Berks County, Pennsylvania Genealogy

United States   Pennsylvania    Berks County

Historical Facts

 * Parent Counties: Formed from Chester, Lancaster, and Philadelphia Counties 14 October 1751.
 * County Seat: Reading
 * Neighboring Counties: residents may also have records in Schuykill (north) • Lehigh (northeast) • Lebanon (west) • Chester (south)  •  Lancaster (southwest) and  •  Montgomery (southeast)

Boundary Changes

 * 14 October 1728: Future southwestern half of Berks County became part of Lancaster County when it was created; the other half remained in Philadelphia County.
 * 1 March 1811: Schuylkill County was created, giving Berks its final boundaries.

Cemeteries
There are numerous cemeteries throughout Berks County. It is important that you learn what church your ancestors attended as they may be buried in the cemetery attached to the the church they attended. Within the Reading city limits there are two large cemeteries:


 * Charles Evans Cemetery 1119 Centre Avenue
 * Aulenbach Cemetery Perkiomen Avenue

Currently they are no complete burial listings for these two cemeteries on the Internet. However, Berks.-pa.rootshas a very good listing of names for Aulenbach Cemetery. The same web site does have a listing for Charles Evans Cemetery but lacks many names. Find a Gravecan also be used to search these cemeteries, again these are not complete name lists.

Over time, some older cemeteries have been discontinued and the bodies moved to other cemeteries. Usually the records of the final resting place for the deceased will indicate if the remains have been reinterred. There is one known instance where the tombstones were removed and the bodies were left in place.

Cemetery records often reveal birth, death, relationship, military, and religious information.

Census
There are no county or state census records available for Pennsylvania. For a list of county inhabitants prior to 1790, tax records are useful. The below listed census records were taken by Schuyler C. Brossman, a local historian, and are not official government records.


 * 1964, State Census Transcription - only Rehrersburg
 * 1965, State Census Transcription - only Rehrersburg

Church Records


Many denominations dot the landscape of Berks County. Visiting the church your ancestor attended is recommended; however, many times, due to distance, that is not possible. The Historical Society of Berks County has an on-line index of more then 1.2 millions names, gleaned from the records of more than 300 local churches. It is not a complete index but still worth your time if you are looking for baptism, marriage, and burial records. The index is searchable in numerous ways, but searching by last name or church name is probably most popular. The index lists the name of the record, volume and page number where the individual record can be found. The volume and page number refer to books located at the historical society. To view the actual record, use the printable on-line form that can be mailed to obtain a copy of the record or visit the society. There is a fee for acquiring the record by mail.

The Berks County Genealogical Societyhas various records for churches throughout the Berks County area. However, the society has not put the records on-line and to view the records one must go to the society.

Additional church records can be located at Linkpendium and by searching the Family History Library Catalog. The FHLC has a plethora of for Berks County, many are limited in the time frame they cover. When searching the FHL catalog, be sure to also search at the town and township level.

County-wide Databases - 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.com, $; This database is incomplete for all counties
 * 1729-1881 – Pennsylvania Church Records - Adams, Berks, and Lancaster Counties, 1729-1881 at Ancestry.com – $; incomplete

Amish
A branch of the Mennonites, early settlement in the Berks area consisted of congregations in Cumru, Maidencreek and Bern Townships. Bern Township was home to the Northkill Amish. The Northkill settlement was the largest Amish settlement up to the 1780s.

Records for the Amish are not readily available. However, if one does have an Amish background, a good place to start is the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Records are not available on-line and can only be viewed at the historical society.

Baptists
Baptists settled in Berks County about 1738 along the Tulpehocken creek by individuals from the counties of Chester and Philadelphia. Two congregations were formed but by 1774 both had disappeared from the Tulpehocken region.

Brethren
Also known as "Dunkards" or "German Baptists," the Brethren were in the Berks County area as early as 1724. However, the first Brethren congregation was settled in 1723 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Early Berks County congregations were located near Pricetown, Millersburg and Oley with additional groups in the townships of Tulpehocken, Upper Tulpehocken and Bern.

Brethren Historical Library and Archives 1451 Dundee Ave. Elgin, IL 60120

Episcopalian
Bangor Church, Caernarvon

Registers are lost, but some parishioners appear in the registers of St. James's Church, Lancaster. An old trunk was discovered at Bangor Church with "sundry account-books and ancient title-deeds."

St. Gabriel's Church, Douglassville

Registers begin in 1735.

St. Thomas's Church, Caernarvon

Registers are lost, but some parishioners appear in the registers of St. James's Church, Lancaster."

Lutheran
The Lutheran denomination existed in the Berks County area as early as 1727 when Lutherans from Schoharie, New York settled in the Tulpehocken area of the county. The German religions were the most abundant denominations in the Berks County area. The Lutheran and Reformed were united in the building of their church edifices. These structures were called "Union" churches as the Lutheran and Reformed congregations took responsibilty for the maintenance of the building. The two denominations alternated their church services every two Sundays.

Because it is not unusually to find family religious ordinances in both Lutheran and Reformed records, it is wise to search both denominational records when researching.

Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic 61 Seminary Ridge Gettysburg, PA 17325

Mennonite
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society 2215 Millstream Rd Lancaster, PA 17602-1499 Phone: (717) 393-9745

Presbyterian
While never a denomination of prominence in Berks County, their beginnings were early in the county. Organized in 1812 the First Presbyterian Church is currently located at 37 South Fifth Street in Reading, PA. There are currently five Presbyterian churches in the city of Reading and the surrounding area. Currently the Historical of Berks County has only records for First Presbyterian. Additional records may be located at the individual churches.

Presbyterian Historical Society 425 Lombard Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 Phone: (215) 627-1852

Quakers
Also known as the "Friends," their earliest settlement in the Berks County area was in 1725 in what was Amity Township. Later meetinghouses were erected in the townships of Maiden Creek and Robeson and eventually in the town of Reading. The Quakers had considerably political control of the county as long as the Penn proprietors controled the colony of Pennsylvania.

Early Quaker monthly meetings (with years established):


 * Exeter Monthly Meeting, near Stonersville, Pa. (1737). First known as Oley Monthly Meeting. Hinshaw published the early records:.

Friends Historical Association Haverford College 370 Lancaster Avenue Haverford, PA, 19041-1392 Phone: (610) 896-1161

Reformed
Also known as "German Calvinists" or "Dutch Reformed" reformed congregations had their beginnings in Berks County in the townships of Oley, Greenwich and Heidelberg. The Reformed congregations were heavily associated with the Lutheran congregations. For a list of ministers see the attached reference..


 * http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=14667&amp;cj=1&amp;netid=cj&amp;o_xid=0001029688&amp;o_lid=0001029688 History and directory of St. Paul's Memorial Reformed Church, North Sixth Street, Reading, Pa.] at Ancestry.com – $, contains members name in a directory

Roman Catholic
The Catholic Church, while currently prominent, had very humble beginnings in the county. Part the of Diocese of Allentown, the Catholic population in Berks County began to appear about 1740 and by 1757 had two congregations which amounted to approximately 250 people. It must be remembered that the Catholic Church persecuted the protestant denominations throughout European history. Hence, the protestants of Berks County were leary of the arrival of the Catholic Church arriving in the area.

Currently, the Family History Library has few Catholic records. It is best to contact the church or the diocese where the ancestor lived.

Court of Common Pleas
The Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of Pennsylvania. Major civil and criminal cases are heard in these courts. Judges also decide cases involving adoption, divorce, child custody, abuse, juvenile delinquency, estates, guardianships, charitable organizations and many other matters.

The Common Pleas courts are organized into 60 judicial districts, most of which encompass a single county. Seven judicial districts, in lightly populated areas of the Commonwealth, include two counties. Judges of the Common Pleas courts are elected to 10-year terms. A president judge and a court administrator serve in each judicial district.

Clerk of the Court
The Clerk of Courts prepares and maintains the records for the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk signs and affixes the Seal of the Courts to all writs and processes, administers oaths and affirmations, and assumes custody of the seal and records of the Court. The Clerk certifies and distributes orders of the Court. The Clerk also certifies and prepares bills of costs for the defendants and utilizes the computerized financial management system to disburse fines, costs and restitution.

Prothonotary
The office of the Prothontary is the custodian of all civil matters in the county. This includes naturalization, immigration, equity actions, judgements, federal and local tax leins, city liens, family court, arbitrations, license suspension appeals, appeals to higher court, commercial code filings, applications for passports adn divorce proceedings. The prothonotary does have a website with limited indexes for searching. There are no on-line divorce indexes. Some of their records are stored off site and staff makes one trip a month to retrieve off-site files. It is a good idea to contact the prothonotary before visiting so that, if need be, staff can retrieve the off-site record before your visit. Their website does have e-mail contact available. The staff is very helpful.

Orphan's Court (see Vital Records)
The Orphans' Court is responsible for a wide range of matters. The name of the Court is derived from the more general definition of "orphan," that being a person or thing that is without protective affiliation or sponsorship. This would include those not capable of handling their own affairs, minors, incapacitated persons, decedents estates, nonprofit corporations and trusts. It is the role of the Court to ensure that the best interests of the person or entity are not compromised.

It is believed the name of this court was borrowed from the Court of Orphans of the city of London, England which had the care and guardianship of children of deceased citizens, in their minority.

Emigration and Immigration
Berks County is a potpourri of humanity. Early immigrants to the county were from the Netherlands, Germany and the British Isles. Later immigrants were of eastern European and Hispanic extraction. The major ports of arrival for these groups were Philadelphia and New York.

Prior to 1906 many individuals naturalized at the county level and these records are kept by the prothonotary at the county courthouse. Many of the records will not list town or city of origin or birth but it is still wise to check.

History
The Historical Society of Berks County presents a monthly program concerning the history of the county and happenings of the society. The program can be viewed at their website for free anytime.

Published Histories
Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, comp. by Morton L. Montgomery. (1909)

Land and Property
Land records in Berks County began in 1752. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts, indexes, mortgages, leases, grants, sheriff sales, land patents, and maps. Property records include liens as well as livestock brands and estray records.

The following are examples of available resources:

Online Land Records


 * Deeds are indexed and available online for free viewing at the Recorder of Deeds. Copies of deeds can be made from the website or in person for a small fee.
 * Ancestor Tracks publishes county atlases of the Pennsylvania Township Warrantee Maps on file at the Pennsylvania Archives in Harrisburg and offers links to other early landowner map sources.
 * PAGenWeb has several land abstracts for Berks County.

Land Records on Microfilm


 * 1734 -1926 Deeds, 1734-1866; Indexes, 1752-1926 The earlier land records for what would become Berks County are for the most part in Philadelphia County.
 * 1752 -1926 Mortgage Records 1752-1822; Mortgager Index 1752-1926
 * 1752-1936 Miscellaneous Records, 1752-1869; Grantor and Grantee indexes, 1752-1936

Maps


 * MacInnes, Sharon Cook. Early Landowners of Pennsylvania: Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Berks County. Apollo, Pennsylvania : Closson Press, 2006.
 * Henry, Mathew Schropp and M.K. Boyer. Township Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania. 1985 edition published by Berks County Genealogical Society. Original edition published 1854. Berks County Genealogical Society added an index of land owners.

Additional Resources

See Pennsylvania Land and Property for more information about using land records, especially about original land warrants, surveys, and patents filed at the state land office.

Additional resources can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Berks County Pennsylvania Land in online catalogs such as:


 * Historical Society of Pennsylvania
 * WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog.)
 * (For instructions see FHL Catalog Place-name Search.)

Maps

 * Ancestor Tracks has posted free, downloadable images from Map of Berks County from Actual Surveys published by H.S. Bridgens in 1860 which can be used in conjunction with the 1860 census and published county histories to help pinpoint your ancestors.
 * Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Berks County and a companion Scans of Township Warrantee Maps plus Current Road Overlays CD ($) are also available from Ancestor Tracks. They show precise outlines in metes and bounds of each original tract and all surrounding tracts in the township, giving the names of the warrantee and patentee; dates of the warrant, survey, and patent; and the patent and survey books and page of the recorded patent. Please be aware that only approx. 75% of the county is covered. fckLR*On-line township maps of Berks County for 1862 are available at Andy's Antique Atlases.&amp;nbsp; fckLR*Township maps of Berks County Pennsylvania from the Historical Atlas of Berks County, Pennsylvania 1876 is available in the . To locate a copy nearest you use WorldCat.

Revolutionary War
Many Germans from Berks County served in the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment.Wikipedia contributors, "1st Pennsylvania Regiment," in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Pennsylvania_Regiment, accessed 31 May 2012.&lt;/ref&gt; Berks County men also served in the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, apparently in the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment, and the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment.

War of 1812
Berks County Genealogical Society, Berks County &amp; the War of 1812 (Reading, Pennsylvania 1989) pages 66-84

Newspapers

 * The Reading Eagle, which began in 1868, is currently the major newspaper for the county. Their web site does have a searchable archive that covers the period 1989 to the present. There is a fee to search the archives and you can print the images. Google newshas put the Reading Eagle on-line. The images start with 1868 and continue to the present. It is not a complete run but still worth your time. It is free to use and view the newspaper but you cannot print or copy the image.
 * Hamburg Schnellpost was a German-language newspaper

Iron Industry
The histories and owners of Colebrookdale Furnace, Mount Pleasant Furnace, Hopewell Furnace, Oley Furnace, Berkshire Furnace, Pool Forges, Pine Forge, Hay-Creek Forge, Oley Forge, Spring Forges, Mount Pleasant Forge, Gibraltar Forge, Charming Forge, Union Furnace, District Furnace, Sally-Ann Furnace, Joanna Furnace, Dale Furnace, Mary-Ann Furnace, Reading Furnace, Greenwood Furnace, Brobst's Furnace, Rockland Forges, Burkhart's Forge, Dale Forge, District Forge, and Speed-well Forge and described in:


 * Montgomery, Morton L. "Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Pennsylvania," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 8 (1884):56-81. For free online access, see WeRelate.

Probate Records
Probate matters in Berks County are handled by the Orphan's Court. Other matters handled by the Orphan's Court are: audits of accounts of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians; distribution of estates of decedents, incompetents, and minors; appointment and control of guardians; adoptions; appeals from the Register of Wills involving probate matters; inheritance tax appeals and various petitions and motions.

Probate records for Berks County are located on the 2nd floor in the Service Center next to the courthouse. Computers are located in the service center to help you identify the probate file you wish to view. The older probate files are on microfiche and the office staff will retrieve the files for you once you have the probate file number. Fiche copiers are located in the office to make your own copies of the records.

Berks County has placed a searchable Index to their Estate Records on-line.

Courthouse
Berks County Courthouse 633 Court Street Reading, PA 19601 Phone: (610) 478-6136 Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM Closed on holidays

Public parking is available on the south side of Court Street across from the Service Center.

Libraries
The Reading Public Libraryis located at 100 South Fifth Street in Reading. Free parking is available in the rear of the library for library patrons. Microfilm copiers are avaiable and full runs of the Reading Eagle and the Reading Times are open to the public. Located on the second floor of the library is the Pennsylvania Room. It contains local histories and genealogies associated with Berks County. City directories and high school yearbooks are also located in the Pennsylvania Room.

Societies
Rich in history, Berks County contains a number of societies dealing with the history of the area.

The Historical Society of the Berks Countyis located on Centre Street in Reading. There are varying degrees of membership ranging from a $40.00 yearly single membership to a $1,000.00 yearly patron membership. There is also a youth membership, ages 8-15, for $17.76.

The Berks County Genealogical Societyis located in the Goggle Works building at: 201 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601 Phone: (610) 921-4970 E-mail: [mailto:berksgenes@dejazzd.com berksgenes@dejazzd.com]

Other local societies are: Albany Township Historical Society Boyertown Area Historical Society Fleetwood Area Historical Society Kutztown Area Historical Society

Schools
Wyomissing, PA High School 1940 Girls Glee Club

Taxation

 * 1767-1768, 1779-1781, 1784-1785 - Proprietary and State Tax Lists of the County of Berks: For the Years 1767, 1768, 1779, 1780, 1781, 1784, 1785. (Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3, Vol. 18). Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Google Books - free.


 * 1798 - Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 at Ancestry ($).

Vital Records
Vital records in Berks County are handled by the Orphan's Court. Between the years 1852-1855 Pennsylvania made a failed attempt to record birth, marriage and death events at the county level. While the records for that time period are available, there were few events recorded. County marriage records were kept in ernest in 1885. Births and deaths, at the county level, were begun in 1893 and kept through 1905. Berks County has placed a searchable index on-line for birth, marriage and death records.

Birth

 * Records are available at the courthouse service center and also on microfilm at

Indexes for Pennsylvania birth records are available through the Department of of Health for 1906 only. Once an individual is located in the index a certificate can be obtained by writing to: Division of Vital Records ATTN: Public Records P.O. Box 1528 New Castle, PA 16103

The cost for an un-certified birth certificate is $3.00.


 * 1852-1854 – Pennsylvania Births Ancestry.com – ($) Index with images.

Marriage
Marriage records are located on the second floor of the courthouse Service Center and are available to the public. Computers are located in the office to obtain the volume and page number of the certificate for the couple you are seeking. Take the volume and page number to the marriage licence office and a staff member will retrieve the certificate. The marriage records are on microfiche and copiers are available. You can also try:


 * 1700-1821 - Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry.com – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties.
 * Pre-1810 – Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry.com – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties. Includes 35,000 marriage records from vol. VIII of of the second series of the Pennsylvania Archives.
 * 1852-1854 - Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry.com – ($) Index with images.
 * 1885-1950 - Extracted marriage records – free.
 * 1885-1909 – Marriage Dockets

Divorce
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary. Since there is no on-line index, you can search the index at the Prothonotary's Office Archive. Some divorce records are stored on microfilm in the above named archive, while others are stored at an off-site facility. The office of the Prothonotary is located in the main courthouse building at: Prothonotary's Office Archive Center Berks County Courthouse, 2nd Floor 633 Court Street Reading, PA 19601 Hours: Tuesday &amp; Thursday - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone: (610) 478-6970 x3486

Death
Death records, 1893 through 1906, are available at the courthouse Service Center.

Indexes for Pennsylvania death records are available through the Department of Health for 1906 through 1961. Once an individual is located in the index a certificate can be obtained by writing to: Division of Vital Records ATTN: Public Records P.O. Box 1528 New Castle, PA 16103

The cost for an un-certified death certificate is $3.00.

Records may also be found at:


 * 1852-1855– Deaths
 * 1894-1906– Deaths, v.1
 * 1905-1906– Death Returns
 * 1852-1854 – Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry.com – ($) Index with images.

Web Sites

 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.

Populated Places

 * TOWNSHIPS (as of 1990): Albany, Alsace, Amity, Bern, Bethel, Brecknock, Caernarvon, Centre, Colebrookdale, Cumru, District, Douglass, Earl, Exeter, Greenwich, Heidelberg, Hereford, Jefferson, Longswamp, Lower Alsace, Lower Heidelberg, Maidencreek, Marion, Maxatawny, Muhlenberg, North Heidelberg, Oley, Ontelaunee, Penn, Perry, Pike, Richmond, Robeson, Rockland, Ruscombmanor, South Heidelberg, Spring, Tilden, Tulpehocken, Union, Upper Bern, Upper Tulpehocken, Washington, Windsor.
 * BOROUGHS (as of 1990): Adamstown, Bally, Bechtelsville, Bernville, Birdsboro, Boyertown, Centerport, Fleetwood, Hamburg, Kenhorst, Kutztown, Laureldale, Leesport, Lenhartsville, Lyons, Mohnton, Mount Penn, Robesonia, St. Lawrence, Shillington, Shoemakersville, Sinking Spring, Strausstown, Temple, Topton, Wernersville, West Lawn, West Reading, Womelsdorf, Wyomissing, Wyomissing Hills.
 * CITIES (as of 1990): Reading.