Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy

Pike County
	Pike County, Pennsylvania
	Map
	; Location in the state of Pennsylvania
	; Location of Pennsylvania in the U.S.
	Facts
Founded	March 26, 1814
County Seat	Milford
	Courthouse
Address	Pike County Courthouse; 412 Broad Street; Milford, PA 18337; Pike county Website
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United States

Pennsylvania

Pike County

Guide to Pike County, Pennsylvania ancestry, family history and genealogy in courthouse sources including birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, wills, deeds and land records, Civil War records, Revolutionary War records, family histories, cemeteries, churches, tax records, newspapers, and obituaries.

Tombstone Transcriptions Online	Tombstone Transcriptions in Print	List of Cemeteries in the county
Findagrave.com	Family History Library	Findagrave.com
HomeTownLocator	WorldCat	BillionGraves
PAGenWeb Archives		Linkpendium
Tombstone Photos		PAGravestones
PAGenWeb		Epodunk
Pennsylvania Genealogy		Access Genealogy
BillionGraves (name)		Interment
See Pennsylvania Cemeteries for more information.

Additional Cemetery Resources

Census

For tips on accessing Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Federal (or United States) census records online, see: Pennsylvania Census.

There are no county or state census records available for Pennsylvania. County and city tax records can be used as a substitute when census records are not available.

Church Records

Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. In Pennsylvania, church records are often used as a substitute for birth, marriage, and death information. For general information about Pennsylvania denominations, view the Pennsylvania Church Records wiki page.

Finding Church Records at Other Repositories

Additional church records can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Church Records in online catalogs like:

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

Pike County Pennsylvania Churches

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.com – $; 7,542,774 entries. This database is incomplete for all counties.

Methodist

Members of the Methodist Church at Dingman's Ferry started gathering in 1830 although the church was not erected until 1870.^[4]

Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterian Church in this county was created in 1825 in Milford.^[5]

Reformed

In 1737, the Reformed Church in Port Jervis was founded.^[6]

Court Records

Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy court records are housed at the Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Courthouse. For many counties copies of court records may be found at the Pennsylvania State Archives and in the FamilySearch collection. Note that within these collections some films may contain the same records, but have different titles. Other titles are not duplicates. See Finding Court Records at other repositories within this section for links to the online catalogs for these two collections. Films at the Pennsylvania State Archives are not available for inter-library loan. If court records are available FamilySearch films may be available at a local Family History Center. Call ahead for availability.

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. Pike County has its own judicial district. Judges of the Common Pleas courts are elected to 10-year terms. A president judge and a court administrator serve in each judicial district.^[7]

Clerk of the Courts

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 Courts. 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.^[8] For the Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Clerk of Courts address see the Courthouse section on this page.

Prothonotary

The office of the Prothonotary is the custodian of all civil matters in the county. This includes naturalization, immigration, equity actions, judgements, federal and local tax liens, city liens, family court, arbitrations, license suspension appeals, appeals to higher court, commercial code filings, applications for passports and divorce proceedings. See the Courthouse section on this page for the Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Prothonotary office information.

Orphans' 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.^[9]

For Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Orphans' Court contact information see the Courthouse section on this page.

Finding Court Records at Other Repositories

Additional court records can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Court Records in online catalogs like:

Historical Society of Pennsylvania
WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
Do a Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search).

Emigration and Immigration

For information about emigration into Pennsylvania, see the Pennsylvania Emigration and Immigration page.

Ethnic Groups

Germans

Gazetteers

Genealogy

History

Published Histories

Land and Property

Land records in Pike County began in 1814. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Milford, 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.

Note that the "Maps" section below also includes maps related to land ownership.

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 Pike County Pennsylvania Land in online catalogs such as:

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

Maps

Pike County

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

Early migration routes to Pike County for European settlers included:

Minsi Path from Kingston, New York to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Delaware River.

Military

Naturalization and Citizenship

Naturalization records can contain information about immigration and nativity. Prior to 1906, it is rare to find the town of origin in naturalization records. See Pennsylvania Naturalization for more information about the types of records and availability.

Naturalizations granted at the county level were kept by the office of the Prothonotary. Naturalizations could also be granted on the Federal Court level.

Naturalization records available for Pike County, Pennsylvania include the following:

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 - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1622, Middle District court was created in 1901, for earlier dates try the Eastern and Western District court records
1901-1930 Middle District, US Circuit and District Courts: Naturalization petitions, 1906-1930 located in U.S. Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1795-1972 (World Archives Project) database on Ancestry.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1622, Middle District court was created in 1901, for earlier dates try the Eastern and Western District court records

Finding Naturalization Indexes at Other Repositories

Additional naturalization indexes can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy naturalization in online catalogs like:

Historical Society of Pennsylvania
WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
Do a Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search).

Newspapers

Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy newspapers may contain genealogical value including obituaries, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, family gatherings, family travel, achievements, business notices, engagement information, and probate court proceedings.

To access newspapers, contact public libraries, historical/genealogical societies, college or university libraries, or state archives in the area where the newspaper was published.

For information on state-wide newspapers see Pennsylvania Newspapers

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.

Obituaries

Obituaries are generally found in local newspapers where the person died. However, sometimes an obituary is found in the location from which he or she originated. To find an obituary, see the information under the Newspaper heading

Online Obituary Abstracts

PA-Roots Obituaries for Pike County, Pennsylvania.

Occupations

Indentured Servants

Periodicals

Poorhouse, Almshouse

Probate Records

Probate matters in Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy are handled by the Orphans' Court and start when the county was created. To obtain original probate records, contact the Orphan's Court in the County Courthouse.

In addition to wills and administrations, the Orphans' Court also handles: 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.

Online Probate Indexes

1683- 993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry.com — index and images $

1683-1994 Pennsylvania Probate Records 1683-1994 at FamilySearch — images

Additional Probate Indexes and Abstracts

Additional probate indexes or abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy probate wills in online catalogs like:

Historical Society of Pennsylvania
WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
Do a Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search).

Repositories

List of Pennsylvania Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical & Genealogical Societies

Courthouse

Pike County Courthouse
412 Broad Street
Milford, PA 18337
Phone: 570-296-7231

Copies of documents including birth, marriages, deaths, divorces, land, and probate records can be obtained by using: Pennsylvania Public Record. Click on the link for the record you wish to request.

Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts Office
412 Broad Street
Milford, PA 18337
Phone: 570-296-7231

Orphans' Court/Register of Wills
506 Broad Street
Milford, PA 18337
Phone: 570-296-3508

Family History Centers

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. See family history center for more information. Search the online FHC directory for a nearby family history center.

Family History Centers (FHCs) are branches of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and are located all over the world. Their goal is to provide resources for family history research.

The main FHC for Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy is the Middletown New York Family History Center. For additional nearby Family History Centers, search online in the FHC directory.

Libraries

Pike County Public Library
201 Broad Street
Milford, PA 18337
Phone: 570-296-8211

Visit website for branch locations and hours

Museums

Societies

Pike County Historical Society
608 Broad Street
Milford, PA
Phone: 570-296-8126
Email: pikemuse@ptd.net
Facebook

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

The GRSNP serves northeastern counties:

Lackawanna
Luzerne
Monroe
Pike
Susquehanna
Wayne
Wyoming

Research Guides

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. For free online access, see WeRelate.

Taxation

Vital Records

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. While the records for that time period are available, there were few events recorded. County marriage records were kept in earnest in 1885. Births and deaths, at the county level, were begun in 1893 and kept through 1905. Abstracts and copies of vital records are available for some counties, but most are incomplete. For the most complete set of records, always contact the County Orphans' Court.

Birth

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

Early births 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. See the heading Court Records on this page for contact information.

Indexes for Pennsylvania birth records are available through the Department of of Health for 1906 and 1907. Once an individual is located in the index a non certified Birth certificate can be obtained by writing and sending $3.00 to:

Division of Vital Records
ATTN: Public Records
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Marriage

Pennsylvania marriages are located at the county level. Contact the Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy clerk's office for these records.

1626-2016 - Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
1677-1950 Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950 at FamilySearch — index and images
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.
1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch — index and images

Divorce

Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary. The office of the Prothonotary is located in the courthouse building.

Death

1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry.com – $ Index with images.
1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch — index and images

Early deaths 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. See the heading Court Records on this page for contact information.

Indexes for Pennsylvania death records are available through the Department of Health for 1906 through 1962. Once an individual is located in the index a non certified death certificate can be obtained obtained by writing and sending $3.00 to:

Division of Vital Records
ATTN: Public Records
P.O. Box 1528
New Castle, PA 16103

Finding Vital Records at Other Repositories

Additional vital records can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Pike County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Vital Records in online catalogs like:

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