"In order to pursue genealogical and historical research in county records it is essential to know the jurisdictional history of the counties since this determines where one must look for the records. When Ohio became a state in 1803 there were only seventeen counties. Over the years those counties were reduced in size and new counties were created so that by 1888 there were eighty-eight. The often complex jurisdictional histories of these eighty-eight counties poses a significant challenge to the researcher. By using this guide, researchers will be able to quickly ascertain the needed...

"As can be quickly recognized by examining the following abstracts, indenture or apprenticeship records can be some of the most valuable and informative records ever encountered by the genealogical researcher. It appears that the majority of the children who were being bound out were from poor families, or were without one of both of their parents. In most cases, an accurate date of birth is available for the child, and frequently the name of a parent(s) or guardian is provided along with places of residence. ...An index to all the indentured children follows the abstracts. Names of parents,...