Pike County Ohio Genealogy and Historical Society

09/15/2025

Pike County Ohio Genealogy and Historical Society, honors members of numerous Lineage Societies, including First Families from Pike County. During our 20 Sept 2025, meeting, we will discuss the process of completing an 'Application For First Families Of Pike County, Ohio' utilizing an actual pending application.

To be eligible, it requires an ancestor or ancestors (direct lineage) who lived in Pike County before 31 Dec 1825. Documentation must be provided which proves your ancestors were in Pike County, prior to the above date and you are a direct descendent of that person.

Everyone is invited and welcome to attend, at the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County in Waverly, OH at 10am, to learn more.

08/19/2025

Write your story!

The 2026 OGS writing contests are currently underway!

Ohio Genealogy News (OGN) contest submissions are currently open until September 30, 2025.

Ohio Genealogical Society Quarterly (OGSQ) contest submissions will be accepted September 1 through December 31, 2025.

Winners receive a one-year membership to OGS and cash prize. More details can be found at https://www.ogs.org/about/awards/ or by emailing writingcontest@ogs.org

08/10/2025

Pike County, Ohio's Revolutionary War Soldiers.
Compiled by Board Secretary, Kay Jones.

08/09/2025

August Guest Speaker Kelli Jo Bergheimer
“Successful Sleuthing (not Stalking) for DNA Matches” with a Q&A session
SAT 8/16, 10am, Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County, 207 N Market St, Waverly, OH.

Kelli Bergheimer is a writer, teacher, editor, and international genealogical speaker. Kelli holds a Bachelor’s in Biology, a Master’s in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master’s in Business Management. Kelli is the Director of Curriculum and Assessments for Blue Kayak, a K-12 textbook company. She also works as the Director of Education for Your DNA Guide. Kelli runs a small business; Mess on the Desk, a genealogical organization company with a YouTube channel. Kelli is the facilitator for Genetics, Genealogy, and You, an online DNA Interest Group. Kelli is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogical Speaker's Guild.

07/26/2025

1897, Sanborn Insurance Map of Waverly, OH with the 5 Hotels in Waverly at the time, circled in red. Below, alternate names over time.
American House, Pen*ston House,
Emmitt House,
Hoffman Hotel,
Hotel Schwandt,
Park Hotel, Coach & Four, Hotel Grand, Waverly Inn, Grand Hotel,
Grand Tavern, Grand Restaurant & Tavern.

In 1897 there were 5 Hotels in Waverly. American House, Emmitt House, Hoffman Hotel, Hotel Schwandt, and Park Hotel.

American House, S Market St on the alley between 2nd and 3rd St. (McConkey’s A/P) formerly Pen*ston Hotel prior, when owned by Uriah Pen*ston.

Emmitt House, S Market St and W Water St (Emmitt Av). James Emmitt 1861.

Hoffman Hotel, S Market St and 3rd behind the Court House.

Hotel Schwandt, E Water St (E Emmitt Av) (198 E Emmitt Av).

Park Hotel, E Water St (E Emmitt Av) Built in 1828, the Coach & Four began as a boarding house, before adding a post office, managed by James Emmitt. Situated along the Ohio-Erie Canal, it underwent changed names and forms many times. It was the Park Hotel (1842-1910), Hotel Grand, Waverly Inn, Grand Hotel, The Grand Tavern (1940's-60's), a barber shop, a store, doctor's office, bar, Grand Restaurant & Tavern and now Sonora.

07/24/2025

In 1867, Ohio passed a statewide law requiring the recording of deaths. Counties began creating death records, when physicians and undertakers in cities and townships, recorded deaths and sent them to the probate court of the county, where the death occurred. These consisted of one-line entries in ledger books, listing birthplace, cause of death and dates.

Since we uncovered the first statewide death certificate for Pike County, dated 20 Dec 1908, and shared it, we decided to share the first full page ledger of Deaths from the Pike County Probate Court from 1867.

07/24/2025

In 1867, after Ohio passed a statewide law requiring the recording of deaths, counties began creating death records, when physicians and undertakers in cities and townships, recorded deaths and sent them to the probate court of the county, where the death occurred. These consisted of one-line entries in ledger books, listing birthplace, cause of death and dates.

On 20 December 1908, the State of Ohio took over the responsibility of recording deaths, instituting a new certificate, all counties were required by law to use to record deaths. Prior to that date there was no statewide index to death records.

Doing some other research, we uncovered the first statewide death certificate for Pike County, dated 20 Dec 1908, Martha Jane (Cummings) Armstrong, from Benton Township.

07/24/2025

07/24/2025

Come Visit Pike County and Support Pike Heritage Museum!

Pike Heritage Day 2025
The day is going to be full of surprises, bagpipe player, duet, quintet, and many other favorite and talented local musicians, will be stopping by to share in the fun. If you missed Beast and Bottle's Emmitt House Stag Bar Sandwich recreation last year, it's back.

Thank you to everyone in the community who steps up to make this event happen; from the Mayor's office, Waverly Fire Department, Waverly Police Department, Street Department, Pike County General Health District, musicians, vendors and artisans.
Special Guest, Rescue Randy & Safety Pup Exhibit for the kids.

Pike Heritage Museum is a DORA Friendly Location.

07/24/2025

The Mean Center of Population in the United States from 1790 to 2020. And in 1860?
You Bet, Pike County, Ohio! US Census Data.

Notice how it moved WSW with WWII, and then SW as A/C became mainstream?

04/18/2025

Pike County Ohio Genealogy and Historical Society is celebrating our 50th Anniversary.