Mercer County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society
MEETINGS
Meetings are held at the Richardson-Bretz Building, 119 West Fulton Street, Celina on the second Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m (with some date exceptions due to holidays). Meetings are open to the public.
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January 11, 2026
The Mercer County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will hold its first meeting of the new year on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Richardson-Bretz Building, located at 119 West Fulton Street in Celina.
This month’s program will feature an informal roundtable discussion. Members and guests are invited to share recent genealogy discoveries, research accomplishments, or interesting finds. Those with research questions or challenges are encouraged to bring them along, as experienced members will be available to help. If you have books, photographs, or other items you would like to share with the group, please feel free to bring them. The public is always welcome.
February 8, 2026
The Big Four Bridge in Sidney
Have you ever driven underneath the old railroad bridge south of downtown Sidney and wondered how this structure came to be? The magnificent landmark was an engineering marvel which has been in constant use for over 100 years. It is an iconic piece of Shelby County history as well as the focal point for several urban legends. Learn more in a presentation by Jane Bailey, Curator of the Shelby County Historical Society.
Jane Bailey has been the Curator of the Shelby County Historical Society since 2015. She is also the Building Coordinator for the award-winning Wallace Family Learning and Innovation Center located in Downtown Sidney. Jane grew up nearby in Fort Loramie where she attended high school before attending Bowling Green State University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree. Aside from her love of history, Jane is an avid reader who enjoys traveling the country and world as well as attending Renaissance Festival across the Midwest.
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