How do I research municipal incorporation?
Answer
Before the adoption of the 1851 Ohio Constitution, the incorporation of places in Ohio required an act of the legislature and was recorded in the Laws of Ohio (Acts of Ohio).
Jordan's An index to the statute law of the state of Ohio is a useful reference for dating Ohio legislation.
After the 1851 Ohio Constitution, municipal incorporation were kept by the Ohio Secretary of State.We have the following collections from the Ohio Secretary of State:
Record of incorporations of towns and villages, 1852-1944 [SAS 352]
Municipal annexations and incorporations, 1856-1973. [SAS 2537].
The process of incorporation included the County Commissioners and the County Recorder, before being filed with the Secretary of State. The County Commissioners should have a record called the “Commissioners Journal” which would reflect the incorporation.
Municipal incorporations were also recorded in the Annual report of the Secretary of State to the Governor of the State of Ohio.
Please visit our research guide for more information on conducting research at the Ohio History Connection.