Monday: | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | |
Tuesday: | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | |
Wednesday: | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | |
Thursday: | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | |
Friday: | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | |
Saturday: | CLOSED | |
Sunday: | CLOSED | |
Schedule a Librarian | |
Library Calendar | |
937.481.2345 |
For questions about the Quaker Rare Collections and scheduling research appointments please use the "Ask Us" link on the left or call 937-481-2345.
Researchers who wish to consult the Quaker Rare Collection, including the archives of Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting and Wilmington Yearly Meeting, are required to contact the Library staff in advance for best access to these materials.
Watson Library holds the following Quaker records on deposit from Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting:
Watson Library holds the following Quaker records on deposit from Wilmington Yearly Meeting:
Need more details? You may wish to review the site QuakerMeetings.com for specifics about which meeting records are represented in Watson Library’s archives. QuakerMeetings.com includes basic historical information and records-storage locations for every monthly meeting of the Religious Society of Friends that has ever existed in North America, with over 2100 monthly meetings identified thus far. This site is searchable by meeting name or keyword. QuakerMeetings.com does not index names of individuals or family names; these are indexed in Hinshaw’s Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy. You may also contact Watson Library staff, above, for additional information.
The Quaker Circulating and Rare Collections contain approximately 7,000 volumes, most dating from 1800-present. In addition to the archives of Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting and Wilmington Yearly Meeting, these collections include bound periodicals, several hundred pamphlets, tracts, and rare books, and a small collection of books for children and young adults. About 4,000 volumes comprise the circulating collection, covering all aspects of Quaker history, philosophy, thought, and practice. Most titles may circulate for three weeks. The Quaker Collections also subscribe to about 40 Quaker periodicals and newsletters and retain the published minutes of various Yearly Meetings throughout the United States. Generally, these items do not circulate. Selected resources are linked as follows:
Documents Selected by Thomas C. Hill
Documents Selected from the Watson Library Quaker Collection.
Use Policies
Books from the general Quaker Collection may circulate to registered borrowers (or through inter-library loan from your local public library) for three weeks under Watson Library's policies. Generally, reference or rare materials, periodicals, and most pre-1900 items do not circulate. Quaker meeting records, Wilmington College files, and other original documents and materials can be used at the discretion of the Archives staff. Some files and materials may be closed.
All genealogy inquiries should be directed to:
Clinton County History Center
ATTN: Genealogy Department
149 East Locust Street
P.O. Box 529
Wilmington, OH 45177
Under the terms of a joint operating agreement, the Wilmington College Archives & Quaker Collection and the Clinton County History Center share the responsibility for genealogy inquiries. The Clinton County Genealogical Society manages the family history library in the CCHC and handles inquiries. The Society acts as a clearinghouse to assess each question and provides a response or referral. Wilmington College accepts questions on referral, and supports the work of the Society's volunteer genealogy researchers.
Clinton County Genealogical Society
The joint operating agreement was established
a) to provide better service by cooperating and pooling resources and
b) to allow each institution to better fulfill its own mission and goals.
While the Clinton County History Center focuses on regional and family history, the Wilmington College Archives & Quaker Collection will continue to collect and preserve college records, books and periodicals on Quakerism, original Quaker meeting records of the Wilmington Yearly Meeting and the Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting, and manuscripts and photos of Quakers. For broader Quaker genealogical inquiries, see The Quaker Corner and similar sites on the Internet. Before making any inquiries, genealogists are urged to consult the following sources:
In addition, many Quaker records have been microfilmed and are available through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) Family History Center. Consult Find a Family History Center for the one nearest you. Ancestry.com also has become a repository of numerous Quaker publications and early records.
Hours for the Watson Library Quaker Collections
Available only by appointment. Please contact us via the "Ask Us" link on the left. You may also call 937-481-2345 to begin the process of arranging an appointment.
Schedule Changes:
The department may be closed for brief periods of time throughout the year. Before visiting, please call or email to confirm your appointment.
Policies, Mission, and Goals
The Watson Library Special Collections (College Archives and Quaker Collection) has a threefold purpose:
Quaker Digital Material Guidelines:
Meeting files originating as a digital format (MP3, MP4, etc.) will be archived per the following:
At this time, the Watson Library does not advocate Quaker Meeting material being uploaded to YouTube.
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