Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Huntingdon 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 is located in the southwest corner of the state. [2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Huntingdon County Courthouse
223 Penn Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652
Phone: 814-643-2740
Fax: 814-643-8152
Huntingdon County
Register and Recorder/Register of Wills/Orphan's Court
Phone: 814-643-2740 Fax: 814-643-6849 Email: regrec@huntingdoncounty.net
Prothonotory/Clerk of Court Phone: 814-643-1610 or 814-643-5511 Fax: 814-643-4271 Email: kcoons@huntingdoncounty.net
County Clerk has birth records 1894-1906, death records 1894-1905, marriage records from 1885, divorce, probate and court records from 1787[3]
Huntingdon 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 |
| 1894 | 1885 | 1894 | 1787 | 1786 | 1787 | 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 | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| 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]
- 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. | %± |
| 1790 | 7,558 | — |
| 1800 | 13,008 | 72.1% |
| 1810 | 14,778 | 13.6% |
| 1820 | 20,142 | 36.3% |
| 1830 | 27,145 | 34.8% |
| 1840 | 35,484 | 30.7% |
| 1850 | 24,786 | −30.1% |
| 1860 | 28,100 | 13.4% |
| 1870 | 31,251 | 11.2% |
| 1880 | 33,954 | 8.6% |
| 1890 | 35,751 | 5.3% |
| 1900 | 34,650 | −3.1% |
| 1910 | 38,304 | 10.5% |
| 1920 | 39,848 | 4.0% |
| 1930 | 39,021 | −2.1% |
| 1940 | 41,836 | 7.2% |
| 1950 | 40,872 | −2.3% |
| 1960 | 39,457 | −3.5% |
| 1970 | 39,108 | −0.9% |
| 1980 | 42,253 | 8.0% |
| 1990 | 44,164 | 4.5% |
| 2000 | 45,586 | 3.2% |
| 2010 | 45,913 | 0.7% |
| 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.
- Church Locations, Huntingdon County PAGenWeb
Finding Church Records at Other Repositories
Additional church records can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Church Records in online catalogs like:
- Historical Society of Pennsylvania
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Places Search).
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:
- Cassville: Cassville Lutheran Church
- Huntingdon: St. John's Episcopal Church; United Methodist Church
- Mount Union: St. Luke's Lutheran Church
- Orbisonia: First United Methodist Church; Otterbein United Methodist Church
- Woodward: Birmingham Presbyterian Church
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.
- St. Mary's Catholic Church Shade Valley, Cromwell Township, Huntingdon County PAGenWeb
Lutheran
- Selected Baptisms, 1857-1860, First Lutheran Congregation, Penn Township at USGenWeb Archives
- Selected Baptisms, 1857-1860, First Lutheran Congregation, Penn Township, Huntingdon County, PA, USGenWeb Archives
Presbyterian
- 1834 Membership of Presbyterian Church of Shavers Creek Manor, USGenWeb Archives
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.
Some of the Continuence Dockets and the Quarter Session Books are stored in the basement of the Huntingdon County Court House. The Continuence Dockets have been microfilmed and are at the Huntingdon County Pennsylvania Courthouse.
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.[8]
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 Huntingdon County began in 1803. These records are filed with the Register and Recorder office in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
Land Records on Microfilm
- 1786 -1972 Deeds, 1786-1866; Index to Deeds, 1786-1972; Misc. Index to Deeds, 1790- 1877. FHL film 900605 (first of 47 films)
- 1803 -1969 Mortgage Index FHL film 902449
Land Abstracts
- 1787-1889 Pennsylvania Archives Land Warrant Lists at Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- 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).
- History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, Pennsylvania. 1883. By J. Simpson Africa. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : L.H. Everts. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Huntingdon County in the State of Pennsylvania. 1876. By Milton Scott Lytle. Lancaster, Pennsylvania : W. H. Roy. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; 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.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- 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
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.
Newspaper Excerpts and Abstracts
- McFarland, K.T.H., Hollidaysburg Records Marriages, Deaths & Partitions from Weekly Newspapers of Hollidaysburg, Huntingdon/Blair Cos., Pa., 1836-1852 (Apollo, Pennsylvania:Closson Press, c1994) At various libraries (WorldCat; FHL book 974.875/H1 B3m
Newspapers of Huntingdon County
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- The Blair County Genealogical Society has a copy of the book Huntingdon County Newspaper: A Finding List which was compiled by M. M. Faust and Nancy S. Shedd for the Huntingdon County Historical Society. Also available at various libraries (WorldCat
- The Pennsylvania State Library has a book entitled Huntingdon County Newspapers, Vol I that contains notices from the Huntingdon Gazette 1806-1811. This book is not indexed. It's call number is 929.37484 NW1001 and is found in Form Room 101.
Newspapers on Microfilm
The Blair County Genealogical Society and the State Library of Pennsylvania has the Huntingdon Gazette on microfilm.
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.
- Newspaperarchive.com has the Huntingdon County News online.
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Huntingdon 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.
Obituary Indexes
- Archie Claar Obituary Collection Index, Volume 19, 20 through Blair County Genealogical Society. Online
- Wion, John H. Deaths in Central Pennsylvania; an Index to the Obituaries Appearing in the Democratic Watchman, Bellefonte, Pa (S.I.:s.n., 1969) FHL film 873814 item 2; book 974.8 V4w v.1,2
Online Obituary Abstracts
- PA-Roots Obituaries for Huntingdon County.
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Huntingdon 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
- Huntingdon County Wills and Estate Records at Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
- 1683 -1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry $
Online Probate Records
- 1683-1994- Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 at FamilySearch
Huntingdon County Only:
The Huntingdon County Historical Society has a wonderful every name indexed compilation by Linnaria B Wheland of Huntingdon County Will Abstracts from 1787-1846.
The original inventories for Huntington county are housed at the Huntington Historical Society.
Original Probate Records on Microfilm
- 1786 -1972 Index to Orphans' Court Dockets FHL film 900587
- 1787 -1908 Wills FHL film 854230 (first of 9 films)
- 1787 -1918 Index to Wills and Administrations FHL film 854230
- 1788 -1866 Orphans' Court Dockets FHL films 900587–900592
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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Many of the tax lists have been microfilmed, but no one repository has them all. The Huntingdon County Historical Society, State Library of Pennsylvania and the Family History Library each have collections. One can purchase a microfilm roll from the Huntingdon County Historical Society and the State Library of Pennsylvania. The Family History Library will loan their films to their various centers for a small fee.
- 1788 Returns of Taxables for the Counties of Bedford (1773 to 1784), Huntingdon (1788), Westmoreland (1783, 1786), Fayette (1785, 1786), Allegheny (1791), Washington (1786) and Census of Bedford (1784) and Westmoreland (1783) (Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3, Vol. 22). Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Google Books
- 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.
- 1726-1930 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.
- 1800-1935 - Pennsylvania, Huntingdon County, Delayed Birth Records, 1800-1935 at FamilySearch — index
Some birth records exist for the 1852 -1853 time period for Huntingdon County. Only a small percentage of births were recorded in this time period. These records are available at:
- 1852-1853 Births FHL film 900604
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births – Ancestry $
- 1893-1905, 1941 Birth Registers FHL film 900604 The birth records for Huntingdon County were microfilmed by FamilySearch. These microfilms may be available to view at a local FamilySearch Center.
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Huntingdon County Courthouse
Huntingdon County marriages are maintained by the Huntingdon County Courthouse. The county began recording marriages in 1885. A few marriage records were created by the county in the 1853 -1854 time period. To obtain a marriage record you may go to or contact the Huntingdon 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.
- 1787-1823 Marriages by Rev. John Johnston 1787-1823, from J. Simpson Africa's History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, (1883), PAGenWeb
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Marriages FHL film 900604
- 1885-1887 Marriage Licences, contributed by Barbara Lautherboren, PAGenWeb
- 1885-1907 Marriage License Dockets films 900593–900603
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 Extracted marriage records. 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.
- Huntingdon County Marriage Applications, Licenses & Certificates, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
- Huntingdon County Marriage Notices, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
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.
Huntingdon County began recording deaths in 1893, although some were recorded from 1852 -1854. These records are available in the County Courthouse in Huntingdon. You may request a death record from the Huntingdon County Courthouse.
- 1720-1999 Pennsylvania Deaths and Burials, 1720-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1807-1827 Huntingdon County Deaths,1807-1827, PAGenWeb, extracted from J. Simpson Africa's History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, Pennsylvania, 1883.
- 1836-1846 Huntingdon County Deaths, 1836-1846, PAGenWeb, extracted from the Hollidaysburg Record, a weekly newspaper of Blair County.
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
- Death Registers and Reports, 1894 -1896 Partial listing of P surnames – USGenWeb Archives
- 1852-1854 Deaths FHL Collection The 1852-1854 county death records were microfilmed by FamilySearch. They are available through Family History Centers and at the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Huntingdon 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 Libraries
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Huntingdon County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
- Alexandria Memorial Library
313 Main Street
Alexandria, Pennsylvania 16611
Phone: (814) 669-4313
Facebook Page
Museums[edit | edit source]
- Hartslog Heritage Museum
311 Main Street
Alexandria, PA 16611
Phone: 814-207-1410
Facebook
- The Museum is located on the 2nd floor of the Alexandria Memorial Public Library. It houses over 4000 artifacts that represent the area's past. Most notable is a rare historic map of Huntingdon County.
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Huntingdon County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
- Roller-Hojeth Memorial Library
Blair County Genealogical Society
431 Scotch Valley Rd.
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: 814-696-3492
Website
- Collection covers Blair and surrounding counties, particularly Huntingdon, Cambria, and Bedford Counties.
- Huntingdon County Historical Society
100 4th Street
P.O. Box 305
Huntingdon, PA 16652-1418
Phone: 814-643-5449
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- Huntingdon 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/Huntingdon_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/12/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, p.590
- ↑ 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, "Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntingdon_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 22 January 2020.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
