Greene County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Greene 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 General Nathanael Greene. The county is located in the southwest corner of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Greene County Courthouse
210 E. High Street
2nd Floor
Waynesburg, PA 15370
Phone: 724-852-5312
Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts Phone: 724-852-5288/5289
Register & Recorder Phone: 724-852-5283/5284
Greene County Website
County Clerk has birth and death records 1893-1915 and marriage records from 1885
Prothonotary Office has divorce records from 1816 and court records from 1797
County Register has probate records from 1796
Recorder of Deeds has land records from 1796[3]
Greene County, Pennsylvania Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1893 | 1885 | 1893 | 1797 | 1796 | 1796 | 1790 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
For animated maps illustrating Pennsylvania county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Pennsylvania County Boundary Maps" (1673-1878) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website. |
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[7]
| Boroughs | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Greene County was claimed by both Virginia and Pennsylvania until the Mason-Dixon Line was finalized in 1763-1767.[8] The county was named for General Nathanael Greene, major general in the American Revolutionary War.
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- Samuel P. Bates Biographical History of Greene County, 1888 at Greene County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
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. | %± |
| 1800 | 8,605 | — |
| 1810 | 12,544 | 45.8% |
| 1820 | 15,554 | 24.0% |
| 1830 | 18,028 | 15.9% |
| 1840 | 19,147 | 6.2% |
| 1850 | 22,136 | 15.6% |
| 1860 | 24,343 | 10.0% |
| 1870 | 25,887 | 6.3% |
| 1880 | 28,273 | 9.2% |
| 1890 | 28,935 | 2.3% |
| 1900 | 28,281 | −2.3% |
| 1910 | 28,882 | 2.1% |
| 1920 | 30,804 | 6.7% |
| 1930 | 41,767 | 35.6% |
| 1940 | 44,671 | 7.0% |
| 1950 | 45,394 | 1.6% |
| 1960 | 39,457 | −13.1% |
| 1970 | 39,108 | −0.9% |
| 1980 | 42,253 | 8.0% |
| 1990 | 44,164 | 4.5% |
| 2000 | 40,672 | −7.9% |
| 2010 | 38,686 | −4.9% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. For members, they may contain: age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage date and maiden name; death/burial date. For general information about Pennsylvania denominations, see Pennsylvania Church Records.
County-wide Database - Multi-denominational
1708-1985 Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 at Historical Society of Pennsylvania – $, free to members of the society; Also available at Ancestry $
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.
Baptist
The Baptist appear to be the earliest denomination in Greene County. Organized in 1773, the Goshen Baptist Church with thirty members by the Reverend John Corbly.[9]
Methodist
Organized by Reverend Thomas Hudson, Methodists organized in the Carmichaels area in 1784. In 1793 a log church was built for services.[9]
Presbyterian
With heavy migration of Scotch and Scotch-Irish into Greene County, the Presbyterians established churches as early as 1775.[9]
Protestant Episcopal
Because of the location of Greene County, many settlers were from Virginia and Maryland. These settlers brought their Anglican faith with them. However, after the American Revolution the Anglicans were reformed into Protestant Episcopal Churches.[9]
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.[10]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a specific location and reveal family relationships. Records include: deeds, abstracts, indexes, mortgages, leases, grants, sheriff sales, land patents, maps and more. For more information, see Pennsylvania Land and Property.
Land records in Greene County began in 1796. These records are filed with the Register and Recorder office in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1796 -1941 Deed Books, 1796-1888; Index, 1796-1941. FHL film 864505 (first of 39 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1796 -1948 Mortgage Index FHL film 857255–857263 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1950–present Greene County Recorder of Deeds offers online access to records. Fees apply.
- Warrantees of land in the County of Greene, 1795-1894, 40 -Vol. XXVI, 3rd Series at Greene County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
Landowner Maps
- MacInnes, Sharon Cook and Angus MacInnes. Early Landowners of Pennsylvania: Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Greene County, PA Apollo, Pennsylvania: Closson Press, 2005. FHL book 974.883 R2m
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- History of Greene County, PA. 1882. By Rev. William Hanna. N.p: n.p. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Greene County, Pennsylvania. 1888. By Samuel P. Bates, Harold A. Russell. Chicago : Nelson, Rishforth. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks offers an Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Greene County and a Companion Scans of Township Warrantee Maps CD ($). They show precise outlines in metes and bounds of each original tract and all surrounding tracts in the township, giving the names of the warrantee and patentee; dates of the warrant, survey, and patent; and the patent and survey book and page of the recorded patent.
- Images from the 1876 Caldwell's Atlas of Greene County have been posted online by Jan Slater
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Revolutionary War
Men living in what is now Greene County (then Washington and Westmoreland counties) served in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment.[11]
Civil War
- 1861-1865 - Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Naturalization records can contain information about immigration and nativity. Prior to 1906, it is rare to find the town of origin in naturalization records. For more information, see Pennsylvania Naturalization
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1802 -1937 Naturalization index FHL Films 1378507 Item 2–1378508 – card index A–S, S–Z; images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1927 -1956 Naturalization in the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County, Pennsylvania FHL Film 1378507 item 1 – card index of persons admitted; 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 Greene County, Pennsylvania
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
- Democrat Messenger (1931-1958)
- Greene County Messenger (Current)
- Observer-Reporter (Current)
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- Waynesburg Republican (1859-1933)
Online Newspapers
To learn if there are newspapers online for a specific town or city in Pennsylvania, see news.google.com/newspapers and search for the town or the name of a newspaper.
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch
- Greene County PA marriages, a PDF file of marriages taken from various newspapers and other sources
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Greene County.
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Obituaries are generally found in local newspapers where the person died or where family members lived. Local libraries or societies may have indexes or other sources.
Online Obituary Abstracts
- PA-Roots Obituaries for Greene County.
- Greene County Obituaries at Greene County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
Obituary Index
- Morgan, Yvonne L. Blair, Index of Census, Newspaper Obituary Files and Microfilm Fayette, Green, Washington & Westmoreland counties (Apollo, Pennsylvania:Closson Press, c2003) FHL book 974.88 V42m
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Greene 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 $
- Greene County Wills and Estate Records at Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
- 1796-1967 Greene County Probate Records - at FamilySearch
- 1796 -1918 Will Books FHL film 864501 (first of 9 films) - each volume indexed, includes letters of administration; images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1796 -1967 Index to Wills and Estates FHL film 864501 (first of 9 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1797 -1869 Orphans' Court Dockets and Accounts FHL films 861089–861096 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1797 -1949 Orphans' Court Docket Index FHL films 861089–861090 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- Will Book 1, 5, 6 at Greene County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
School Records[edit | edit source]
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
- 1798 - Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 at Ancestry ($).
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital records are handled by the County Orphans' Court. Between the years 1852-1855 Pennsylvania made a failed attempt to record birth, marriage and death events at the county level. County marriage records were kept in earnest in 1885. Births and deaths, at the county level, were begun in 1893 and kept through 1905. For the most complete set of records, contact the County Orphans' Court.
Birth[edit | edit source]
Early births 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For more information, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
Early births 1893 -1915 are located at Greene County. See the heading Greene County on this page for contact information.
Beginning in 1906 Pennsylvania birth records are available through the Department of Health. Birth records become public after 105 years.
- 1726-1930 Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950 index. Not complete for all years. This collection is an index for the years 1726 to 1930. It is not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records. This index is not complete for any particular place or region. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.
- 1893-1903 Greene County 1893-1903 Birth Register at Greene County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
- 1893-1915; 1893-1968 Register of Births, 1893-1915; Index to Birth Dockets, 1893-1968 FHL films 1319621 -1319622 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1894-1915 Births Available at the Pennsylvania State Archives and through local Family History Centers.
- 1901-1902 Greene County Birth Index 1901-1902 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[12]
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Greene County Courthouse
Greene County marriages are maintained at the Greene. Greene County began recording marriages in 1885 although some registrations took place from 1852 -1854. Marriage licenses are all digitally archived and copies can be requested through the mail. Marriage licenses from 1885 are available at the Greene County, Courthouse.
- 1626-2016 Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at FindMyPast ($)
- 1677-1950 Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950 at FamilySearch
- 1700-1821 Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry $
- 1725-1976 Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940 index. Not complete for all years. This index is not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records. This index is not complete for any particular place or region. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1885-1916 Index to Marriage License Dockets, 1885-1976 (Greene County, Pennsylvania) – FHL film 1319627 (first of 8) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 Extracted marriage records – free. Most of the records consist of marriage licenses, certificates, applications, docket books, and affidavits. This database is incomplete for all counties. May also contain marriage records earlier than 1885.
- 1887-1916 Greene County Marriage Index 1887-1916 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[13]
- List of marriage records from docket book of Jay Thompson, Justice of Peace at Carmichaels, PA – Transcribed by Debbie Ovechka, Pennsylvania Genealogy Trails
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.
Greene County began recording deaths in 1893 although some were recorded from 1852 -1854. You may request a death record from the Greene County Courthouse.
- 1720-1999 Pennsylvania Deaths and Burials, 1720-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
- 1893-1915 Registration of Deaths FHL films 1319626 -1319627 These county death records were microfilmed by FamilySearch. They are available through Family History Centers.
- Greene County PA Death Records, Pennsylvania Genealogy Trails – taken fromThe Greene Hills Echo, Published by the Greene County Historical Society - Transcribed by Debbie Ovechka
- 1893-1915 Greene County Death Register 1893-1915 at Greene County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
- 1901-1915 Greene County Death Index 1901-1915 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary, Greene County Courthouse.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
- 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 and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes.
- For current information about a center near you, go to the Family History Center Map
Libraries[edit | edit source]
- University of Pittsburgh Library System
Historic Pittsburgh Digital Library
Website
Searchable and published works covering much of Pennsylvania.
Museums[edit | edit source]
- MeKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center
1832 Arboretum Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
Phone: 412-678-1832
Email: mckheritage@yahoo.com
Website
The heritage museum is free and open to the public. The McKeesport research center has newspapers and records related to the local schools, churches, organizations, and businesses. The research center is free for members. Check website for non-member fees.
Societies[edit | edit source]
- Greene County Historical Society & Museum
918 Rolling Meadows Road
Waynesburg, PA 15370
Phone: 724-627-3204
Email: gchsmuseum@windstream.net
Website
- Cornerstone Genealogical Society
First Greene County Courthouse -Annex
144 East Greene Street
Waynesburg, PA 15370
Mailing Address:
PO Box 547
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania 15370
724-627-5653
Website
First Greene County Courthouse -- Annex
144 East Greene Street
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Greene Connections
- Greene County PA Genealogy
- Greene County Records
- Linkpendium - Greene County
- USGenWeb project
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greene_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/12/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Greene County, Pennsylvania, p.590
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Greene 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, "Greene County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greene_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 22 January 2020.
- ↑ Wikipedia
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 G. Wayne Smith, History of Greene County, Pennsylvania (Waynesburg, Penn.: Cornerstone Genealogical Society, 1996), 19-20. WorldCat 36230349; FHL book 974.883 H2s.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
- ↑ Harold Frederic, William C. Frederick III with William J. McMaster Sr., Path of Blood: The Untold Story of the Kittanning PA. Regiment in the American Revolution (Kittanning, Pa.: W.C. Frederick, 1998). FHL Book 974.8 M2ff
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/9/92/Igipennsylvaniaf.pdf.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/9/92/Igipennsylvaniaf.pdf.
