Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Pike 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 Tax Records
- 2.27 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 for Zebulon Pike. It is located in the Northeastern tip of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Pike County Courthouse
412 Broad Street
Milford, PA 18337
Phone: 570-296-3556
Fax: 570-296-6054
Register of Wills Phone: 570-296-3508 extension 1160
Record of Deeds Phone: 570-296-3508 extension 1160
Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts/Orphan's Court Phone: 570-296-7231 extension 1210
Pike County Website
Pike 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 | 1814 | 1814 | 1814 | 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 | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
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| 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]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- Cemetery records often reveal birth, marriage, death, relationship, military, and religious information.
Additional Cemetery Resources
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1820 | 2,894 | — |
| 1830 | 4,843 | 67.3% |
| 1840 | 3,832 | −20.9% |
| 1850 | 5,881 | 53.5% |
| 1860 | 7,155 | 21.7% |
| 1870 | 8,436 | 17.9% |
| 1880 | 9,663 | 14.5% |
| 1890 | 9,412 | −2.6% |
| 1900 | 8,766 | −6.9% |
| 1910 | 8,033 | −8.4% |
| 1920 | 6,818 | −15.1% |
| 1930 | 7,483 | 9.8% |
| 1940 | 7,452 | −0.4% |
| 1950 | 8,425 | 13.1% |
| 1960 | 9,158 | 8.7% |
| 1970 | 11,818 | 29.0% |
| 1980 | 18,271 | 54.6% |
| 1990 | 27,966 | 53.1% |
| 2000 | 46,306 | 65.6% |
| 2010 | 57,369 | 23.9% |
| 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.
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 $
Methodist
Members of the Methodist Church at Dingman's Ferry started gathering in 1830 although the church was not erected until 1870.[8]
Presbyterian Church
The Presbyterian Church in this county was created in 1825 in Milford.[9]
Reformed
In 1737, the Reformed Church in Port Jervis was founded.[10]
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.
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.[11]
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 Pike County began in 1814. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Milford, Pennsylvania.
Note that the "Maps" section below also includes maps related to land ownership.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks has a CD of the First Landowners of PA: Warrantees of Wayne & Pike Counties, Map & Index by Jason Torrey, 1814 ($). The CD contains first landowner names and tracts, the warrant register index for Northampton County (the source for both Pike and Wayne Counties), and the warrant registers for both counties.
Migration[edit | edit source]
Early migration routes to Pike County for European settlers included:
- Minsi Path from Kingston, New York to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Delaware River.
Military Records[edit | edit source]
- 1861-1865 - Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Naturalization records can contain information about immigration and nativity. Prior to 1906, it is rare to find the town of origin in naturalization records. For more information, see Pennsylvania Naturalization
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1901-1930 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. Circuit and District Courts for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, 1906-1930; and 1901-1906 on Fold3.com - ($), 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 Pike County
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
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 Abstracts
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Pike County, Pennsylvania.
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch
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 Pike County, Pennsylvania.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Pike 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.
School Records[edit | edit source]
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital records are handled by the County Orphans' Court. Between the years 1852-1855 Pennsylvania made a failed attempt to record birth, marriage and death events at the county level. County marriage records were kept in earnest in 1885. Births and deaths, at the county level, were begun in 1893 and kept through 1905. For the most complete set of records, contact the County Orphans' Court.
Birth[edit | edit source]
Early births 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For more information, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births Ancestry $
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Pike 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 $
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
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
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary Pike County Courthouse.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
- 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 and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes.
- For current information about a center near you, go to the Family History Center Map
Libraries[edit | edit source]
- Pike County Public Library
201 Broad Street
Milford, PA 18337
Phone: 570-296-8211
Website
Visit website for branch locations and hours
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
- Genealogical Research Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Inc (GRSNP)
1100 Main Street
Peckville, PA 18452
Phone: 570-383-7661
FAX: 570-383-7466
Email: info@grsnp.org
Website
The GRSNP serves northeastern counties: Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming - Pike County Historical Society
608 Broad Street
Milford, PA
Phone: 570-296-8126
Email: pikemuse@ptd.net
Facebook
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb
- Pike 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]
Woodroofe's guide to Pike County "hidden sources" at The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania is available online:
- Woodroofe, Helen Hutchison. "A Genealogist's Guide to Pennsylvania Records," The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 34, No. 3 (1986):239-240. Online at: WeRelate.
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.
- ↑ Wikipedia accessed 2/12/2017
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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, "Pike County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 31 January 2020.
- ↑ Alfred Mathews, History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: R.T. Peck Co., 1886), 915; Digital Version Online at Internet Archive; At Various Libraries (WorldCat); FHL films 392698-9;
- ↑ Alfred Mathews, History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: R.T. Peck Co., 1886), 874; Digital Version Online at Internet Archive; At Various Libraries (WorldCat); FHL films 392698-9;
- ↑ Alfred Mathews, History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: R.T. Peck Co., 1886), 902-903; Digital Version Online at Internet Archive; At Various Libraries (WorldCat); FHL films 392698-9;
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
