On Tuesday, March 22, 1977 there was a meeting of local people interested in starting a genealogical society in Defiance County held at the Defiance Public Library. A representative of The Ohio Genealogical Society, Mr. James D. Wolfe, came to Defiance County. He discussed a possibility of starting a chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society in Defiance County. After Mr. Wolfe spoke it was decided to start a chapter.

On Monday, April 25, 1977 the newly formed chapter met and elected officers. Sarah Booker, president; Gladys Donson, vice president; Diane Hill, recording secretary; Ethelyn Colwell, corresponding secretary; Pat Little; treasurer. The chapter decided to have the meetings on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 PM in the Defiance Public Library. Mrs. Ethelyn Colwell asked that her named be withdrawn for corresponding secretary.

Monday, May 23, 1977 Vice President, Gladys Donson displayed the Defiance County Chapter of OGS Charter that she was presented when she went to the OGS Conference.

Monday, June 27, 1977 Picnic and meeting at Latty’s Grove Park Defiance, OH. Lucy Weaver was elected corresponding secretary.

July 1977 The DAR Defiance Chapter held Dedication Ceremonies for the New Ohioana Section at the Defiance Public Library.

Saturday, August 27, 1977 Some members met and took a fieldtrip to Mansfield, OH to the State Genealogical Headquarters.

Monday, September 26, 1977 Mrs. Sarah Booker resigned her position as president, due to the fact that as a member of the Mormon Church she is required to have a family night and it is on Monday evenings and that is her first obligation. Gladys Donson became the President for the remaining term.

Monday, October 24, 1977 Motion was passed to get membership cards printed.

October 1977 Members of the Defiance County Chapter of the OGS placed some of their material into the Defiance Public Library for use in the new Ohioana Section.

Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Spacht (18 books from their personal collection)

Mr. Virgil Colwell (reference books for genealogy)

Mrs. Rhonda Eitzman and Paul LaFountain (compiled and donated material for the obituary file)

Mrs. Harold Strait (reference books)

David Bennett (antique books, magazines and newspapers)

Monday, January 23, 1978 a motion passed to form a cemetery committee to read all cemeteries in Defiance County and put them in book form with index. A committee was formed consisting of Chairperson Kate Warneke, and members Richard LaFountain, Pat Little, Gladys Donson, Harold and Emma Rulhlman.

Monday, February 27, 1978 Motion passed to start Surname index file for our members.

Thursday, March 25, 1978 Ned Speiser, Defiance Agent of Motorists Insurance Co., presented the Defiance Public Library with two Kodak Microfilm Readers. He was asked by the Defiance County Chapter of OGS to donate the Readers. To be placed in the Ohioana Section of the Library.

Monday, March 27, 1978 Motion passed to pay $10.00 to each member going to the OGS State Convention.

Monday, April 24, 1978 Mr. Harold Ruhlman presented a tremendous piece of work he has done. He took Riverside Cemetery from 1883-1977 and put all in alphabetical order in book form. Motion made and passed to pay Mr. Harold Ruhlman $20.00 for his Riverside Cemetery 1883- 1977 book. A copy of this book will be sent to Ft. Wayne Library.

Sunday, July 23, 1978 Our meeting for this month was a picnic and meeting at the roadside park south of Sherwood. Eleven members and two guests were present.

Monday, August 14, 1978 Our chapter members took a guided tour in the Northwest Ohio Research Center in Bowling Green, OH. There were 11 members and 1 guest present.

Monday, September 25, 1978 Our chapter decided to have an exhibit at either or both Auglaize Village and Defiance County Fair Hicksville, OH next year.

Monday, October 23, 1978 Mr. Harold Ruhlman made a motion that a bound copy of the Riverside Cemetery book go into the Defiance Public Library and a copy to the OGS Library, with the original copy to stay with our society.

Monday, November 27, 1978 a resignation by Chairperson of cemetery committee Kate Warneke was received. Mr. Harold Ruhlman was nominated Chair of the cemetery committee.

A motion passed to get letterhead made for the society. A design will be made from a committee consisting of Lucy Weaver, Emma Ruhlman, and Audrey Faherer.

Monday, January 22, 1979 We have been informed that there will be a Surname Index and Ancestor Chart Index started at the Defiance Public Library. They will be crossed indexed.

Monday, March 26, 1979 a motion was passed to use the Ohio State outline with the main highways into Defiance added as the design for our letterhead.

Monday, May 14, 1979 It was suggested to us to have one combination meeting with another chapter each year. We all decided it would be a good idea.

Saturday, July 21, 1979 Picnic at Hicksville Roadside Park for pot-luck dinner with 10 members present.

Saturday, August 25, 1979 Nine members went on a field trip to Allen County Historical Museum and library at Lima, OH.

Monday, September 24, 1979 A motion was passed to start a Book Committee for our chapter to purchase books for any deceased member and put the book in the Defiance Public Library as a memorial to them.

Monday, March 24, 1980 A motion was passed to amend the March 27, 1978 minutes, giving $10.00 to the president, secretary and delegate instead of all members who attend the OGS Convention.

Monday, April 26, 1980 A scrapbook committee was formed, with Jan sharp chair and Diane Hill and Audrey Fahrer as the committee members. A motion was passed to have a memorial book placed in the library in memory of Eleanor Hamilton.

Monday, May 19, 1980 Our very own corresponding secretary Gladys Donson was elected at the OGS state convention as the areas second vice-president for OGS.

Monday, June 23, 1980 Gladys Donson will be chairman for the fair booth

Monday, August 23, 1980 Fieldtrip to the Rutherford B Hayes Museum in Fremont, OH ten members went.

Monday, September 22, 1980 Our chapter held a joint meeting with the Van Wert Chapter at Paulding Library.

Monday, November 24, 1980 A vertical file will be started in the Defiance Public Library for query letters.

Monday, May 18, 1981 the chapter is planning an Everton Workshop this will the first time we have held a workshop. It will be at St Paul’s Methodist Church Defiance, on September 26, 1981.

Monday, September 28, 1981 a book will be purchased and put in the Library in Memory of Mrs. Jean Schierer who passed away. The book is called American Handwriting of 300 years.

Monday, November 23, 1981 Wesley Spacht was nominated 1st newsletter chairman.

Monday, March 22, 1982 Name of book committee will be Memorial and Honorary Book fund.

First Newsletter Committee is chosen Wesley Spacht editor, Lucy Weaver query editor, Audrey Fahrer stories and anecdotes.

Monday, January 24, 1983 Pat Little reported that there is a new genealogy room downstairs in the Defiance Public Library. A motion was passed to rent a post office box for our chapter’s mail.

Monday, February 28, 1983 our chapter now has an official address; Defiance County Chapter of the OGS PO Box 675 Defiance Ohio

Monday, March 28, 1983 the executive committee made the first brochure for our chapter

Monday, April 25, 1983 Mr. Rulhman gave his final committee report. He said he worked about 4 1/2 years and contains 82 Defiance County cemeteries.

Monday, May 23, 1983 a committee was formed to work on the publication of the cemetery records those on the committee were Harold Ruhlman, Barbara Rohr’s, Kathleen Vose, and Karyl Bainbridge.

Monday, June 23, 1983 Williams County Genealogical Society is planning a Family History Fair August 20, 1983 and admission is free. They have invited the Defiance Chapter to set up a display. A motion was passed to have a display and to display our cemetery books.

Monday, June 25, 1984 A motion was passed to collect the 5 generation charts and publish them.

Monday, March 23, 1987 A motion was passed to purchase a memorial book in memory of Jan Sharp’s daughter Robyn.

Monday, September 27, 1987 a motion was passed to purchase a memorial book in memory of Defiance Librarian Jane Small.

Monday, February 27, 1989 A motion passed to purchase a memorial microfilm (from Williams County) in memory of Harold Ruhlman

Monday, September 25, 1989 A motion was passed to start a First Families of Defiance County Program and set up a Committee. Committee members are Pat Little chair, Audrey Fahrer and Margaret Klender. They are to set the requirements for the application.

Monday, October 23, 1989 A motion was passed to create an Office of Librarian for reviewing and previewing newsletters for items of interest.

Monday, November 27, 1989 A motion was passed to have Mary Bennet as Librarian.

Monday, November 26, 1990 The date was set of 31 Dec. 1990 for the last date of Charter membership to First Families of Defiance County.