Reed Memorial Library maintains an extensive collection of genealogy and local history resources focusing on the Ravenna area, including:
- Cemetery Transcriptions
- City Directories
- Family Histories (Many are one-of-a-kind)
- Local History Books
- High School Yearbooks
- Newspapers on Microfilm (Including all years of the Record Courier)
- Obituary Indexes
- Ravenna Arsenal Information
- Ravenna Postcard Collection
Library staff and volunteers experienced in genealogy research are available to help you. Send questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Please make requests as specific as possible.
Subscription Databases
Ancestry Library Edition Billions of records including census data, vital records, directories, photos, family trees, and more. This database is only available inside the library.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps Historical maps available to everyone in the state of Ohio.
Centennial Celebration, Ravenna, July 4, 1876
Other Links
Akron Beacon Journal Newspaper Obituary Index Covers the years 1937-present.
Chronicling America U.S. Newpaper Index Find out where microfilmed newspapers are located.
Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System Facts about servicemen who served on both sides during the Civil War.
Cleveland Necrology File Cemetery records and newspaper death notices gathered by the staff of the Cleveland Public Library.
Ellis Island Records Information on immigrants passing through Ellis Island, New York, between 1892 and 1954.
Family Search Provides a fully searchable list of over 400 million names dating back to the 1500's.
Kent State University Yearbooks Covers all Chestnut Burr yearbooks published between 1914 and 1985.
Ohio Genealogical Society The largest state genealogical society in the United States.
Ohio Historical Society Includes a searchable death index for persons who died in Ohio from 1913-1937.
Ohio History Central A readily accessible, online resource that documents Ohio's natural history, prehistory, and history through encyclopedic-style entries.
Portage County Historical Society The Society exists "to collect, preserve and display things of historical value" relating to Portage County, and to "promote and disseminate historical information."
Portage County Records How to obtain records from Portage County.
Rootsweb Connects people to share genealogical research.
USGenWeb Project Volunteers working together to provide free access to genealogical research in every county of the United States.
Western Reserve Historical Society The largest privately supported regional historical society in the nation.
Reed Memorial Library is looking for Ravenna High School yearbooks to add to our collection. We are in need of the following years: 1932, 1933, 1936, 1937, 1966, 1975, 1982, 1998, and 2006. Please help if you can!
