Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Dauphin County, Pennsylvania ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Social Security Records
- 2.27 Tax Records
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named after Louis-Joseph, Dauphin of France, the first son of Louis XVI. The county is located in the southeast-central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Dauphin County Courthouse- 2nd Floor
101 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Register of Wills Phone: 717-780-6500
Clerk of the Orphans' Court Phone: 717-780-6510
Dauphin County Prothonotary Phone: 717–780-6520
Dauphin County Website
County Clerk has birth and death records 1893-1906, marriage records from 1885, and probate records from 1795
Prothonotary Office has divorce and court records
Recorder of Deeds has land records[3]
The Register of Wills holds birth and death records (1893-1906), marriage records (1850-1855 and 1885-present) and estates. See their Genealogy search request form to request a search.
Dauphin 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 | 1785 | 1785 | 1795 | 1790 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
16 Feb 1813: Lebanon County was created from parts of Dauphin and Lancaster counties. 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:[7]
Cities | ||
Boroughs | ||
Unincorporated communities | ||
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Census-designated places | ||
Townships | ||
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]
Indentured Servants
- Immigrant Servants Database hosted by Price Genealogy - Includes indentured/imported servants and transported convicts who served labor terms in Colonial York County, Pennsylvania.
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
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Additional Cemetery Resources
- ca.1700-ca.1950 - Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, ca. 1700-ca. 1950 at FamilySearch — index and images
- PA-Roots
- LDS Genealogy
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± |
1790 | 18,155 | — |
1800 | 22,270 | 22.7% |
1810 | 31,883 | 43.2% |
1820 | 21,653 | −32.1% |
1830 | 25,243 | 16.6% |
1840 | 30,118 | 19.3% |
1850 | 35,754 | 18.7% |
1860 | 46,756 | 30.8% |
1870 | 60,740 | 29.9% |
1880 | 76,148 | 25.4% |
1890 | 96,977 | 27.4% |
1900 | 114,443 | 18.0% |
1910 | 136,152 | 19.0% |
1920 | 153,116 | 12.5% |
1930 | 165,231 | 7.9% |
1940 | 177,410 | 7.4% |
1950 | 197,784 | 11.5% |
1960 | 220,255 | 11.4% |
1970 | 223,834 | 1.6% |
1980 | 232,317 | 3.8% |
1990 | 237,813 | 2.4% |
2000 | 251,805 | 5.9% |
2010 | 268,100 | 6.5% |
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.
The Historical Society of Dauphin County has an excellent collection of records and photographs for many local area churches. Their records include baptisms, marriages and death records for many Dauphin County churches, some dating back to the 1700's. The society also maintains an archive with hundreds of manuscript items. Details of their manuscript holdings are available on their website. For information about research services and fees, see the "Research Fees" page.
The Capital Area Genealogical Society in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has some published Dauphin County church records. See the Research Library Holdings page for a 2010 pdf. list of all their holdings.
For a good history concerning early churches of Dauphin County, see History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The religion section is divided into town and township and discusses the denominations in each of the areas.
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:
- Jonathan Worrall, J.P./Misc. Marriage Licenses, 1890-1915
- Berrysburg: PA Conference Evangelical Association
- Elizabethville: Trinity United Methodist Church
- Harrisburg: Harrisburg First Church of God; Lutheran Church; Lutheran Church of the Redeemer; Memorial Lutheran Church; Park Street United Methodist Church; Rev. Nathaniel R. Snowden Records; St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church; St. Paul's Episcopal Church; St. Stephen's Episcopal Church; United Church of Christ; Zion German Lutheran Church
- Hummelstown: Hummelstown United Church of Christ; Trinity United Methodist Church
- Millersburg: St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Oberlin: Neidig Memorial United Methodist Church
- Philadelphia: Cooper Memorial United Methodist Church
- Steelton: St. John's Lutheran Church
- Susquehanna: Paxton Methodist Episcopal Church
- Williamstown: Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
- 1744-1844 Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Church Records at Ancestry ($). Includes records from Salem Reformed Church (Harrisburg, Pa.), Lykens Valley Lower Church (David's Reformed) (Killingern, Upper Paxtang, Pa.), Fetterhoff's Lutheran and Reformed Church, Fredricktown Church (Hummelstown, Pa.), Hoffman Reformed Church, Lykens Valley Lower Church, Middletown Church, Paxtang and Derry Presbyterian Churches, Reformed Church (Hummelstown, Pa.), St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Salem Reformed Church (Harrisburg, Pa.), Shoop's Reformed Church, Wenerich's Reformed Church, Zion Church.
- 1757-1825 Humphrey, John T. Pennsylvania Births, Dauphin County, 1757-1825 Washington, D.C.: PA Genealogy Books, 2005. FHL Book 974.818 V2h.
- Contains church records of Hill or "Maxe" Lutheran Church, Derry Township; Middletown Lutheran Church, Middletown, Lower Swatara Township; Hummelstown Lutheran Congregation, Derry Township; Evangelical Reformed Church, Lykens Valley, Upper Paxton Township; Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Killinger, Lykens Valley; Shoop's Church or Paxton Church, Lutheran and Reformed, Lower Paxton Township; Klinger's Church, Erdman, Lutheran and Reformed, Lykens Township; Salem Reformed Church, Harrisburg; Fetterhoff's Church, Lutheran and Reformed, Halifax Township; St. John's Lutheran Church, Lykens Valley, Upper Paxton Township; Hoffman's Reformed Church, Lykens Township; Zion Lutheran Church, Harrisburg; Wenrich's Church, Lutheran and Reformed, Lower Paxton Township; and St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church, Harrisburg.
- Dauphin County Church Records at Dauphin County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives Includes Church histories and records.
Lutheran
Bindnagle Lutheran and Reformed Church, Derry Township
- 1724-1793 Bindnagle Lutheran and Reformed Church, Derry Township, Baptism Index 1724-1793 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C507271
Hill Lutheran Church, Derry Township
- 1752-1825 Hill Lutheran Church, Derry Township, Baptism Index 1752-1825 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C507291
- Records of the Hill Lutheran Church in Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania at Ancestry ($).
Klinger's Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church, Upper Paxton Township
- 1787-1875 Klinger's Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church, Upper Paxton Township, Baptism Index 1787-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C506751
St. John's Lutheran Church near Berrysburg, Miflin Township
- 1780-1875 St. John's Lutheran Church near Berrysburg, Miflin Township, Baptism Index 1780-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504451
- 1854-1873 St. John's Lutheran Church near Berrysburg, Miflin Township, Marriage Index 1854-1873 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M504451
St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lykens Township
- 1872-1875 St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lykens Township, Baptism Index 1872-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C536631
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Middletown
- 1783-1861 St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Middletown, Baptism Index 1783-1861 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504441
- 1814-1822 St. Peter's Church, Middletown, Baptism Index 1814-1822 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C507301
- 1835-1858 St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Middletown, Baptism Index 1835-1838 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M504441
Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Killinger
- 1770-1855 Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Killinger, Baptism Index 1770-1855 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504421
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Derry Township
- 1757-1866 St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Derry Township, Baptism Index 1757-1866 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C536611
Union Salem Church, Berrysburg
- 1837-1875 Union Salem Church, Berrysburg, Baptism Index 1837-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504651
- 1863-1880 Union Salem Church, Berrysburg, Marriage Index 1863-1880 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M504651
Zion Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed Congregations, Erdman
- 1769-1875 Zion Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed Congregations, Erdman, Baptism Index 1769-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504371
Zion Lutheran Church, Harrisburg
- 1795-1809 Zion Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, Marriage Index 1795-1809 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M523851
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hummelstown
- 1753-1875 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hummelstown, Baptism Index 1753-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504411
- 1823-1830, 1847, 1855-1880 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hummelstown, Baptism Index 1823-1830, 1847, and 1855-1880 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M504411
Methodist
- 1860-1997 Saint Paul's United Methodist Church, Harrisburg, Pa. at Ancestry ($). Baptisms, marriages, and deaths.
Presbyterian
The first three churches established in the county were the Hanover, Paxtang and Derry Churches. These were organized prior to 1730.Luther Reily Kelker, "History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania" (New York: Lewis Publishing Company, 1907) 224-240. WorldCat 361725; FHL book 974.818 H2k vol. 1
- 1741-1810 Marriage Record of Paxtang and Derry Churches, 1741-1810 (Pennsylvania Archives, Series 2, Vol. 8, Part 10) at Ancestry ($); Google Books
The Hanover Presbyterian Church was built in 1736 in a Scotch-Irish settlement in what is now Lebanon County. This settlement was previously in Lancaster County, before Dauphin County was formed. Wayland F. Dunaway, The Scotch-Irish of Colonial Pennsylvania (Chapel Hill, N.C.: The University of North Carolina Press, 1944), 53-54. Free digital version at PA's Past: Digital Bookshelf at Penn State.
Derry Presbyterian Congregation, Derry Township
- 1807-1839 Derry Presbyterian Congregation, Derry Township, Baptism Index 1807-1839 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C507281
- 1807-1841 Derry Presbyterian Congregation, Derry Township, Marriage Index 1807-1841 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M507281
Harrisburg Presbyterian Church
- 1798-1803 Harrisburg Presbyterian Church Marriage Index 1798-1803 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M535541
Pine Street Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg
- 1858-1876 Pine Street Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, Baptism Index 1858-1876 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C530991
- 1865-1866 Pine Street Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, Marriage Index 1865-1866 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M530991
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg
- 1889-1890 Westminster Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, Baptism Index 1889-1890 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C530981
- 1873-1885 Westminster Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, Marriage Index 1873-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M530981
Reformed
Hoffman Reformed Church
- 1800-1855 Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 1800-55: Hoffman Reformed Church at Ancestry ($). Includes more than 8,400 records of baptisms, marriages, and burials for the Hoffman Reformed Church located in the Lykens Valley.
Shoop's Reformed Church, Harrisburg
- 1771-1830 Shoop's Reformed Church, Harrisburg, Baptism Index 1771-1830 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C507361 Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at Media.
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.
- Immigrant Servants Database hosted by Price Genealogy - Includes indentured/imported servants and transported convicts who served labor terms in Colonial York County, Pennsylvania.
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.[8]
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 Dauphin County began in 1785. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Abstracts and Records
- 1785 -1917 Deeds, 1785-1850; Index to Deeds, 1785-1917. FHL films 21249-21282 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1979–present Dauphin County offers online access to records. Fees apply for copies. Check the website for current information on availability and fees.
- Warrantees of land, Pennsylvania Archives Series 3 Volume 24, 1785-1895 at Dauphin County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Centennial : the Settlement, Formation and Progress of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, from 1785 to 1876. 1877. By George H. Morgan. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania : Telegraph Steam Book and Job Printing House. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, ; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- The History and Topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry Counties (Pennsylvania). 1846. By I. Daniel Rupp. Lancaster, Pa. : Gilbert Hills. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Google Books, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat). Index: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- History of the Counties of Dauphin and Lebanon in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 1883. By William Henry Egle. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : Everts & Peck. Online at: Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. 3 volumes. 1907. By Luther Reily Kelker. New York, New York : Lewis Publishing Company. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Vol. 1 - Internet Archive, Vol. 2 - Google Books, Vol. 3 - Google Books, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
MacInnes, Sharon Cook and Angus MacInnes. Early landowners of Pennsylvania Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Dauphin County, PA Apollo, Pennsylvania Closson Press, 2009. FHL book 974.818 E7ms
Ancestor Tracks has posted downloadable images of The Combination Atlas Map of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Compiled, Drawn and Published from Personal Examinations and Surveys by Everts & Stewart, 1875. This wall 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 be used commercially. We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.
Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Dauphin County and a Companion Scans of Township Warrantee Maps plus Current Road Overlays CD ($) is 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 book and page of the recorded patent.
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
French and Indian War
In 1756, Colonel Armstrong recruited many Scotch-Irish men from what is now Dauphin County (then Lancaster County). They attacked and destroyed the Indian village at Kittanning (present-day Armstrong County).[9]
Reverend John Elder, pastor of Derry and Paxtang churches, recruited Scotch-Irish rangers from his congregation in what is now Dauphin County (then Lancaster County). Known as the Paxton Rangers or Paxton Boys, they provided security for white settlements between the Blue Mountains and the Susquehanna River. They are remembered for playing a prominent role in Pontiac's War.
Revolutionary War
Men from what is now Dauphin County (then Lancaster County) served in the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment.[10]
War of 1812
Anderson, John, Dr. John Anderson papers, 1812-1814, 1819 Microfilm of original records in the Bureau of Archives and History in Harrisburg. Contains enlistment records relating to Pennsylvanians in the War of 1812. FHL Film 1032585 Item 3.
Civil War
- 1861-1865 - Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
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
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 $
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 Dauphin County
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
Online Newspapers
- Whig State Journal at Pennsylvania Dept. of Education Historic Newspapers.
- Pennsylvania Civil War Era Newspaper Collection available through the Penn State University Library
- Daily Patriot and Unio 15 October 1860-31 October 1863
- Pennsylvnia Daily Telegraph 21 January 1859- 26 Nov 1862
- Evening Telegraph 28 Nove 1862 -11 Mar 1864
- Pennsylvania Telegraph 12 Mar 1864 - 31 Dec 1864
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Dauphin County.
- USGenWeb Lykens Register Newspaper tidbits.
- Dauphin County Newspaper Articles at Dauphin County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives Includes Items from the Harrisburg Telegraph, January 4,7,8,9 1892 and Items from The Evening News
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch
Newspaper Excerpts and Abstracts June - September 1918.
- Marriages and Deaths from Dauphin Co. Newspapers, (SLC, Utah, 1980) FHL film 1298604
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
- PA-Roots Obituaries for Dauphin County.
- Dauphin County Obituaries at Dauphin County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
Obituary Excerpts and Abstracts
- Stroh, Alice F., Cemetery Records of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (SLC, Utah, 1978) FHL film 1026670 item 5
- Deaths from Berks, Dauphin and Philadelphia Counties Newspapers, 1791-1864 (SLC, Utah, 1964) FHL film 385043
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Dauphin 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 $
- 1785-1795 Will Records FHL film 434946 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1785-1875 Wills FHL film 21237 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1785-1937 Dauphin County Probate Records
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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
- 1798 - Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 at Ancestry ($).
- 1800 - First Annville Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania 1800 at PAGenWeb
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.
- 1726-1930 Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950 index. Not complete for all years. This collection is an index for the years 1726 to 1930. It is not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records. This index is not complete for any particular place or region. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births Ancestry $
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Dauphin County Courthouse
- 1626-2016 Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at FindMyPast
- 1677-1950 Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950 at FamilySearch
- 1700-1821 Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry $
- 1725-1976 Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940 index. Not complete for all years. This index is not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records. This index is not complete for any particular place or region. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 Extracted marriage records – This database is incomplete for all counties. May also contain marriage records earlier than 1885.
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 — index, some images
- 1794-1873 Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Death Index 1794-1873 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[11]
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1852-1906 Dauphin County Death Index 1852-1906 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[12]
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
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 Dauphin 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 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 Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Dauphin County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
- Alexander Family Research Library and Archives
219 S. Front Street
Harrisburg PA 17104
Phone:(717)233-3462
E-mail:library@dauphincountyhistory.org.
website
- The Library is a wonderful resource for both genealogical and local history research. It holds church records, newspaper clippings, cemetery inventories, military records, and more.If you cannot come to Harrisburg to do your own research, the Librarian can conduct on-site research for an additional fee. Please contact the Librarian if you have any questions.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Dauphin County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
- The Historical Society of Dauphin County
219 South Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: 717.233.3462
E-mail: library@dauphincountyhistory.org
Website
- The Alexander Family Library holds church records, newspaper clippings, cemetery inventories, military records, and more.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- Dauphin 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/Dauphin_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/2/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, p.589
- ↑ 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, "Dauphin County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dauphin_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 18 January 2020 .
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
- ↑ Wayland F. Dunaway, The Scotch-Irish of Colonial Pennsylvania (Chapel Hill, N.C.: The University of North Carolina Press, 1944), 150-154. Free digital version at PA's Past: Digital Bookshelf at Penn State.
- ↑ John B.B. Trussell and Charles C. Dallas, The Pennsylvania Line; Regimental Organization and Operations, 1776-1783 (Harrisburg, Pa.: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1977). Digital version at Family History Archive.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/File:Igipennsylvaniapppp.pdf.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/File:Igipennsylvaniapppp.pdf.