Pike County Ohio Genealogy and Historical Society

10/29/2025

We are so excited to bring back the Christmas Tree Lighting 🎄

10/29/2025

One of the most famous widows, Mary Todd Lincoln, was hit by tough economic times, but even she was forced to navigate the red tape of postwar bureaucracy, to obtain a Civil War Pension for her husband service as Commander in Chief.

Did you know that Mary Todd Lincoln—yes, that Mary Lincoln—once applied for a widow’s pension just like thousands of other women after the Civil War?

In 1869, she submitted a petition to Congress, explaining that her limited finances kept her from living “in a style becoming of the widow of the Chief Magistrate of a great nation.” The following year, Congress passed a special act granting her $3,000 per year, a sum worth more than $60,000 today.

Because her husband had served as the nation’s Commander in Chief, she was eligible for a military widow’s pension. Her application was unlike any other, yet her experience reflected the struggles of so many women who had to prove their worthiness for support after the war.

Her pension file has been digitized and can be viewed on Fold3, offers a fascinating glimpse into how even the most famous widows navigated the red tape of postwar bureaucracy.

What's at the National Archives for YOUR Civil War ancestors? Visit www.CivilWarRecords.com and let us help you find out!

10/29/2025

Seminar is Free, but you need to Pre-register.
An Entire Week of Genealogy at Wikitree.

🧬 Join us next Tuesday, Day 3 of WikiTree Week brings together leading genetic genealogy experts to discuss the exciting future of DNA research!

"Genealogy and DNA: What's Next?"
📅 Tuesday, November 4, 2025
⏰ 12pm-2pm EST / 5pm-7pm UTC

Panelists Kevin Borland, Steve Little, Roberta Estes, Kelli Bergheimer, Peter Roberts, Dana Leeds, Blaine Bettinger, Dave Vance, and Ran Snir

Hosted by Eowyn Langholf and Sandy Patak

Learn more: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:WikiTree_Week

Register: https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/1945098

10/16/2025

New Library Hours beginning Nov 3rd 2025

NEW HOURS beginning November 3rd! In order to prepare for upcoming budget cuts and to better serve the community, the library is changing its hours at all locations!

10/05/2025

Our Friends at P*e P*e Settlement Museum, wanted us to remind everyone, they will be Open Sat 10/11 from 10a-3p. From SR 772, turn onto Nipgen Rd, and proceed east to Eden Baptist Church. From Clines Chapel Rd/Valley Rd, turn onto Nipgen Rd and proceed west to Eden Baptist Church.

10/01/2025

October is Family History Month. Here are 31 ideas, one way for each day.
What are you doing to celebrate?

October is officially Family History Month! Here are 31 ways to celebrate this month with family and friends.

09/15/2025

Pike County Ohio Genealogy and Historical Society, honors members of numerous Lineage Societies, including First Families from Pike County. During our 20 Sept 2025, meeting, we will discuss the process of completing an 'Application For First Families Of Pike County, Ohio' utilizing an actual pending application.

To be eligible, it requires an ancestor or ancestors (direct lineage) who lived in Pike County before 31 Dec 1825. Documentation must be provided which proves your ancestors were in Pike County, prior to the above date and you are a direct descendent of that person.

Everyone is invited and welcome to attend, at the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County in Waverly, OH at 10am, to learn more.

08/19/2025

Write your story!

The 2026 OGS writing contests are currently underway!

Ohio Genealogy News (OGN) contest submissions are currently open until September 30, 2025.

Ohio Genealogical Society Quarterly (OGSQ) contest submissions will be accepted September 1 through December 31, 2025.

Winners receive a one-year membership to OGS and cash prize. More details can be found at https://www.ogs.org/about/awards/ or by emailing writingcontest@ogs.org

08/10/2025

Pike County, Ohio's Revolutionary War Soldiers.
Compiled by Board Secretary, Kay Jones.

08/09/2025

August Guest Speaker Kelli Jo Bergheimer
“Successful Sleuthing (not Stalking) for DNA Matches” with a Q&A session
SAT 8/16, 10am, Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County, 207 N Market St, Waverly, OH.

Kelli Bergheimer is a writer, teacher, editor, and international genealogical speaker. Kelli holds a Bachelor’s in Biology, a Master’s in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master’s in Business Management. Kelli is the Director of Curriculum and Assessments for Blue Kayak, a K-12 textbook company. She also works as the Director of Education for Your DNA Guide. Kelli runs a small business; Mess on the Desk, a genealogical organization company with a YouTube channel. Kelli is the facilitator for Genetics, Genealogy, and You, an online DNA Interest Group. Kelli is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogical Speaker's Guild.