County Research Guide

Clinton County, Ohio

Formed February 19, 1810, effective March 1, 1810, from Highland and Warren counties · county seat Wilmington. Repository addresses, online record links, and a free printable record checklist below.

Watch the Series

Clinton County, Ohio Genealogy & History

Short episodes that walk through Clinton County's records, one record type at a time.

Formation · Settlers & Migration · Probate · Land · Tax · Churches · Newspapers · Where to Look

Watch on YouTube

Where the records are

Clinton County Probate Court

46 S. South St., 2nd Floor, Suite 224, Wilmington, OH 45177 · (937) 382-2280

co.clinton.oh.us/ProbateCourt

Wills, estate/probate records, marriage records, guardianships, and adoptions.

Clinton County Recorder's Office

1850 Davids Drive, Suite 305, Wilmington, OH 45177 · (937) 382-2067

co.clinton.oh.us/departments/Recorder

Deeds, land/property records, and some vital record filings.

Clinton County Clerk of Courts (Court of Common Pleas)

46 S. South Street, Suite 333, Wilmington, OH 45177 · (937) 382-2316

clintoncountycourts.org/ClerkOfCourts/home

Divorces, civil suits (including partition suits that divide land among heirs), and Common Pleas journals. Before 1852, this court also handled wills and estates.

Clinton County Auditor

1850 Davids Drive, Suite 303, Wilmington, OH 45177 · (937) 382-2250

clintoncountyauditor.org

Current tax lists and property transfer records. Early tax duplicates are on FamilySearch and at the Ohio History Connection.

Clinton County History Center

149 E. Locust St. / PO Box 529, Wilmington, OH 45177 · (937) 382-4684

clintoncountyhistory.org

Home to both the Historical Society (formed 1948) and the county's OGS-affiliated Genealogical Society. Surname files, family histories, deeds/wills abstracts, vital records, cemetery records, Quaker records, and Children's Home & Infirmary records.

Wilmington Public Library of Clinton County

268 N. South St., Wilmington, OH 45177 · (937) 382-2417

wilmington.lib.oh.us/findinfo/genealogy

Genealogy resource page — the dedicated research room is actually at the History Center above.

Clinton County Health Department

111 S. Nelson Ave., Suite 1, Wilmington, OH 45177 · (937) 382-7221

info@clincohd.com

Local death records generally available from 1971 forward. For older/statewide vital records, the Ohio Dept. of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics is the alternate source.

Cemetery records

Find A Grave — Clinton County and Interment.net — Clinton County, compiled by county genealogy volunteers.

Not sure which office has what? See Which County Office Holds What.

Before Clinton County existed

Clinton County was formed in 1810 from Highland and Warren Counties. For records made before then, search the parent counties:

Land: Virginia Military District

All of Clinton County lies in the Virginia Military District, land Virginia set aside for its Revolutionary War veterans. It was surveyed in irregular metes and bounds, and the first owners' records follow a warrant, entry, survey, and patent trail.

More for Clinton County

Newspapers of Clinton County

Titles that covered Clinton County, historic and current, with where to search each one. Not every historic title has been digitized — several survive only on microfilm.

TitleYearsWhere to Search
Clinton Republican (Wilmington)1839–1912Chronicling America; Ohio Memory (1901–1912)
Wilmington Journal1868–1913Newspapers.com; microfilm at Clinton County History Center
Wilmington News-Journal1919–currentChronicling America (early 20th-c.); Newspapers.com; GenealogyBank (2013+); current at wnewsj.com
Star-Republican (Blanchester)1901–currentNewspapers.com (1964–2008); earlier decades microfilm only — check Blanchester Area Historical Society
Clinton County Democrat (Wilmington)1880–1950Newspapers.com (1888–1918); remainder microfilm only — check local library or historical society

Download the Newspaper Research Log (PDF)

Printable Record Checklist

Fill in what you're looking for, print it, and take it with you to the courthouse or library.

Brick Walls & Buckeyes emblem Brick Walls & Buckeyes brickwallsbuckeyes.com · Clinton County, Ohio

Vital & Probate

Birth record (Health Dept 1971+, or Probate earlier)
Death record (Health Dept 1971+, or Probate earlier)
Marriage record (Probate Court)
Will / estate administration file
Guardianship / adoption record
Divorce or court case (Clerk of Courts)

Land & Property

Deed / land transfer (Recorder's Office)
Mortgage record
Plat map
Tax duplicate
First land purchase or patent (BLM GLO or county deeds)

Community & Print

Newspaper mention (Wilmington News Journal)
Quaker record (History Center)
Cemetery record / headstone photo
Children's Home / Infirmary record (History Center)
Census record

Addresses and links last checked October 2026.

Never Miss an Episode

New Ohio genealogy videos every week

County guides, record walkthroughs, and brick wall breakthroughs. Subscribe on YouTube and tap the bell so new episodes find you.

Subscribe on YouTube