Local History & Genealogy FAQs

  • General Questions

    The Library will check a core collection of indexed sources for specific individuals provided some date information can also be provided (e.g. date of birth, date of death, date of marriage and spouse’s name, dates lived in Clark County).  In-depth genealogical research is not provided by the Library (e.g. I would like everything you can find on a particular person or family).  

    Requests may be made by email to: askhistory@ccplohio.org

    Request by postal mail to:
    Library History/Genealogy Librarian
    Clark County Public Library
    201 S. Fountain Ave.
    Springfield, OH 45506

    Obituaries from Springfield newspapers, 1918 through the present, are indexed in the Ohio Obituary Index.  Search this index to locate the date(s) on which an obituary appeared in the paper.  

    The Springfield News-Sun, from October 2004 - current, are available online on NewsBank. You'll need a Clark County Public Library card number to access this collection online.

    Requests may be made by email to: askhistory@ccplohio.org

    Request by postal mail to:
    Library History/Genealogy Librarian
    Clark County Public Library
    201 S. Fountain Ave.
    Springfield, OH 45506

    Please limit each request to 5 obituaries and wait for the request to be completed before sending another.

    Scans (pdf) will be provided unless photocopies are specifically requested or no email is provided (in the case of postal mail requests.)

    We will check for an obituary even if the name is not found in the Ohio Obituary Index as long as you provide a death date. Our newspaper collection dates back to 1860.

    There is no charge for this service, but donations by check or money order are always welcome. Use the mailing address above. 

    The Library has a handout with guidelines for searching the history of a house.  Some resources are available for use at the Library, such as city directories and early deed and mortgages on microfilm. Other locations you may need to visit include the County Recorder’s office or County Auditor’s office.