The Cuyahoga County Archives, a department of the Board Of County Commissioners, was organized in the summer of 1975 and serves as a repository for the historical records of Cuyahoga County, and for current records requiring temporary maintence. A research library is available for the convenience of persons using the records in the County Archives and trained personnel are always available to provide advice on any specific research problems. The offices, storage facilities, and the research library are all located in the Robert Russell Rhodes House, a Victorian Italiante mansion built in 1874.
Records of Interest In The Archives
- Board of County Commissioners Journals 1810-1985
- List of Electors 1893-1982, Board of Elections
- Coroner's case files, 1835-1900 (not inclusive)
- Township and ward maps, 1860, 1870, 1880 and 1890
- Atlases: Cuyahoga County, 1852, 1874, 1892, and 1903; Also City of Cleveland, 1883 and 1898
- County Building Commission Journals, including Cuyahoga County Court House, Soldiers and Sailors Monument, and certain other county buildings and bridges
- Probate Court estate case files, 1813-1913, indexes, 1813-1941
- Registration and Charters of Religions and Other Societies, 1845-1924
- Tax Duplicates, 1819-1986 (not inclusive)
- Marriage records, 1810-1941, originals; and index, 1810 to the present, available on microfilm
- Divorce case files, 1876-1882, Court of Common Pleas; also Ohio Supreme Court records, 1811-1858, and Court of Common Pleas Special Docket, files 1876-1922
- Naturalization records, 1818-1971, Court of Common Pleas; also Probate Court naturalization records, 1859-1901
- Birth records, 1849-1908
- Death records, 1840-1908
- Abstract of Votes, 1893-1974, Board of Elections
- Civil War Bounty Record, 1862
- Road Records, 1802-1898
- County Surveyor's Records, 1823-1893
- Cleveland City Directories, 1837-1939 (not inclusive)
- Necrology File, 1850-1950, 1951-1975
- Board of Elections Register of Naturalized Voters, 1836-1972
Research Policies And Proceedures
The staff asks that you review these policies and procedures before beginning your research:
First make certain that you have signed the VISITORS' REGISTER; and then have a seat in one of our reading rooms, located on either side of the main hallway. The staff member responsible for the reference area will then meet with you to ascertain your research needs and direct you to the appropriate sources. If others have arrived before you the staff asks you to be patient, and you will be served as quickly as possible. Do understand that because of the small size of the staff only ONE INDIVIDUAL can be assigned to work in the reference area at any time; and all of your questions and requests should be presented to the reference archivist on duty.
Many of the records in our holdings are available on MICROFILM, and you can access the film on a self-serve basis. Copies can be made on one of the available reader printers. IIf the records you require are not on film, it will be necessary to ask the reference archivist to retrieve the documents for you. Your request should be in writing; and slips of paper are available for that purpose. Please use a PENCIL at all times. If you require multiple documents please place your request in some sort of order, e.g. numerically by volume and page numbers, permanent parcel order, case file numbers, etc.
Staff members will bring all research materials to the reference rooms. There is a retrieval maximum of TEN volumes, or documents, per individual request.
Archives staff make all desired photocopies. Photocopies are NOT MADE when the original record may be damaged or harmed in the process. If you request less than 40 copies there is no charge. If you request more than 40 copies you will be charged 3 cents ($ .03) per page.
The reference area closes promptly at 3:00 P.M. No new records may be requested by a patron after 2:45 P.M.
When requesting copies of documents by mail your letter of inquiry should include several details. First specify (see RECORDS OF INTEREST IN THE ARCHIVES) the type of record, e.g. birth, death, naturalization, and then the surnames to be searched, followed by the relevant dates, and any other pertinent information. Please do not enclose any payment (SEE BELOW [*]). The staff is small in size and its ability to answer a large number of requests in a timely manner is limited as a result. If you can provide volume and page numbers, petition numbers, etc., the staff should be able to respond to your request within three weeks. But if you are not able to provide specifics you can expect a minimum delay of six months. To help expedite your request see RESEARCH AIDS/TIPS. If the staff is unsuccessful in locating the desired documents a letter will be sent detailing the records researched, and whenever possible it will identify other sources for additional investigation.
You may also request information through an EMAIL query by contacting the Archives in care of archive@cuyahogacounty.us. You may wish to complete the Research Request Form accessible on our home page You can also FAX (216-443-3636) your inquiry to the Archives. The same guidelines, as noted above, should be followed when making a request by e-mail or fax. Please remember to provide your U.S. mailing address with your e-mail or fax communication so that the staff can forward document copies to you.
*The Archives does not require a research fee and if you request less than 40 copies there is no charge. If you request more than 40 copies they are charged at the rate of three cents ($.03) per page. If the materials cannot be sent for the standard postal rate an additional amount will be assessed.
To request research, please fill out the form here: http://centralservices.cuyahogacounty.us/archives/requestform.htm
The Cuyahoga County Archives
2905 Franklin Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Hours of Operation
Monday, Wednesday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Closed to the public on Tuesdays
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