Elk County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Elk 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 Tax Records
- 2.27 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 Eastern elk that historically inhabited the region. The county is located in the northcentral area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Elk County Courthouse
250 Main Street P.O. Box 448
Ridgway, PA 15853
Phone: 814-776-1161
Clerk of Orphans' Court/Register of Wills/Recorder of Deeds Phone: 814-776-5349 Email: recorder@countyofelkpa.com
Prothonotary and Clerk of the Court Phone: 814-776-5343 Email: sschneider@countyofelkpa.com
Elk County Website
Register and Recorder has birth and death records 1893-1906, marriage records from 1895, probate records from 1847, land records from 1861
Prothonotary Office has divorce and court records from 1843[3]
Elk 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 | 1895 | 1893 | 1843 | 1861 | 1847 | 1790 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
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:[7]
| Cities | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- ca.1700-ca.1950 - Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, ca. 1700-ca. 1950 at FamilySearch — index and images
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 3,531 | — |
| 1860 | 5,915 | 67.5% |
| 1870 | 8,488 | 43.5% |
| 1880 | 12,800 | 50.8% |
| 1890 | 22,239 | 73.7% |
| 1900 | 32,903 | 48.0% |
| 1910 | 35,871 | 9.0% |
| 1920 | 34,981 | −2.5% |
| 1930 | 33,431 | −4.4% |
| 1940 | 34,443 | 3.0% |
| 1950 | 34,503 | 0.2% |
| 1960 | 37,328 | 8.2% |
| 1970 | 37,770 | 1.2% |
| 1980 | 38,338 | 1.5% |
| 1990 | 34,878 | −9.0% |
| 2000 | 35,111 | 0.7% |
| 2010 | 31,946 | −9.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. For members, they may contain: age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage date and maiden name; death/burial date. For general information about Pennsylvania denominations, see Pennsylvania Church Records.
County-wide Database - Multi-denominational
- 1708-1985 - Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 at Historical Society of Pennsylvania – $, to members of the society; Also available at Ancestry $
Catholic
- "100 years of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese 1843 -1943," Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 17, No. 1. FHL Book 974.8 B2wg. Chronology, map, county-by-county information.
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
For information about records kept in the Orphan's court, Prothonotary Court, Court of Common Pleas, and other courts in counties of Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Court Records Wiki page.
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
For online resources, passenger lists, and specific groups coming to Pennsylvania, see Pennsylvania Emigration and Immigration.
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
For groups that came, see People section of the Pennsylvania Emigration page.
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
The Orphan's Court ensures the best interests of those not capable of handling their own affairs: minors, incapacitated persons, decedents' estates, and more.[8]
- 1857–1886 Court Docket FHL Film 870489
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 Elk County began in 1844. These records are filed with the Register and Recorder office in Ridgway, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1844 -1910 Deed books, 1844-1887; Deed Index, 1844-1910 FHL film 870473 (first of 22 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1972–present Elk County offers online access to records. Fees apply.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- History of the Counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Selections. 1890. Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Google Books, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks has posted downloadable images from the 1855 Map of Elk County. This wall map located in the Library of Congress shows major landowners and geographic sites at the date of publishing. While the physical maps are in the public domain, the images we have taken of the maps belong to us and are not to be used commercially. We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
- 1861-1865 - Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Naturalization records can contain information about immigration and nativity. Prior to 1906, it is rare to find the town of origin in naturalization records. For more information, see Pennsylvania Naturalization
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1844 -1906 Naturalization Records FHL Film 1317014 (first of 12 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
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 Elk County, Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
Online Newspapers and Abstracts
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.
- Chronicling America - The Elk Advocate
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Elk County.
- 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 Obituaries Abstracts
- PA-Roots Obituaries for Elk County.
- Elk County Obituaries at Elk County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Elk 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 $
- 1843 -1880's – Elk County Wills at PAGenWeb. Index of the first 100 wills recorded in Elk County, Will Book A. Lists name of deceased, residence, date written, date proved, executors, and witnesses. [Project did not continue on to add all wills recorded in Book A.]
- 1844-1916 Elk County Probate Records at FamilySearch
- 1844 -1971 Miscellaneous Docket FHL films 870491-870492 – Index included: 1844–1971; images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1844 -1971 Index to Estates FHL films 870486–870487 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1845 -1916 Will Books FHL film 870488 (first of 3 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1851 -1896 Accounts FHL film 870490 - Index included; images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1857 -1886 Court Docket FHL film 870489 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- More Elk County Wills at PAGenWeb links to the North Central Pennsylvania page hosted by Rootsweb with an index and twenty-six transcriptions from Elk County Will Books A and B.
- Elk County Wills and Estate Records at Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
School Records[edit | edit source]
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital records are handled by the County Orphans' Court. Between the years 1852-1855 Pennsylvania made a failed attempt to record birth, marriage and death events at the county level. County marriage records were kept in earnest in 1885. Births and deaths, at the county level, were begun in 1893 and kept through 1905. For the most complete set of records, contact the County Orphans' Court.
Birth[edit | edit source]
Early births 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For more information, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
Beginning in 1906 Pennsylvania birth records are available through the Department of Health. Birth records become public after 105 years. A statewide index is available.
Some birth records exist for the 1852 -1853 time period for Elk County. Only a small percentage of births were recorded in this time period. These records are available at:
- 1852-1853 - Elk County Birth Index 1852-1853 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batches C526381 and C526383.[9]
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births Ancestry $
- 1852-1853 Birth Records FHL film 1317012 Item 1
- 1893-1906 Elk County, Pennsylvania FHL book 974.885 V2cAn alphabetical listing of 1893 -1906 births from Elk County was published by Charles Howard Starr. The book is available at the Family History Library.
- 1893-1907 Birth Records FHL film 1288685
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Elk County Courthouse
The county began recording marriages in October 1885. A few marriage records were created by the county in the 1853 -1854 time period.
- 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 at FamilySearch - 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 $
- 1853-1854 Marriage records FHL film 1317012
- 1885-1916 Marriage License Docket film 1288525 (first of 8)
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - Extracted marriage records; This database is incomplete for all counties. May also contain marriage records earlier than 1885.
- 1914-1915 Elk County Marriage Index 1914-1915 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M526382
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.
Elk County began recording deaths in 1893 although some were recorded from 1853 to 1854. These records as well as records from 1893 to 1906 are available at the County Courthouse in Ridgway.
- 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
- 1893-1907 Death Records FHL film 1288684 at FamilySearch
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 Elk 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 Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Elk County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Elk County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
Elk County Historical Society
P.O. Box 361
Ridgway, PA 15853
Phone: 814-776-1032
Website
Elk County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 142
Johnsonburg, PA 15845
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- Elk County PA Genealogy
- Encyclopedia listing for Elk County, Pennsylvania from Wikipedia
- 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.
- ↑ http://genealogytrails.com/sdak/ziebach/ accessed 2/1/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Elk County, Pennsylvania, p.589
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Elk County, Pennsylvania. Page 588-593 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 579-581.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Elk County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elk_County,_Pennsylvania#Communities, accessed 20 January 2020.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/2/23/Igipennsylvaniac.pdf.
