Formed January 29, 1813 from Guernsey County, along the Ohio River · county seat Woodsfield. Repository addresses, online record links, and a free printable record checklist below.
Short episodes that walk through Monroe County's records, one record type at a time.
Formation · Settlers & Migration · Probate · Land · Tax · Churches · Newspapers · Where to Look
Watch on YouTube101 N. Main St., Room 39, Woodsfield, OH 43793 · (740) 472-1654
monroecountyohio.com — Probate/Juvenile Court
Estate administration, guardianships, trusts, adoptions, marriage licenses, and name changes. Online index available for 1867–2002 and 2002–present.
101 N. Main St., Room 20, Woodsfield, OH 43793 · (740) 472-5264
Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, releases, and assignments; land records from roughly 1836 to present.
101 N. Main Street, Room 33, Woodsfield, OH 43793 · (740) 472-0841
monroecountyohio.net/government/clerk_of_courts/common_pleas_court/index.php
Divorces, civil suits (including partition suits that divide land among heirs), and Common Pleas journals. Before 1852, this court also handled wills and estates.
101 N. Main Street, #22, Woodsfield, OH 43793 · (740) 472-0873
monroecountyohio.com/government/auditor_s_office
Current tax lists and property transfer records. Early tax duplicates are on FamilySearch and at the Ohio History Connection.
96 Home Ave., Woodsfield, OH 43793 · (740) 472-1954
monroecounty.lib.oh.us — Local History
Probate abstracts, family genealogies, census records, cemetery inscriptions, church records, and local history publications. Also hosts the OGS chapter's research room and meetings.
PO Box 641, Woodsfield, OH 43793 · meets at the library, 96 Home Ave. · (740) 472-1933
Chartered 1984. Meets 3rd Sunday, 2pm (no meetings Jan/Feb/Dec). Research room staffed Thurs & Fri 10am–4pm or by appointment; offers First Families and Pioneer Families lineage programs.
Office: 118 Home Ave.; Museum: 217 Eastern Ave., Woodsfield, OH 43793 · (740) 472-1933
A separate organization from the OGS chapter above, though closely linked. Holds archives, books, maps, tax records, and newspapers. Museum campus includes the Hollister-Parry House and a one-room schoolhouse; office open by appointment.
101 N. Main St., Woodsfield, OH 43793 · (740) 472-1677 ext. 2
monroecountyohio.com — Birth & Death Records
Birth and death records from 1909–present. Ohio uses central issuance, so this office can also issue certificates for any Ohio county's births and deaths.
Not sure which office has what? See Which County Office Holds What.
Many Monroe County record books are filmed and free to view at FamilySearch (free account required).
In Full-Text Search, add Monroe County, Ohio as the place to find names inside handwritten deeds, wills, and court books. How to use it.
Monroe County was formed in 1813 from Guernsey County. For records made before then, search the parent county:
All of Monroe County lies in the Seven Ranges, the first land surveyed under the Land Ordinance of 1785, laid out in townships and sections and sold by the federal government.
Titles that covered Monroe County, historic and current, with where to search each one. Not every historic title has been digitized — several survive only on microfilm.
| Title | Years | Where to Search |
|---|---|---|
| The Spirit of Democracy | 1844-1994 | Chronicling America (1844-1886); microfilm only — Monroe County District Library for 1887-1994 |
| The Monroe Gazette | 1878-1911 | Chronicling America (full run digitized) |
| The Monroe County Beacon | 1937-present | Chronicling America (1937-1963); GenealogyBank; current issues via publisher/library |
| The Sentinel (Woodsfield) | c.1880s-1926 | Microfilm only — Monroe County District Library; absorbed by Spirit of Democracy 1926 |
| The Monroe County Republican | c.1900s-1956 | Microfilm only — Monroe County District Library; absorbed by Spirit of Democracy 1956 |
Fill in what you're looking for, print it, and take it with you to the courthouse or library.
Brick Walls & Buckeyes
brickwallsbuckeyes.com · Monroe County, Ohio
Addresses and links last checked October 2026.
County guides, record walkthroughs, and brick wall breakthroughs. Subscribe on YouTube and tap the bell so new episodes find you.
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