Pike County Ohio Genealogy and Historical Society

03/13/2026

Trace your revolutionary war patriot, for free.
Thanks to our local DAR.

Do you know who your Patriot is?

02/23/2026

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega provides links and discusses three sources of genealogy records you may not be using.

02/23/2026

Great place to start researching Family History.

https://www.thefhguide.com/project-9-united-states.html

02/16/2026

Great Find

Sometimes history whispers from the smallest places. In this case, it’s written in just two words on a pension index card: Special Act.

On 6 January 1919, Theodore Roosevelt died suddenly in his sleep. The nation mourned a former president, war hero, and larger-than-life figure. But behind the public grief was his widow, Edith Roosevelt.

Just one week later, on 13 January 1919, Reed Smoot introduced a Senate bill to authorize an annual pension for her. It was not based on Roosevelt’s service with the Rough Riders. It was not a military pension. It was granted simply because she was the widow of a former president.

Edith filed for the pension on 25 February 1919. The amount was $5,000 per year.

She did not need it. But she worried that refusing the pension might embarrass other former First Ladies who depended on similar congressional support. So she accepted it. Then, quietly, she used much of that money to help others, including former members of Theodore’s Rough Riders.

Presidents’ Day is often celebrated to honor all who served as President of the United States. Yet some of the most powerful stories are not about office or authority. They are about character. And sometimes, they are preserved on something as simple as a pension index card.

02/14/2026

Save the Date!
Author David Fierst, will be visiting Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County, Sat Mar 14 , for a talk and book signing for his book, Hidden Disgrace.
Stop by and meet this Dayton, OH area attorney and author.

02/13/2026

Online, early-bird registration is now OPEN for the 2026 OGS Conference being held April 29 - May 2, 2026. Visit www.ogs.org/2026-conference for more information and to register. Don't miss out on early-bird pricing.

02/11/2026

Robert's Rules of Order Workshop presented by Ohio State University Extension Pike County at the Pike Outreach Food Pantry Community Room, 2/23 5:30p-7p.
RSVP to Tammy Jones, 740-289-4837.

If you are a member of a church board, community service or business board or club, then this practical workshop is for you!

There is still time to register.
Call 740-289-4837 to reserve your spot!

02/11/2026

Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County does so much for us. Please consider coming out and supporting this Fundraiser for the new Library!
To Go Meals are available, just call ahead for pickup.

Today is the day! Join the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library for a Chili Fundraiser on Wednesday, February 11, from 4–6 PM at Bristol Village Café. All proceeds support The Next Chapter New Library Campaign. Come early!

02/07/2026

WHS Class of 1899
Superintendent Clayton, Reported this was the Largest class to ever Graduate from Waverly High School to Date.
Waverly Attorney, Charles Mott Caldwell (Class of 84), and President of the WHS Alumni Association, provided the Diploma Presentation Address.
His son, John Frederick Caldwell, would later go on to become a WHS History Teacher, in 1930.
Sadly, no Graduate's names were shared.
We suspect Superintendent Clayton is the one seated in the middle, with a beard.

02/07/2026

Early Ohioans' Residences from the Land Grant Records by Mayburt Stephenson Riegel, is an index to land entry records for Ohio prior to 1820. Land Offices included in the project are Canton-Wooster, Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Marietta, Steubenville, Zanesville, the Donation Tract, and the Refugee Tract.

The pioneer name, date of the land entry, and the place of residence are provided. Some of the land offices in addition include the exact range, township, and section as well as the microfilm number.

This index was prepared by the author from the original calf-skin hand-sewn volumes. It is a key resource utilized by those who wish to join First Families of Ohio.

Early Ohioans' Residences from the Land Grant Records by Mayburt Stephenson Riegel, is an index to land entry records for Ohio prior to 1820. Land Offices included in the project are Canton-Wooster, Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Marietta, Steubenville, Zanesville, the Donation Tract, and the Refugee Trac...

01/22/2026

Help Celebrate 250 Revolutionary War Patriots

Have you documented an ancestor from the American Revolutionary War? If so, we'd like to feature them on our social media as part of our celebration of the 250th! Send a brief write-up and image (document, headstone, etc.) to ogs@ogs.org and maybe your ancestor will be featured on the OGS social media accounts!

12/13/2025

Thank you to everyone who helped to share and spread Connie's vision, and message to our passed veterans.