Thanks to all who have responded about my research trip to Ohio! Jeanne you said: "Most birth/death records are kept at the county level until like 1880. Then they are kept at the state level (in Ohio), in order to search the state level, you have to send letters etc." Could I ask for clarification, do you mean records PRIOR to 1880 are at the county level or AFTER 1880? And what kind of letters do you have to have, to send to whom, to do research ? Thanks again. Julie Hastings Barnes