As the newest addition to the Dover Public Library staff (and just as new to the field of local history), I find it necessary to seek out opportunities for continuing education. While visiting the Tuscarawas County Genealogical Society in Dennison, I discovered one such opportunity promoted by flyer: The Ohio Genealogical Society conference in Sandusky, OH. As expected, I met researchers and librarians and began to understand some of the more common dilemmas faced on both sides of the desk. I became aware of general resources and how to make the most of them. What I didn’t expect was to connect with an absolute treasure trove of Tuscarawas County records. At a presentation entitled “Ohio Local Government Record Collections,” I discovered that The University of Akron holds many old Tuscarawas County records that are not available elsewhere. During the presentation, copies of old court docket records flashed across the screen with location names like “Dover Township,” “Goshen Township,” and “Newcomerstown.” What was the content of this record group? The presenter was using these records as a way to illustrate how one can track down ancestors that may not have been wealthy enough to leave wills and deeds, and/or who stepped outside the boundaries of the law. In these books one can find examples of paternity suit petitions, assault claims, still owners, and more. While trying to fill in the gaps along the branches of our family trees, these and other records in the collection at University of Akron may help us locate missing relatives who may have strayed a little off the beaten path.
I paid a visit to the archives at U of A to see these records for myself. The staff, especially Mark Bloom, was very courteous and willing to help. While the handwriting in some of the docket books requires special deciphering skill, there is plenty of fodder for local history buffs and genealogists, including some old newspapers (one written entirely in German) on microfilm that are not currently held by Dover Public Library.
Mark was kind enough to send me some images of the resources they have available, and here is the link to their website: http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/archives/
I highly encourage those of you with the means and the desire to make the trip to Akron and spend an afternoon rediscovering the Tuscarawas County of your ancestors. You never know what treasures you may find!