About Our Chapter ...  The Richland County Genealogical Society was organized in 1959 as The Ohio Genealogical Society.  In 1964, it was reorganized as the Richland County Genealogical Society, the first county chapter of The Ohio Genealogical Society.

The Society meets January through March on the third Saturday of the month at 1:00 p.m. and April through October on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m., except for July and November when no meeting is held.  Most meetings are held at the library of The Ohio Genealogical Society, 611 State Route 97 West, just west of downtown Bellville, Ohio.  [map]  The August meeting is a picnic and the December meeting is a potluck dinner.  In May, our First Families of Richland County are honored.  The location of meetings is announced in The Pastfinder and in the local newspapers.

The chapter newsletter, The Pastfinder, is published four times a year (February, May, August and November).  Members and non-members are encouraged to submit a five generation chart and other family information, specifying their permission for the information to be published in The Pastfinder.  Queries in The Pastfinder are free to both members and non-members.  (See our publications page for instructions on ordering past issues)  Digital versions are available in PDF format.  (please specify your preference when joining)

The Richland County Genealogical Society's volunteer research committee provides, as a benefit of membership, up to one hour of research during the calendar membership year, using the materials at the OGS library.  We will not, as a general rule, do research at the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, the courthouse or the health department.  Patrons must pay for copies and postage.  We will provide the same service for non-members for a fee of $10.00.  A list of researchers willing to work for a fee will be sent to those wishing additional work.

Our mailing address is Richland County Genealogical Society, c/o The Ohio Genealogical Society, 611 State Route 97 West Bellville, Ohio, 44813-8813.  To contact the Chapter, email RCGS44812@gmail.com.

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Membership ... If you are interested in the pursuit of genealogical research you are welcome to join our society.  Memberships are on a calendar year basis, January to December.  Persons joining during the year receive back issues of The Pastfinder for the current year.

Membership Rates

Send your check to:
Richland County Genealogical Society
c/o The Ohio Genealogical Society
611 State Route 97 West
Bellville, Ohio 44813-8813

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Queries ...  To submit a query to the Pastfinder, mail it to:

Pastfinder Editor
Richland County Genealogical Society
c/o The Ohio Genealogical Society
611 State Route 97 West
Bellville, Ohio 44813-9913

The Pastfinder is a quarterly publication of the Richland County Chapter of The Ohio Genealogical Society.  Queries will be accepted from RCGS members and non-members and published as space permits.  When submitting a query, use "Pastfinder" in the subject line and send to RichCoGen@embarqmail.com.  The query needs to include a Richland County connection with a name, date and place.  Include your full name, mailing address and email so that researchers may contact you.  (phone number optional)  When the query is published a complimentary copy will be sent to non-members who submitted the query.  (digital version available in PDF format)

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Lineage Societies ... Click here for more information about our four lineage societies.  Lineage Society Committee:  Amy E. Armstrong (chair), Deanna Applegate and Sunda Peters.

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Current Officers ... President ... Marleen Applegate (2013);  Vice-President ... Laverne Piatt (2013);  Treasurer ... Missy Derrenberger and Patricia Thomas (2013);  Secretary ... Linda Metcalf (2013);  Pastfinder Editor ... Amy E. Armstrong;  Trustees ... Deanna Applegate (2012-2014), Connie Smith (2010-2012), Ruth Hostetter (2011-2013), Sally Spreng (2011-2013) and Cloyd Rinehart (2012-2014), Natalie Williams (2013-2015) and Sunda Peters (2013-2015);  Webmaster ... Amy E. Armstrong.

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Meeting Schedule ...  January, February and March meetings are usually held at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday.  April through October meetings are usually held at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month.  All meetings are held at the Ohio Genealogical Society Library, 611 State Route 97, Bellville, Ohio, unless noted in the schedule below.  Unpredictable weather in north central Ohio may cause changes to this schedule.  If in doubt, tune to local radio or TV stations for cancellations. 

2013 CHAPTER MEETING SCHEDULE

January 19	9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 1 p.m. meeting	CHAPTER FREE RESEARCH DAY at OGS Library in Bellville, Ohio.  At 1:00 p.m. the Chapter will gather for a Show & Tell meeting - bring along a family item of interest to share with the group.  (MAGIC is meeting afterward)
February 16	1 p.m.	OGS Library Director Tom Neel will speak on estate records.  (MAGIC is meeting afterward)
March 16	1 p.m.	Tom Clabaugh will share items from the Shelby Museum.  (MAGIC is meeting afterward)
April 18	7 p.m.	Casey Kerr and Kathly Lowe will speak on Scouting in Richland County.
May 24	5 pm - midnight	Research Lock-In for members only.  $15 fee includes supper.  Buy your own drink at OGS or bring your own.
June 27	7 p.m.	Missy Derrenberger will speak on Cemeteries Near and Far.
July	-	No meeting
August 22	6 p.m.	Lineage Society Induction Ceremony & Dinner;  Keith Metcalf will speak about his log cabin.
September 26	7 p.m.	TBA
October 24	7 p.m.	Marleen Applegate will speak on Beginning Genealogy
November	-	No meeting
December 7	Noon	Christmas Potluck - Bring a dish to share.  Beverages and table service provided.  Members are encouraged to bring canned or dry goods for the needy.

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MAGIC ...  The Mohican-Area Genealogists Interested in Computers (MAGIC) meets monthly.   Our next meetings are January 19th., at approx. 2 p.m. after the Richland Co. Chapter meeting;  February 16th., at approx. 2 p.m., after the Richland Co. Chapter meeting and March 16th., at approx. 2 p.m. after the Richland Co. Chapter meeting.  We meet in the large meeting room at the OGS library on State Route 97 in Bellville.  NO membership is required.  There is NO fee to attend.  Each month we discuss various issues relating to how to utilize technology in our research.  If you have questions, feel free to ask.  Bring your laptop, iPad, etc. if you'd like.

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Richland County, Ohio USGenWeb Site - 5,000+ pages of free Richland County data.

This page was recreated on April 25, 2011.  Last edited on January 12, 2013.

Information and questions should be directed to RCGS44812@gmail.com

Site maintained by Amy E. Armstrong