Beaver County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Beaver County, Pennsylvania ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
It is named from the Beaver River. It is located in the West-Central section of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Beaver County Courthouse
810 Third Street
Beaver, PA 15009
Clerk of Court, (724) 770-4586
Email: @beavercountypa.gov
Register of Wills and Orphans' Court, 724-770-4550
Prothonotary Office,(724) 770-4570, Fax: 724-728-3360
Beaver County Website
Register of Wills has birth records 1893-1906, death records 1852-1854 and 1893-1906, marriage records 1852-1854 and from 1886, and probate records from 1800
Recorder Deeds has land records from 1800
Prothonotary has divorce, court, and naturalization records
Veterans Office has military records[3]
Beaver County, Pennsylvania Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1893 | 1852 | 1852 | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 | 1790 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
For animated maps illustrating Pennsylvania county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Pennsylvania County Boundary Maps" (1673-1878) may be viewed at the MapofUS.org website. |
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[8]
| Cities | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
| Historic communities | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Additional Cemetery Resources
|
- ca.1700-ca.1950 - Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, ca. 1700-ca. 1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- Cemetery Abstracts at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images (incomplete)
- Pennsylvania Genealogy LDS Genealogy
Federal Census
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1800 | 5,776 | — |
| 1810 | 12,168 | 110.7% |
| 1820 | 15,340 | 26.1% |
| 1830 | 24,183 | 57.6% |
| 1840 | 29,368 | 21.4% |
| 1850 | 26,689 | −9.1% |
| 1860 | 29,140 | 9.2% |
| 1870 | 36,148 | 24.0% |
| 1880 | 39,605 | 9.6% |
| 1890 | 50,077 | 26.4% |
| 1900 | 56,432 | 12.7% |
| 1910 | 78,253 | 38.7% |
| 1920 | 111,621 | 42.6% |
| 1930 | 149,062 | 33.5% |
| 1940 | 156,754 | 5.2% |
| 1950 | 175,192 | 11.8% |
| 1960 | 206,948 | 18.1% |
| 1970 | 208,418 | 0.7% |
| 1980 | 204,441 | −1.9% |
| 1990 | 186,093 | −9.0% |
| 2000 | 181,412 | −2.5% |
| 2010 | 170,539 | −6.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. For members, they may contain: age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage date and maiden name; death/burial date. For general information about Pennsylvania denominations, see Pennsylvania Church Records.
- 1620-1991 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Congregational Records, 1620-1991(*) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Moravians who came in the 1770s were perhaps the earliest religious group to arrive in the county, and they came to preach to the Indians. The early settlers were almost exclusively Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who arrived by 1785. Methodists arrived in the early 1800s. They kept very poor records. Episcopalians arrived around 1799. The minister of that church performed many of the early marriages in the county.[9]
County-wide Database
(Multi-denominational)
- 1708-1985 Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 at Historical Society of Pennsylvania – $, to members of the society; Also available at Ancestry $
- Contains church records of:
- Aliquippa: House of Prayer Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Beaver: First Presbyterian Church
- Beaver Falls: Christ Lutheran Church; First United Methodist Church
- Conway: Conway United Presbyterian Church
- Freedom: First Presbyterian Church
- Monaca: Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
- New Brighton: Christ Episcopal Church
- Rochester: Grace Lutheran Church
Catholic
- "100 years of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese 1843 -1943". Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Quarterly, 17:1. FamilySearch Library book 974.8 B2wg. Contains chronolgy, map, county-by-county information.
- The Archives of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh contains all sacramental records older than 70 years beginning in 1808 for parishes in the following counties of Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington. Sacramental records include baptismal, first communion, confirmation, marriage and death registers. The only records older than 70 years that are open for research are death records. They are released without restriction. The research can only be done by Archive staff. Research fees are charged at an hourly rate. For more information about obtaining records of the Diocese and its records click here. For records before 1808 researchers should contact:
Diocese of Greensburg
723 E. Pittsburgh Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
Telephone: (412) 837-0901
Fax: (412) 837-0857
Website
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
For information about records kept in the Orphan's court, Prothonotary Court, Court of Common Pleas, and other courts in counties of Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Court Records Wiki page.
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
For online resources, passenger lists, and specific groups coming to Pennsylvania, see Pennsylvania Emigration and Immigration.
- 1798-1828 Pennsylvania Landing Reports of Aliens, 1798-1828 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; Alphabet index then by numbered entry
- 1900-1923 Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Case Files of Chinese Immigrants, 1900-1923 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
- 1952-1957 Pennsylvania, Crew Lists arriving at Erie, 1952-1957 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
For groups that came, see People section of the Pennsylvania Emigration page.
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
The Orphan's Court ensures the best interests of those not capable of handling their own affairs: minors, incapacitated persons, decedents' estates, and more.[10]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a specific location and reveal family relationships. Records include: deeds, abstracts, indexes, mortgages, leases, grants, sheriff sales, land patents, maps and more. For more information, see Pennsylvania Land and Property.
Land records in Beaver County began in 1800. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Beaver, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1800 -1918 Deeds, 1800-1887; Deed Indexes, 1800-1918. FHL film 863638 (first of 87 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1800-1918 Mortgage Index. FHL films 863683-863690 - Some images online only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1957–present Beaver County offers online access to indexes and images. Fees apply.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- The History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. 1980. Evansville, Indiana : Unigraphic. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat). Reproduction of book originally published in 1888 by A. Warner in Philadelphia and Chicago.
- History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and Its Centennial Celebration. 2 volumes. 1904. By Joseph Henderson Bausman. New York, New York : Knickerbocker Press. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Vol. 1 - Internet Archive, Vol. 2 - Internet Archive, Vol. 1 - Google Books, Vol. 2 - Google Books; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks has posted downloadable images of the township maps showing landowners from Map of Lawrence and Beaver Counties from Actual Surveys by N.S. Ames which was published in 1860. While the physical maps are in the public domain, the images we have taken of the maps belong to us and are not to be used to commercially. We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Revolutionary War
Men living in what is now Beaver County (then Washington and Westmoreland counties) served in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment.[11]
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
World War II
- 1933-1947 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, World War II Casualty Cards, 1933-1947 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Naturalization records can contain information about immigration and nativity. Prior to 1906, it is rare to find the town of origin in naturalization records. For more information, see Pennsylvania Naturalization
- 1795-1931 Pennsylvania, Eastern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1795-1931 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1795-1952 Pennsylvania, Eastern District Naturalization Indexes, 1795-1952 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1804-1906, 1906-1920, 1929-1931 Naturalization Records FHL film 1319514 (first of 22 films) - Index included: 1804-1982 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1820-1906 Index to Declarations and Petitions in the Western District of Pennsylvania, US Circuit and District Courts located in US Naturalization Records Indexes, 1794-1995 database on Ancestry $ National Archives publication M1208
- 1820-1930 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Fold3.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1537, incomplete for all counties
- 1820-1930 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania located in Selected US Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1790-1974 database on Ancestry $ National Archives publication M1537
- 1906-1934 Declarations of Intention FHL film 1463464 items 3-4 (first of 4 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Newspapers may contain obituaries, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, family gatherings, family travel, achievements, business notices, engagement information, and probate court proceedings. Newspapers are often found in local or university libraries, historical or genealogical societies, or state archives in the area where the newspaper was published. See Pennsylvania Newspapers for more information.
Newspapers of Beaver County
Online Newspapers
- Beaver County Times - full-text of more than 11,000 issues spanning 1954-2007 available on Google Newspaper Archive.
- Beaver Falls Tribune - more than 2,700 full-text issues spanning 1912-1928 available on Google Newspaper Archive
- Beaver Times - full-text of close to 800 digital issues spanning 1900-1906 available on Google Newspaper Archive
- Beaver Valley Times - full-text of more than 2,500 issues spanning 1946-1960 available on Google Newspaper Archive
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
- Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles
- Selected items from The Western Argus, 1830-1834 at Beaver County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Newspaper Extracts and Abstracts
- Foster, Nancy (compiler), Every-name Index to History of the Newspapres of Beaver County, Pennsylvania (Cincinnati, Ohio:N.B. Foster, c1993) FHL book 974.8 A1 no. 543
- Two books by Mark H Welchley, used together, provide abstracts from the Beaver County Argus newspaper from 1830 -1858. Argus Genealogical Gleanings covers 1830-1838 FHL book 974.892 V28w and Beaver County, Pennsylvania Marriages from Beaver County Newspapers FHL book 974.892 V2w covers 1830-1878. Note that the content of these books do not overlap, despite the overlapping of the dates.
- Clear, Helen G. Beaver County Deaths (abstracted from Warner's History) (S.I. s.n., 19--) At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 974.892 V4c A list of deaths taken from newspapers. Death dates are 1817-1886.
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Obituaries are generally found in local newspapers where the person died or where family members lived. Local libraries or societies may have indexes or other sources.
Online Obituary Abstracts
- 1977-2010 Pennsylvania Obituaries, 1977-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- PA-Roots Obituaries for Beaver County.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Beaver County are handled by the Orphans' Court and start when the county was created.
In addition to wills and administrations, the Orphans' Court also handles: audits of accounts of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians; distribution of estates; appointments of guardians; adoptions; appeals from the Register of Wills; inheritance tax appeals, and various petitions and motions.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1683-1994 Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
- 1683-1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry $
- 1803-1917 Beaver County Probate Records, includes index to register's office, 1803-1965 at FamilySearch
- 1803-1917 Probate Records FHL film 1288901 (first of 16 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Index included: 1803-1965
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital records are handled by the County Orphans' Court. Between the years 1852-1855 Pennsylvania made a failed attempt to record birth, marriage and death events at the county level. County marriage records were kept in earnest in 1885. Births and deaths, at the county level, were begun in 1893 and kept through 1905. For the most complete set of records, contact the County Orphans' Court.
Birth[edit | edit source]
Early births 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For more information, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
- 1520-1999 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Births and Baptisms, 1520-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1709-1950 Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births Ancestry $
- 1893-1904, 1942-1971 Beaver County Birth Index 1893-1904 and 1942-1971 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[12]
- 1941-1976 Pennsylvania Delayed Birth Records, 1941-1976 at FamilySerch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Beaver County Courthouse
- 1512-1989 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Marriage Records, 1512-1989 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1626-2016 Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at Findmypast$
- 1677–1950 Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1682-1976 Pennsylvania, Church Marriages, 1682-1976 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1700-1821 Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry $
- 1709-1940 Pennsylvania Marriages, 1709-1940 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index.
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Beaver County Marriage Index 1852-1854 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1947-2021 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Death[edit | edit source]
Early deaths 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For indexes and records, 1906 and later, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
- 1720-1999 Pennsylvania Deaths and Burials, 1720-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index, some images
- 1852-1854, 1893-1906 Helen G Clear. Registration of Deaths, Beaver County, Pennsylvania (New Brighton, Pennsylvania: H. G. Clear, c 1984) FHL book 974.892 V2c.
- 1852-1854, 1893-1907 Beaver County Death Index 1852-1854 and 1893-1907 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
- 1856-1971 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Deaths and Burials, 1856-1971 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1893-1907 Registration of Death, 2 volumes FHL film 1289063 Items 1-2 (first of 3 films)
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Beaver County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
National Archives at Philadelphia
14700 Townsend Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154-1096
Phone: 215-305-2044
Fax: 215-305-2052
Website
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Beaver Valley Pennsylvania Family History Center
- Cranberry Township Pennsylvania Family History Center
- Beaver County Genealogy & History Center - an affiliate library.
- Cranberry Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Sewickley Pubic Library - an affiliate library.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Beaver County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
Beaver County Library System
109 Pleasant Drive, Suite 101
Aliquippa, PA 15001
Phone: 724-378-6227
Website
Multiple locations
Museums[edit | edit source]
Beaver Area Heritage Museum
1 River Road
Beaver, PA 15009
Phone: 724-775-7174
Website
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Beaver County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society
4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-4080
Phone: 412-687-6811
Email: info@wpgs.org
Website
Beaver County Genealogy History Center
1301 Seventh Avenue
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
Phone: 724-847-9253
Email: beavercountyresearch@yahoo.com
Website
Beaver Falls Historical Society and Museum
1301 7th Ave.
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
Phone: 724-846-4340
Facebook
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Linkpendium - Beaver County
- Beaver County PAGenWeb site
- Beaver County PA Old Photos
- Beaver County PA Genealogy
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/1/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002)Beaver County, Pennsylvania, p.588
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Beaver County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 12 January 2020.
- ↑ The History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania : including its early settlement, its erection into a separate county, its subsequent growth and development, sketches of its boroughs, villages and townships. . (Evansville, Indiana : Unigraphic, 1980) FHL book 974.892 H2h 1980.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
- ↑ Harold Frederic, William C. Frederick III with William J. McMaster Sr., Path of Blood: The Untold Story of the Kittanning PA. Regiment in the American Revolution (Kittanning, Pa.: W.C. Frederick, 1998). FHL Book 974.8 M2ff
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/6/6d/Igipennsylvaniaaa.pdf.
