Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Westmoreland 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 county of Westmorland, England. The county is located in the southwestern area of the state. [2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Westmoreland County Courthouse
2 N. Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: 724-830-3826
Clerk of Courts: 724-830-3734
Prothonotary: 724-830-3502
Clerk of Orphans' Court: 724-830-3177
Register of Wills: 724-830-3177
Westmoreland County Website
County Clerk and Orphans' Court has birth records from 1893-1905, marriage records from 1893, birth, marriage, and death records from 1852-1855, and estate and probate records from 1773, Orphans' Court records from 1773 to present
Prothonotary Office has divorce records
Clerk of Courts has court records
Register of Deeds has land records[3]
Westmoreland 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 | 1893 | bef 1906 | 1773 | 1773 | 1800 | 1790 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
Note: The lands of Westmoreland County were claimed by both Virginia and Pennsylvania. A compromise extending the 1767 Mason-Dixon Line was proposed 31 August 1779, ratified by Pennsylvania 19 November 1779 and by Virginia 23 September 1780, and physically run and marked 23 August 1785.[7] Several counties were set off over the years.[8]
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:[9]
Cities | ||
Boroughs | ||
Unincorporated communities | ||
Census-designated places | ||
Townships | ||
Historic communities | ||
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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]
- 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($)
- The Mennonite Heritage Center
565 Yoder Road
Harleysville PA 19438-1020
215-256-3020
library@mhep.org
Hours: Tuesday thru Friday, 10am–5pm, Saturday, 10am -2pm
The Cemetery Database at the Mennonite Heritage Center includes 86,000 burial records from 125 local cemeteries. Records cover cemeteries in the counties of Berks, Bucks, Butler, Chester, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Westmoreland. The database provides transcriptions from Mennonite, Brethren, Lutheran, Reformed, Union, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, community, and private cemeteries. Search the list of cemeteries and the alphabetical surname lists in Adobe PDF format.
Visit the Mennonite Heritage Center to search the cemetery database by various criteria. The transcriptions are available for further research at the MHC library.
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± |
1790 | 16,019 | — |
1800 | 22,726 | 41.9% |
1810 | 26,392 | 16.1% |
1820 | 30,540 | 15.7% |
1830 | 38,400 | 25.7% |
1840 | 42,699 | 11.2% |
1850 | 51,726 | 21.1% |
1860 | 53,736 | 3.9% |
1870 | 58,719 | 9.3% |
1880 | 78,036 | 32.9% |
1890 | 112,819 | 44.6% |
1900 | 160,175 | 42.0% |
1910 | 231,304 | 44.4% |
1920 | 273,568 | 18.3% |
1930 | 294,995 | 7.8% |
1940 | 303,411 | 2.9% |
1950 | 313,179 | 3.2% |
1960 | 352,629 | 12.6% |
1970 | 376,935 | 6.9% |
1980 | 392,294 | 4.1% |
1990 | 370,321 | −5.6% |
2000 | 369,993 | −0.1% |
2010 | 365,169 | −1.3% |
Source: "Wikipedia.org". |
- 1783 Returns of Taxables for the Counties of Bedford (1773 to 1784), Huntingdon (1788), Westmoreland (1783, 1786), Fayette (1785, 1786), Allegheny (1791), Washington (1786) and Census of Bedford (1784) and Westmoreland (1783) (Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3, Vol. 22). Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Google Books
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 Westmoreland County Historical Society's library has church records and histories. You can look at them at their library for free if you are a member or for a minimal fee if you are not. Check their webpage for current prices. You can also have research in the records by mail. Instructions are under "Genealogy and Research" on their Internet site.
Catholic
- 1843 -1943 "100 years of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese 1843–1943". Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Quarterly, 17:1. FamilySearch Library book 974.8 B2wg. Contains chronology, map, county-by-county information.
Lutheran
First Lutheran Church, Greensburg
- 1792-1854 First Lutheran Church, Greensburg, Baptism Index 1792-1854 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504761[10]
- 1792 -1753 Births, Baptisms of the First Lutheran Church, Westmoreland County, Greensburg, Pennsylvania at Ancestry $
Hoffman's or Hope Lutheran Church, Smithton
- 1813-1875 Hoffman's or Hope Lutheran Church, Smithton, Baptism Index 1813-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C505411.
St. John's Lutheran and Reformed Churches, Mt. Pleasant Township
- 1782-1860 St. John's Lutheran and Reformed Churches, Mt. Pleasant Township, Baptism Index 1782-1860 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C505371.
St. John's Lutheran Middle Church, Mt. Pleasant
- 1821-1875 St. John's Lutheran Middle Church, Mt. Pleasant, Baptism Index 1821-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C505351.
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hempfield Township
- 1822-1875 St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hempfield Township, Baptism Index 1822-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504981.
Presbyterian
Congruity Presbyterian Church, Salem Township
- 1827-1875 Congruity Presbyterian Church, Salem Township, Baptism Index 1827-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504911.
- 1828-1880 Congruity Presbyterian Church, Salem Township, Baptism Index 1828-1880 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M504911.
Unity Presbyterian Church, Unity Township
- Inscriptions of the Unity Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Unity Township, Westmoreland County, PA. at Ancestry $
Reformed
Harrolds Reformed Church, Hempfield Township
- 1782-1875 Harrolds Reformed Church, Hempfield Township, Baptism Index 1782-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504771.
St. John's Lutheran and Reformed Churches, Mt. Pleasant Township
- 1782-1860 St. John's Lutheran and Reformed Churches, Mt. Pleasant Township, Baptism Index 1782-1860 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C505371.
St. John's Reformed Middle Church, Mt. Pleasant
- 1860-1875 St. John's Reformed Middle Church, Mt. Pleasant, Baptism Index 1860-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C505361.
St. Paul Reformed Church, Hempfield Township
- 1821-1875 St. Paul Reformed Church, Hempfield Township, Baptism Index 1821-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504991.
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.
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.
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 Westmoreland County began in 1773. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. If your ancestor lived in the area which became Westmoreland County, they may have filed land claims with Virginia when the area was known as the District of West Augusta.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1773-1886 Deeds and Index FHL film 929096 (first of 114 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1850-present The Recorder of Deeds offers online access to land records. The online indexes are free but fees apply for copies.

Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. 1882. Edited by George Dallas Albert. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : L.H. Everts. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. 3 volumes. 1906. By John Newton Boucher and John W. Jordan. New York, New York : Lewis Pub. Co. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 3 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat). Volumes 2-3 are biographical sketches compiled under the editorial supervision of John W. Jordan.
- Old and New Westmoreland. 4 volumes. 1918. By John Newton Boucher and Fenwick Y. Hedley. New York, New York : American Historical Society. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 3 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 4 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Vol. 1 - Google Books, Vol. 3 - Google Books, Vol. 4 - Google Books; At various libraries (WorldCat). Added title and author in vol. 3-4: Genealogical and personal history under editorial supervision of Capt. Fenwick Y. Hedley. Vols. 3-4 edited by Capt. Fenwick Y. Hedley. Indexes included in vol. 2 and 4.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Ancestor Tracks has posted free downloadable images from the Map of Westmoreland Co. Pennsylvania from Actual Surveys by D.J. Lake & N.S. Ames, published by Wm. J. Barker in 1857
- Ancestor Tracks also has an Atlas of the Township Warrantee Maps of Westmoreland County and a Companion Scans of Township Warrantee Maps plus Current Road Overlay CD ($). They show precise outlines in metes and bounds of each original tract and all surrounding tracts in each 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 each recorded patent.
- The 1867 Atlas of Westmoreland County has been posted at USGenWeb Digital Map Library.
- Westmoreland County Maps courtesy USGenWeb Archives which have the following:
1867 Atlas
1872 Outline Map
United States Geological Survey Township Map - FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Revolutionary War
Local men served in the Westmoreland County Militia. A guide at the Pennsylvania State Archives website identifies townships where specific companies recruited soldiers, see Revolutionary War Militia Battalions and Companies, Arranged by County.
Westmoreland County men also served in the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment,[12] the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment[13] and the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment.[14]
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
- 1740-1773 Pennsylvania Naturalizations, 1740-1773 on Ancestry $
- 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 $
- 1886-1903 Declarations of intention, 1886-1903, FHL film 1316370 Items 4-5 and film 1316371 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
1802-1907 Naturalization docket (Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania), 1802-1907; index, 1858, 1870, 1881-1896, FHL film 1316370 Item 3 (first of 4 films) - images only +++
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 Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County, Pennsvylvania.
- Death Notices Westmoreland County, Pennsvylvania Genealogy Project
Newspaper Excerpts and Abstracts
- Original research and additions by Della Reagan Fischer; compiled and typed by William L. Iscrupe, Marriage and Death Notices from Weekly Newspapers, 1818-1865, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Volume 1 (Laughlintown, PA:Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogical Services, c1977) FHL film 844896 item 2; book 974.881 B3f, 1977
- Originally compiled by Della R. Fischer, Death Notices from Weekly Newspapers, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 1866-1900 (Laughlintown, PA:Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogical Services, c1983) At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 974.881 V4f
- Collected and arranged by Carmella Corcetti Shirley, Marriages & Anniversaries Taken from the Leader Times Newspapers, 1922-1962-1997-1998-1999-2001 & the Vandergrift News, 1997-1998-1999-2001 (Chicora, Pennsylvania:Mechling Bookbindery, c2002) FHL film 2401877 item 8; book 974.88 V2sc
- 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 Westmoreland County, PA.
- Obituaries Westmoreland County, PA Genealogy Project
- Obituary Index created from their collection of obituaries of the years of individuals who resided in or had connections to Westmoreland County. Courtesy of Baltzer Meyer Historical Society.
- Westmoreland County Obituaries courtesy USGenWeb Archives
Obituary Excerpts and Abstracts
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch
- Compiled by Yvonne L. Blair Morgan, Index of Census, Newspaper Obituary Files and Microfilm:Fayette, Green, Washington and Westmoreland Counties (Apollo, Pennsylvania:Closson Press, c2003) At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 974.88 V42m
- Copied by Della Reagan Fischer, Pa. Argus Marriages and Deaths, 10-17-1900 - 03-04 and 05 Tribune - Review newspaper office, Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pa., copied from micro-film 2285, 2509 (McKeesport, PA:Fischer, 1976) FHL fiche 6099933; book 974.881/G1 V4f
- Compiled by Della Reagan Fischer, 7491 Death Notices, 1866-1900 Old Newspapers, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Copied from Microfilms, the Tribune-Review Newspaper Office, Greensburg, Pa (1969) FHL film 1036655 item 2; book 974.881 V23f
- Compiled by Carmella Corcetti Shirley, Obituary Extractions Taken from The Vandergrift News, Vandergrift, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, 1992-1996 (S.I.:C.C. Shirley, 1996?, c2002) FHL fiche 6006540 and 6006660; book 974.881 V1 V48s volume 1 and 2
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Westmoreland 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
- 1773-1917 Westmoreland County Probate Records
- 1773-1917 Wills, includes Index 1773 -1918. FHL film 1316409–1316417 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- Westmoreland County Wills and Estate Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives
School Records[edit | edit source]
- Teachers Montly Reports of Independent School #3, Derry District, 1872-1877
- New Kensington High Graduates, 1921
- Mineral Villa School, Smithton, 1895/1896
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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
- 1783, 1786 Returns of Taxables for the Counties of Bedford (1773 to 1784), Huntingdon (1788), Westmoreland (1783, 1786), Fayette (1785, 1786), Allegheny (1791), Washington (1786) and Census of Bedford (1784) and Westmoreland (1783) (Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3, Vol. 22). Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Google Books
- 1798 Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 at Ancestry ($).
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.
- 1782-1930 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 $
The Register of Wills have incomplete birth records from 1852 to 1855 and complete records 1893 to 1905.
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Westmoreland 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 – 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.
The Register of Wills has incomplete marriage records from 1852 to 1855 and complete records 1885 to the present. In May 2012, the Register of Wills of the Orphan Court discovered marriages performed by District Judge, Raymond Tubbs from 1974 to 1989 had not been filed. This office is now trying to reconstruct the marriages.
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 $
- 1852-1853 Westmoreland County Death Registrations courtesy USGenWeb Archives
- 1893-1906 Westmoreland County Death Index 1893-1906 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[15] See link in endnotes for batch numbers.
The Register of Wills has incomplete death records from 1852 to 1855 and complete records 1893 to 1905.
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 Westmoreland 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 Affiliate Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Westmoreland County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
- List of WLN Member Libraries
WLN consists of 25 public libraries in Westmoreland County. Each library has access to genealogical databases - especially newspaper sites. Many are accessible with your library card from home.
website includes list of WLN member libraries
- Greensburg Hempfield Area Library
237 South Pennsylvania Ave.
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: 724-837-5620
website
- The Genealogy and Local History Resources web page lists their holdings. Their microfilmed newspapers for the area include dates from 1832 to the present. They also have censuses.
Museums[edit | edit source]
- Compass Inn Museum
1382 US Route 30
PO Box 167
Laughlintown, PA 15655
Phone: 724-238-4983
Email: jkoontz@compassinn.com
Facebook
website
- The Museum is run by the Ligonier Valley Historical Society. They have costumed docents throughout a small area including a barn, blacksmith shop and cookhouse.
- West Overton Museums
109 Overton Rd
PO Box 3
Scottdale, PA 15683
Phone: 724-887-7910
Email: info@westovertonmuseums.org
website
The museum is built around Henry Overholt distilling industry. Henry Clay Frick, a grandson of Henry Overholt, grew up around West Overton.
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Westmoreland County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
- Westmoreland County Historical Society
362 Sand Hill Road, Suite 1
Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: 724-532-1935
Fax: 724-532-1938
Email: history@westmorelandhistory.org
website
- Historical Society Members: No charge for using library
- You may schedule research consultation with their researcher in advance.
- The focus of the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society is the 26 counties west of Centre County. The Society is based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and maintains its library and offices in the Pennsylvania Department of the Carnegie Library. The WPGS Library collection is complemented and augmented by the Pennsylvania Department's enormous holdings of local and family history information. It has extensive onsite resources for both in-library research, and out-of-town queries.
- Baltzer Meyer Historical Society
642 Baltzer Meyer Pike
Greensburg, PA 15601-9711
Phone: 724-836-6915
Email: baltzermeyer@juno.com
website
This society was founded in 1993 to preserve and study the history of Westmoreland families as well as those in Southwestern Pennsylvania. They maintain a library in a former church and a museum in a schoolhouse, and publish books.
Research services
Cemetery look-ups
- The Ligonier Valley Historical Society
1382 US Route 30
PO Box 167
Laughlintown, PA 15655
Phone: 724-238-4983
Email: jkoontz@compassinn.com
website
The Society's mission revolves around the history of the Lignoier Valley area. They maintain a records and document room. Also, they maintain the Compass Inn Museum.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb project.Westmoreland County. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- An early history of the county published in 1906 and biographical sketches of early residents can be found in this transcription project: Westmoreland County History.
- Westmoreland 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/Westmoreland_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/12/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002), p. 593.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), [FHL book 973 D27e 2002].
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westmoreland_County%2C_Pennsylvania, accessed 5 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
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "8th Pennsylvania Regiment," http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8th_Pennsylvania_Regiment, accessed 31 May 2012.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "9th Pennsylvania Regiment," http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9th_Pennsylvania_Regiment, accessed 31 May 2012.
- ↑ 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.