Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Genealogy

Guide to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Description
It's county is located in the east-central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Luzerne County Courthouse 200 N. River St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Phone: 570-825-1500 option 7 Clerk of Courts: Phone: 570–825-1585 Prothonotary: Phone: 570–825-1745 Orphan's Court/Register of Wills: Phone: 570-825-1668 Recorder of Deeds: Phone: 570-825-1641 Luzerne County Website Register of Wills has birth, death, and burial records 1893-1906, marriage records from 1885, and probate records from 1786 Prothonotary Office has divorce and court records Recorder of Deeds has land records

Populated Places
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:

Biographies

 * Selected Biographies:History of Luzerne County, by H.D. Bradsby, 1893. Courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Cemeteries

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

Additional Cemetery Resources
 * ca.1700-ca.1950 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * PA-Roots
 * Names in Stone
 * Ancestry($)

Church Records
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 $


 * Contains the church records of:
 * Jonathan Worrall, J.P./Misc. Licenses, 1890-1915
 * Avoca: Langcliffe Presbyterian Church
 * Forty Fort: Presbyterian Church
 * Freeland: Slovak Lutheran Church; St. John's United Church of Christ; St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church
 * Hazleton: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church; Trinity Lutheran Church
 * Nanticoke: Primitive Methodist Church Nanticoke
 * Pleasant Valley: United Methodist Church
 * Shickshinny: United Methodist Church
 * Sweet Valley: Pleasant Valley Sunday School
 * West Hazleton: Christ United Church of Christ; St. Paul's United Church of Christ; Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
 * West Pittston: First United Methodist Church; First United Presbyterian Church
 * White Haven: St. Paul's Lutheran Church
 * Wilkes-Barre: Central United Methodist Church; First Presbyterian Church; Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Cathedral; St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
 * Wyoming: Presbyterian Church

African Methodist Episcopal The African Methodist Episcopal and the African Methodist Episcopaln Zion congregations were established in Wilkes-Barre in 1842.

Baptist The first Baptist services were held in Wilkes-Barre in 1842. The Kingston congregation was eventually absorbed in the Wilkes-Barre and Pittston churches. The Centennial Baptist was organized in 1874.

Catholic The Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, Inc. located in Wilkes-Barré, Luzerne County, in partnership with the Diocese of Scranton, has digitized the Sacramental & Burial records of all Catholic churches within the Diocese eleven county area, including Luzerne County. The digitized parish records can be viewed at NEPGS in Wilkes-Barré. The oldest Catholic church in Luzerne County is Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Wilkes-Barre.

Episcopal The first Episcopalian services were held in 1814 in Wilkes-Barre. The church was chartered in 1817, as St. Stephen's Church. In 1869, St. Clement's was established.


 * St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Records, Wilkes Barre, courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Greek Orthodox The Greek community purchased the Lutheran Church on 32 East Ross Street in Wilkes-Barre on May 29, 1924.


 * History of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Wilkes-Barre

Lutheran Lutheran congregations were primarily German until 1857. St Pauls and St. Johns were the early congregations.


 * 1813-1876 Wapwallopen Union Reformed &amp; Lutheran Church (Old River Church) Baptismal Records 1813 to 1876 Luzerne County, Pennsylvania at The USGenWeb Project
 * St. John's Lutheran Church Records, Butler Township, courtesy USGenWeb Archives

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
 * Nanticoke
 * Plymouth

Methodist Episcopal Methodism was first preached by Anning Owen in 1788 in Luzerne County. Congregations were in Wilkes-Barre, Hanover, Newport, and the Plains. The Methodists purchased the old building on the square in Wilkes-Barre from the Presbyterians in 1831. This church was called the First Methodist Episcopal. A new building was completed in 1847. The Ross Street Methodist Episcopal was formed and built in 1855. Lists of leading members are found in Munsell's history.

Moravian The Moravians were in the area very early, before 1763. The outbreak of the French War forced the missionaries from the county.

Presbyterian The Presbyterian congregation was first served by Jacob Johnson from Groton, Connecticut in 1773. He helped begin the construction of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilkes Barre. It was finally completed in 1812 and was called "The Old Ship Zion". Other Connecticut ministers who served were Jabez Chadwick and James W. Woodworth. The congregation was partially Congregationalist until about 1829 when it became fully Presbyterian. Other early congregations were found in Nanicoke, Pittston and Ashley. Some lists of members are found in the Munsell history of Luzerne County.

Hazleton Presbyterian Church


 * Hazleton Presbyterian Church Records, courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Presbyterian Church, Conyngham


 * 1842-1875 Presbyterian Church, Conyngham, Baptism Index 1842-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch.
 * 1846-1886 Presbyterian Church, Conyngham, Baptism Index 1846-1886 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch.

Snowden Memorial Presbyterian Church, Larksville

List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * 1870-1881 Snowden Memorial Presbyterian Church, Larksville, Marriage Index 1870-1881 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch.
 * 1871-1875 Snowden Memorial Presbyterian Church, Larksville, Baptism Index 1871-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch.
 * FamilySearch Places

Guardianship

 * 1787 -1866 Orphans Court Dockets (Index 1787–1874)

Land and Property Records
Land records in Luzerne County began in 1786. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.

Online Land Indexes and Records
 * 1780 -1907 Deeds, 1787-1901; Indexes to Deeds, 1780-1907 The earlier indexes for what would become Luzerne County are for the most part in Northumberland County.
 * 1788 -1924 Mortgage Indexes. - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
 * 1968–present Images are available online using the Landex system. There is a fee to view the images.

Local Histories

 * History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania: with Biographical Selections. 1893. Ed. by H. C. Bradsby. Chicago, Illinois : S.B. Nelson. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive;.
 * History of Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wyoming Counties, PA. 1880. By W.W. Munsell & Co. New York, New York : Munsell. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Google Books;.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)

Military Records
Civil War
 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index

World War II
 * World War II Newspaper Clippings, Par 1-3, courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records


 * 1795-1951 Some Naturalization Records, East PA 1795-1951 at PAGenWeb
 * 1830-1906 Naturalization records, 1830-1906. - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Includes index.
 * 1850-1894 Declarations of intention, 1812-1906. - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Index 1850-1906.
 * 1850-1906 Admissions, 1850-1906. - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Index 1850-1997.
 * 1897-1906 Naturalization dockets and index, 1897-1906. - 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
 * 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 $
 * 1912-1942 Naturalization petitions, 1912-1942. - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Index 1912-1944.

Newspapers
Newspapers of Luzerne County


 * Pennsylvania Newspapers
 * Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
 * The Luzerne also holds many local newspapers on microfilm. List of county newspaper holdings. Scroll to the bottom of the linked online page.

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.

Online Newspaper Extracts


 * 1947-2010  at FamilySearch
 * PA-Roots Newspaper Articles of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
 * Luzerne County PAGenWeb Newspaper Extracts
 * World War II Newspaper Clippings, Par 1-3, courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Obituaries
Online Obituary Extracts


 * PA-Roots Obituaries for Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
 * Obits of Luzerne County at PAGenWeb.org

Probate Records
Some Luzerne County probate records were destroyed in the flood following Hurricane Agnes in 1972. According to sources in the county offices, of the county's earliest probate records, the estate files were destroyed but bound books generally survived.

Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1683-1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry $
 * Will Index 1, 1787-1918, located on PAGenWeb - also includes year will was probated and residence of deceased.
 * 1683-1994  at FamilySearch  - Complete Collection
 * 1787-1916 Luzerne County Probate Records - Luzerne County Only
 * 1787-1894 Will Records of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania  - Index included: 1787-1894; images only; click on the camera icon to view images

Social Security Records

 * 1935-2014 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

 * 1796, 1799 Taxables in Luzerne County. courtesy USGenWeb Archives
 * 1798 Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 at Ancestry ($).

Birth

 * 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births Ancestry $

Marriage
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officals. Contact Luzerne County Courthouse.


 * 1626-2016 Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at FindMyPast ($)
 * 1677-1950  at FamilySearch
 * 1700-1821 Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry $
 * 1725-1976  index. Not complete for all years. This index is an electronic database of information. The entries are primarily from the International Genealogical Index (IGI) along with some entries derived from compiled and original records such as: Family Records, Church Records, Civil Registration. It may also include indexes generated by the internet indexing project sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
 * Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
 * 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
 * 1885-1950  Extracted marriage records – free. Most of the records consist of marriage licenses, certificates, applications, docket books, and affidavits. This database is incomplete for all counties. May also contain marriage records earlier than 1885.

Death

 * 1720-1999  at FamilySearch — index, some images
 * 1850-1880  at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
 * 1886-1905 Luzerne County Death Index 1886-1905 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch

Divorce
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary, Luzerne County Courthouse.

Archives

 * National Archives at Philadelphia 14700 Townsend Road Philadelphia, PA 19154-1096 Phone: 215-305-2044 Fax: 215-305-2052 website

Family History Centers

 * Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania Family History Center

Libraries

 * Osterhout Free Library 71 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 Phone: 570-823-0156 Email: [mailto:tlukashefski@osterhout.lib.pa.us tlukashefski@osterhout.lib.pa.us] Website
 * The library collection includes local newspapers, city directories, newspapers clippings file, a local history collection, and county census records for Luzerne and some neighboring counties. The library will do limited research for a fee. Online obituary and article request form.

Societies

 * Luzerne County Historical Society 49 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barré, PA 18701 Phone: 570–823–6244 Website
 * The society collection includes: Surname files, city directories, Wilkes–Barre Record Almanac Newspaper 1886 -1962 (contains death record for anyone over 10 who died in the county during this time period), microfilm of births and deaths (1893 -1905), delayed births (1877–1905), index to marriages (1885–1950), deed indexes, index to Orphans' Courts records


 * Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, Inc. (NEPGS) 57 North Franklin Street Wilkes-Barré, PA 18701 Phone (570) 829-1765 Website mailto:nepgsmail@gmail.com
 * The NEPGS Digital Collection includes the eleven county Diocese of Scranton church records.

Websites

 * USGenWeb
 * Luzerne County PA Genealogy
 * – 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.