We are continuing our series on local genealogical and historical societies with a society that is not so local, but still provides the research expertise and many resources for those living in Medina County.
The Ohio Genealogical Society was incorporated in 1959 and immediately played an important role in preserving and researching the state's history along with the 88 counties.
Dorothea Martin, President of the Ohio Genealogical Society, generously answered some questions for us.
We will begin with Executive Director, Noel B. Poirer.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. How long have you worked with the Ohio Genealogical Society?
OGS Noel Poirer: I am a Pennsylvania native who has worked in the non-profit museum and education fields for 30 years. I began my professional career with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and have worked for a variety of museum entities since, many of which operated significant archive and research facilities. Additionally, I am a Peer Reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums where I am asked to provide assessments and recommendations to museums as they mature and adjust to change.
I have a Masters Degree in History and enjoy researching family histories for my family as well as others. I am new to the Ohio Genealogical Society, and assumed the new role of Executive Director in August 2020.
Q: Give us a brief description of your responsibilities.
OGS Noel Poirer: I am principally responsible for the overall management and success of The Ohio Genealogical Society’s numerous operations, both in-person and remote. I supervise the Society’s staff at the Samuel D. Isaly Library and ensure that the Society’s collections are cared for and made accessible to Society members and the general public. Perhaps most importantly I work in collaboration with the Board of Directors to generate the funding resources, through donations, memberships, and other income generating endeavors, to guarantee the future of the Society.
Q: Who else staffs the OGS Library? And what are their responsibilities?
OGS Noel Poirer: The current staff of the library includes Linda Swanson, the Library Collections Manager, and our Administrative Assistant Sherri Dulin. Linda is responsible for the care and development of the library’s collection as well as working towards making that collection accessible to our members and the public. She also answers many of the questions and requests that come to the library from Members and the general public. Sherri takes care of all of the day-to-day administrative needs of the Society as well as assisting Society Members with issues relating to their membership.
In addition to paid staff, the library also has about two dozen very dedicated and talented volunteers who work on a regular basis at the library. They undertake a variety of short and long-term projects that add to the Society’s mission and the library’s efforts.
Q: Where is the library located? And what are the hours?
OGS Noel Poirer: The Samuel D. Isaly Library is located at 611 State Route 97 West in Bellville, Ohio. The library is located less than 2 ½ hours from virtually anywhere in the State of Ohio. The library’s regular hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm, however, the library is closed on Federal holidays and during the Society’s annual conference.
Q:What resources are available and who can make use of the collection?
OGS Noel Poirer: It is impossible to list all of the available resources here, but in general, the Society offers a vast library of first-hand resources, expert researchers to help you understand methodology and make connections, conferences, seminars, lectures and more from leading experts and for everyone, and publications and programs for genealogists of every level. I would encourage folks to visit our website at www.ogs.org to discover all of the resources membership provides.
Q: If an individual needs help with research -- or if they live too far away to visit OGS-- how can they get assistance?
OGS Noel Poirer: While we do not have an on-site researcher tasked with undertaking research on behalf of individuals, our staff and volunteers can assist with guiding individuals towards the resources that might serve their research best.
Q: Does a person need to be a member to access the resources at the library?
OGS Noel Poirer: No, the general public is welcome to use the Samuel D. Isaly Library for a small $5.00 fee. If they think that they will need to use the library’s resources more than once, it is more than worth it for them to become an Ohio Genealogical Society Member for only $40.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like everyone to know about the Ohio Genealogical Society Library?
OGS Noel Poirer: Making the library’s resources available to Members and to the general public is an ongoing and labor-intensive process. It can also be an expensive one. The Society, and its library, are a non-profit entity that needs the support of all those interested in the preservation of Ohio’s historical records. If a reader is interested in supporting the Society, and its mission, I welcome their phone call or email.
We continue with the President of OGS, Dorothea Martin.
OGS President, Dorothea Martin: I am retired from Detroit Police Department. I have served on the OGS Board of Trustees since 2010, and have been President since May 2020.
Q: What are your responsibilities as President?
OGS President, Dorothea Martin: The Ohio Genealogical Society is a 501©3 organization tasked with meeting the educational needs of its members and the general public through the acquisition, preservation, and dissemination of genealogical and historical information pertaining to the people of Ohio.
As President, my responsibilities include working with my Board of Trustees and the OGS professional staff to attain the goals of OGS. As with any non-profit, this would include supervising and promoting OGS, presiding over Society meetings, appointing personnel to chair committees, fill vacancies, and perform other duties to ensure the smooth running of the OGS.
Q: Who are the other members on the Ohio Genealogical Society Board? And what are their responsibilities?
OGS President, Dorothea Martin: The OGS Board is composed of an Executive Committee consisting of the President, 3 Vice Presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer, as well as Trustees representing various areas of the State of Ohio.
The duties of the Board include determining the policies of the Society, overseeing the financial health of the OGS, maintaining Society records, ensuring compliance with all non-profit requirements, and engaging with OGS chapters.
Q: What resources are available and who can make use of the collection?
OGS President, Dorothea Martin: The OGS maintains the Samuel D. Isaly Library in Bellville, Ohio. The Library holdings include books and publications from and about all 88 Ohio counties, local histories, bible records, military records, city and county directories, a collection of Ohio high schools and college year books, OGS lineage society applications, and family histories.
OGS also has a large collection of records on its website, www.ogs.org, including an online catalog of the Society’s holdings, databases, Special Collections, Ohio Civil War Center, as well as a large collection of microfilm holdings indexed by county. All library resources are available to members as a member benefit. Non-member visitors are invited to use the Library by paying a $5.00 per day fee.
Q: Tell us about your upcoming OGS Conference and any other events that may be coming up.
OGS President, Dorothea Martin: Our annual OGS Conference will be held April 27-30, 2022 at Great Wolf Lodge just outside Cincinnati, in Mason, Ohio. The Conference is open to all. Registration information can be found at www.ogsconference.org . The OGS also holds a Fall Retreat each year, and other educational opportunities throughout the year.
Q: Do people have to be members to attend?
OGS President, Dorothea Martin: Individuals do not have to be members to attend the majority of these events. More information, as well as registration, can be obtained on the OGS website www.ogs.org.
Q: How can an individual join the society? What benefits do society members receive?
OGS President, Dorothea Martin: New members are always welcome. Simply go to the website and click on the red Join button at the upper right. The numerous membership benefits are listed on the same membership page and include two publications, access to the Members Only area on the website, discounts at the OGS Conference and other member events, discounted OGS Library Copy Services, and many more.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like everyone to know about the Ohio Genealogical Society?
OGS President, Dorothea Martin: OGS is the largest state genealogical society in the country and has chapters in a majority of Ohio’s 88 counties. And we are fun people to be around! Please consider joining OGS. You won’t regret it!
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