Tioga County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Tioga 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 for the Tioga River. It is located in the northcentral area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Tioga County Courthouse
118 Main Street
Wellsboro, PA 16901
Telephone: 570-723-8191
Clerk of Orphans Court: 570-724-9260
Protonotary Court: 570-724-9281
Tioga County Website
Registrar and recorder has birth and death records from 1893-1905, marriage records from 1885, probate records from 1806, land records from 1807, and military records from 1868
Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts has divorce and court records from 1813 and naturalization records from 1818[3]
Tioga 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 | 1813 | 1807 | 1806 | 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 URL HomeTown Locator]. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[7]
Boroughs | ||
Census-designated places | ||
Townships | ||
Ghost towns | ||
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
- ca.1700-ca.1950 - Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, ca. 1700-ca. 1950 at FamilySearch — index and images
- PA-Roots
- Names in Stone
- Ancestry($)
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± |
1810 | 1,687 | — |
1820 | 4,021 | 138.4% |
1830 | 8,978 | 123.3% |
1840 | 15,498 | 72.6% |
1850 | 23,987 | 54.8% |
1860 | 31,044 | 29.4% |
1870 | 35,097 | 13.1% |
1880 | 45,814 | 30.5% |
1890 | 52,313 | 14.2% |
1900 | 49,086 | −6.2% |
1910 | 42,829 | −12.7% |
1920 | 37,118 | −13.3% |
1930 | 31,871 | −14.1% |
1940 | 35,004 | 9.8% |
1950 | 35,474 | 1.3% |
1960 | 36,614 | 3.2% |
1970 | 39,691 | 8.4% |
1980 | 40,973 | 3.2% |
1990 | 41,126 | 0.4% |
2000 | 41,372 | 0.6% |
2010 | 41,981 | 1.5% |
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.
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 records of:
- Arnot: Arnot Presbyterian Church
- Ash Brook: Ash Brook/Pine Creek Baptist Missionary Society
- Mansfield: First Baptist Church; First United Methodist Church; St. James Episcopal Church
- Millerton: United Methodist Church
- Wellsboro: First Presbyterian Church; United Methodist Church
- Whitneyville: United Methodist Church
Lutheran
Salem Lutheran Church, Hartsfield
- 1831-1858 Salem Lutheran Church, Hartsfield, Baptism Index 1831-1858 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C507021.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sebring
- 1837-1871 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sebring, Baptism Index 1837-1871 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C507031.
- 1838-1846, 1871 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sebring, Marriage Index 1838-1846, 1871 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M507031.
Presbyterian
First Presbyterian Church, Elkland
- 1834-1842, 1852-1870 First Presbyterian Church, Elkland, Baptism Index 1834-1842 and 1852-1870 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C538681[8]
First Presbyterian Church, Fallbrook
- 1861-1875 First Presbyterian Church, Fallbrook, Baptism Index 1861-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C524371.
- 1861-1874 First Presbyterian Church, Fallbrook, Marriage Index 1861-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M524371.
Presbyterian Church of Farmington
- 1847-1885 Presbyterian Church of Farmington, Baptism Index 1847-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C530841.
Presbyterian Church, Lawrenceville
- 1885 Presbyterian Church, Lawrenceville, Baptism Index 1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C538711.
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.
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.[9]
All the records for the Orphan's court are handled by the Prothonotary, who is also the clerk of the courts. All the Orphan's Court records are open except adoptions.[10]
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 Tioga County began in 1806. These records are filed with the Register and Recorder office in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1806 - present Images are available on-line from 1806 to the present using the Landex system. There is a fee to view the images.
Note that the "Maps" section below also includes maps related to land ownership.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania. 1883. New York, New York : W.W. Munsell. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive.
- History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania. 1897. Harrisburg : R.C. Brown. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- An Outline History of Tioga and Bradford Counties in Pennsylvania. 1885. By John L. Sexton. Elmira, New York : Gazette Co. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Google Books. Title also known as History of Seven Counties.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks has posted free downloadable images from the County Atlas of Tioga, Pennsylvania from Recent and Actual Surveys and Records under the Superintendence of G.H. Walker and C.F. Jewett (published by F.W. Beers and Company, 1875). This atlas found in the files of 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 to be used commercially. We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
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
- 1795-1990 Tioga County: Abstracts of Naturalization Records on Tri-Counties genealogy & History website, index and abstracts.
- 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 Tioga County
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
- Newspapers of the Area
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.
- Tioga County, PA newspapers at the State Library of Pennsylvania: Historic Newspapers Collection.
- Newspaper Archives of the Green Free Library containing a number of newspapers covering Tioga, Bradford and Wellsboro.
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- Tioga county Newspaper Abstracts A very large collection of abstracts from newspapers of the early, mid and late nineteenth century.
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Tioga County, Pennsylvania.
Newspaper and Obituary Excerpts and Abstracts
- Collected and compiled by Rhoda E. Ladd, Tioga County Pennsylvania Records, Newspaper File (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania:R.E. Ladd, 1981) FHL book 974.856 V2L4 volumes 1 - 9
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
- Tioga County Obituary Abstracts including many thousands of transcribed newspaper clippings.
- PA-roots Obituaries for Tioga County, Pennsylvania.
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Tioga 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 $
- 1683-1994 Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 at FamilySearch
- 1832-1886 Tioga County Probate Records
- 1832-1886 Probate Docket with Index (1806 -1934) FHL film 1287351–1287352 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
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]
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 Tioga 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 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 $
- 1838-1976 Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940 index. Not complete for all years.
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1885-1926 Wellsboro, Tioga County, Marriage Index 1885-1926 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[11]
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 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.
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch
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 $
- 1890-1906 Tioga County Death Index 1890-1906 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[12]
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary. The office of the Prothonotary is located in the courthouse building.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Tioga 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
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 Tioga County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
- The Green Free Library
134 Main St.
Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: 570-724-4876
Fax: 570-724-7605
Email: greenlib@epix.net
Visit Website for hours and services.
Resources include history books, cemetery inscriptions, vital record abstracts, and historical newspapers.
With a library card or in person you will have access to Heritage Quest. Also, through the library's website, Newspaper Archives of local newspapers may be accessed. - Knoxville Public Library
112 E. Main St.
PO Box 277
Knoxville, PA 16928
Phone: 814-326-4448
Email: kplibrary@verizon.net
Visit Website for hours and services.
This library maintains an extensive genealogical section.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Tioga County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
- Tioga County Historical Society
120 Main St
Box 724
Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: 570-724-6116
E-mail: tiogachs@gmail.com
Hours: Monday through Friday: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM (phone for current available hours)
The society runs the Rhoda Ladd Genealogical Library. There are several books of newspaper clippings, cemetery burials, bibles records, census data, and more.[13]
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- Tioga County PA Genealogy
- Tri-Counties Genealogy and History
- 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/Tioga_County,_Pennsylvania 2/12/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002), p. 592.
- ↑ 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, "Tioga County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tioga_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 3 February 2020.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/2/20/Igipennsylvaniat.pdf.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
- ↑ Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, Clerk of Orphans' Court
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/2/20/Igipennsylvaniat.pdf.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/2/20/Igipennsylvaniat.pdf.
- ↑ The Tri-Counties Genealogy and History internet page providing information for the Tioga County Historical Society is provided by an individual and is not an official site.