Power of Attorney Documents
1794 to 1848
Powers of Attorney were recorded in Deed Books A to W2 (1794-1823) and Deed Books #21 to #150 (1794-1851). Those deed books are indexed in the Deed Book Indexes #1 to #4. There are Powers of Attorney in Mortgage Books #20 to #149 (1823-1851). There are no indexes for the mortgage books. Beginning 1848, names in Powers of Attorney are found in Power of Attorney Index #1 (1794-1881). Deed and Mortgage books before 1900 are available under the “Document Images” drop-down menu from the main search page.
The deed, mortgage and index books are also available on microfilm at the following locations:
- Recorder’s Office, 138 East Court St., downtown Cincinnati
- Cincinnati History Library and Archives, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave.
1848 to 1922
Powers of Attorney were recorded in Power of Attorney books #1 to #11 and indexed in Power of Attorney Books Index #1 (1794-1881) and #2 (1881-1922). Books #1 through #6 are available from the Power of Attorney Book Document Image Search page on this website under the “Document Images” drop-down menu from the main search page.
These books and index are also available on microfilm at the following locations:
- Recorder’s Office, 138 East Court St., downtown Cincinnati
- Cincinnati History Library and Archives, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave.
Indexes and record description of Powers of Attorney documents at our office (PDF).
Books #1 to #9 and indexes are available online at the FamilySearch.org website.
See details on our helpful reference for the Family Search Website.
1922 to 1988
Powers of Attorney were recorded in Power of Attorney books #12 to #71. Books #12 to #50 are only indexed in the rear of each book. Books #51 to #71 have no index. These books are available on microfilm at the Recorder’s Office.
Power of Attorney Indexes
Powers of Attorney (POA) were recorded in regular deed and mortgage books until 1848. After 1848, separate books, POA Books 1 to 5, were used until 1881. However, powers of attorney recorded from 1794 to 1848 are also listed in index 1.
From 1881 to 1922, POA books 6 to 11 were used. Index 2 is for books 6 thru 11. See the “Document Images” drop-down menu from the Recorder’s web site main search page for deed books, mortgage books and POA books 1 thru 10.
Business powers of attorney are sometimes on the last page of the indexes for that surname letter. Books 1 to 9 and the indexes to books 1-11 are also online at the FamilySearch.org website.
From 1922 to 1979, powers of attorney were recorded in POA books 12-50, indexed at the rear of each book. Books 51 to 71 were used from 1979 to 1988 and are not indexed or online. These are only available on microfilm at the Recorder’s Office.
Note: In the indexes, if the book listed is A through W2, it is a Deed book. If the book listed is 1 through 11, it is Power of Attorney book.
The book is a Mortgage book if the number is in the following list:
1820’s: 20, 27, 31.
1830’s: 36, 37, 40, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 69, 74.
1840’s: 77, 80, 83, 86, 89, 95, 98,103, 106, 110, 113, 118, 121, 124, 126, 131, 132, 135, 140, 141, 144, 147, 149.
1850-1869: 152, 156, 157, 160, 161, 164, 167, 170, 172, 174, 177, 180, 183, 184, 188, 193, 194, 196, 198, 203, 204, 207, 210, 213, 215, 217, 221, 222, 225, 226, 229, 230, 234, 238
Otherwise, if the number is between 21 and 239, it is a Deed book.
Deed books A-W2 or 21-239, Mortgage books 20-238 and POA books 1 to 5, the following have a separate index 1 for business names, 1794-1881:
Deed books A-W2, 21-239, Mortgage books 20-238 and POA books 1 to 5,
FROM Surname index 1, 1794 -1881:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XY Z
Deed books A-W2, 21-239, Mortgage books 20-238 and POA books 1 to 5,
TO Surname index 1, 1794 -1881:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XY Z
Powers of Attorney Books 6 to 11,
FROM Surname index 2, 1881-1922:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XY Z
Powers of Attorney Books 6 to 11,
TO Surname index 2, 1881-1922:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XY Z
Reference
More information on power of attorney records can be found on page 7 of this book:
Hamilton County, Ohio, Guide to Recorder’s indexes and Documents 1794-1988, by William H. Graver (2003), Little Miami Publishing, Milford Ohio.
Copies are available at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 800 Vine St. Cincinnati Ohio