Mifflin County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Mifflin County, Pennsylvania ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Social Security Records
- 2.27 Tax Records
- 2.28 Vital Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Thomas Mifflin, the first Governor of the state of Pennsylvania. It is located in the central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Mifflin County Courthouse
20 North Wayne St.
Lewistown, PA 17044
Phone: 717-242-1449
Fax: 717-248-2503
Clerk of Courts/Prothonotary Phone: 717-248-8146
Register, Recorder and Clerk of the Orphan's Court Phone: 717 -242-1449 Email: prothonotary@co.mifflin.pa.us
Mifflin County Website
County Clerk has birth records 1893-1905, marriage records from 1885, probate and land records from 1789
Prothonotary Office has divorce and court records[3]
Mifflin 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 | bef 1906 | 1789 | 1789 | 1789 | 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]
For animated maps illustrating Pennsylvania county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Pennsylvania County Boundary Maps" (1673-1878) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website. |
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[9]
| Boroughs | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
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| 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]
Additional Cemetery Resources
- ca.1700-ca.1950 - Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, ca. 1700-ca. 1950 at FamilySearch — index and images
- PA-Roots
- Names in Stone
- Ancestry($)
- The Cemeteries of Mifflin County. 2 vols. Mifflin County Historical Society, 1977. Surname index and list of cemeteries at PAGenWeb; FHL Book 974.846 V22m v. 1-v. 2.
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1790 | 7,562 | — |
| 1800 | 13,609 | 80.0% |
| 1810 | 12,132 | −10.9% |
| 1820 | 16,618 | 37.0% |
| 1830 | 21,690 | 30.5% |
| 1840 | 13,092 | −39.6% |
| 1850 | 14,980 | 14.4% |
| 1860 | 16,340 | 9.1% |
| 1870 | 17,508 | 7.1% |
| 1880 | 19,577 | 11.8% |
| 1890 | 19,996 | 2.1% |
| 1900 | 23,160 | 15.8% |
| 1910 | 27,785 | 20.0% |
| 1920 | 31,439 | 13.2% |
| 1930 | 40,335 | 28.3% |
| 1940 | 42,993 | 6.6% |
| 1950 | 43,691 | 1.6% |
| 1960 | 44,348 | 1.5% |
| 1970 | 45,268 | 2.1% |
| 1980 | 46,908 | 3.6% |
| 1990 | 46,197 | −1.5% |
| 2000 | 46,486 | 0.6% |
| 2010 | 46,682 | 0.4% |
| 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 $
- Contains the church records of:
- Burnham: United Methodist Burnham Charge; United Methodist Church
- Lewistown: First United Methodist Church; Grace United Methodist Church; United Methodist Church
- Reedsville: United Methodist Church
- Yeagertown: United Methodist Church
Baptist
Baptists organized in Mifflin County in 1840. It wasn’t until 1879 that the congregation was able to hold consistent services. A church was completed in Lewistown in 1883.
Catholic
Many of the workmen on the Juniata Canal in the 1820’s were Catholic. Lewistown was chosen as the best place to build a church for their worship. They broke ground for the Church of the Sacred Heart in 1828. It was attached to the Pittsburgh Diocese until 1868 when it became part of the Harrisburg Diocese.[10]
Episcopal
St. Mark’s Episcopal was established in 1824, but preachers were visiting Mifflin County as early as 1820. The African American Episcopal church was organized in 1816, with two congregations in Lewistown as early as 1872.
Methodist
The first Methodist Society in Lewiston was formed in 1815. Some lists of early congregants are found in Ellis’ history of Mifflin County. [10]
Lutheran
The Lutheran and Reformed congregations formed a Unity church in 1814. Both were German-speaking churches and called their church Zion’s Church. A later church in Lewistown was called St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (1850).
Presbyterian
The first church congregation established in Mifflin County was Presbyterian in 1785 in Bratton Township. Other congregations were established in Lost Creek and Mifflinburg (1805) and Lewistown and Kishacoquillas (1810). [10]
Little Valley Presbyterian Church, Vira
- 1837-1903 Little Valley Presbyterian Church, Vira, Baptism Index 1837-1903 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C727651[11]
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]
- Bell, Raymond Martin. Families and Records Before 1800. 1987, 1991. Includes supplement. Surname and place index at PAGenWeb
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.[12]
- 1793-1840, 1843-1914 Court Records Quarter Sessions FHL Film 1026538 (first of 28films)
- 1792-1809, 1826-1834 Circuit Court Docket FHL film 1026544
- 1851-1905 Selected Appearance Papers FHL film 1026314 (first of 5 films)
- 1865-1875 Chancery Docket FHL film 1026544 item 4
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 Mifflin County began in 1789. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1789-1953 Deed Indexes. FHL film 1026092 (first of 10 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- History of [...] the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 2 volumes. 1886. By Franklin Ellis, Alfred Matthews. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : Everts, Peck & Richards. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust,Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat). Volume 1 contains a general history of all counties and specific histories for Mifflin and Juniata counties.
- History and Topography of Northumberland, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Centre, Union, Columbia, Juniata and Clinton Counties, Pa. 1847. By I. Daniel Rupp. Lancaster, Pennsylvania : G. Hills. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Google Books; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- A History of the Juniata Valley. 3 volumes. 1936. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania : National Historical Association, Inc. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 3 - FamilySearch Digital Library.
- Sherman Day's "Mifflin County, Historical Collections of the State of Pennsylvania, 1843, courtesy USGenWeb Archives
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks has posted free downloadable images from the Atlas of Perry, Juniata, and Mifflin Counties by and under the Direction of Beach Nichols, published by Pomery, Whitman & Co., 1877. This atlas located in the Library of Congress shows major landowners and geographic sites at the date of publishing. While the physical maps are in the public domain, the images we have taken of the maps belong to us and are not to be used commercially. We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
For residents who moved away, see:
- McClenahen, Dan. Former Residents of Mifflin County 1832-1883, 1894-1896, 2 vols. Reedsville, Pa.: D. McClenahen, 1986-1993. Surname index at PAGenWeb; FHL Books 974.846 W2m v. 1-v. 2.
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
- 1861-1865 - Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
- Frysinger, George R. and Eleanor M. Aurand. Mifflin Countians Who Served in the Civil War: Published in the Lewistown Gazette 1905. Lewistown, Pa.: Mifflin County Historical Society, 1996. Surname index at PAGenWeb; FHL Book 974.846 M2f.
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
- 1802-1912 Naturalization records, 1802-1912. FHL film 1046313 (first of 2). - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Index at beginning of each volume.
- 1803-1906 McClenahen, Dan. Naturalization Papers of Mifflin County, 1803-1906. Lewistown, Pa.: Mifflin County Historical Society, 1984. Surname index at PAGenWeb; FHL Book 974.846 P4m.
- 1901-1930 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. Circuit and District Courts for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, 1906-1930; and 1901-1906 on Fold3.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1622, Middle District court was created in 1901, for earlier dates try the Eastern and Western District court records
- 1901-1930 Middle District, US Circuit and District Courts: Naturalization petitions, 1906-1930 located in U.S. Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1795-1972 (World Archives Project) database on Ancestry $
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 Mifflin County
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
Online Newspapers
To learn if there are newspapers online for a specific town or city in Pennsylvania, see news.google.com/newspapers and search for the town or the name of a newspaper.
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.
- Newspaper Abstracts alphabetical. Also Church Newsletter Abstracts.
Newspaper Excerpts and Abstracts
- McClenahen, Dan, People in the News in Mifflin County (S.I.:D. McDlenahen, 1986-1995) At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 974.846 D2m
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 Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.
- Mifflin County Obituaries at USGenWeb Archives
Obituary Excerpts and Abstracts
- 1822-1896 McClenahen, Dan, Obituaries of Mifflin County 1822-1896, 2 vols. Lewistown, Pa.: Mifflin County Historical Society, 1982-1995. Surname index at PAGenWeb; At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 974.846 V4m
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Mifflin 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 $
- 1789 -1899 Mifflin County Probate Records at FamilySearch
- Fisher, Charles A. Wills and Administrations of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Including Wills and Administrations of Union, Mifflin and Indiana Counties. 1950. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library. Abstracts and index.
- 1789-1899 Register's Docket FHL film 1026537 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1789-1900 McClenahen, Dan. Wills of Mifflin County, 1789-1900, 2 vols. 1983-1985. Surname index at PAGenWeb; FHL Books 974.846 P2m v. 1-v. 2.
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
- 1767-1789, 1798 The People of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, 1755-1798: Tax Lists 1767-1789; Federal Census 1790; Federal Direct Tax 1798 at FamilySearch Digital Library; surname index at PAGenWeb - free.
- 1798 Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 at Ancestry ($).
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.
- 1726-1950 Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950. This collection is an index for the years 1726 to 1930. It is not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records. This index is not complete for any particular place or region. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births Ancestry $
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Mifflin 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 an electronic database of information. The entries are primarily from the International Genealogical Index (IGI) along with some entries derived from compiled and original records such as: Family Records, Church Records, Civil Registration. It may also include indexes generated by the internet indexing project sponsored by FamilySearch.
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1822-1885 McClenahen, Dan. Marriages of Mifflin County, 1822-1885. Lewistown, Pa.: Mifflin County Historical Society, 1981. Surname index at PAGenWeb; FHL Book 974.846 V2m.
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
Death[edit | edit source]
Early deaths 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For indexes and records, 1906 and later, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
- 1720-1999 Pennsylvania Deaths and Burials, 1720-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary Mifflin County Courthouse.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Mifflin County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
- National Archives at Philadelphia
14700 Townsend Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154-1096
Phone: 215-305-2044
Fax: 215-305-2052
website
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Mifflin County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Mifflin County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
- The Mifflin County Historical Society
1 West Market Street, Suite 1
Lewistown, PA 17044
Phone: 717-242-1022
Website - Mifflin County Mennonite Historical Society
3922 W. Main Street
Belleville, PA 17004
Phone: 717-935-5574
Facebook
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb
- Mifflin County PA Genealogy
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mifflin_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/12/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, p.591
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Mifflin County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mifflin_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 28 January 2020.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Franklin Ellis, History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (Philadelphia, Penn.: Everts, Peck and Richards, 1886), 520-524. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/1/10/Igipennsylvaniall.pdf.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
