Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Lawrence 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]
The county was named for USS Lawrence. It is located in the midwestern area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Lawrence County Courthouse
430 Court Street
New Castle, PA 16101-3503
724-658-2541
Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Clerk of Orphan's Court: 724-656-2126
Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds: 724-656-2131
Lawrence County Website
County Clerk has birth, death, and burial records 1893-1905, marriage records from 1893, divorce and court records from 1855
Register and Recorder has probate and land records[3]
Lawrence 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 | 1893 | 1893 | 1855 | 1849 | 1849 | 1790 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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For animated maps illustrating Pennsylvania county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Pennsylvania County Boundary Maps" (1673-1878) may be viewed for free 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:[7]
| Cities | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
| Historic communities | ||
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History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County, Pennsylvania 1897, courtesy USGenWeb Archives
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- Cemetery records often reveal birth, marriage, death, relationship, military, and religious information.
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)
- PA-Roots
- Names in Stone
- Ancestry($)
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Federal Census
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 21,079 | — |
| 1860 | 22,999 | 9.1% |
| 1870 | 27,298 | 18.7% |
| 1880 | 33,312 | 22.0% |
| 1890 | 37,517 | 12.6% |
| 1900 | 57,042 | 52.0% |
| 1910 | 70,032 | 22.8% |
| 1920 | 85,545 | 22.2% |
| 1930 | 97,258 | 13.7% |
| 1940 | 96,877 | −0.4% |
| 1950 | 105,120 | 8.5% |
| 1960 | 112,965 | 7.5% |
| 1970 | 107,374 | −4.9% |
| 1980 | 107,150 | −0.2% |
| 1990 | 96,246 | −10.2% |
| 2000 | 94,639 | −1.7% |
| 2010 | 91,108 | −3.7% |
| 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
County-wide Database – Multi-denominational
- 1708-1985 Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 at Historical Society of Pennsylvania – $, free to members of the society; Also available at Ancestry $
- Men of the Cloth, and a few women: Pastors, Preachers and Priests in Western PA (Free) has biographies and photos of many clergymen as well as several churches.
- Hazen, Aaron Lyle. 20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County. Evansville, Indiana: Unigraphics, 1977. Reprint of original published: Chicago, Ill.: Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., 1908. 1202 pages. includes histories of the churches in the county. Digital version: FamilySearch. FHL book 974.893 H2h.
Lists of founding members of the early church congregations in Lawrence County are listed in History of Lawrence County. Church histories are located under the township histories. WorldCat 5123388 FHL book 974.893 H2he [8]
Baptist
Baptist congregations in New Castle were first established in 1843. By 1877 there were 5 congregations in New Castle.
Catholic
Catholic priests visited Lawrence County until St. Mary's was erected in New Castle in 1852.
Episcopal
The first Episcopalian services were held in New Castle in 1843.
Lutheran
The first Lutheran church was established in New Castle in 1848. Other congregations organized in New Castle, including a Swedish Lutheran Zion church.
Methodist
Congregations were established in New Castle (1836) Mahoningtown (1850).
Methodist Episcopal
The first Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1816 in New Castle. This congregation had been meeting since 1804. Other congregations were established in Wilmington, Wampum, Pulaski, Mahoning, Eon, Hickory, Mount Jackson, Clinton, and other communities.
Moravian
The Moravians established a mission in Lawrence County in 1755, but moved to Tuscarawas Valley, Ohio, by 1773.
Presbyterian
Earliest congregations were formed in Hopewell and Nashannock (1800), followed by New Castle (also called Lower Neshannock) and Westfield (1803). Other congregations included Pulaski, Mahoningtown, Darlington, Little Beaver, Enon, Newport Village, and Westfield, among others in the county.
United Presbyterian (Seceder or Associate Reformed)
An early congregation was formed in Deer Creek (1800), Mahoning (1800) and New Castle (1808). Other congregations were established in Wampum, Beacon Valley, New Wilmington, and Hickory.
- A History of the Neshannock Presbyterian Church, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania: together with some account of the settlement at Ancestry $
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.[9]
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 Lawrence County began in 1849. These records are filed with the Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds office in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1849-1923 Deeds, 1849-1902; Index, 1849-1923. FHL film 1533667 (first of 44 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1850-1986 Sheriff's and Treasurer's Deeds, 1850-1933; Index, 1850-1986. FHL film 1535457 (first of 5 films) -images only; click on the camera icon to view images
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- 20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. 1908. Comp. and Ed. by Aaron Lyle Hazen. Chicago, Illinois : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. 1877. By Samuel W. Durant, Pliny A. Durant. Philadelphia, L. H. Everts Co. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Google Books, Ancestry ($).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks has posted free downloadable images from the 1908 Warrantee Atlas of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. This atlas located in the Library of Congress shows major landowners and geographic sites at the date of publishing. 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 commercially. We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.
- Atlas of Lawrence County, 1872 shows landowners. From the USGenWeb archives.
- Warrantee Atlas, 1909 Depreciation, Donation, Settlers lands. From the USGenWeb archives.
- Lawrence County Township Maps, 1986. From the USGenWeb archives.
- New Castle, PA 1896
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1865-1936 Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1865-1936 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
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
Naturalization records for Lawrence County, Pennsylvania include the following:
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 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 $
- 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 $
- 1843-1939 Naturalization records, 1843-1939. FHL films 1535044 item 2 (first of 11). - Each film has it's own index; 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 Lawrence County
Online Newspapers
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
- Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
Online Newspaper Extracts
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.
- 1850-2010 Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Obituary Index, 1850-2010 at Ancestry ($); free version at New Castle Public Library website.
- 1947-2021 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1977-2010 Pennsylvania Obituaries, 1977-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Lawrence 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
- 1683-1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry $
- 1683-1994 Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
- 1845-1987 Lawrence County Probate Records at FamilySearch
- 1849-1920 Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Files FHL film 1492113 item 4 (first of 71 films) - Index included: 1849-1987; images only; click on the camera icon to view images
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 $
- 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 Lawrence 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 $
- 1850-2010 Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Marriage Index, 1850-2010 at Ancestry ($); free version at New Castle Public Library website.
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1858-2006 Pennsylvania, Lawrence County Index of Marriage Announcement, 1858-2006 at MyHeritage ($)
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1947-2010 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 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
- 1856-1971 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Deaths and Burials, 1856-1971 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1871-2016 Pennsylvania, Lawrence County Index of Obituaries, 1871-2016 at MyHeritage ($)
- 1893,1901 New Castle, Lawrence County, Death Index 1893 and 1901 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[10]
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary Lawrence County Courthouse.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Lawrence 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
- Butler Pennsylvania Family History Center
- Cranberry Township Pennsylvania Family History Center
- Slippery Rock Pennsylvania Family History Center
- Beaver County Genealogy & History Center - an affiliate library.
- Butler Area Public Library - an affiliate library.
- Cranberry Public Library - an affiliate library.
- New Castle Public Library - an affiliate library.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Lawrence County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
New Castle Public Library Genealogy/History Room
207 East North Street
New Castle, PA 16101
Phone: 724-658-6659, ext. 112
Email: nchistory@ncdlc.org
Website
Collection includes local family histories, Pennsylvania county history books, census, newspapers and a local marriage and obituary database taken from the New Castle News.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Lawrence County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
Lawrence County Historical Society
408 North Jefferson Street
New Castle, PA 16101
Phone: 724-658-4022
Email: info@lawrencechs.com
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Lawrence County Genealogy - PAGenWeb site.Histories, biographies, cemeteries, obituaries and other information.
- Lawrence County Links - linkpendium.com
- Lawrence 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/Lawrence_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/12/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, p.591
- ↑ 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, "Lawrence County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_County,_Pennsylvania#Municipalities, accessed 25 January 2020.
- ↑ S.W. and P.A. Durant, History of Lawrence County (Phildelphia: L.H. Everts and Co., 1877)
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/9/92/Igipennsylvaniaf.pdf.
