Our Mission
The mission of the Geauga County Archives and Records Center is to preserve, provide access, and manage the historical and non-current records of Geauga County Government.

• Preservation through the use of modern archival administration and preservation microfilming principles to ensure that records of enduring value for Geauga's heritage are available to future generations.



• Accessibility for the public by operating a research repository and providing reference services to the collection.



• Records management services to the departments and agencies of county government to assist staff in maintaining more efficient and effective control over the records they create, including the sensitive disposal of records no longer of value according to state standards.



• Educating and building awareness of Geauga County's history and the importance of our local government records in documenting our past and present for our future.

Brief History of the Archives Program
In a joint effort by the Geauga County Commissioners, Geauga County Microfilming Board (ORC §307.8-.802), and the Geauga County Records Commission (ORC §149.38), the Geauga County Archives was created in 1990 to aid county employees in managing the increasing collection of local government records created by the 40 departments. On January 11, 1996, the Geauga County Commissioners established the Geauga County Archives and Records Center to house the non-current records of county government. It officially opened for records transfers on May 6, 1996.The Archives currently houses over 6,229 linear feet of records that include:

• 2,734 books
• 13,335,000 documents in 4,445 boxes
• 87 newspaper volumes
• 2,410 rolls of microfilm
• 5,203 microfiche
• 2,600 microstrip cards
• 661 microfilm aperture cards
• 1,159 rolls of building plans
• 1,124 plate glass negatives
• 177 environmental health blueprints
• Numerous maps and plats

Services Offered

Archives & Records Management

• Records appraisal and inventory
• Workshops and individual staff training
• Aid in preparing retention/disposition forms
• Secretary for Records Commission
• Centralized disposal of appropriate records

Records Storage of Historical and Non-Current Records

Transfer Priority

1. Records of Permanent Value
2. Records of Long-Term Value
3. Records Eligible for Immediate Disposal
4. Records of Short-Term Value

Micrographics Services

• Appraisal for Microfilming
• 16mm filming services
• Quality control services
• Training in filming and quality control
• Vendor liaison
• Secretary to Microfilming Board

Conservation/Preservation

• Liaison with conservation laboratories
• Basic conservation treatment

Special Services

• Consultation on regional history
• Slide programs on county history topics

Fees

Basic Photocopies

• Black and white photocopies are 10¢ per page.

• Make checks payable to: Geauga County Microfilm Board

Certified Photocopies for Clerk of Courts

• Certified photocopies are $1.00 per page.

• Make checks payable to: Geauga County Clerk of Courts

Governing Boards
The Geauga County Archives & Records Center is a joint program of the Geauga County Commissioners, Geauga County Microfilming Board, and Geauga County Records Commission.

Geauga County Commissioners

Craig Albert
Mary Samide
William Young

Geauga County Microfilming Board (ORC §307.8-.802)

Glen Quigley,County Recorder
Christopher Hitchcock, County Treasurer
Tracy Jemison, County Auditor
Denise Kaminski, Clerk of Courts
William Young, County Commissioner

Geauga County Records Commission (ORC §149.38)

Craig Albert, County Commissioner/Commission Chair
Tracy Jemison, County Auditor
David Joyce, County Prosecutor
Denise Kaminski, Clerk of Courts
Glen Quigley,County Recorder

Staff Directory
Bari Oyler Stith, Ph.D
County Archivist & Records Manager
(440) 279-1776
geaugacountyarchivist@alltel.net

Allison Brandeberry
Associate Archivist/Micrographics
(440) 279-1774
abrandeberry@alltel.net

Clair Wilson
Assistant Archivist/Administration
Webmaster
(440) 279-1773
clairwilson@alltel.net

Vickie Smolko
Records Retrieval Coordinator
(440)279-1771
geaugacountyarchives@alltel.net

Catlain Katon
Records Retrieval Assistant
(440)279-1771
geaugacountyarchives@alltel.net

Students and Volunteers