Pike County Ohio Genealogy and Historical Society

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?

07/19/2025

We want to thank Bruce Overly, Pike Heritage Museum President, for a great Beaver Valley presentation, at our monthly meeting. So much amazing information shared, and we look forward to seeing his book, when it is published, in the near future.

07/13/2025

Bruce Overly grew up in the Pike County community of Beaver and was active in several church and civic organizations. He’s an Eagle Scout, graduate of Eastern High School, and Ohio University, and served as the founding president of the Beaver Valley Historical Society.

Bruce has served on the Pike Heritage Museum Board of Trustees for many years, and is currently serving his third year as Board President. He is also preparing to publish a book he has been writing for over 30 years about the history of eastern Pike County. He enjoys studying our local history and when time permits, cleans tombstones in Beaver Union Cemetery.

Bruce will be our 'Guest Speaker' for the July 19 Meeting of the Pike County Ohio Genealogy and Historical Society, in the basement, Community Room of the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County, Waverly, at 10am. He will be discussing Beaver Valley's History. Everyone is welcome to attend.

07/10/2025

Attention Nonprofit Cemetery Operators

Don't miss out — apply today! Applications are open now. More details at: https://ow.ly/uIcu50WnjMO

🚨 Attention Nonprofit Cemetery Operators! 🚨
Are you looking to preserve and maintain your local cemetery? The Ohio Department of Commerce Cemetery Grant Program is offering funding to help care for and maintain cemeteries across the state — protecting Ohio's stories.

Don't miss out — apply today! Applications are open now. More details at: https://ow.ly/uIcu50WnjMO

04/18/2025

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