Find Tuscarawas County Genealogy

Tuscarawas County genealogy records go back to 1808 when the county was carved out of Muskingum County. The county seat is New Philadelphia, and the courthouse on East High Avenue holds most of the key files. Birth and death records start in 1867, and marriage and probate records reach back to 1809. Land records at the Recorder's office begin in 1808. The county was named for the Tuscarawas River, a Delaware Indian word. This guide walks through each office and resource you can use to trace family ties in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

Tuscarawas County Record Sources

The Tuscarawas County Courthouse is at 125 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. Call 330-365-3243 for general questions. The FamilySearch Wiki for Tuscarawas County lists what each office holds. The Probate Judge keeps birth and death records from 1867 to 1908, marriage records from 1809, and probate files from 1809. The Clerk of Courts has divorce records and civil court files starting from 1808.

The Tuscarawas County Recorder holds land records from 1808. Deeds, mortgages, and plats are filed there. Property records are often the best way to track an ancestor when vital records are thin or missing. Early settlers in the Tuscarawas Valley left paper trails through land transactions that still exist at the Recorder's office today.

Tuscarawas County probate court birth records are available at the Ohio History Connection. The county is one of 28 Ohio counties with indexed records in that collection. You can search the online catalog for Tuscarawas County Probate Court birth entries from 1867 through 1908.

Tuscarawas County Vital Records

The Tuscarawas County Probate Court holds birth and death records from 1867 through December 19, 1908. These are single-line entries in ledger books. They list name, date, place, and parents. After that date, the Ohio Department of Health took over statewide registration. Birth records from December 20, 1908 forward are held by the state. Death records from 1908 through 1953 are at the Ohio History Connection, and the state health department has death files from 1954 onward.

Marriage records at the Probate Court date to 1809. You can get certified copies in person or by mail. Under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3705, vital records must be filed with local registrars and meet state standards. Adoption records are restricted under state law, but most other vital records are open to the public.

Before 1867, there are no official birth or death records for Tuscarawas County. Ohio did not require civil registration until that year. For earlier generations, church records are one of your best options. Tuscarawas County was settled by Moravian missionaries and German immigrants, and many local churches kept detailed baptism, marriage, and burial registers. Cemetery transcriptions from the area can also help fill the gap. The Chronicling America newspaper archive may have early Tuscarawas County papers with obituaries and family notices.

Genealogy Libraries in Tuscarawas County

The Tuscarawas County Public Library in New Philadelphia has genealogy and local history collections. The library keeps microfilm, local newspapers, and reference books that cover families across the county. Staff can help you get started if you are new to the area or the research process.

The Tuscarawas County Historical Society maintains local history collections and research resources in New Philadelphia. Their holdings may include photographs, maps, and community records that add detail to your family research. The historical society is a good supplement to the official records at the courthouse. They may also have information on the Moravian settlements in the county, which were among the earliest in Ohio. Those early Moravian church records can be especially useful for tracing families who were part of those communities before Tuscarawas County was even formed.

The Ohio Genealogical Society in Bellville is another strong resource. They have over 50,000 volumes, including census records, Bible records, and surname files for Ohio counties. OGS membership gives you access to their full research library.

The OGS research library in Bellville serves researchers working on any Ohio county, including Tuscarawas.

Land and Court Records in Tuscarawas County

Land records in Tuscarawas County start from 1808, the year the county was formed. The Recorder's office has deeds, mortgages, plats, and surveys. Early land ownership in the county ties to federal land sales in the Ohio Country, so you may also want to check the Bureau of Land Management records for original patents.

Court records at the Clerk of Courts go back to 1808. Divorce files, civil suits, and criminal cases are kept there. Ohio is a public records state, and most court files are open. Under Title 37 of the Ohio Revised Code, the rules for accessing records are clear. Some files like adoptions and sealed cases have restrictions, but the bulk of court and land records are available for research.

For online searches, FamilySearch offers free access to Ohio records including births, deaths, and marriages from Tuscarawas County. The OhioGenealogy.org website links to county-level resources and free transcriptions. Census records from 1810 forward cover Tuscarawas County and are available for free on FamilySearch. The 1850 census lists all household members by name, which is a key resource for building family trees.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Tuscarawas County. Records for ancestors who lived near the county line may be filed in a neighboring county.