Snyder County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Snyder 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 in honor of the famous citizen and political figure Simon Snyder, who was governor of Pennsylvania. It is located in the mid-central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Snyder County Courthouse
P.O. Box 217
9 West Market Street
Middleburg, PA 17842
Phone: 570-837-4208
Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Phone: 570–837-4202
Office of Register and Recorder/Orphan's Court Phone: 570-837-4224
Snyder County Website
Clerk Courts has birth, death, and burial records 1893-1905, marriage records from 1885, divorce, and court records from 1855
County Register and Recorder has probate and land records
Susquehanna University Library in Selinsgrove has local census records[3]
- Copies of documents including birth, marriages, deaths, divorces, land, and probate records can be obtained by using: Pennsylvania Public Record. Click on the link for the record you wish to request.
- The Prothonotary is the Clerk for the Orphan's Court and can be reached at [Snyder Office of Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts]. E-mail: prothonotary@snydercounty.org
Snyder 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 | 1855 | 1855 | 1855 | 1790 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
1855 - Snyder County created from Union County. 1813 - Union County created from Northumberland County. 1772 - Northumberland County created from Cumberland County. 1750 - Cumberland County created from Lancaster, Cumberland and Berks Counties. 1682 - Lancaster County created from Chester County which was one of the 3 original counties. 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]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
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 — index and images
- PA-Roots
- Names in Stone
- Ancestry($)
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1860 | 15,035 | — |
| 1870 | 15,606 | 3.8% |
| 1880 | 17,797 | 14.0% |
| 1890 | 17,651 | −0.8% |
| 1900 | 17,304 | −2.0% |
| 1910 | 16,800 | −2.9% |
| 1920 | 17,129 | 2.0% |
| 1930 | 18,836 | 10.0% |
| 1940 | 20,208 | 7.3% |
| 1950 | 22,912 | 13.4% |
| 1960 | 25,922 | 13.1% |
| 1970 | 29,269 | 12.9% |
| 1980 | 33,584 | 14.7% |
| 1990 | 36,680 | 9.2% |
| 2000 | 37,546 | 2.4% |
| 2010 | 39,702 | 5.7% |
| 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.
The Snyder County Historical Society has various records for churches throughout the Snyder 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 research for a fee. For more details see their website.
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:
- Penns Creek United Methodist Church
- Selinsgrove Wesley United Methodist Church
Lutheran
The first church building in Selin's Grove was the Union Church (later known as the First Lutheran Church). The Evangelical Lutheran Church was created from members of the First Lutheran Church in 1843.[8]
Botschaft Lutheran and Reformed Church, Chapman Township
- 1792-1876 Botschaft Lutheran and Reformed Church, Chapman Township, Baptism Index 1792-1876 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[9]
Rows or Salem Lutheran Church, Penn Township
- 1774-1832 Rows or Salem Lutheran Church, Penn Township, Baptism Index 1774-1832 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C507201.
Trinity Lutheran Church, Selinsgrove
- 1849-1875 Trinity Lutheran Church, Selinsgrove, Baptism Index 1849-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504921.
- 1849-1875 Trinity Lutheran Church, Selinsgrove, Marriage Index 1849-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M504921.
Zion Lutheran Church
- 1889-1943 Zion Lutheran Church, Snyder County, Pennsylvania at Ancestry $
Zion's or Moor's Lutheran Church, Freeburg
- 1781-1809 Zion's or Moor's Lutheran Church, Freeburg, Baptism Index 1781-1809 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C507101.
Methodist
It is unknown when the Methodist Episcopal Church was first organized, but they errected their own church in 1848.[8]
Reformed
The Reformed congregation met as early as 1780. In 1802 they met in a union church with the Lutherans until 1855 when they built their own church.[8]
Botschaft Lutheran and Reformed Church, Chapman Township
- 1792-1876 Botschaft Lutheran and Reformed Church, Chapman Township, Baptism Index 1792-1876 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch C504691.
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.
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. Snyder County shares its judicial district with Union.[10]
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.[11]
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 Snyder County began in 1855. These records are filed with the Register and Recorder office in Middleburg, Pennsylvania.
Note that the "Maps" section below also includes maps related to land ownership.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Snyder County Annals. 2 volumes. 1919. Compiled by George W. Wagenseller. Middleburg, Pennsylvania : Middleburgh Post. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 1 - Hathitrust, Vol. 1 - Internet Archive, Vol. 2 - Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- 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. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat). Volume 2 contains histories for Perry, Union, and Snyder counties.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks has posted free downloadable images from the Pomeroy & Beers 1868 Atlas of Union & Snyder Counties, Pennsylvania. 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 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
Naturalization records available for Snyder County, Pennsylvania include the following:
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 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 Snyder County
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
- Snyder County Newspaper Resources at USGenWeb.org
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 Post (Middleburg, Snyder County, PA) 1864-1883, Chronicling America.
- The Middleburgh Post (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., PA) 1883-1916, Chronicling America.
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Snyder County, Pennsylvania.
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.
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 Snyder
 |
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 Snyder County, Pennsylvania]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Snyder 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.
Original probate records for some Pennsylvania counties are available free online as digital images at FamilySearch . The dates vary significantly for each county and not all counties are listed. Some counties may only have probate indexes.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1683-1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry $
- 1816-1980 Snyder County Probate Records at FamilySearch
- 1855-1883 Orphans court dockets FHL film 1293508 Item 4 (first of 3 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1855-1882 Will Books FHL film 1289384 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1855-1871 Index to Snyder County Will Book 1 (1855-1871) at PAGenWeb
School Records[edit | edit source]
- Susquehanna University Yearbooks - 1898-2010 (almost all inclusive) via the Internet Archive
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.
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births Ancestry $
- 1942-1962 Snyder County Birth Index 1942-1962 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[12]
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Snyder 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 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 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.
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 $
- 1893-1905 Snyder County Death Index 1893-1905 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[13]
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary which is located in the Snyder 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]
- Snyder County Library
Jackson Penn Elementary School (this is a temporary location for the main library)
297 Route 204
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, 17870
Phone: (570) 374-7163
Website
- The Snyder County Library system has four branches
Call to verify locations and hours
Ancestry.com is available to patrons
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
- Synder County Historical Society
30 East Market St
P.O. Box 276
Middleburg, PA 17842
Phone: 570-837-6191
Website
Email: schs@snydercounty.org
Library collection includes family genealogies, local histories, church records, pastoral records, funeral records, microfilm of historical newspapers and U.S. census records. Hours are posted on the website. Visitors will be charged a $2.00 user fee, with no charge for members of the society. The fee for research requests by mail, phone or e-mail is $20.00 plus copy costs.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Susquehanna PAGenWeb genealogy resources; part of the national USGenWeb Project
- Snyder 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]
Woodroofe's guide to Snyder County "hidden sources" at The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania is available online:
- Woodroofe, Helen Hutchison. "A Genealogist's Guide to Pennsylvania Records," The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 34, No. 3 (1986):250-251. For free online access, see WeRelate.
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/Snyder_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/12/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Snyder County, Pennsylvania, p.592
- ↑ 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, "Snyder County, Pennsylvania" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snyder_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 1 February 2020.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Franklin Ellis and Alfred N. Hungerford, 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, PA: Everts, Peck and Richards, 1886), vol.2:1472-1474; digital versions at Internet Archive
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/4/49/Igipennsylvaniapppppp.pdf.
- ↑ Judges of the Common Pleas courts are elected to 10-year terms. A president judge and a court administrator serve in each judicial district. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania PA Court of Common Pleas [1]accessed 10 July 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/4/49/Igipennsylvaniapppppp.pdf.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/4/49/Igipennsylvaniapppppp.pdf.
