Difference between revisions of "Butler County, Pennsylvania Genealogy"

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−	[[United States]][[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Butler County'''	+	{{breadcrumb
		+	| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
		+	| link2=[[Pennsylvania Genealogy|Pennsylvania]]
		+	| link3=
		+	| link4=
		+	| link5=[[Butler County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Butler County]]
		+	}}
		+	Guide to '''Butler 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.
		+	{{Click|Image:PA_ORP.png|Pennsylvania Online Genealogy Records}}
	{{Infobox U.S. County		{{Infobox U.S. County
	| county = Butler County		| county = Butler County
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	| founded year = 1800		| founded year = 1800
	| founded date = March 12		| founded date = March 12
−	| seat wl = Butler	+	| seat = Butler
	| building image = Butler County, Pennsylvania Courthouse.jpg		| building image = Butler County, Pennsylvania Courthouse.jpg
	| building address = Butler County Courthouse<br>124 W. Diamond St.<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>[http://www.co.butler.pa.us/ Butler County Website]		| building address = Butler County Courthouse<br>124 W. Diamond St.<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>[http://www.co.butler.pa.us/ Butler County Website]
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	}}		}}
−	== Historical Facts  ==	+	=== Butler County Pennsylvania Historical Facts  ===
−	{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="2"	+	{| width="70%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="2"
	|-		|-
	| width="100%" bgcolor="#cccc99" align="center" colspan="6" | '''Beginning dates for major county records'''		| width="100%" bgcolor="#cccc99" align="center" colspan="6" | '''Beginning dates for major county records'''
	|-		|-
−	| width="20%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Butler County, Pennsylvania#Birth|Birth]]'''</center>	+	| width="20%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Butler County, Pennsylvania#Births|Birth]]'''</center>
−	| width="20%" valign="middle" align="center" | <center>'''[[Butler County, Pennsylvania#Marriage|Marriage]]'''</center>	+	| width="20%" valign="middle" align="center" | <center>'''[[Butler County, Pennsylvania#Marriages|Marriage]]'''</center>
−	| width="20%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Butler County, Pennsylvania#Death|Death]]'''</center>	+	| width="20%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Butler County, Pennsylvania#Deaths|Death]]'''</center>
−	| width="20%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Butler County, Pennsylvania#Deeds|Deeds]]'''</center>	+	| width="20%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Butler County, Pennsylvania#Land_and_Property|Land]]'''</center>
	| width="20%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Butler County, Pennsylvania#Probate_Records|Probate]]'''</center>		| width="20%" valign="middle" | <center>'''[[Butler County, Pennsylvania#Probate_Records|Probate]]'''</center>
	|-		|-
Line 31:		Line 39:
	| width="20%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px" | <center>1885</center>		| width="20%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px" | <center>1885</center>
	| width="20%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px" | <center>1893</center>		| width="20%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px" | <center>1893</center>
−	| width="20%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px" | <center>1804</center>	+	| width="20%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px" | <center>1800</center>
−	| width="20%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px" | <center>1804</center>	+	| width="20%" valign="middle" style="height: 25px" | <center>1800</center>
	|}		|}
−	*'''Parent Counties''': Formed from [[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny]] County 12 March 1800.<ref name="HBG">[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50140092&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;referer=brief_results ''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.''] (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), [FHL book 973 D27e 2002].</ref>	+	*'''Parent Counties''': Formed from [[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Allegheny]] County 12 March 1800.<ref name="HBG">[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50140092 ''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.''] (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), [FHL book 973 D27e 2002].</ref>
−	*'''County Seat:''' Butler<br>
−	*'''Neighboring Counties''': {{PAGENAME}}&nbsp;'''residents''' may also have records in <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Adams County, Pennsylvania" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adams_County,_Pennsylvania (accessed 17 July 2012).</ref>[[Venango County, Pennsylvania|Venango]] (north){{•}}[[Armstrong County, Pennsylvania|Armstrong]] (east){{•}}[[Lawrence County, Pennsylvania|Lawrence]] (west){{•}}[[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny]] (south) {{•}} [[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Westmoreland]] (southeast) {{•}} [[Beaver County, Pennsylvania|Beaver]] (southwest) {{•}} [[Mercer County, Pennsylvania|Mercer]] (northwest) {{•}} [[Clarion County, Pennsylvania|Clarion]] (northeast)
−	<br>	+	*'''County Seat:''' Butler
−	==== Boundary Changes<ref name="PaLine">[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/21353742&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;referer=brief_results ''Pennsylvania line : a research guide to Pennsylvania genealogy and local history, 1990 ed.''] (Laughlintown, Pa.: Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogical Services, 1990), [FHL book 974.8 D27p 1990]. </ref>  ====	+	*'''Neighboring Counties''':
−	*'''Before 1788:''' Butler County was part of [[Northumberland County, Pennsylvania|Northumberland]] County.	+	:*[[Venango County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Venango]]
−	*'''1788:''' [[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny]] County (including future Butler County) was created from [[Northumberland County, Pennsylvania|Northumberland]] County.	+	:*[[Armstrong County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Armstrong]]
		+	:*[[Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Lawrence]]
		+	:*[[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Allegheny]]
		+	:*[[Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Westmoreland]]
		+	:*[[Beaver County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Beaver]]
		+	:*[[Mercer County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Mercer]]
		+	:*[[Clarion County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Clarion]]
−	<br>	+	=== Description ===
−	<br>	+	It is named after General Richard Butler, a hero of the American Revolution.  It's county seat is Butler. It was organized March 12, 1800.  It is located in the West central section of the state.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/1/2017</ref>
−	== Resources ==	+	==== Boundary Changes ====
−	==== Bible Records  ====	+	*'''Before 1783:''' Butler County was part of [[Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Northumberland]] County.
		+	*'''1783:''' [[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Allegheny]] County (including future Butler County) was created from [[Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Northumberland]] County.<br>
		+	</div>
		+	For animated maps illustrating Pennsylvania county boundary changes, [http://www.mapofus.org/pennsylvania/ "Rotating Formation Pennsylvania County Boundary Maps"] (1673-1878) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.
−	==== Cemeteries ====	+	==== Records Loss ====
		+	There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
−	Cemetery records often reveal birth, marriage, death, relationship, military, and religious information.	+	== Butler County Pennsylvania Genealogy Resources  ==
−	{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" border="1" width="85%"	+	==== Bible Records  ====
−	|-
−	| bgcolor="#FFFF99" align="center" width="31%" | '''Online Grave Transcripts'''
−	| bgcolor="DBBFF7" align="center" width="31%" | '''Published Grave Transcripts'''
−	| bgcolor="DBEADC" align="center" | '''County Cemetery Directories'''
−	|-
−	| bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GSfn=&GSmn=&GSln=&GSbyrel=all&GSby=&GSdyrel=all&GSdy=&GScntry=4&GSst=40&GScnty=2250&GSgrid=&df=all&GSob=n Findagrave.com]
−	| bgcolor="#EDDFFB" |
−	{{FHL|487099|subject-id|disp=Family History Library}}
−	| bgcolor="E9F1EA" |	+	==== Cemeteries  ====
−	[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=csr&CScn=&CScntry=4&CSst=40&CScnty=2250 Findagrave.com]
		+	{| width="80%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" border="1"
	|-		|-
−	| bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [http://www.interment.net/us/pa/butler.htm Interment.net]	+	| width="30%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" align="center" | '''Tombstone Transcriptions Online'''
−	| bgcolor="#EDDFFB" |	+	| width="30%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" align="center" | '''Tombstone Transcriptions in Print'''
−	[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=su%3ACemeteries+Pennsylvania+Butler+County.&qt=hot_subject WorldCat]	+	| width="30%" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" align="center" | '''List of Cemeteries in the county'''
−
−	| bgcolor="E9F1EA" |
−	[http://www.namesinstone.com/CemeteryList.aspx Names in Stone]
−
	|-		|-
−	| bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [http://usgwarchives.net/pa/butlerz.html USGenWeb-transcripts]	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial Findagrave.com]
−	| bgcolor="#EDDFFB" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | {{FHL|487099|subject-id|disp=Family History Library}}
−	| bgcolor="E9F1EA" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery-browse/USA/Pennsylvania/Butler-County?id=county_2250 Findagrave.com]
−	[http://billiongraves.com/pages/search/index.php#cemetery Billion Graves]
−
	|-		|-
−	| bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [http://pennsylvania-genealogy.net/Butler-County-Cemetery-Records.cfm Pennsylvania Genealogy]	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [http://pennsylvania.hometownlocator.com/features/cultural,class,cemetery,scfips,42019.cfm PA Cemeteries]
−	| bgcolor="#EDDFFB" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=su%3ACemeteries+Pennsylvania+Butler+County.&qt=hot_subject WorldCat]
−	| bgcolor="E9F1EA" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [https://billiongraves.com/search/cemetery BillionGraves]
−	[http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/localList.php?local=13670&locTGroup=Cemeteries&direction=down&sec=0&qty=45&stateAbbv=&stateName= Epodunk]
−
	|-		|-
−	| bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [http://www.pennsylvaniagravestones.org/cemeteries.php Pennsylvania Gravestones]	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [http://usgwarchives.net/pa/butlerz.html PAGenWeb Archives]
−	| bgcolor="#EDDFFB" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" |
−	| bgcolor="E9F1EA" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [http://www.linkpendium.com/butler-pa-genealogy/ Linkpendium]
	|-		|-
−	| bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [http://billiongraves.com/pages/search/index.php#cemetery Billion Graves]	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/butler/tombstones/tombstone-page.htm Tombstone Photos]
−	| bgcolor="#EDDFFB" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" |
−	| bgcolor="E9F1EA" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [http://www.pennsylvaniagravestones.org/cemeteries.php?selected_cid=10 PAGravestones]
	|-		|-
−	| bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [http://www.namesinstone.com/CemeteryList.aspx#results Names in Stone]	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [http://www.pa-roots.org/data/list.php?158 PA-Roots]
−	| bgcolor="#EDDFFB" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" |
−	| bgcolor="E9F1EA" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/localList.php?local=13670&locTGroup=Cemeteries&direction=down&sec=0&qty=45&stateAbbv=&stateName= Epodunk]
	|-		|-
−	| bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [http://www.accessgenealogy.com/cemetery/pennsylvania/butler_county.htm Access Genealogy]	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [https://billiongraves.com/search# BillionGraves (name)]
−	| bgcolor="#EDDFFB" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" |
−	| bgcolor="E9F1EA" |	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" | [http://www.interment.net/us/pa/butler.htm Interment]
	|-		|-
−	| bgcolor="#ffffcc" | [http://search.ancestry.com/Places/US/Pennsylvania/Butler/Default.aspx Ancestry($)]	+	| bgcolor="#F0F0F0" colspan="3" | See [[Pennsylvania Cemeteries|Pennsylvania Cemeteries]] for more information.
−	| bgcolor="#EDDFFB" |
−	| bgcolor="E9F1EA" |
−	|-
−	| bgcolor="#ffffcc" | <br>
−	| bgcolor="#EDDFFB" |
−	| bgcolor="E9F1EA" |
−	|-
−	| colspan="3" | See [[Pennsylvania Cemeteries|Pennsylvania Cemeteries]] for more information.
	|}		|}
		+	''Additional Cemetery Resources''
−	<br> [http://www.mhep.org/index.php The Mennonite Heritage Center]<br>565 Yoder Road<br>Harleysville PA 19438-1020<br>215-256-3020<br>[mailto:library@mhep.org library@mhep.org]<br>Hours: Tuesday thru Friday, 10am–5pm, Saturday, 10am–2pm<br><br>The [http://www.mhep.org/index.php?id_pag=46 Cemetery Database] at the Mennonite Heritage Center includes 86,000 burial records from 125 local cemeteries.&nbsp;&nbsp;Records cover cemeteries in the counties of Berks, Bucks, Butler, Chester, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Westmoreland. The database provides transcriptions from Mennonite, Brethren, Lutheran, Reformed, Union, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, community, and private cemeteries. Search the list of cemeteries and the alphabetical surname lists in Adobe PDF format.<br><br>Visit the Mennonite Heritage Center to search the cemetery database by various criteria. The transcriptions are available for further research at the MHC library.	+	*[http://www.butlerhistory.com Butler History]
		+	*[http://ldsgenealogy.com/PA/Butler-County-Cemetery-Records.htm Pennsylvania Genealogy]
		+	*[http://www.namesinstone.com/CemeteryList.aspx#results Names in Stone]
		+	*[http://search.ancestry.com/Places/US/Pennsylvania/Butler/Default.aspx Ancestry($)]
		+	*The [http://www.mhep.org/index.php?id_pag=46 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.<br>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  ====		==== Census  ====
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	==== Church Records  ====		==== Church Records  ====
−	{{PAChurch2}} [[Image:Butler county pennsylvania churches.png|thumb|right|400px|Butler county pennsylvania churches.png]] {{PAChurch1|Butler|487580}}	+	{{PAChurch2}} [[Image:Butler county pennsylvania churches.png|thumb|right|300px|Butler county pennsylvania churches.png]] {{PAChurch1|Butler|487580}}
	===== County-wide Database - Multi-denominational  =====		===== County-wide Database - Multi-denominational  =====
−	:*'''1708-1985''' - [http://hsp.org/collections/catalogs-research-tools/members-only-database Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985] at [http://hsp.org/ Historical Society of Pennsylvania] – $, free to members of the society; Also available at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2451 Ancestry.com] – $; 7,542,774 entries. ''This database is incomplete for all counties.''	+	:*'''1708-1985''' - [http://hsp.org/collections/catalogs-research-tools/members-only-database Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985] at [http://hsp.org/ Historical Society of Pennsylvania] – $, free to members of the society; Also available at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2451 Ancestry.com] – $; 7,542,774 entries. ''This database is incomplete for all counties.''
−	::Contains church records of:	+	::Contains church records of:
−	::*Butler: Covenant United Presbyterian Church; First United Methodist Church; Grace Lutheran Church; St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church; St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church	+	::*Butler: Covenant United Presbyterian Church; First United Methodist Church; Grace Lutheran Church; St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church; St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church
−	::*Cranberry: Dutilh United Methodist Church	+	::*Cranberry: Dutilh United Methodist Church
−	::*Evans: Evans City Methodist Church	+	::*Evans: Evans City Methodist Church
−	::*Harmony: Grace Reformed Church	+	::*Harmony: Grace Reformed Church
−	::*Harrisville: Harmony United Presbyterian Church	+	::*Harrisville: Harmony United Presbyterian Church
−	::*Portersville: First Presbyterian Church	+	::*Portersville: First Presbyterian Church
−	::*Slippery Rock: Center United Presbyterian Church; Highland United Presbyterian Church	+	::*Slippery Rock: Center United Presbyterian Church; Highland United Presbyterian Church
	::*Summit: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church		::*Summit: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
−	:*The [http://www.butlerhistory.com/genealogy.htm Butler County Historical Society] has various church records available for use in their research library. Call ahead to be sure the genealogist is available.	+	:*The [http://www.butlerhistory.com/genealogy.htm Butler County Historical Society] has various church records available for use in their research library. Some records include: Fisk Chapel, Knox Chapel, Emory Chapel, Covenant United Presbyterian, Calvary United Presbyterian, Middlesex Presbyterian, and others! Call ahead to be sure the genealogist is available.
	===== Catholic  =====		===== Catholic  =====
Line 151:		Line 148:
	===== Presbyterian  =====		===== Presbyterian  =====
−	*[http://usgwarchives.org/pa/butlerz.html Middletown Presbyterian Church] at [http://usgenweb.org/ USGenWeb], There are records of Baptisms 1848-1870, 1894-1905; Membership records 1838, 1848-1900; and selected session minutes 1838-1903.	+	'''Fairview Presbyterian Church'''
		+
		+	:*'''1876-1889''' - Fairview Presbyterian Church Baptism Index 1876-1889 in [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/igi International Genealogical Index] at FamilySearch - free. Batch {{IGI|C530831}}.<ref>Genealogical Society of Utah, ''Parish and Vital Records List'' (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at [[Media:Igipennsylvaniac.pdf|https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/2/23/Igipennsylvaniac.pdf]].</ref>
		+	:*'''1877-1887''' - Fairview Presbyterian Church Marriage Index 1877-1887 in [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/igi International Genealogical Index] at FamilySearch - free. Batch {{IGI|M530831}}.
		+
		+	'''Middlesex Presbyterian Church'''
		+
		+	:*'''1838-1903''' - [http://usgwarchives.net/pa/butlerz.html Middlesex Presbyterian Church] at [http://usgenweb.org/ USGenWeb], There are records of Baptisms 1848-1870, 1894-1905; Membership records 1838, 1848-1900; and selected session minutes 1838-1903.
	==== Court Records  ====		==== Court Records  ====
		+
		+	{{PA court1}}
	===== Court of Common Pleas  =====		===== 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. {{PAGENAME}} 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.<ref>The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania http://www.pacourts.us/T/CommonPleas/accesssed 10 July 2012. </ref>
	====== Clerk of the Court  ======		====== Clerk of the Court  ======
		+
		+	{{PA court2}}
	====== Prothonotary  ======		====== Prothonotary  ======
−	===== Orphan's Court (see Vital Records) =====	+	{{PA court3}}
		+
		+	===== Orphan's Court  =====
		+
		+	{{PA court4}}
		+
		+	{{PA court5|Butler}}
	==== Emigration and Immigration  ====		==== Emigration and Immigration  ====
		+
		+	{{PA emigration}}<br>
	[[Image:{{Freepbri}}]]		[[Image:{{Freepbri}}]]
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	===== Published Histories  =====		===== Published Histories  =====
−	:*''History of Butler County, Pennsylvania.'' 1895. Digital version at {{FSbook|63701}} - free.	+	:*''[https://web.archive.org/web/20160506085824/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/history.htm History of Butler County, Pennsylvania].'' 1895. Digital version at {{FSbook|63701}} - free.
		+	:*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160506085824/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/history.htm''History of Butler County, Pennsylvania''.]&nbsp; 1883. ''-'' free.<br>
	==== Land and Property  ====		==== Land and Property  ====
−	Land records in Butler County began in 1800. These records are filed with the [http://www.co.butler.pa.us/butler/cwp/view.asp?a=1494&q=571959&butlerNav=%7C33534%7C33544%7C Recorder of Deeds] office in Butler, Pennsylvania.	+	Land records in Butler County began in 1800. These records are filed with the [http://www.co.butler.pa.us/recorder-of-deeds Recorder of Deeds] office in Butler, 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.		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.
Line 193:		Line 212:
	'''Online Land Records'''		'''Online Land Records'''
−	*'''1973–present''' Butler County offers [http://www.co.butler.pa.us/recorder/ online access] to land records. Check the website for current information on availability and fees.	+	*'''1973–present''' Butler County offers [http://www.co.butler.pa.us/recorder-of-deeds-access-deeds online access] to land records. Check the website for current information on availability and fees.
	'''Land Records on Microfilm'''		'''Land Records on Microfilm'''
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	*[http://discover.hsp.org/Search/Results?lookfor=Butler+land&type=AllFields&submit=Find Historical Society of Pennsylvania]<br>		*[http://discover.hsp.org/Search/Results?lookfor=Butler+land&type=AllFields&submit=Find Historical Society of Pennsylvania]<br>
	*[http://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_all&q=Butler+county+pennsylvania+land WorldCat] (For instructions see [[WorldCat Online Catalog]].)<br>		*[http://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=worldcat_org_all&q=Butler+county+pennsylvania+land WorldCat] (For instructions see [[WorldCat Online Catalog]].)<br>
−	*{{FHL|375199|subject-id|disp=Family History Library Catalog}} (For instructions see [[Family History Library Catalog Place-name Search|FHL Catalog Place-name Search]].)	+	*{{FHL|375199|subject-id|disp=FamilySearch Catalog}} (For instructions see [[FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search|FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search]].)
	==== Maps  ====		==== Maps  ====
−	*[http://ancestortracks.com Ancestor Tracks] has posted the 1858 [http://ancestortracks.com/Butler_Co_Map,1858.html ''Map of Butler Co., Pennsylvania from surveys by Jas. Dunlap, Hugh McKee, David Scott, E. Maurhoff &amp; J.W. Kirker''.]&nbsp; This map shows the tracts of landowners at that time, as well as towns, villages and roads.&nbsp; This source is a perfect companion while consulting the 1850 and 1860 census records. &nbsp;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. &nbsp;We hereby give permission to use them for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.	+	[[Image:Pabutler.jpg|thumb|220px|<center>Butler County]]
		+	*[http://www.mapofus.org/pennsylvania/ Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)]
		+	*The [https://web.archive.org/web/20170802230541/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com:80/~pabutler/ Butler County PAGenWeb] page has linked to the complete 1858 Map of Butler County, PA from surveys by Jas. Dunlap, Hugh McKee, David Scott, E. Maurhoff, J W Kirker. The map shows the property owned by each landowner as well as waterways, major roads, towns, and villages. The map is offered online through the Library of Congress.<br>
		+	*The [https://web.archive.org/web/20161004081309/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/1895/maps1874/ Butler County PAGenWeb] page has scanned the original township and borough maps of Butler County Pennsylvania from the 1874 Atlas of the County of Butler, and the State of Pennsylvania, by G.M. Hopkins &amp; Co., Philadelphia. While it does not show the property boundaries it shows the location of the homes, waterways, roads, towns, and villages throughout the county.<br>
		+	*The Butler County Historical Society has a large collection of old maps throughout the history of the county. Their collection includes 5 original 1858 Maps of Butler County, PA, as well as the 1874 Atlas of Butler County and various maps pertaining to railways, oil wells, waterways, and even the location of all the fire hydrants in the city of Butler in 1902!
		+	*[http://ancestortracks.com Ancestor Tracks] has posted the 1858 [http://ancestortracks.com/Butler_Co_Map,1858.html ''Map of Butler Co., Pennsylvania from surveys by Jas. Dunlap, Hugh McKee, David Scott, E. Maurhoff J.W. Kirker''.] This map shows the tracts of landowners at that time, as well as towns, villages and roads. This source is a perfect companion while consulting the 1850 and 1860 census records. 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 for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.
	==== Migration  ====		==== Migration  ====
	==== Military  ====		==== Military  ====
		+
		+	*'''[http://www.butlerhistory.com Butler County Historical Society]'''<br>Senator Walter Lowrie House<br> 123 West Diamond Street<br> Butler, PA 16001<br> Phone: 724-283-8116<br>
		+
		+	Original Revolutionary War Pension Files, Militia records, various Civil War records including muster rolls and company record books. All 5 volumes of ''Samuel Bates History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1851-1865.''The Society also has several dozen photographs of Civil War Soldiers and newspapers from the era.
	==== Naturalization and Citizenship  ====		==== Naturalization and Citizenship  ====
		+
		+	{{PANaturalization}}<br>
		+
		+	Naturalization records available for Butler County, Pennsylvania include the following:<br>
		+
		+	'''Online Naturalization Records'''
		+
		+	:*'''1820-1906''' – [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1192 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 [http://search.ancestry.com Ancestry.com] - ($), National Archives publication M1208<br>
		+
		+	:*'''1820-1930''' – [http://www.fold3.com/titleinfo.php?id=119&title=naturalizations_pa_western%2F&xid=319 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania] on [http://www.fold3.com/ Fold3.com] - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1537, incomplete for all counties<br>
		+	:*'''1820-1930''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1554 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania] located in ''Selected US Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1790-1974'' database on [http://search.ancestry.com Ancestry.com] - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1537
		+
		+	:*'''1800-2000''' - [https://web.archive.org/web/20160824054430/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/butler_co_nat.htm Butler County Naturalizations 1800-2000] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20170802230541/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com:80/~pabutler/ PAGenWeb] - free.
		+
		+	'''Original Naturalization Records on Microfilm'''<br>
		+
		+	:*'''1874-1929''' Declarations of Intention {{FHL|156350|item|disp=FHL film 1318433 item 2 (first of 4 films)}}
		+	:*'''1800-1903''' Naturalization Dockets {{FHL|156483|item|disp=FHL film 1318433 items 3-4}}
		+	:*'''1800-1931''' Petitions for Citizenship {{FHL|156487|item|disp=FHL film 1318433 item 1 (first of 18 films)}} - Index included: 1804-1982<br>
		+
		+	{{PAnaturalization2|Butler|460147}}
	==== Newspapers  ====		==== Newspapers  ====
Line 243:		Line 292:
	'''Newspaper Excerpts and Abstracts'''		'''Newspaper Excerpts and Abstracts'''
−	:*Butler County Historical Society (Butler, Pennsylvania), ''News of the Day'' (Butler, PA:Butler Area Public Library, c2000) {{FHL|1026339|item|disp=FHL CD no. 913 v. 1-16}}	+	:*News of the Day Newspaper Collection on CD available only at the Butler County Historical Society.&nbsp; (c2000Butler County Historical Society and Butler Public Library) {{FHL|1026339|item|disp=FHL CD no. 913 v. 1-16}}
	===== Obituaries  =====		===== Obituaries  =====
Line 254:		Line 303:
	:*[http://www.pa-roots.org/data/list.php?165 PA-Roots Obituaries] for Butler County.		:*[http://www.pa-roots.org/data/list.php?165 PA-Roots Obituaries] for Butler County.
		+	:*[http://www.legacy.com Online Obituaries] available at [http://www.legacy.com legacy.com]
	:*[http://www.butlerlibrary.info/index.php/obituaryindex.html Obituary Index] available on-line through the Butler Area Public Library. It covers the years 1818 through 2010.		:*[http://www.butlerlibrary.info/index.php/obituaryindex.html Obituary Index] available on-line through the Butler Area Public Library. It covers the years 1818 through 2010.
Line 269:		Line 319:
	==== Poorhouse, Almshouse  ====		==== Poorhouse, Almshouse  ====
−	==== Probate Records  ====	+	*Some township records from the Keeper of the Poor in each township are available in the office of the [http://www.butlerhistory.com Butler County Historical Society]. These records include the name of the person and what type of support was rendered, such as a pair of shoes or a dentist's bill.
		+	*Poorhouse records from our county home, now known as Sunnyview, are available at the [http://www.butlerhistory.com Butler County Historical Society] and at the [http://www.butlerlibrary.info Butler Public Library]. These records include some vital records for the residents who were cared for at the poorhouse.
		+
		+	==== Probate (Estate) Records  ====
	{{PA Probate Intro}}<br>		{{PA Probate Intro}}<br>
Line 279:		Line 332:
	Complete Collection:<br>		Complete Collection:<br>
−	:*'''1683-1994'''-{{RecordSearch|1999196|Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org]	+	:*'''1683-1994''' {{RecordSearch|1999196|Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org] (Not Indexed)
		+	:*'''1800-1910+'''  [https://web.archive.org/web/20160824054427/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/EstateIndex.htm Estate Index for Butler County].
	Butler County Only:<br>		Butler County Only:<br>
−	:*'''1804-1971'''-[https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffamilysearch.org%2Frecords%2Fwaypoint%2FMM5Y-7N5%3A1372964085%3Fcc%3D1999196 Butler County Probate Records]<br>	+	:*'''1800-1971''' [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/544728 Butler County Probate Records]<br>
		+
		+	'''Online Probate Indexes'''
		+
		+	*'''1683 - 1993''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8802 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993] at [http://home.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] — index and images $
		+
		+	*'''1683 - 1994''' {{RecordSearch|1999196|Pennsylvania Probate Records 1683-1994}} at [https://familysearch.org FamilySearch] — images
	'''Original Probate Records of Microfilm'''<br>		'''Original Probate Records of Microfilm'''<br>
−	:*'''1804-1916''' Will Books {{FHL|285849|item|disp=FHL film 895091 (first of 20 films)}}-Index included, 1800-1971<br>	+	:*'''1800-1916''' Will Books {{FHL|285849|item|disp=FHL film 895091 (first of 20 films)}}-Index included, 1800-1971<br>
−	:*'''1803-1918''' Probate Files {{FHL|544728|item|disp=FHL film 1684390 (first of 95 films)}}	+	:*'''1800-1918''' Probate Files {{FHL|544728|item|disp=FHL film 1684390 (first of 95 films)}}
−	{{PA probate FHLC and WorldCat|Butler|489733}}<br>	+	{{PA probate FamilySearch Catalog and WorldCat|Butler|489733}}<br>
	==== Repositories  ====		==== Repositories  ====
		+
		+	===== Archives  =====
		+
		+	{{PA Archives}}
		+	*[http://www.archives.gov/philadelphia/ National Archives at Philadelphia]<br>14700 Townsend Road<br>Philadelphia, PA 19154-1096<br>Phone: 215-305-2044<br>Fax: 215-305-2052<br>
	===== Courthouse  =====		===== Courthouse  =====
−	[http://www.co.butler.pa.us/ '''Butler County Courthouse''']<br>124 W. Diamond St.<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>Hours:Mon - Fri, 8:30am - 4:30pm<br>Phone:(724) 285-4731; (724) 284-5473 (TDD)	+	[http://www.co.butler.pa.us/ '''Butler County Courthouse''']<br>124 W. Diamond St.<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>Phone: 724-285-4731; 724-284-5473 (TDD)
−	[http://www.co.butler.pa.us/butler/cwp/view.asp?a=1490&q=571875&butlerNav=%7C33534%7C33545%7C Office of the Prothonary]<br>First Floor, County Courthouse<br>300 South Main Street<br>P.O. Box 1208<br>Butler, PA 16003-1208<br>Phone: (724) 284-5214	+	[http://www.co.butler.pa.us/ '''Register of Wills/Marriage License Bureau''']
		+
		+	Butler County Government Center<br>Level L<br>124 West Diamond Street<br>P.O. Box 1208<br>Butler, PA 16003<br>Phone: 724-284-1409
		+
		+	[http://www.co.butler.pa.us/prothonotary '''Office of the Prothonotary''']<br>300 South Main Street<br>P.O. Box 1208<br>Butler, PA 16003-1208<br>Phone: 724-284-5214<br>
		+
		+	[http://www.co.butler.pa.us/ '''Recorder of Deeds''']<br>Floor L, County Government Center<br>124 West Diamond Street<br>P.O. Box 1208<br>Butler, PA 16003<br>Phone: 724-284-5340<br>Fax: 724-285-9099
	===== Family History Centers  =====		===== Family History Centers  =====
−	*[[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers]]	+	{{PAfhc|Cranberry Township}}
		+
		+	{{FamilySearch Centers Intro}}
		+
	*[[Cranberry Township Pennsylvania Family History Center]]		*[[Cranberry Township Pennsylvania Family History Center]]
	===== Libraries  =====		===== Libraries  =====
−	[http://www.bcfls.org/ '''Butler County Federated Library System''']<br>218 North McKean Street<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>Phone: (724) 283-1880	+	[http://www.bcfls.org/ '''Butler County Federated Library System''']<br>218 North McKean Street<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>Phone: 724-283-1880
		+
		+	[http://www.butlerhistory.com '''Butler County Historical Society''']<br>Research Library<br>123 West Diamond Street<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>724-283-8116<br>Hundreds of books pertaining to Butler County's history, businesses, churches, schools, and families. Thousands of original documents and records also are available for research. Butler High School Yearbooks from 1914 as well as various yearbooks from other county high schools.
	===== Museums  =====		===== Museums  =====
−	*[http://www.depreciationlandsmuseum.org/ '''Depreciation Land Museum''']<br>P.O. Box 174<br>Allison Park, PA 15101<br>Phone: (412) 486-0563	+	*[http://www.butlerhistory.com '''Senator Walter Lowrie House Museum''']<br>'''Butler County Historical Society'''<br>123 West Diamond Street<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>Phone: 724-283-8116<br>Our office, historical, and genealogical collections are housed in this building and the adjacent Carriage House. The Society houses and maintains the county's largest collection of original Butler County documents, photographs, and extensive genealogical and family collections available to the public.<br>
−	*[http://www.harmonymuseum.org/ '''Harmony Museum''']<br>218 Mercer St.<br>Harmony, Pa 16037<br>Phone: (724) 452-7341<br><br>Mailing address:<br>P.O. Box 524<br>Harmony PA 16037<br><br>Hours:Tuesday through Sunday - open 1 - 4 p.m. Closed Mondays &amp; Holidays<br> Reservations suggested on weekends, and required for groups of 10 or more	+	*'''[http://www.butlerhistory.com Little Red School House Museum]<br>Butler County Historical Society<br>'''200 East Jefferson Street<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>Phone: 724-283-8116<br>
−	===== Societies  =====	+	*[http://www.butlerhistory.com '''Cooper Cabin Pioneer Homestead''']<br>'''Butler County Historical Society'''<br>199 Cooper Road<br>Cabot, PA 16029<br>Phone: 724-283-8116<br>
−	*[http://www.cranberrygenealogy.org/ '''Cranberry Genealogy Club''']<br>Cranberry Municipal Building<br>2525 Rochester Road<br>Cranberry Township, PA 16066.<br><br>Meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month (except December) in the Cranberry Public Library Conference Room at 6:30 PM.	+	*[http://www.depreciationlandsmuseum.org/ '''Depreciation Land Museum'''] <br>P.O. Box 174<br>Allison Park, PA 15101<br>Phone: 412-486-0563
		+	*[http://www.harmonymuseum.org/ '''Harmony Museum''']<br>218 Mercer St.<br>P.O. Box 524<br>Harmony, PA 16037<br>Phone: 724-452-7341<br>
−	*[http://www.bcgs.us/ '''Butler County Genealogical Society''']<br>PO Box 662<br>Butler, PA 16003-0662	+	===== Societies  =====
−	*[http://www.butlerhistory.com/ '''Butler County Historical Society''']<br>Lowrie/Shaw House<br>123 W. Diamond St<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>Phone: (724) 283-8116<br>Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.	+	*'''[http://www.butlerhistory.com Butler County Historical Society ]<br>'''Senator Walter Lowrie House<br>123 West Diamond Street<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>Phone: 724-283-8116<br>
		+	*'''[http://cranberrygenealogy.org Cranberry Genealogy Club]<br>'''Cranberry Municipal Building<br>2525 Rochester Road<br>Cranberry Township, PA 16066<br>
		+	*[http://www.bcgs.us Butler County Genealogical Society]<br>'''P.O. Box 662<br>Butler, PA 16003-0662
		+	*[http://www.zelienoplehistoricalsociety.com/ '''Zelienople Historical Society''']<br>243 S. Main Street<br>Zelienople, PA 16063<br>Phone: 724-452-9457
		+	*[http://www.evanscityhistory.com/ '''Evans City Area Historical Society''']<br>204C South Jackson Street<br>Evans City, PA 16033-1138<br>Phone: 724-538-3629<br>
−	*[http://www.zelienoplehistoricalsociety.com/ '''Zelienople Historical Society''']<br>243 S. Main Street<br>Zelienople, PA 16063<br>Phone: (724) 452-9457	+	==== Taxation  ====
−
−	*[http://www.evanscityhistory.com/ '''Evans City Area Historical Society''']<br>204C South Jackson Street<br>Evans City, PA 16033-1138<br>Phone: (724) 538-3629<br><br>The museum is open from 14 April to December on Tuesday mornings and Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Or by appointment.
−	==== Taxation  ====	+	[http://www.butlerhistory.com Butler County Historical Society ]<br>Senator Walter Lowrie House<br>123 West Diamond Street<br>Butler, PA 16001<br>Phone: 724-283-8116<br>The Butler County Historical Society is in the process of digitizing the County's Tax Records from 1803 to 1915. Contact for availability.
	==== Vital Records  ====		==== Vital Records  ====
	{{PA vitals}}		{{PA vitals}}
		+
		+	See also [http://www.genealogyinc.com/pennsylvania/pa-vital-records/ How to order Pennsylvania Vital Records]
	===== Births  =====		===== Births  =====
−	:*'''1853''' [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/1853BirthRecords1.htm Butler County Births]	+	:*'''1853''' [https://web.archive.org/web/20161004080400/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/1853BirthRecords1.htmButler County Births]
−	:*'''1893-1905''' [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/1893-1905.htm Butler County Births]	+	:*'''1893-1905'''- [https://web.archive.org/web/20161004080857/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/1893-1905.htm Butler County Births]
	Birth and death records are available at the county level for 1893 to 1905 only. For records after 1905 contact the:		Birth and death records are available at the county level for 1893 to 1905 only. For records after 1905 contact the:
Line 342:		Line 423:
	[http://vitalrec.com/pa.html Vital Records, State Department of Health]<br>P.O. Box 1528<br>101 South Mercer Street<br>New Castle, PA 16101<br>Phone: (724) 656-3100<br>Fax: (724) 652-8951		[http://vitalrec.com/pa.html Vital Records, State Department of Health]<br>P.O. Box 1528<br>101 South Mercer Street<br>New Castle, PA 16101<br>Phone: (724) 656-3100<br>Fax: (724) 652-8951
−	{{PA birth}}	+	{{PA birth}}
	===== Marriages  =====		===== Marriages  =====
Line 348:		Line 429:
	{{PA marriage}}		{{PA marriage}}
		+	:*'''1626-2016''' - [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=pennsylvania%2cpa Pennsylvania, United States Marriages] at [http://findmypast.com/ FindMyPast] — index $
		+	:*'''1677-1950''' - {{RecordSearch|2466357|Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950}} at [https://familysearch.org FamilySearch] — index and images<br>
	:*'''1700-1821''' - Pennsylvania Marriage Records [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2383 Ancestry.com] – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties.		:*'''1700-1821''' - Pennsylvania Marriage Records [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2383 Ancestry.com] – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties.
−	:*'''1725-1976''' - {{RecordSearch|1681011|Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940}} - free index. Not complete for all years.	+	:*'''1725-1976''' - {{RecordSearch|1681011|Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940}} - free 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 [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2098 Ancestry.com] – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties. Includes 35,000 marriage records from vol. VIII of of the second series of the Pennsylvania Archives.	+	:*'''Pre-1810''' – Pennsylvania Marriages [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2098 Ancestry.com] – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties. Includes 35,000 marriage records from vol. VIII of of the second series of the Pennsylvania Archives.
−	:*'''1801-1922''' [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/marriage.htm Butler County Marriages]	+	:*'''1801-1922''' - [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/marriage.htm Butler County Marriages]
	:*'''1852-1854''' - Pennsylvania Marriages [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2486 Ancestry.com] – ($) Index with images.		:*'''1852-1854''' - Pennsylvania Marriages [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2486 Ancestry.com] – ($) Index with images.
−	:*'''1885-1950''' - {{RecordSearch|1589502|Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950}} Extracted marriage records – free. This database is incomplete for all counties. May also contain marriage records earlier than 1885.<br><noinclude>[[Category:Templates for PA pages]]	+	:*'''1885-1950''' - {{RecordSearch|1589502|Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950}} Extracted marriage records – free. This database is incomplete for all counties. May also contain marriage records earlier than 1885.<br>
		+	:*'''1947-2010''' - {{RecordSearch|2282148|Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index and images
	Marriage records at the county level began in 1885 and are kept to the present. For marriages prior to 1885 a search of church records must be conducted. To request a copy of a marriage record from the county contact:		Marriage records at the county level began in 1885 and are kept to the present. For marriages prior to 1885 a search of church records must be conducted. To request a copy of a marriage record from the county contact:
−	[http://www.co.butler.pa.us/butler/lib/butler/regwills/lic_order_form.pdf Butler County Register of Wills &amp; Clerk of Orphans' Court]<br>P. O. Box 1208<br>Butler, PA 16003	+	[http://www.co.butler.pa.us/butler/lib/butler/regwills/lic_order_form.pdf Butler County Register of Wills Clerk of Orphans' Court]<br>P. O. Box 1208<br>Butler, PA 16003
	===== Divorce  =====		===== Divorce  =====
−	Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary. The office of the Prothonotary is located in the [[{{PAGENAME}}#Courthouse|courthouse]] building.<br>	+	Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary. The office of the Prothonotary is located in the [[{{PAGENAME}}#Courthouse|courthouse]] building.<br>
	===== Deaths  =====		===== Deaths  =====
−	:*'''1852-1854''' [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/1852Deaths.htm Butler County Deaths]. Courtesy of USGENWeb	+	:*'''1852-1854''' - [https://web.archive.org/web/20161004080351/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/1852Deaths.htm Butler County Deaths]. Courtesy of USGENWeb
−	:*'''1893-1905''' [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/DeathRecordsIndex.htm Butler County Deaths]. Courtesy of USGENWeb	+	:*'''1893-1905''' - [https://web.archive.org/web/20161004081628/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/DeathRecordsIndex.htm Butler County Deaths]. Courtesy of USGENWeb
		+	:*'''1894-1905''' - Butler County Death Index 1894-1905 in [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/igi International Genealogical Index] at FamilySearch - free.<ref>Genealogical Society of Utah, ''Parish and Vital Records List'' (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/2/23/Igipennsylvaniac.pdf.</ref>
		+	:*'''1947-2010''' - {{RecordSearch|2282148|Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index and images
	{{PA death}}		{{PA death}}
Line 372:		Line 458:
	{{Template:PA vitals repositories|Butler|489036}}		{{Template:PA vitals repositories|Butler|489036}}
−	== Web Sites ==	+	== Genealogy Societies and Libraries ==
		+
		+	*[http://www.genealogyinc.com/pennsylvania/pa-society-archive/ List of Pennsylvania Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical Genealogical Societies]
		+	*'''[http://www.mhep.org/index.php The Mennonite Heritage Center]'''<br>565 Yoder Road<br>Harleysville, PA 19438-1020<br>Phone: 215-256-3020<br>Email: [mailto:library@mhep.org library@mhep.org]
		+
		+	== Butler County Pennsylvania Genealogy Websites  ==
		+
		+	*[http://www.genealogyinc.com/pennsylvania/butler-county/ Butler County, PA History, Records, Facts and Genealogy]
	*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/PA/Butler/ Linkpendium - Butler County]		*[http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/PA/Butler/ Linkpendium - Butler County]
−	*[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/ USGenWeb project]&nbsp;	+	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170802230541/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com:80/~pabutler/ USGenWeb project]&nbsp;
−	*{{FHL|Pennsylvania%2C+Butler|subject|disp=Family History Library Catalog}}	+	*[http://ldsgenealogy.com/PA/Butler-County.htm Butler County PA Genealogy]
		+	*{{FHL|Pennsylvania%2C+Butler|subject|disp=FamilySearch Catalog}}
−	== Places  ==	+	== Butler County Pennsylvania Places  ==
	==== Populated Places  ====		==== Populated Places  ====
−	== References  ==	+	== Butler County Pennsylvania Genealogy References  ==
	<references />		<references />
−	{{Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania}} {{Pennsylvania-stub}}	+	{{Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania}}
		+
		+	<br>
−	[[Category:Butler_County,_Pennsylvania]]	+	[[Category:Templates_for_PA_pages]] [[Category:Butler_County,_Pennsylvania]]

---

Latest revision as of 01:29, 18 May 2018

United States

Pennsylvania

Butler County

Guide to Butler 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.

Butler County, Pennsylvania
Map
Location in the state of Pennsylvania
Location of Pennsylvania in the U.S.
Facts
Founded	March 12, 1800
County Seat	Butler
Courthouse
Address	Butler County Courthouse 124 W. Diamond St. Butler, PA 16001 Butler County Website
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Contents

• 1 Butler County Pennsylvania Historical Facts
• 2 Description
  • 2.1 Boundary Changes
  • 2.2 Records Loss
• 3 Butler County Pennsylvania Genealogy Resources
  • 3.1 Bible Records
  • 3.2 Cemeteries
  • 3.3 Census
  • 3.4 Church Records
    • 3.4.1 County-wide Database - Multi-denominational
    • 3.4.2 Catholic
    • 3.4.3 Presbyterian
  • 3.5 Court Records
    • 3.5.1 Court of Common Pleas
      • 3.5.1.1 Clerk of the Court
      • 3.5.1.2 Prothonotary
    • 3.5.2 Orphan's Court
  • 3.6 Emigration and Immigration
  • 3.7 Ethnic Groups
    • 3.7.1 Germans
  • 3.8 Gazetteers
  • 3.9 Genealogy
  • 3.10 History
    • 3.10.1 Published Histories
  • 3.11 Land and Property
  • 3.12 Maps
  • 3.13 Migration
  • 3.14 Military
  • 3.15 Naturalization and Citizenship
  • 3.16 Newspapers
    • 3.16.1 Obituaries
  • 3.17 Occupations
    • 3.17.1 Indentured Servants
  • 3.18 Periodicals
  • 3.19 Poorhouse, Almshouse
  • 3.20 Probate (Estate) Records
  • 3.21 Repositories
    • 3.21.1 Archives
    • 3.21.2 Courthouse
    • 3.21.3 Family History Centers
    • 3.21.4 Libraries
    • 3.21.5 Museums
    • 3.21.6 Societies
  • 3.22 Taxation
  • 3.23 Vital Records
    • 3.23.1 Births
    • 3.23.2 Marriages
    • 3.23.3 Divorce
    • 3.23.4 Deaths
• 4 Genealogy Societies and Libraries
• 5 Butler County Pennsylvania Genealogy Websites
• 6 Butler County Pennsylvania Places
  • 6.1 Populated Places
• 7 Butler County Pennsylvania Genealogy References

Butler County Pennsylvania Historical Facts

Beginning dates for major county records
Birth	Marriage	Death	Land	Probate
1893	1885	1893	1800	1800

• Parent Counties: Formed from Allegheny County 12 March 1800.^[1]

• County Seat: Butler

• Neighboring Counties:

• Venango
• Armstrong
• Lawrence
• Allegheny
• Westmoreland
• Beaver
• Mercer
• Clarion

Description

It is named after General Richard Butler, a hero of the American Revolution. It's county seat is Butler. It was organized March 12, 1800. It is located in the West central section of the state.^[2]

Boundary Changes

• Before 1783: Butler County was part of Northumberland County.
• 1783: Allegheny County (including future Butler County) was created from Northumberland County.
  

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.

Records Loss

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Butler County Pennsylvania Genealogy Resources

Bible Records

Cemeteries

Additional Cemetery Resources

• Butler History
• Pennsylvania Genealogy
• Names in Stone
• Ancestry($)
• 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

For tips on accessing Butler 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.

Butler county pennsylvania churches.png

Additional church records can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Butler 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 church records of:

• Butler: Covenant United Presbyterian Church; First United Methodist Church; Grace Lutheran Church; St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church; St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church
• Cranberry: Dutilh United Methodist Church
• Evans: Evans City Methodist Church
• Harmony: Grace Reformed Church
• Harrisville: Harmony United Presbyterian Church
• Portersville: First Presbyterian Church
• Slippery Rock: Center United Presbyterian Church; Highland United Presbyterian Church
• Summit: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

• The Butler County Historical Society has various church records available for use in their research library. Some records include: Fisk Chapel, Knox Chapel, Emory Chapel, Covenant United Presbyterian, Calvary United Presbyterian, Middlesex Presbyterian, and others! Call ahead to be sure the genealogist is available.

Catholic

• "100 years of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese 1843–1943". Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Quarterly, 17:1. FamilySearch Library book 974.8 B2wg. Contains chronolgy, map, county-by-county information.

Presbyterian

Fairview Presbyterian Church

• 1876-1889 - Fairview Presbyterian Church Baptism Index 1876-1889 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C530831.^[3]
• 1877-1887 - Fairview Presbyterian Church Marriage Index 1877-1887 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M530831.

Middlesex Presbyterian Church

• 1838-1903 - Middlesex Presbyterian Church at USGenWeb, There are records of Baptisms 1848-1870, 1894-1905; Membership records 1838, 1848-1900; and selected session minutes 1838-1903.

Court Records

Butler County, Pennsylvania Genealogy court records are housed at the Butler 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. Butler County, Pennsylvania Genealogy 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.^[4]

Clerk of the Court

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.^[5] For the Butler 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 Butler 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.^[6]

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

• Historical Society of Pennsylvania
• WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
• Do a Butler 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.

Freeport Bridge, between Butler and Westmoreland counties, PA.

Ethnic Groups

Germans

Gazetteers

Genealogy

History

• Over 950 fully-searchable books and published works covering much of western Pennsylvania have been posted online at Historic Pittsburgh, nosted by the University of Pittsburgh's Digital Library.

Published Histories

• History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. 1895. Digital version at FamilySearch Books Online - free.
• History of Butler County, Pennsylvania.  1883. - free.
  

Land and Property

Land records in Butler County began in 1800. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Butler, 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

• 1973–present Butler County offers online access to land records. Check the website for current information on availability and fees.

Land Records on Microfilm

• 1800–1925 Deeds, 1804-1902; Index to Deeds, 1800-1925. FHL film 894167 (first of 112 films)
  
• 1800–1928 Mortgages, 1804-1898; Index, 1800-1928. FHL film 859987 (first of 10 films)

Additional Resources

Note that the "Maps" section below 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 Butler 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

Butler County

• Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
• The Butler County PAGenWeb page has linked to the complete 1858 Map of Butler County, PA from surveys by Jas. Dunlap, Hugh McKee, David Scott, E. Maurhoff, J W Kirker. The map shows the property owned by each landowner as well as waterways, major roads, towns, and villages. The map is offered online through the Library of Congress.
  
• The Butler County PAGenWeb page has scanned the original township and borough maps of Butler County Pennsylvania from the 1874 Atlas of the County of Butler, and the State of Pennsylvania, by G.M. Hopkins & Co., Philadelphia. While it does not show the property boundaries it shows the location of the homes, waterways, roads, towns, and villages throughout the county.
  
• The Butler County Historical Society has a large collection of old maps throughout the history of the county. Their collection includes 5 original 1858 Maps of Butler County, PA, as well as the 1874 Atlas of Butler County and various maps pertaining to railways, oil wells, waterways, and even the location of all the fire hydrants in the city of Butler in 1902!
• Ancestor Tracks has posted the 1858 Map of Butler Co., Pennsylvania from surveys by Jas. Dunlap, Hugh McKee, David Scott, E. Maurhoff J.W. Kirker. This map shows the tracts of landowners at that time, as well as towns, villages and roads. This source is a perfect companion while consulting the 1850 and 1860 census records. 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 for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.

Migration

Military

• Butler County Historical Society
  Senator Walter Lowrie House
  123 West Diamond Street
  Butler, PA 16001
  Phone: 724-283-8116
  

Original Revolutionary War Pension Files, Militia records, various Civil War records including muster rolls and company record books. All 5 volumes of Samuel Bates History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1851-1865.The Society also has several dozen photographs of Civil War Soldiers and newspapers from the era.

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 Butler County, Pennsylvania include the following:

Online Naturalization Records

• 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.com - ($), National Archives publication M1208
  

• 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.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1537

• 1800-2000 - Butler County Naturalizations 1800-2000 at PAGenWeb - free.

Original Naturalization Records on Microfilm

• 1874-1929 Declarations of Intention FHL film 1318433 item 2 (first of 4 films)
• 1800-1903 Naturalization Dockets FHL film 1318433 items 3-4
• 1800-1931 Petitions for Citizenship FHL film 1318433 item 1 (first of 18 films) - Index included: 1804-1982
  

Finding Naturalization Indexes at Other Repositories

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

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

Newspapers

Butler 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 Butler 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.

• The Butler Times January 1, 1907-December 27, 1912

Online Newspaper Abstracts

• PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Butler County.

Newspaper Excerpts and Abstracts

• News of the Day Newspaper Collection on CD available only at the Butler County Historical Society.  (c2000Butler County Historical Society and Butler Public Library) FHL CD no. 913 v. 1-16

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

Sometimes the fastest way of finding obituaries is to call or email the local public library in the area where the person died. If the library does not have newspapers, a librarian often will know where they are kept. If a death date is known, and the newspapers are at the library, someone on staff will usually make a search for a small fee, or will indicate someone who will do the search.

Online Obituary Abstracts

• PA-Roots Obituaries for Butler County.
• Online Obituaries available at legacy.com
• Obituary Index available on-line through the Butler Area Public Library. It covers the years 1818 through 2010.

Obituary Excerpts and Abstracts

• Collected by Sarah E. Milford, Carol H. Jamison and Marilyn Q. Gerhold, Obituaries from Venango and Butler Counties (S.I.:s.n., 2006?) FHL book 974.89 V4m. Available online through FamilySearch Catalog entry.
• Compiled and written by Vickie Lynn Young, A Detailed Perspective of Butler County Cemeteries (Denmark, Wisconsin:V.L. Young, c2000) FHL book 974.891 V3y volume 1 Includes obituaries for some of the persons buried in the cemetery.

Occupations

Indentured Servants

Periodicals

Poorhouse, Almshouse

• Some township records from the Keeper of the Poor in each township are available in the office of the Butler County Historical Society. These records include the name of the person and what type of support was rendered, such as a pair of shoes or a dentist's bill.
• Poorhouse records from our county home, now known as Sunnyview, are available at the Butler County Historical Society and at the Butler Public Library. These records include some vital records for the residents who were cared for at the poorhouse.

Probate (Estate) Records

Probate matters in Butler 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 Records

Original probate records for some Pennsylvania counties are available free online as digital images at FamilySearch.org. The dates vary significantly for each county and not all counties are listed. Some counties may only have probate indexes. This Pennsylvania collection of images may be browsed through the links listed below:

Complete Collection:

• 1683-1994 Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 at FamilySearch.org (Not Indexed)
• 1800-1910+ Estate Index for Butler County.

Butler County Only:

• 1800-1971 Butler County Probate Records
  

Online Probate Indexes

• 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

Original Probate Records of Microfilm

• 1800-1916 Will Books FHL film 895091 (first of 20 films)-Index included, 1800-1971
  
• 1800-1918 Probate Files FHL film 1684390 (first of 95 films)

Additional Probate Indexes and Abstracts

Additional probate indexes or abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Butler 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

Archives

The Pennsylvania Archives collection contains county archive records that can be searched onsite. Currently the Archives' staff cannot provide research or make copies of these records. Their collections include Almshouse Registers; Tax records; Birth, Death and Marriage Indexes and Records; Midwife records; African American records; Wills; Deeds; Naturalizations; Coroner's inquests; and Orphan's Court dockets. A list of the Archive's county holdings are on Microfilm or Manuscript form.

• National Archives at Philadelphia
  14700 Townsend Road
  Philadelphia, PA 19154-1096
  Phone: 215-305-2044
  Fax: 215-305-2052
  

Courthouse

Butler County Courthouse
124 W. Diamond St.
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: 724-285-4731; 724-284-5473 (TDD)

Register of Wills/Marriage License Bureau

Butler County Government Center
Level L
124 West Diamond Street
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003
Phone: 724-284-1409

Office of the Prothonotary
300 South Main Street
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003-1208
Phone: 724-284-5214

Recorder of Deeds
Floor L, County Government Center
124 West Diamond Street
P.O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003
Phone: 724-284-5340
Fax: 724-285-9099

Family History Centers

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 Butler County, Pennsylvania Genealogy is the Cranberry Township Pennsylvania Family History Center. For additional nearby Family History Centers, search online in the FHC directory.

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.

• Cranberry Township Pennsylvania Family History Center

Libraries

Butler County Federated Library System
218 North McKean Street
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: 724-283-1880

Butler County Historical Society
Research Library
123 West Diamond Street
Butler, PA 16001
724-283-8116
Hundreds of books pertaining to Butler County's history, businesses, churches, schools, and families. Thousands of original documents and records also are available for research. Butler High School Yearbooks from 1914 as well as various yearbooks from other county high schools.

Museums

• Senator Walter Lowrie House Museum
  Butler County Historical Society
  123 West Diamond Street
  Butler, PA 16001
  Phone: 724-283-8116
  Our office, historical, and genealogical collections are housed in this building and the adjacent Carriage House. The Society houses and maintains the county's largest collection of original Butler County documents, photographs, and extensive genealogical and family collections available to the public.
  

• Little Red School House Museum
  Butler County Historical Society
  200 East Jefferson Street
  Butler, PA 16001
  Phone: 724-283-8116
  

• Cooper Cabin Pioneer Homestead
  Butler County Historical Society
  199 Cooper Road
  Cabot, PA 16029
  Phone: 724-283-8116
  

• Depreciation Land Museum
  P.O. Box 174
  Allison Park, PA 15101
  Phone: 412-486-0563
• Harmony Museum
  218 Mercer St.
  P.O. Box 524
  Harmony, PA 16037
  Phone: 724-452-7341
  

Societies

• Butler County Historical Society
  Senator Walter Lowrie House
  123 West Diamond Street
  Butler, PA 16001
  Phone: 724-283-8116
  
• Cranberry Genealogy Club
  Cranberry Municipal Building
  2525 Rochester Road
  Cranberry Township, PA 16066
  
• Butler County Genealogical Society
  P.O. Box 662
  Butler, PA 16003-0662
• Zelienople Historical Society
  243 S. Main Street
  Zelienople, PA 16063
  Phone: 724-452-9457
• Evans City Area Historical Society
  204C South Jackson Street
  Evans City, PA 16033-1138
  Phone: 724-538-3629
  

Taxation

Butler County Historical Society
Senator Walter Lowrie House
123 West Diamond Street
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: 724-283-8116
The Butler County Historical Society is in the process of digitizing the County's Tax Records from 1803 to 1915. Contact for availability.

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.

See also How to order Pennsylvania Vital Records

Births

• 1853 County Births
• 1893-1905- Butler County Births

Birth and death records are available at the county level for 1893 to 1905 only. For records after 1905 contact the:

Vital Records, State Department of Health
P.O. Box 1528
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16101
Phone: (724) 656-3100
Fax: (724) 652-8951

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

Marriages

Pennsylvania marriages are located at the county level. Contact the Butler 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 – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties.
• 1725-1976 - Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940 - free index. Not complete for all years. This index is not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records. This index is not complete for any particular place or region. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.
• Pre-1810 – Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry.com – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties. Includes 35,000 marriage records from vol. VIII of of the second series of the Pennsylvania Archives.
• 1801-1922 - Butler County Marriages
• 1852-1854 - Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry.com – ($) Index with images.
• 1885-1950 - Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 Extracted marriage records – free. 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 — index and images

Marriage records at the county level began in 1885 and are kept to the present. For marriages prior to 1885 a search of church records must be conducted. To request a copy of a marriage record from the county contact:

Butler County Register of Wills Clerk of Orphans' Court
P. O. Box 1208
Butler, PA 16003

Divorce

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

Deaths

• 1852-1854 - Butler County Deaths. Courtesy of USGENWeb
• 1893-1905 - Butler County Deaths. Courtesy of USGENWeb
• 1894-1905 - Butler County Death Index 1894-1905 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.^[7]
• 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 Butler 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).

Genealogy Societies and Libraries

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

• The Mennonite Heritage Center
  565 Yoder Road
  Harleysville, PA 19438-1020
  Phone: 215-256-3020
  Email: library@mhep.org

Butler County Pennsylvania Genealogy Websites

• Butler County, PA History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
• Linkpendium - Butler County
• USGenWeb project 
• Butler County PA Genealogy
• FamilySearch Catalog

Butler County Pennsylvania Places

Populated Places

Butler County Pennsylvania Genealogy References

1. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), [FHL book 973 D27e 2002].
2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/1/2017
3. ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/2/23/Igipennsylvaniac.pdf.
4. ↑ The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania http://www.pacourts.us/T/CommonPleas/accesssed 10 July 2012.
5. ↑ Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, Clerk of Courts in http://www.pacourts.us/T/CommonPleas/ClerksOfCourts.htm (accessed 25 Aug 2012)
6. ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at http://www.courts.phila.gov/common-pleas/orphans/ accessed 10 July 2012
7. ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/2/23/Igipennsylvaniac.pdf.