Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I contact the Library?
A: You may contact the library via email, regular mail service, phone, or fax, for a variety of general reference questions.  However, we do not answer genealogical questions by email, phone, or fax.  You must still send genealogical requests to the library using regular mail service.
Email: Archives@ucmail.uc.edu
Mail: Archives & Rare Books Library, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 210113, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0113
Phone: 513/556-1959

Q: Where can I find copies of the minutes of the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees?
A: Click here to go to the UC Trustees Minutes page.  There are two documents for each meeting: "Summary of Actions" and "Minutes".  The Summary of Actions is available shortly after each Board meeting.  Complete Minutes are not available until after approval at the next meeting of the Board.  Adobe Acrobat pdf Reader is required for viewing.

Q: Do I need to make an appointment to use the library's collections?
A: Yes. Because of limited staffing, appointments are required, particularly if you are traveling a distance or intend to conduct extensive research. Please call 513/556-1959 to schedule an appointment. The staff can prepare materials in advance, and some materials are located in remote storage centers, requiring several days to retrieve.

Q: Is the library closed during the lunch hour?
A: No, the library remains open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Q: Is genealogical research service available?

A. No.  We welcome research visits to the library and you may search our records of genealogical interest at your leisure during regular hours.  If you cannot visit, we recommend that patrons consult Hamilton County Genealogical Society website at http://www.hcgsohio.org/research.shtml for a list of professional researchers.

We will search the specific record sets of genealogical interest noted above. However, we do not conduct general genealogical research.  Please note that it is especially helpful for genealogical research if you call or write the library in advance.  For ease of service, you may download this genealogical records request form , print and mail it to the address listed on the form. We do NOT accept genealogical requests via email or phone, though you can contact us in those ways to find out how to make a request.

Q: Do you have birth and/or death records?

A: Yes.  We have birth records for the City of Cincinnati covering 1874-1909 and death records for the City of Cincinnati covering 1865-1909. These records have been digitized and are now available online.

Births and deaths inside the City of Cincinnati corporation limit after 1909 may be obtained by contacting theCincinnati Health Department: 
Vital Statistics Office 
1525 Elm Street, 4th Floor, West
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone:  (513) 352-3120
Fax:      (513) 352-1420

Births and deaths before 1909 in Hamilton County but outside the City of Cincinnati may be obtained through theHamilton County Probate Court. These records have been digitized and are freely available online athttp://www.probatect.org/courtrecordsarchive/bukcats.aspx.

Brths and deaths after 1909 in Hamilton County may be obtained by contacting the Ohio Department of Health:
Ohio Dept. of Health, Vital Statistics
35 E. Chestnut St.
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, Ohio
43215-0098
Phone: (614) 466-2531
http://www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics/vitalstats.aspx

Q: What do those "cause of death" terms mean on the late 19th and early 20th century death certificates?
A: Genealogy volunteers created this list of medical terms explaining what the late 19th century medical terms mean and how these translate into modern language usage.

Q: Do you have marriage records?
A: No.  You should contact the Hamilton County Probate Court Records office, which has microfilm of all marriage records. Phone: (513) 946-3551. The Probate Court has digitized many of its marriage records and has made them freely available online at http://www.probatect.org/courtrecordsarchive/bukcats.aspx.

Q: How do I obtain a copy of a record?
A: Complete the Genealogical Records Request Form and remit a check or money order for $10.00, payable to the University of Cincinnati, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Response time is typically 2-3 weeks.  The $10.00 fee is the minimum amount we assess and will cover 1-40 pages of photocopies.  For more than 40 pages, you will be billed for the additional amount when we send your documents.  You may also visit the department in person and obtain copies for 25 cents/page.

Q: Will you answer genealogical requests by telephone?
A: No.  We require written requests.

Q: How may I use a University of Cincinnati thesis or dissertation?
A: Theses and dissertations are stored off-site.  We require a UCLID printout of the item, along with your name and telephone number to request them.  The item will be ordered (2-3 days delivery time), and you will be notified.  At that time, you have three days to come in and use the item (it must be used in the library and cannot be checked out), and we will hold the item for as long as you need it.  For copyright reasons, for dissertations fifty years old or newer, we will photocopy only half the total number of pages; for complete copies, please contact University Microfilms, Inc. in Ann Arbor, Michigan for ordering information.  For theses from five years past to the present, we will photocopy only half the total number of pages.

Q: Are online records available for archival collections?
A: At this time records for select collections are available.  For those collections that are neither on the website or with a record in UCLID, print inventories are available, and some guides and bibliographies for collections will be posted on this web site.

Q: Is there a classroom available for use in the library?
A: We have a seminar room which may be used for small classes in which the instructor wishes to use library collections.  For availability and policies, please call 556-1959.

Q: Do you make microfilm or photocopies of your materials, and what is the cost?
A: Our general policy is not to photocopy from rare books in order to better safeguard their condition.  However, limited copies may be made in special circumstances.  Microfilm is dependent on condition of material and existing availability of previously produced microfilm.  Cost is estimated per request, and since copies are made by a commercial vendor, completion time is typically 4-6 weeks.