**Sharing this Good News!**
The Ohio History Connection has extended the deadline to contribute to the Ohio Revolutionary War Veterans Graves Project!
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**How to Participate as a Public Researcher**
Please note, contributions to this important collection will close at the end of May 25, 2026, which is Memorial Day.
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For assistance via email contact.: ohiorevwarvets@terracon.com
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The Interactive Live Results Dashboard
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***May 4, 2026 the Collection Portal Closes ***
Ohio Revolutionary War Veterans Graves Project - Ohio History Connection
Graphic below from the Ohio History Connection:
https://tinyurl.com/OHCFIELDCOLLECTIONGUIDE
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Two months from now, on May 4, 2026, the opportunity to add information documenting the burials of American Revolutionary War veterans in Ohio will close. We can only hope that all those that can be found will be through the efforts of dedicated volunteers.
Keeping this thought in mind, I would like to suggest that even if you can't do an in person visit to the gravesite of a veteran of the American Revolutionary War buried in Ohio that you know about, please attempt to contact someone who can do that with the information you provide to them. I did this myself recently. You can reference also websites like "Find a Grave" that might help. Contact someone who belongs to the local chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society who might be willing to visit the gravesite in your place and use their cellphone to document the burial location at the cemetery.
Also, if there is a nearby Chapter of the D.A.R. they may know of someone who could be of help.
You can be creative and consider contacting a local Boy Scout or Girl Scout group who could visit the cemetery in person with an adult, armed with your information to locate the gravesite, and access the Ohio History Connection's website for all of the details pertaining to this worthwhile program and how to contribute to it.
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The Ohio History Connection is spearheading the campaign to document the locations of the gravesites of American Revolutionary War veterans who lived in Ohio, at least for a time, and died and were buried here. It is a massive and worthy endeavor that will benefit all of us, and future generations to have this knowledge. We will not be able to count the ways how the information will aid genealogists searching for their ancestors.
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Reflecting on the years of the Great Depression - the 1930s - we cannot help but think of another most worthy effort to document veteran burials in our Great State and beyond. During that decade the project provided employment to those who needed it. They were tasked to visit and document the locations of veteran burials from all wars, starting with the American Revolutionary War. Take note that the American Revolutionary War veterans are designated as number 1 (the number in the circle) and ending with World War I - which was the latest war to have been fought at the time this work took place. Thus, that war was simply known as the "World War" on those records.
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Below is my rendering of two key elements for what I often identify as the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration) Cemetery Plat Maps. It was also shown as Veterans Graves Registration. The cemetery plat maps (sometimes referred to as "plot maps") are companion records to the individual veteran grave registration cards that are well known to genealogists who are researching specific veterans.
As we inch closer to the 2030's we find that these older records can now serve as a foundation for moving forward with this program sponsored by the Ohio History Connection's Preservation Office which has done valuable work with such projects as the OH-I Form that has been featured here in several posts.
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Below is a listing of some of the best presented W.P.A. Cemetery Plat Maps by Ohio Counties (i.e. Recorders, G.I.S. Departments, etc.) that can serve as a starting point to visiting the cemeteries and contributing to the Ohio-250 project of documenting American Revolutionary War veteran gravesites and photographing gravesite markers in compliance with it.
WPA CEMETERY PLAT MAPS THAT CAN BE FOUND ON THE INTERNET:
ASHTABULA COUNTY.:
BELMONT COUNTY.:
Main Page.:
“Plat Book Page”
https://belcogis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=82fce8bbf16a4da2ab377be8247d27dc/
Clicking on a map and it links to the entire 171 page WPA Cemetery Plat Map Book with Index and Locations Unknown – Listing veterans names and their wars but no cemeteries because their burial locations are unknown.
https://www.belcogis.com/DataDownloads/WPA%20Cemetery%20Plat%20Book.pdf
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY:
Champaign County,
Ohio cemetery plates, veterans' graves registration, works projects
administration
Authors:
Ohio Genealogical
Society. Champaign County Chapter (Added
Author)
Format: Books/Monographs/Book with Digital
Images
Language: English
Publication: Urbana, Ohio : Ohio Genealogical Society.
Champaign County Chapter, [198-?]
Physical: 100 leaves. : ill., maps.
Subject Class: 977.1465 V3
Link Below:
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/664005?availability=Family%20History%20Library
CLINTON COUNTY:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/limesstones/collections/72157719615686995/
COSHOCTON COUNTY:
https://www.coshoctoncounty.net/taxmap/cemeteries/
CRAWFORD COUNTY:
DELAWARE COUNTY:
https://recordscenter.co.delaware.oh.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2024/04/Veterans_Graves.pdf
HAMILTON COUNTY:
https://recordersoffice.hamilton-co.org/helpful_information/cemetery_locations.html
HENRY COUNTY:
https://henrycountyengineer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GraveMaps_Combined.pdf
HOLMES COUNTY:
KNOX COUNTY:
https://co.knox.oh.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Cemetery-Maps.pdf
LAKE COUNTY:
https://gis.lakecountyohio.gov/scannedsurveys/cemetery%20maps/
LOGAN COUNTY:
Title Page and Master Index Listing of all
Logan County Cemeteries
http://lceo.us/maproom/Map%20Room/Z-Files/Veterans%20Graves%20Registration/Title%20&%20Index.pdf
Index of Map Room – Veterans Grave Registration
http://lceo.us/maproom/Map%20Room/Z-Files/Veterans%20Graves%20Registration/
LORAIN COUNTY:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/limesstones/collections/72157717885281036/
MADISON COUNTY:
http://ftp1.co.madison.oh.us:81/Plat%20Books/WPA%20Cemeteries/
PAULDING COUNTY:
TRUMBULL COUNTY (2 FILES):
http://www.archives.co.trumbull.oh.us/Maps/Cemetery%20Plats%20No%201%201800-1930.pdf
http://www.archives.co.trumbull.oh.us/Maps/Cemetery%20Plats%20No%202%201800-1930.pdf
UNION COUNTY:
https://www.unioncountyohio.gov/veterans-grave-maps
WILLIAMS COUNTY:
https://www.williamscountyoh.gov/308/Veterans-Graves-Registration
Brian Fritsch – G.I.S. Department:
Story Maps.:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d72f8f2d77aa40f5acc138cf75c6de59
Dashboard:
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/1b5a407a28b3405c9e66fb469cbd2d71
Hub:
https://veteran-grave-locations-wmscoeng.hub.arcgis.com/
Copyright 2022. Williams County Engineer's Office.
Address
12953 County Road G Bryan, Ohio 43506
Phone Number
419-636-2454 Extension 2121
Contact Person
Brian Fritsch bfritsch@wmscoengineer.com
https://america250.org/
https://america250-ohio.org/
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Sharing this link to the Ohio History Connection to the:
"Revolutionary War Graves Project" page on the OHC's website.
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"Ohio and the Revolutionary War" - Ohio History Connection's website.
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Be sure to research and explore records from both the Ohio SAR and Ohio DAR websites. Also, a good resource are the publications by the individual chapters of the Ohio Genealogical Society, some of which are posted online.
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Prefacing that an Ohio Historic Inventory Form (OH-I Form) can, at this point, continue to be used and submitted for Inactive Cemeteries as well as for Active cemeteries.
It is important to note this form offers a layer of identity and public recognition for a cemetery being documented and placed on record with the Ohio History Connection that it would not otherwise receive.
Inactive Cemeteries, as well as small family burial grounds, are excluded from being recognized and as well regarded as their Active cemetery counterparts. Citing these examples: being left out of the process where someone can submit complaints about a cemetery's lack of proper care to the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission that steps in and works to resolve such problems.
In addition, Inactive and small family cemeteries are not afforded the designation of being Registered with the state of Ohio.
Cemetery Registration is a key element for a cemetery to have. That is where sadly discrimination exists that further disadvantages these cemeteries that truly are the most vulnerable.
Thus, the OH-I form after its completion, review, and acceptance, is assigned its official number and included in the database of the Ohio History Connection.
Per Petra C. Knapp, Survey & National Register Manager with the State Historic Preservation Office, that it would be acceptable to use the original "OH-I Form" (Ohio Historic Inventory Form) for a cemetery.
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It is advisable to check with Petra to be sure that an OH-I Form has not already been completed, and an official OH-I number assigned for the cemetery you are considering to complete and submit the form for it.
It is advisable to check with Petra to be sure that an OH-I Form has not already been completed, and an official OH-I number assigned for the cemetery you are considering to complete and submit the form for it.
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Please see below an example of a completed OH-I form.
Also, is an image of the two-page form that exists as a .PDF fillable blank form that I am unable to share here in that particular format.
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Contact Petra C. Knapp for questions.
Petra C. Knapp|
Survey & National Register Manager
State Historic Preservation Office, Ohio History Connection
800 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211
p. 614-298-2000 |
pknapp@ohiohistory.org
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Convert Latitude and Longitude to "UTM"
Link to The original .PDF OH-I Form
2023 State Historic Preservation Awards deadline for submission is coming up fast - on June 1, 2023.
Link to Non-fillable online form. (There are some issues accessing the fillable-form.)
"Your award nomination must be submitted electronically.
Click here to download the Awards nomination form and learn more.
Contact our office at shpo@ohiohistory.org if you have any questions."
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"Nomination must be posted no later than June 1 POST THE COMPLETED NOMINATION and images, or images worksheet, to Dropbox and share with tharrah@ohiohistory.org
OR:
SEND NOMINATION AND A DISK OF IMAGES TO:
State Historic Preservation Office Awards
State Historic Preservation Office
800 E. 17th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43211-2474 "
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Below are images of the announcement:
This subject just might come under the "Who knew?" category - or a nagging question - that begs a good answer. So here it is.:
Yes the Ohio History Connection (OHC) (formerly the Ohio Historical Society) has a blog. The blog is specific to historic preservation in the State of Ohio.
When we consider historic preservation perhaps the first thoughts top of mind are the preservation of structures or perhaps battle sites, but not in this case.
This blog is in two-parts discussing the discovery Krista Horrocks made of two grave markers that mysteriously were moved from their original gravesite locations to being on display at the Ohio History Connection! Each has their own story and Krista spotlights them individually in their own post.
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The first blog post was published on February 21, 2023 entitled.:
"Two Gravestones Out of Place: Part 1of 2 The Emma Kearnes Stone"
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The second blog post was published on April 4, 2023 entitled.:
"Two Gravestones out of Place: Part 2 of 2 The Micheal Brucker Stone"
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Each marker has its own history separate from the other. However, thanks to their common fate, their final destination brought them together at the OHC's Ohio Village.
Krista Horrocks tells us the rest of their stories! Her outstanding sleuthing skills have served these markers well.
Sharing her results as she has enables us to learn so much more about them and their history that inspires us to take the same steps if we were faced with the same situation!
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What a wonderful opportunity for those who seek to learn more about researching and preserving Ohio's cemeteries!
The upcoming program by Krista Horrocks, Project Reviews Manager of Archaeology of the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office, at the Ohio History Connection will provide this presentation on May 5, 2023 from 2:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. at the Ohio History Connection.
See the website for further details!
"As an archaeologist, she reviews projects under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and serves as OHC’s cemetery preservationist, where she helps Ohioans with their research of the 14,630+ cemeteries in the state. She specializes in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) veteran grave registry efforts that took place from 1938-1940, which documented cemeteries and burial locations throughout the state."
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Contact information:
800.686.6124info@ohiohistory.orgAdult - $16Student (w/ID) - $14Senior (60+) - $14Child (4-12) - $10Child (3 & under) - FreeOhio History Connection member - Free
To help understand the V.M.D. a great resource comes from the Ohio History Connection's website and their Ohio maps.
Sharing this "Toledo Blade" story Spotlighting the Ohio History Connection's vast number, estimated at 7,000, of Native American human remains needing to be returned to their proper Tribes. The University of Michigan and the University of Toledo also have Native American human remains, but each with smaller numbers.
This is an excellent article worth reading particularly by anyone interested in this topic.
The public in general would also benefit from reading this detailed account to expand their knowledge and gain a greater grasp of the seriousness of this situation that needs a resolution.
Learn what challenges exist and what options are available for the Ohio History Connection to move forward and resolve this pressing issue of returning the Native American human remains in their possession to their proper Tribes. We look forward to follow-up articles about this subject in the future.
Sharing information that Ohio's (SHPO) State Historic Preservation Office is currently revising its procedures for how the "OH-I Form" - the Ohio Historic Inventory Form - is completed and submitted to their office for review.
These forms can be completed for cemeteries as well as for structures.
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Below is the late James L. Murphy's "Forgotten Cemeteries and the Ohio Historic Inventory" that was my introduction to this form and the value of completing and submitting it to the Ohio History Connection's Preservation Department for the benefit of the cemetery. Once the form is accepted and approved the cemetery is assigned its own number and becomes a permanent record in their database.
While mostly professionals complete the "OH-I Form", anyone can complete them and submit them to the Ohio History Connection's Preservation Office.
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