Summit County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society

Meeting Information

Our monthly meetings will be hybrid, meeting both in-person at the Akron Main Library and online.  Information for meetings will be listed under the Events section.
 
The Summit County Library has revised their hours of operation, please check the website for the latest information.  Please check out the on-line resources on their website.  There are an assortment of databases for your use. 

Akron-Summit Library Special Collections Classes

The Akron Summit Public Library holds classes on Genealogy every other month. 
 
 
 
 

Ohio Genealogical Society Library

The Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS) Library is open free of charge to OGS members. Non-member visitors may utilize all materials in the library by paying a $5.00 per day fee. Ample parking is provided free of charge. All public areas of the building are handicapped accessible.

The Library is open Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 AM—5:00 PM. It is closed Sunday, Monday, Major Holidays, during the annual OGS Conference, and when Mansfield City Schools are closed for inclement weather.

The Stanley and Marjorie Meek Ellis Computer Room features 16 patron stations and an instructor’s monitor with access to the Office Professional Suite and many subscription databases. Free WiFi is available throughout the building.

OGS offers several choices of microfilm/microfiche readers and scanner/copiers. Patrons may make photocopies of books, manuscripts, and print from the computers for 20 cents per page for letter or legal sizes. Ledger size (11”x17”) copies are 40 cents per page. Color photocopies are $1.00 per page.

A lunchroom with refrigerator and microwave is available for patron use. Snacks and beverages may be purchased. Several restaurants are within a 5-minute drive.

 

Cyndi's List of Digitized Books

Cyndi's List has assembled a collection of more than 325,000 digitized genealogy and family history publications including family histories.   
www.cyndislist.com/books/ebooks/
Upcoming Events
October 17, 2026
9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Family History Day - More Info to Come!
Family History Fair - Who Are You Missing? Lunch provided / There will also be prize drawings Registration can be through Eventbrite or email djpeugh@sbcglobal.net ...
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November 14, 2026
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
"Finding Your 19th Century Ancestor Using Fold3"
Ever get confused searching on Fold3?  Learn what records are available for your 19th Century military ancestors there and pick up some search strategies to ...
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December 1, 2026
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Barberton Public Library - Genealogy Club
The Genealogy Club meetings often include a program or video followed by a discussion and sharing of ideas, resources, and advice.  On occasion, a member ...
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December 4, 2026
Wayne County Public Library Genealogy Programs 2026
  The Wayne County Public Library in Wooster, Ohio has a large number of genealogy programs scheduled throughout 2026.  The 2026 program listing is attached. Wayne County ...
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Facts and Tips
Probate records vary in content but can include wills, inventories, letters of administration and guardianship. Records are usually found at the county courthouse, but they may have been transferred to an Archive.
[Probate Records]
Broadly, most surnames fall into four categories. Surnames derived from given names include Johnson, Williams, and Thompson. Most often they are patronymic, referring to a male ancestor, but occasionally they are matronymic. Occupational surnames refer to the occupation of the bearer. Examples include Smith, Clark, and Wright. Locational or topographic surnames are derived from the place that the bearer lived. Examples include Hill, Woods, and Ford. See place names. Surnames derived from nicknames include White, Young, and Long.
[Beginner Tips]
Information contained in vital records is more reliable when it is given near the time of the event. Example: Birth information on a death certificate for a person who was 83 years old is less reliable than the death information. The longer the time from the event occurrence, the less accurate it may be based on the memory of the person involved.
[Vital Records]
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