The Virginia Wheeler Martin Family History & Learning Center at Medina Library was made possible through a $2.5 million donation from namesake, Virginia Wheeler Martin. The center includes the Makerspace and Digital Lab, where you can preserve family heirlooms for future generations. Convert home movies, slides, photographs, negatives, records, and other media to digital files in the Digital Lab. Or, create something new in the Makerspace. A 3D printer, large-format printer, laser engraver, embroidery machine, and more await your project ideas. Learn about all these spaces have to offer.
History Guides
Introduction to Family History Booklet - This guide for beginners will help you learn to research your family’s history in six easy steps. It also includes tips on evaluating the reliability of sources and covers the benefits and concerns with DNA testing. Booklets are available for free at your library, or download at mcdl.info/HistoryGuides.
Genealogist One-on-One
Family history is our passion! Let our expertise help guide you on your family history journey or tackle a tough research problem. Schedule an appointment with one of our genealogy specialists by calling 330-722-2681 or emailing MCDL's Genealogy Team at me-team.genealogy@mcdl.info.
Local & Family History Events
MCDL offers a variety of history events to fit different interests. Medina Library regularly hosts the Genealogy Discussion Group as a way to connect with other researchers. Plus, look for special events throughout the year like Family History Day and the Local History Fair. Browse and register for events at mcdl.info/HistoryEvents.
Local & Family History Collection
The Local & Family History Collection serves as the foundation for the Family History & Learning Center. Browse more than 1,500 books focused on Medina County history, Ohio history, and family history research. Find stories and faces from the past with our collections of family histories and Medina County school yearbooks. Research your property with city directories and maps. Learn more about Medina’s development through aerial photographs, community newsletters, and news files.
Use our onsite digital microfilm readers to explore nearly 900 reels of microfilm, preserving local newspapers and county records dating as far back as the early 1800s.
Archival collections enhance the center, with many unique resources including:
- MCDL Institutional Archives
- Montville CoWorkers Collection
- Medina County Gazette Athlete’s Photo Collection
- Virginia Wheeler Martin Collection - Research notes, vital records, and photographs, documenting her ancestors. Surnames covered include Baker, Bennett, Brandt, Crawford, Curtiss, England, Frazier, Moore, Pentz, Richardson, Wheeler, and others. Geographic coverage includes Medina, Seville, and various other locations.
Research Databases
Unless noted, these databases (and more) are available at mcdl.info/HistoryResearch.
- Ancestry Library Edition * - Access a substantial collection of historical and vital records.
- Beyond the Storefronts - Created by local historian Robert Hyde. Learn about the history of Medina Square.
- Cleveland Memory Project: Medina, Ohio Collection - Enjoy photographs and manuscripts that illustrate the small-town appeal of Medina, Ohio. Includes items from 1840 to 1960.
- Digital Archives of MCDL - Search and browse Medina County newspapers and company newsletters from 1830 to 1977 at mcdl.info/Newspapers.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Library * - Access restricted records on FamilySearch.
- Medina County Yearbooks - Access yearbooks from Medina County schools from 1913 to 1978 at mcdl.info/Yearbooks.
- R. B. Hayes Ohio Obituary Index - Indexes obituaries, death notices, and probate notices from Medina County newspapers, plus content from 65 Ohio libraries at mcdl.info/Obituaries.
* Only available when using computers in MCDL locations or via MCDL Wi-Fi.
Community Resources
These organizations, societies, and agencies can provide assistance and records for your Medina County relatives.
- Medina County Genealogical Society - Help and links for researching your Medina County ancestors.
- Medina County Health Department - Obtain copies of recent vital records.
- Medina County Historical Society - The official web site of the Medina County Historical Society featuring events, history and some photos.
- Medina County Probate Office - Obtain copies of marriage records, wills, and estate documents.
- Ohio Genealogical Society - The largest state genealogical society in the United States, the OGS is dedicated to researching the people who settled Ohio.
Donations
Medina County District Library is grateful for donations of historic materials pertaining to Medina County, Ohio and its surrounding counties of Ashland, Cuyahoga, Lorain, Summit, and Wayne. Contact kuntzman@mcdl.info for more information on donating to the collection.
Who was Virginia Wheeler Martin?
Virginia Wheeler Martin (1928-2016) graduated from Medina High School, then Miami University, and became Medina’s first airline stewardess. She married Navy Captain Barney Martin, traveled the world with his career, and settled in California. Upon her death at age 88, she returned to Mound Hill Cemetery in Seville, along with five generations of her family, for burial. Virginia was active in many organizations; however, family history was her passion.