Archives

COVID-19 UPDATE: The archives is currently closed to on-site researchers at this time.

Adult Deaf Mission edit
Mission for the Deaf at St. Louis Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1921

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Archives is the official repository for the archdiocese and is charged to collect, preserve, and make available the official records of the archdiocese and those ancillary records that reflect the work of the Catholic Church within the Southwestern Ohio region. Records in the archives date from the founding of the archdiocese in 1821 to the present day.

The archives primarily serves the needs of archdiocesan administrative offices, pastors, and parishes through assistance with research, preservation, and records management issues.

We are also open to qualified researchers doing scholarly research either remotely or in-person by appointment. Genealogy research is available remotely via email, phone, or mail.

Staff Directory

Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith

Archdiocesan Archivist

Paige Kinzer

Assistant Archivist

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you must make an appointment before visiting. We are open Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment and discuss your research needs, please call (513) 263-3387, email [email protected], or click the “Make a Research Appointment” button above.

Very few of our records are available online. For a listing of records available for on-site research please search the catalog.

Contact the parish where the sacrament was administered. If the parish is now closed or merged, consult the list below.

List of closed and merged parishes 

If unsure where the sacrament took place, contact us for additional assistance using Request a Record or by phone. There is no fee for this type of research. 

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Archives holds the records of many closed schools, but not all. Please contact us for a list of school records in the Archives using Request a Record or by phone.

The archives maintains a collection of parish and institutional histories. Included in the files may be found handwritten histories, printed histories, clippings, and souvenir programs. 

Click here for a listing of histories available for on-site research.

Select parish histories are available on Genealogy Resources – Maps and Parish Histories

Please contact us by phone or email. If the photograph is to be used for publication, a Permission to Publish Agreement is required.

We accept records and artifacts that relate directly to the work of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. If you would like to make or discuss a donation, please contact the Archdiocesan Archivist by email or phone.

Contact Us

Mail

Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Archives
100 E. 8th Street, Cincinnati OH 45202