Union County, Pennsylvania Genealogy

Union County
	Union County, Pennsylvania
	Map
	; Location in the state of Pennsylvania
	; Location of Pennsylvania in the U.S.
	Facts
Founded	March 22, 1813
County Seat	Lewisburg
	Courthouse
Address	Union County Courthouse; 103 South Second Street; Lewisburg, PA 17837; Union County Website
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United States

Pennsylvania

Union County

Guide to Union 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
Interment		PAGravestones
PAGenWeb		Epodunk
Pennsylvania Genealogy		Access Genealogy
BillionGraves (name)
See Pennsylvania Cemeteries for more information.

Additional Cemetery Resources

Census

For tips on accessing Union 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.

Union County Pennsylvania religious denominations

Addresses for Union County Churches by USGenWeb
Linkpendium

Finding Church Records at Other Repositories

Additional church records can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Union 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).

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.

Contains the church records of:

Lewisburg: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church; St. John's United Church of Christ; United Methodist Church
Mifflinburg: St. John's United Church of Christ; United Methodist Church
New Berlin: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church; United Brethren in Christ

Lutheran and Reformed

1772-1775, 1791-1794, 1805-1825 Dreisbachs Lutheran and Reformed Church, Buffalo Valley, Baptism Index 1772-1775, 1791-1794, 1805-1825 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C507211.^[4]

Presbyterian

1841-1875 First Presbyterian Church, New Berlin, Baptism Index 1841-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C535191.^[4]

Court Records

Union County, Pennsylvania Genealogy court records are housed at the Union 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. Union County shares its judicial district with Snyder County. Judges of the Common Pleas courts are elected to 10-year terms. A president judge and a court administrator serve in each judicial district.^[5]

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.^[6] For the Union 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 Union County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Prothonotary office information.

Orphan's 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.^[7]

For Union 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 Union County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Court Records in online catalogs like:

Historical Society of Pennsylvania
WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
Do a Union 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 Union County began in 1813. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Lewisburg, 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.

The following are examples of available resources:

Online Land Records

1962 - present The Recorder of Deeds offers records since 1962 online. The index is free to view, but there is a charge to view the actual image.

Additional Resources

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 Union 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

Union County

Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
Ancestor Tracks has posted free downloadable images from the Pomeroy & Beers 1868 Atlas of Union & Snyder Counties, Pennsylvania. This atlas 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 to be used commercially. We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.
Land Owners from 1868 Atlas courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Migration

Military

Revolutionary War

Men from what is now Union County (then Northumberland County) served in the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment.^[8]

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 Union 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 Union County, Pennsylvania Genealogy naturalization in online catalogs like:

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

Newspapers

Union 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 Union County

Pennsylvania Newspapers
Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
Newspapers of Union County A PAGenWeb Project

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 Union County, Pennsylvania.

Newspaper and Obituary Excerpts and Abstracts

Lontz, Mary Belle, Central Pennsylvania Deaths and Marriages, 1771-1882 : Abstracts from Various Newspapers, Publications and Court Records Throughout the Area (Hollidaysburg, PA:Hoenstine Rental Library, 1987?) FHL book 974.8 V28L

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 Union County, Pennsylvania.

Occupations

Indentured Servants

Periodicals

Poorhouse, Almshouse

Probate Records

Probate matters in Union 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

Fisher, Charles A. Wills and Administrations of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Including Wills and Administrations of Union, Mifflin and Indiana Counties. 1950. Digital version at FamilySearch Books Online - free. Abstracts and index.

1683 - 1993 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 Union County, Pennsylvania Genealogy probate wills 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).

Repositories

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

Courthouse

Union County Courthouse
103 South Second Street
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Phone: 570-524-8751 (Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts)
Phone: 570-524-8761 (Register of Wills)
Fax: 570-524-8628
Hours 8:30–4:30

Prothonotary office is on the first floor. Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts Office

The Prothonotary is the Clerk for the Orphan's Court and the office archives all marriage and death certificates.

Register of Wills office has all estates from 1813 on microfilm.

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 Union County, Pennsylvania Genealogy is the Sunbury Pennsylvania Family History Center. For additional nearby Family History Centers, search online in the FHC directory.

Libraries

Union County Library System consists of three public libraries in Union County.

See website for libraries and locations in this system.

Herr Memorial Library
500 Market Street
Mifflinburg, PA 17844
Phone: 570-966-0831
Email: herr@herrlibrary.org

The Herr Memorial Library's Robert K. Strunk Room houses the library’s “Pennsylvania Collection", which includes material about Union County families, churches, school and histories on old family names.

Museums

New Berlin Heritage Association
400 Market Street
PO Box 223
New Berlin, PA 17855
Phone: 570-966-1783
Email: diane45@dejazzd.com
Facebook

Societies

Union County Historical Society (UCHS)
Union County Court House
South Second & St. Louis Streets
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Phone: 570-524-8666
Fax: 570-524-8743
Email: hstoricl@ptd.net
Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM-12:00 PM; 1:00 PM-4:30 PM

The UCHS has a library holding a wide variety of research material including historical research items; a large collection of newspapers dating from 1834; tax, census, marriage, cemetery records. The library is also in close proximity to the courthouse records.

Services and fees

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

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 Union 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 – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties.
1725-1976 Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940 - free index. Not complete for all years. This index is an electronic database of information. The entries are primarily from the International Genealogical Index (IGI) along with some entries derived from compiled and original records such as: Family Records, Church Records, Civil Registration. It may also include indexes generated by the internet indexing project sponsored by the LDS Church.
Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry.com – ($) 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.
1852-1976 Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940 - free index. Not complete for all years.
1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch — index and images
Clerk of Courts
Union County Courthouse
103 South Second Street
First Floor
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Phone: 570-524-8751
Fax: 570-524-8628

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