Montour County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Montour 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 Andrew Montour. The county is located in the mid-central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Montour County Courthouse
29 Mill Street
Danville, PA 17821
Phone: 570-271-3010
Register of Wills/Recorder or Deeds/Orphan’s Court Phone: 570-271-3012
County Recorder Phone: 570-271-3012 or 570-271-3014
Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts Phone: 570-271-3010
Montour County Website
Prothonotary and Clerk Courts has birth and death records from 1893-1905, delayed birth registration from 1883-1905, marriage licenses from 1885, divorce and court records from 1850, and naturalization records from 1850-1904.[3]
Montour 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 | 1850 | 1850 | 1850 | 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]
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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 | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
- History of Montour County from "The History of Colubmia and Montour Counties" Battle, 1887 courtesy USGenWeb Archives
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- History of Montour County from "The History of Colubmia and Montour Counties" Battle, 1887 Includes "Some of the Early Families" and "Montour County Bios" Courtesy USGenWeb Archives
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- Cemetery records often reveal birth, marriage, death, relationship, military, and religious information.
Additional Cemetery Resources
- ca.1700-ca.1950 - Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, ca. 1700-ca. 1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- Cemetery Abstracts at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images (incomplete)
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Federal Census
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 13,239 | — |
| 1860 | 13,053 | −1.4% |
| 1870 | 15,344 | 17.6% |
| 1880 | 15,468 | 0.8% |
| 1890 | 15,645 | 1.1% |
| 1900 | 15,526 | −0.8% |
| 1910 | 14,868 | −4.2% |
| 1920 | 14,080 | −5.3% |
| 1930 | 14,517 | 3.1% |
| 1940 | 15,466 | 6.5% |
| 1950 | 16,001 | 3.5% |
| 1960 | 16,730 | 4.6% |
| 1970 | 16,508 | −1.3% |
| 1980 | 16,675 | 1.0% |
| 1990 | 17,735 | 6.4% |
| 2000 | 18,239 | 2.8% |
| 2010 | 18,267 | 0.2% |
| 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.
- 1620-1991 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Congregational Records, 1620-1991(*) at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
The Montour County Genealogical Society has various records for churches throughout the Montour County area. However, the society has not put the records on-line and to view the records one must go to the society. The society will do limited lookups in the records. See their website for details.
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:
- Bloomsburg: Trinity Reformed Church (United Church of Christ)
- Danville: Beaver Library; Lutheran Church; Presbyterian Church; Reformed Church; Shiloh United Church of Christ
- Hemlock: Hemlock Township Union Church
- Mooresburg: Presbyterian Church
Baptist
In 1842, the First Baptist Church of Danville was organized. The Immanuel Baptist Church was created from members of the First Baptist Church in 1892, but the church was dissolved by the members in 1908.[8]
Evangelical
The first pastor was appointed for the Evangelical Church in 1867, although previous pastors did perform services before that time. This congregation was eventually called the Emanuel Evangelical Church and their first church building was dedicated in 1871.[8]
Lutheran
The first sign of the Lutheran denomination in Montour County was in 1820 with the creation of what is now known as the Pine Street Lutheran Church. Before then, they would go to the Lutheran Church in Mahoning Township, Northumberland County. In 1845, a church was built and the congregation was known as Evangelical Lutheran Church of Danville (now called St. John's Lutheran Church). But the congregation eventually outgrew the building and the Pine Street Lutheran Church was built in 1859.[8]
The Trinity Lutheran Church was created in 1859 from members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (eventually called the Pine Street Lutheran Church) that did not agree with the location of the new church building agreed upon by the majority of the congregation.[8]
Methodist Episcopal
The St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church was the second religious organization established in Danville in about 1791, although a permanent church building was not erected until 1839.[8]
The Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1868 from members of the St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church who lived in the north side of town. [8]
Presbyterian
The Mahoning Presbyterian Church, later changed to the Grove Presbyterian Church, was the first religious organization in Danville in about 1778.[9]
Protestant Episcopal
The Protestant Episcopal congregation (now known as Christ's Church) was officially established in 1829, sharing a church building with the Lutheran congregation. Difficulties with the Lutheran Congregation eventually lead to them leaving the church building in 1836 and was left exclusively to the Protestant Episcopal Church.[8]
Reformed
The Shiloh Reformed Church in Danville was formally created in 1893, when it split from a larger congregation of the Reformed Church that began in 1856 and covered Danville, Catawissa, St. James (Mahoning) and Mausdale. [8]
Roman Catholic
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church began as a mission in 1847. It's first building was on the corner of Center and Ferry streets and later moved to its current lot in 1869.[8]
Because of the large influx of German Catholics by 1859, a congregation was created and called the St. Hubert's German Catholic Church. Previously, German Catholics attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church.[8]
Synagogue
The B'nai Zion Synagogue was built in 1871. Previously, the congregation met in their schoolhouse built in 1853.[8]
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.
Prothonotary
- 1850 -1907 Common Pleas Docket, vol. 1–2 FHL film 953899 (first of 5 films)
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.
- 1798-1828 Pennsylvania Landing Reports of Aliens, 1798-1828 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; Alphabet index then by numbered entry
- 1900-1923 Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Case Files of Chinese Immigrants, 1900-1923 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
- 1952-1957 Pennsylvania, Crew Lists arriving at Erie, 1952-1957 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
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]
- 1851-1865 Orphans Court Docket, vol. 1–2 FHL film 954020
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 Montour County began in 1850. These records are filed with the Register and Recorder office in Danville, Pennsylvania.
Land Indexes and Records
- 1850-1958 Deeds, 1850-1866; Deed Index, 1850-1958. FHL films 953720-953728 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania. 2 volumes. 1915. Chicago, Illinois : J.H. Beers & Co. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Vol. 1 - Internet Archive, Vol. 2 -Internet Archive, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania. 1887. Edited by J. H. Battle. Chicago, Illinois : A. Warner. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks has posted free downloadable images fromthe atlas of Columbia and Montour Counties of Pennsylvania from Recent Actual Surveys; Records Under the Superintendence of G.H. Walker C.F. Jewett published by F.W. Beers Co in 1876. 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]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1865-1936 Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1865-1936 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
World War II
- 1933-1947 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, World War II Casualty Cards, 1933-1947 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
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
- 1795-1931 Pennsylvania, Eastern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1795-1931 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1795-1952 Pennsylvania, Eastern District Naturalization Indexes, 1795-1952 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1850-1907 Common Pleas Docket FHL film 953899 (first of 5 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 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 Montour County
Online Newspapers
To learn if there are newspapers online for a specific town or city in Pennsylvania, see news.google.com/newspapers and search for the town or the name of a newspaper.
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Montour County, Pennsylvania.
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory.
- Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
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
- Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1977-2010 Pennsylvania Obituaries, 1977-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- PA-Roots Obituaries for Montour County, Pennsylvania.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Montour County are handled by the Orphans' Court and start when the county was created.
In addition to wills and administrations, the Orphans' Court also handles: audits of accounts of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians; distribution of estates; appointments of guardians; adoptions; appeals from the Register of Wills; inheritance tax appeals, and various petitions and motions.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1683-1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry $
- 1683-1994 Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
- 1850-1912 Montour County Probate Records at FamilySearch
- 1850-Present Montour County Index of Wills 1850 to the Present. Free index found on the Mountor County, Pennsylvania website. Index includes name, book, and page number.
- 1850-1912 Wills FHL film 953717 (first of 3 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
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]
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.
- 1520-1999 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Births and Baptisms, 1520-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1709-1950 Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births Ancestry $
- 1941-1976 Pennsylvania Delayed Birth Records, 1941-1976 at FamilySerch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Montour County Courthouse
- 1512-1989 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Marriage Records, 1512-1989 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1626-2016 Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at FindMyPast ($)
- 1677-1950 Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1682-1976 Pennsylvania, Church Marriages, 1682-1976 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1700-1821 Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry $
- 1709-1940 Pennsylvania Marriages, 1709-1940 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- Marriage records of Columbia and Montour Counties at Ancestry $
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
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 - How to Use this Collection; index, some images
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
- 1856-1971 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Deaths and Burials, 1856-1971 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1893-1905 Montour County Death Index 1893-1905 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[11]
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary Montour County Courthouse.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Montour 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 Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- 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 Montour County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
- Thomas Beaver Free Library
205 Ferry Street
Danville, PA 17821
Phone: 570-275-4180.
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
- Montgomery House Museum
1 Bloom Street
Box 8
Danville, PA 17821
Phone: 570-275-8528
Website
A small library contains local and county histories, industrial record books, business and law ledgers, military references, photographs, tax records, and maps.
Currently open by appointment.
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Montour County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
- Montour County Genealogical Society
205 Ferry Street
Danville PA 17821
Phone: 570-275-6177
Website
- Montour County Historical Society
P.O. Box 8
1 Mill Street
Danville, PA 17821
Phone: 570-271-0830
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Montour County PA Genealogy
- Montour County PAGenWeb
- USGenWeb
- 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/Montour_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/12/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Montgomery 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.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Montour County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montour_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 28 January 2020.
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J.H. Beers and Co., 1915), 352, 355), FamilySearch Digital Library, Digital copy at Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 974.83 H2b vol. 1.
- ↑ "History of Danville, Grove Presbyterian Church" in PA-Roots at http://www.pa-roots.com/index.php/montour-county/134-history-of-danville/391-history-of-danville-grove-presbyterian-church (accessed August 7, 2012).
- ↑ 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/1/10/Igipennsylvaniall.pdf.
