Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Susquehanna 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 Susquehanna River. It is located in the northeastern tip of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Susquehanna County Courthouse
PO Box 218
31 Lake Avenue
Montrose, PA 18801
Phone: 570-278-4600
Fax: 570-278-2963
Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts: 570-278-4600
Orphan's Court: 570-278-6645, Email: regrec@susqco.com
Susquehanna County Website
Registrar and recorder has birth and death records from 1893-1905, marriage records from 1885, probate records from 1810, and military records from 1918
Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts has divorce records from 1877, court records from 1812, and naturalization records from 1844-1956[3]
Susquehanna 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 | 1885 | 1893 | 1812 | 1812 | 1810 | 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 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]
| Boroughs | ||
| Townships | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
This area of Pennsylvania was once a part of Connecticut. Connecticut's Susquehanna Settlers at Connecticut State Library will lead you to some historical/genealogical records of Wyoming Valley.
There are several good histories of Susquehanna County, but the one by Emily Blackman is superior:
- History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania : from a period preceding its settlement to recent times, including the annals of geography of each township... , by Emily C. Blackman.
- Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, by Rhamanthus Menville Stocker
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
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($)
- Susquehanna Headstones Shutterfly
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. | %± |
| 1820 | 9,960 | — |
| 1830 | 16,787 | 68.5% |
| 1840 | 21,195 | 26.3% |
| 1850 | 28,688 | 35.4% |
| 1860 | 36,267 | 26.4% |
| 1870 | 37,523 | 3.5% |
| 1880 | 40,354 | 7.5% |
| 1890 | 40,093 | −0.6% |
| 1900 | 40,043 | −0.1% |
| 1910 | 37,746 | −5.7% |
| 1920 | 34,763 | −7.9% |
| 1930 | 33,806 | −2.8% |
| 1940 | 33,893 | 0.3% |
| 1950 | 31,970 | −5.7% |
| 1960 | 33,137 | 3.7% |
| 1970 | 34,344 | 3.6% |
| 1980 | 37,876 | 10.3% |
| 1990 | 40,380 | 6.6% |
| 2000 | 42,238 | 4.6% |
| 2010 | 43,356 | 2.6% |
| 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
- Susquehanna County Historical Society has a great listing of all the township and borough churches, giving current and past information.
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 $
- Looking Back, Souvenir Book of the Susquehanna County Sesquicentennial Celebration 1810-1960, by Sesquicentennial Committee. Contains a section on churches, including a brief history and pictures of many of the early structures. FHL book 974.834 H2L or film 1320543 item 7
- Church records, Rootsweb
- Linkpendium
- FamilySearch church recordsfor Susquehanna County. When searching the FamilySearch Catalog, be sure to also search at the town and township level.
Presbyterian
- 1835-1877 Presbyterian Church, Montrose, Baptism Index 1835-1877 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C535521 .[8]
- 1835-1869 Presbyterian Church, Montrose, Marriage Index 1835-1869 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M535521 .[8]
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]
- 1814 -1917 Orphans' Court Dockets, with index (1814–1949) FHL film 1927562–1927571) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
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 Susquehanna County began in 1810. These records are filed with the Register and Recorder office in Montrose, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1812-1923 Deeds, 1812-1922; Index, 1812-1923. FHL film 1927833 (first of 40 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1812-1973 Mortgage Records, 1812-1855; Index, 1812-1973. FHL films 2022025 -2022029 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1974 - present Images are available on-line from 1974 to the present using the Landex system. There is a fee to view the images.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Centennial History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. 1887. By Rhamanthus Menville Stocker. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : R.T. Peck. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- The Centennial of Susquehanna County. 1888. Written and compiled by James T. DuBois and Wm. J. Pike. Washington, D.C. : Gray & Clarkson, Printers. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. 1873. By Emily C. Blackman. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : Claxton, Remen & Haffelfinger. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks has posted free downloadable images from theMap of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania from Actual Survey by G.M. Hopkins, C.E. (Philadelphia: Lee & Marsh Publishers, 1858). This map 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 to attribute to Ancestor Tracks.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
The migration routes used by early European settlers to and from Susquehanna County included:[10]
- Lehigh and Lackawanna Paths 1766 from Unadilla, Otsego County, New York Genealogy to Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Genealogy, that is, from the Catskill Turnpike to the Great Valley Road.
- Minsi Path from Kingston, Ulster County, New York Genealogy to Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Genealogy, that is, from the Ulster and Delaware Turnpike to the Great Valley Road.
- Susquehanna River.
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
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1844-1906 Naturalization records, 1844-1906, FHL films 1927748 Item 5 and 1927749 Items 1-3 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1844-1929 Naturalization documents, 1844-1929, FHL film 1927749 Item 4 (first of 5 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1901-1930 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. Circuit and District Courts for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, 1906-1930; and 1901-1906 on Fold3.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1622, Middle District court was created in 1901, for earlier dates try the Eastern and Western District court records.
- 1901-1930 Middle District, US Circuit and District Courts: Naturalization petitions, 1906-1930 located in U.S. Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1795-1972 (World Archives Project) database on Ancestry $
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 Susquehanna County
Online Newspapers
To learn if there are newspapers online for a specific town or city in Pennsylvania, see news.google.com/newspapers and search for the town or the name of a newspaper.
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory.
- Independent Republican (1855-1926)
- Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- The Montrose Democrat (1879-1926)
- The Susquehanna County Independent/Weekender
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
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.
- 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
Online Obituary Abstracts
- PA-Roots Obituaries for Susquehanna County.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Susquehanna 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)
- 1812-1907 Susquehanna County Probate Records
- 1812-1912 Wills and Administrations, with index (1810–1949) FHL film 128075 (first of 7 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1814-1917 Orphans' Court Dockets, with index (1814–1949) FHL film 1927562–1927571) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1870-1916 Minutes FHL film 1927571 (first of 2 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; These records include guardianship information.
- 1885-1918 Inventory Appraisement Dockets, with index (1885–1949) FHL film 1927414 (first of 3 films) - 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]
- Susquehanna County tax records, at the Family History Library
- Note: The Tax Assessment Records from 1813-1865 give the record of each township, and each is on a separate roll of film. Some of the townships may also include Military Lists for the years ca 1855-1863.
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 Susquehanna 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 $
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1885–present Marriage licenses issued by the county are only available from 1885 to the present at: Clerk of Courts
- 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
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary. The office of the Prothonotary is located in the courthouse building.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Susquehanna 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
- Scranton Pennsylvania Family History Center
- Vestal New York Family History Center
- Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society - an affiliate library.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Susquehanna County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
Susquehanna County Free Library Association
Website
Multiple public libraries and an outreach service in Susquehanna County. Each library has access to Heritage Quest, accessible from home with library card and Ancestry.com from the library system.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Soldier's Orphan School Museum
Orphan School Road
Harford, PA 18823
Phone: 570-434-2496
Historical exhibits and a library concerned with the Franklin Academy and Soldier's Orphan School. [11]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Susquehanna County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
Susquehanna County Historical Society
18 Monument Square
Montrose, PA 18801
Phone: 570-278-1881
Email: info@susqcohistsoc.org
Website
Brooklyn Historical Society
P.O. Box 112
Brooklyn, PA 18813
Phone: 570-289-4378 or 570-498-6637
Website
Harford Historical Society
P.O. Box 1023
Harford, PA 18823
Phone: 570-289-4405
Facebook
Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society
57 North Franklin Street
Wilkes Barre, PA 18701
Phone: 570-829-1765
Email: nepgsmail@gmail.com
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb project.Susqehanna County. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- Susquehanna 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/Susquehanna_County,_Pennsylvania 2/12/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002), p. 592.
- ↑ 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, "Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susquehanna_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 2 February 2020.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/4/49/Igipennsylvaniapppppp.pdf.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
- ↑ Handybook, 850-51.
- ↑ http://explorepahistory.com/attraction.php?id=1-B-244F
