Columbia County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Columbia 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]
Columbia County was named for Columbia, a poetic name for the United States that alludes to Christopher Columbus. It is located in the east-central section of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Columbia County Courthouse
35 West Main Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: 570-389-5600
Register and Recorder's Office: 570-389-5632
Office of the Prothonotary: 570-389-5614
Columbia County Website
County Clerk has birth and death records 1893-1905, marriage records from 1888, court records from 1814 and divorce records[3]
Columbia 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 | 1888 | 1893 | 1814 | 1813 | 1813 | 1790 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
The following are locations in Columbia County, Pennsylvania:
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:[6]
| Boroughs | ||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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|
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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]
- Columbia County Biographies at USGenWeb Archives; scroll down to Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- ca.1700-ca.1950 - Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, ca. 1700-ca. 1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Record
Census Records[edit | edit source]
For links and tips on using Federal (or United States) census records online for Columbia County, see: Pennsylvania Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1820 | 17,621 | — |
| 1830 | 20,059 | 13.8% |
| 1840 | 24,267 | 21.0% |
| 1850 | 17,710 | −27.0% |
| 1860 | 25,065 | 41.5% |
| 1870 | 28,766 | 14.8% |
| 1880 | 32,409 | 12.7% |
| 1890 | 36,832 | 13.6% |
| 1900 | 39,896 | 8.3% |
| 1910 | 48,467 | 21.5% |
| 1920 | 48,349 | −0.2% |
| 1930 | 48,803 | 0.9% |
| 1940 | 51,413 | 5.3% |
| 1950 | 53,460 | 4.0% |
| 1960 | 53,489 | 0.1% |
| 1970 | 55,114 | 3.0% |
| 1980 | 61,967 | 12.4% |
| 1990 | 63,202 | 2.0% |
| 2000 | 64,148 | 1.5% |
| 2010 | 67,295 | 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.
The Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society maintains files on over 300 area churches. The files are comprised of church histories, membership rolls, marriage records, and more. An index to the files can be accessed by going to the "Resources" tab on the home page and then clicking on the "Churches and Cemeteries (Files)" link. Society volunteers will search the files for others. Those interested are encouraged to contact the society by telephone (570-784-1600).
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 church records of:
- Berwick: First United Methodist Church; St. Paul Methodist Church; United Methodist Church
- Bloomsburg: First Presbyterian Church; Lutheran Church; Trinity Reformed Church (United Church of Christ); Wesley United Methodist Church
- Catawissa: First United Methodist Church
- Espy: St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Fowlerville: Lutheran Church
- Millville: United Methodist Church
- Philadelphia: Columbia Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church; Covenant United Presbyterian Church
Lutheran
St. John's Lutheran Church, Catawissa
- 1789-1864 - St. John's Lutheran Church, Catawissa, Baptism Index 1789-1864 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch, Batch C504341.[7]
- 1840-1873 - St. John's Lutheran Church, Catawissa, Marriage Index 1840-1873 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch M504341.
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. Columbia County shares its judicial district with Montour. Judges of the Common Pleas courts are elected to 10-year terms. A president judge and a court administrator serve in each judicial district.[8]
1814-1861 Common Pleas dockets FHL Films 955613-14. Includes naturalizations, divorce petitions, deeds, insolvency, contracts, and lunacy.
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.[9]
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 Columbia County began in 1800. These records are filed with the Register and Recorder's office in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts, indexes, mortgages, leases, grants, sheriff sales, land patents, and maps. Property records include liens as well as livestock brands and estray records.
Online Land Records
- 1974–present Columbia County offers free online access to indexes. Fees apply to view images.
Land Records on Microfilm
- 1813-1973 Deeds, 1813-1866; Index, 1813-1973. FHL film 955506 (first of 36 films); images
- 1813-1973 Mortgages, 1813-1830; Index, 1813-1973. FHL film 954842 (first of 14 films); 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 ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History and Topography of Northumberland, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Centre, Union, Columbia, Juniata and Clinton Counties, PA. 1847. Compiled by I. D. Rupp. Lancaster, Pennsylvania : G. Hills. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania. 3 volumes in 1. 1887. Edited by J. H. Battle. Chicago, Illinois : A. Warner. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive ; At various libraries (WorldCat). Vol. 2 is Columbia County history.
- History of Columbia County, Pennsylvania. c1958. By Edwin M. Barton. N.p: E.M. Barton. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- A History of Columbia County, Pennsylvania, From the Earliest Times. 1883. By John G. Freeze. Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania : Elwell & Bittenbender. 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)
- 1876 Atlas of Columbia & Montour Counties, Pennsylvania at Ancestor Tracks. 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]
- 1861-1865 - Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
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 Columbia County, Pennsylvania include the following:
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1901-1930 – Naturalizations - PA Middle on Fold3.com $. indexed, 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 at Ancestry $
Original Naturalization Records on Microfilm
- 1814-1861 Common Pleas Dockets FHL film 955613 (first of 2 films)
- 1814-1847 Naturalization Papers FHL film 955615
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 Columbia County
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch. Newspaper clippings collected by the Old Buncombe County, North Carolina Genealogical Society.
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Columbia County.
- The Columbia Democrat Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, 1837-1850.
- The Columbian Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, 1866-1910.
- The Campaign Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, 1866-1866.
- Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg General Advertiser Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, 1850-1866.
- Columbia County Marriages at USGenWeb; extracted from the "Columbia Democrat" by WPA Project 5175.
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 Columbia
Online Obituary Abstracts
PA-Roots Obituaries for Columbia County.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Orphans
- 1814-1868 Pennsylvania Orphans' Court dockets, 1814-1869 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection — index and images
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Columbia 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.
- 1683-1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry $; Index
- 1683-1994 Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; Images
- 1773-1833 Indexes to mortgages, wills and administrations, and miscellaneous records, 1773-1833 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; Index
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
- 1778-1787 - Columbia County, Pennsylvania Tax Lists 1778-1780, 1781, 1783 & 1784, 1785, 1787 at PAGenWeb
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.
- 1893-1905 Columbia County Birth and Death Records at indexes PAGenWeb
Birth[edit | edit source]
Early births 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For more information, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
- 1709-1950 Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania, Births, 1852-1854 at Ancestry $
- 1852-1856 - Columbia County Birth Index 1852-1928 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.[10]
- 1941-1976 Pennsylvania Delayed Birth Records, 1941-1976 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Columbia County Courthouse
- 1626-2016 Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at FindMyPast
- 1677-1950 Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1700-1821 Pennsylvania, Compiled Marriage Records, 1700-1821 at Ancestry $
- 1725-1976 Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages to 1810 at Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1852-1854 at Ancestry $
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
- 1895-1907 Columbia County Marriages at PAGenWeb
- Marriage Records of Columbia and Montour Counties at 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 - How to Use this Collection
- 1852-1873, 1893-1905 - Columbia County Death Index 1852-1873 and 1893-1905 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.[11]
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania, Deaths, 1852-1854 at Ancestry $
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Columbia 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 Columbia County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
Thomas Beaver Free Library
317 Ferry Street
Danville, PA 17821
Phone: (570) 275-4180
Fax: 570-275-8480
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Columbia County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
- Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society
225 Market Street
P.O. Box 360
Bloomsburg, PA 17815-0360
Phone: 570–784-1600
Website - Montour County Genealogical Society
205 Ferry Street
Danville PA 17821
Phone: 570-275-6177
Website
- Genealogy Room: Thomas Beaver Free Library, 2nd Floor
The Room collection includes records for Columbia, Montour and Northumberland Counties.
- Genealogy Room: Thomas Beaver Free Library, 2nd Floor
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Columbia County PA Genealogy
- PA GenWeb Columbia County
- PA USGenWeb Archives, Columbia County
- 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), [FHL book 973 D27e 2002].
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/2/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Columbia County, Pennsylvania, p.589
- ↑ 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), [FHL book 973 D27e 2002].
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Columbia County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 17 January 2020.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/img_auth.php/2/23/Igipennsylvaniac.pdf.
- ↑ The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania http://www.pacourts.us/T/CommonPleas/ 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/img_auth.php/2/23/Igipennsylvaniac.pdf.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/img_auth.php/2/23/Igipennsylvaniac.pdf.
