Since there has been no activity on this thread in quite some time, I’m wondering if you can please update me and/or help with some research questions.

I am searching for a cousin’s missing brother who may’ve been adopted out in 1969. My starting point is her mother whose maiden name is known and for whom we know a hospital admission and release between September 8th and September 13th, 1969. This hospital stay could have been for any medical reason, I know, but I visited the Ohio Department of Health / Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) today anyway to use their birth index database (since this thread seems to point there for 1969, 71, 72, 74 and 75 records).

It no longer appears that the Ohio Birth Index at OVS is a feasible search method unless you know an exact first name and exact date of birth. Leaving the first name field blank returned a system error. Trying first-letter searches in this field also returned no results (using common letters like s, t, r, l, n, e, etc.). To test this, I tried my own name because it fits in the time frame, but found these parameters are, indeed, required to show a record. This search was computerized (requiring an administrator to logon at a terminal near the front desk) and did not require an appointment.

OVS also no longer refers to any “supplemental” or “amended” indexes. Does anyone know if such a database (microfiche/film) still exists for public inspection for these years? Have they been closed to inspection?

Any other suggestions or weigh-ins would also be appreciated.