Welcome to the Seneca County Genealogical Society
The Seneca County Genealogical Society is an active chapter of OGS, with many talented and knowledgeable members who volunteer to assist researchers at all levels. Our members cover a wide range of ages and interest from beginners to advanced, including students from the high school genealogy club, as well as older adults who have been doing genealogical research for a long time. We specialize in Seneca County, Ohio, research but we can also help with other research needs.
Our meetings are on the first Tuesday each month, except for July, August, and December, and you do not need to be a member to attend. All are welcome to join us to hear some great speakers! You can also read about upcoming SCGS events and see other genealogy-related announcements on our FACEBOOK page.
Please CONTACT US anytime, or you can email me directly with your questions and comments. We look forward to connecting with you and helping you with your genealogical journey!
Upcoming Events - (In Person Meetings)
free to the public, you need not be a member to attend
February 6, 2024:
6:30 - Frost Kalnow Room, Tiffin Seneca Public Library
1. Your Ancestor’s FAN Club: Using Cluster Research to Get Past Brick Walls
Drew Smith
Your Ancestors FAN Club: Using Cluster Research to Get Past Your Brick Walls
Our ancestors were each surrounded by family, associates, and neighbors (FAN). By researching them, we discover additional records pointing to our own ancestors
This is an online program recorded for Rootstech in 2022 which we will present in Tiffin.
Drew Smith is the genealogy librarian at the University of South Florida Libraries in Tampa and is the 2016 winner of the Filby Award for Genealogical Librarianship, presented by the National Genealogical Society. He has served on the boards of the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the Association of Professional Genealogists. Drew is the host of the Genealogy Connection podcast and the co-host of The Genealogy Guys Podcast.
March 5, 2024
6:30 Frost Kalnow Room, Tiffin Seneca Public Library
Dr. Bruce Bowlus
Seneca County Bicentennial
An overview of the scheduled events, which will kick off on April 1, the day the county officially came into existence in 1824. Bruce will follow this with various stories the committee has uncovered as they have prepared for the Bicentennial, including the county's connections with Artemus Ward, W.W. Armstrong and Stephen A. Douglas among others. Dr. Bowlus is a retired Tiffin University Professor.
April 2, 2024
6:30 Frost Kalnow Room, Tiffin Seneca Public Library
DTom Neel
“Yearbooks and their Importance for the Genealogist"
Tom is the retired Library Director of the Ohio Genealogical Society. Tom will discuss how to find and use yearbooks many schools have published for over 100 years which include student photographs, school activities and more. It is a great way to find photos of your family and add some humor to the family tree.
May 7, 2024
6:30 Frost Kalnow Room, Tiffin Seneca Public Library
Becky Hill
German Migration to Seneca County and Northwest Ohio
When and where did our many German ancestors come from before Seneca County? Were they immigrants directly from the "Old Country" or were they earlier immigrants who came to America even before the Revolution and then migrated here? Becky will attempt to answer these questions and more as she explores the very large population of Seneca County famiies with German roots. Becky is an officer of the Society and the retired Head Librarian of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library
June 4, 2024
To be Announced - no picnic
No Meetings July, August
Sept. 3, 2024 - TBA
Oct. 1, 2024 - TBA
Nov. 5, 2024 - TBA
Dec. - no Meeting.
Past Meetings Information:
January 2, 2024:
Emily Rinaman
Seneca County Digital Library: 24/7 access to Seneca County's Historical Items
6:30 - Frost Kalnow Room, Tiffin Seneca Public Library
Emily will explain the current status of the Seneca County Digital Library -- starting with a brief overview of what it is, why it's useful and how they have been updating the website the last few years.
https://www.ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p15005coll27. This is a wonderful free site that all Seneca County researchers should be familiar with.
November 7, 2023 - 6:30 pm
Dr. Roy Zinn -
"The story of John Van Meter and Associated History of Ohio Country."
John Van Meter was a white child captured by Wyandots near the Ohio River ca. 1783 and received land in Eden Township when Seneca County was organized. Roy will give background on the Ohio Country prior to that time along with the story of John's life. He was first a Wyandot and then a Mohawk with his life being intertwined in the Native American history of this area through their removal starting in 1828 thru 1843. The Van Meter Reserve was in Eden Township, Seneca County as seen in this 1864 map (above).
Dr. Zinn is a retired veterinarian with interests ranging from the Seneca County Park District to the Civil War, Genealogy and the Seneca County Bicentennial.
Here is the link for the entire 1864 wall map of Seneca County OH
https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4083s.la000673/?r=-0.347,0.072,1.363,0.79,0
The meeting will be at the Tiffin Seneca Public Library's Frost Kalnow Room at 6:30 pm. The public is welcome to this free event