Genealogical Society Mission

Preserving, promoting, and protecting our heritage and history.

Edwardian-era women standing together

Your Family History Research Starts In Wilmington

Library Resources

The Clinton County History Center has an extensive collection of resources pertaining to genealogy, the history of Clinton County, and the Society of Friends, the Quakers.

The historical and genealogical societies maintain a comprehensive collection of early histories for use in genealogical research. There are many genealogy books about Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, and some other states. The library also contains over 200 published local family histories.

The library includes an extensive microfilm collection of Clinton County probate and county recorder records. These include births, deaths, marriages, will records, journals, testamentary records, deeds, mortgages, final records, guardian bonds, etc. Census records from 1820 to 1930 are available. There are some microfilms of other counties and states. The LDS IGI microfiche records are also available.

On loan from Wilmington College is the Quaker collection covering Quaker family histories and early Quaker meetings in Virginia, Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, and Indiana.

Particularly treasured is the surname collection in five legal-size, four-drawer filing cabinets. In these drawers are surname envelopes containing newspaper clippings dating to the late 1800s and contributed research papers.

A surname file listing names and addresses is also maintained. Another file lists names appearing on over 200 pedigree charts.

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Genealogical History Center Library Info

The Genealogy/Research Library is housed at the Clinton County History Center, 149 E. Locust Street Wilmington, OH 45177 P.O. Box 529 Wilmington, OH 45177.

$5 admission charge for non-members; active members enter for free.

For an appointment outside public hours, call (937) 382-4684. Appointments must be scheduled a minimum of two weeks in advance.

The center and library are fully handicapped accessible.

Person selecting book from shelf

Genealogical Society Trustees

2025–2026 Officers:

  • President: Linda Rinehart
  • Vice President: Jim Burge
  • Recording Secretary: Pam Dase
  • Assistant Recording Secretary: Susan Henry
  • Treasurer: Ron Johnson
  • Assistant Treasurer: Jim Hackney
  • Corresponding Secretary: Barbara Daulton
  • Librarians: Karen McKenzie and Beth Mitchell
Diverse hands in a teamwork gesture

Membership

The Clinton County History Center is the home of two organizations: the Clinton County Historical Society and the Clinton County Genealogical Society, a chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. We encourage everyone with an interest in Clinton County history to become a member of either or both societies.

Clinton County Genealogical Society

The Clinton County Genealogical Society is a membership society and a chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. The active volunteer members of the society staff the History Center Research Library during normal hours, providing genealogical research assistance to members and the public. The society publishes genealogical resources and produces a variety of programs.

Courthouse facade surrounded by greenery

Membership Benefits Include

  • Subscription to the Clinton Chronicle, a quarterly genealogy newsletter – now part of the History Center Headlines quarterly newsletter
  • Reduced or free admission to Programs & Events
  • Tours of the Rombach Place Museum and special exhibits at no charge
  • Unlimited access to the Research Library during regular hours
  • Assistance with genealogical or historical research
  • Monthly meetings with programs related to genealogy
  • Volunteer opportunities in the library and at events
  • Advance notice of Programs & Events
Become a Member Printable Form

The Clinton Chronicle

The Clinton Chronicle was discontinued in early 2020 due to COVID-19, and all Genealogical Society members now receive a copy of the combined quarterly newsletter, History Center Headlines, produced by both societies in partnership.

An index of all former Chronicles is available for researching past issues. Members may submit queries free of charge to info@clintoncountyhistory.org or by calling (937) 382-4684.

Clinton County Genealogical Society Meetings

Regular CCGS meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the Clinton County History Center, 149 E. Locust St., Wilmington, Ohio, from March–November (unless otherwise noted). Each session includes a topic of interest to society members. The summer picnic in July and the end-of-season First Families banquet in November are determined annually – please call (937) 382-4684 for more information.

Policies

Archives

The historical and genealogical societies maintain a comprehensive collection of early histories for use in genealogical research. There are many genealogy books about Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, and some other states. The library also contains over 200 published local family histories.

The library includes an extensive microfilm collection of Clinton County probate and county recorder records. These include births, deaths, marriages, will records, journals, testamentary records, deeds, mortgages, final records, guardian bonds, etc. Census records from 1820 to 1930 are available. There are also some microfilms of other counties and states. The LDS IGI microfiche records are also available.

On loan from Wilmington College is the Quaker collection, covering Quaker family histories and early Quaker meetings in Virginia, Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, and Indiana. Particularly treasured is the surname collection in five legal-size, four-drawer filing cabinets. In these drawers are surname envelopes containing newspaper clippings dating to the late 1800s and contributed research papers. A surname file listing names and addresses is also maintained. Another file lists names appearing on over 200 pedigree charts.

Genealogy Research Checklist

Genealogy Resources

Research Costs

Clinton County Genealogical
Society Lineage Societies

First Families of Clinton County

Any member of CCGS who is a direct descendant of an individual who settled in the area now encompassed by the County of Clinton by the end of 1820 may become a member of the First Families of Clinton County.

Civil War Families

Any member of CCGS who is a direct descendant or a collateral relative of any person with Clinton County ties who served in the Civil War, for the Union or the Confederacy, is eligible to become a member of the Society of Civil War Families of Clinton County. The person must have lived or died in Clinton County or served in a Clinton County unit. Service is not limited to a Clinton County outfit. “Squirrel Hunters” and “Spies,” male or female, are also eligible.

Settlers and Builders

A new lineage society has been added to the Clinton County Genealogical Society’s family of lineage societies. This society is open to all members of CCGS who are direct descendants of an individual who settled in the area now encompassed by the County of Clinton between January 1, 1821, and December 31, 1860. They may become a member of Settlers and Builders of Clinton County.

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