann, newsletter typist.  Also, in recent years, Susan Zacharias was our newsletter editor for several years before becoming an award winning Ohio Genealogical Newsletter editor.  Sue is currently an Ohio Genealogical Society Trustee.

Our very first publication was a reprint of the 1858 Wall Map of Fulton County, printed as twelve township maps showing landowners names; 1888 Atlas of Fulton county; 1903 Atlas of Fulton County; and all of the material on Fulton County in the 1875 Historical Atlas of the World and 496 personal histories.  Our society prepared an index for each of these rare items.  Upcoming projects for 2009 include publication of early birth records starting in 1864; updating our cemetery books; and putting together obituary clipping booklets.

With a paid membership and a small additional fee, a member may make application for First Families of Fulton County with documented proof that their relative lived here before 31 December 1860.   Two other categories have recently been added.  They are as follows: Civil War Families for those members who can show documented proof of their ancestor having served in the Civil War; and also the Centennial category for those members whose ancestors can be proved to have resided in Fulton County 100 years before the date of application. 

Our chapter currently meets the second Tuesday of each month except July and August, at the Trinity Lutheran Church located on Taylor Street, Delta, Ohio.  These meetings are open to the public and help will be given to anyone desiring to learn about tracing their family history.

Our current officers are listed below:

Our web site is filled with our county’s history, photos, family biographies, obituaries, our current schedule of events, chapter information and contacts, and much, much more. Be sure to visit our web site at:  http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohfulton/

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Fulton County Genealogical Society

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