Washington County, Pennsylvania Genealogy

United States Pennsylvania  Washington County

Guide to Washington County, Pennsylvania ancestry, family history and genealogy in courthouse sources including birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, wills, deeds and land records, Civil War records, Revolutionary War records, family histories, cemeteries, churches, tax records, newspapers, and obituaries.

Washington County Pennsylvania Historical Facts

 * Parent Counties: Formed from Westmoreland County 28 March 1781.
 * County Seat: Washington




 * Neighboring Counties: residents may also have records in:
 * Beaver (north)
 * Greene (south)
 * Allegheny (northeast)
 * Westmoreland (east)
 * Fayette (southeast)
 * Hancock County, West Virginia (northwest)
 * Marshall County, West Virginia (southwest)
 * Ohio County, West Virginia
 * Brooke County, West Virginia (west)

Named for General George Washington of the American Revolutionary War.

Boundary Changes
Note: Washington County was claimed by both Virginia and Pennsylvania until the Mason-Dixon Line was finalized in 1767.


 * 27 Jan 1750: Part of Cumberland County.
 * 9 March 1771: Became part of Bedford County when it was was erected.
 * 26 January 1773: The future county became part of Westmoreland County.
 * 24 September 1788: Allegheny County set off.
 * 9 February 1796: Greene County set off.
 * 12 March 1800: Beaver County set off.

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.

Records Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Cemeteries
Cemetery records often reveal birth, marriage, death, relationship, military, and religious information.

BillionGraves:


 * Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Washington
 * Beallsville Cemetery, Scenery Hill
 * Purviance Cemetery, Claysville

Church Records


Additional church records can be located at Linkpendium and by searching the FamilySearch Catalog. The FamilySearch Catalog has a plethora of for Washington County, many are limited in the time frame they cover. When searching the FamilySearch Catalog, be sure to also search at the town and township level.

USGenWeb. Washington County "Little Washington" Pennsylvania Religious, Churches, Worship

USGenWeb. Churches of Washington County.PA

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.com – $; 7,542,774 entries. This database is incomplete for all counties.


 * Contains the church records of:
 * Canonsburg: Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church
 * Finleyville: Mingo Presbyterian Church
 * Peters: Center United Presbyterian Church
 * Washington: Covenant United Presbyterian Church; Faith United Presbyterian Church; First Presbyterian Church; First United Methodist Church; Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church

Roman Catholic

 * "100 years of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese 1843–1943". Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Quarterly, 17:1. FamilySearch Library book 974.8 B2wg. Contains chronolgy, map, county-by-county information.

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. has its own judicial district. Judges of the Common Pleas courts are elected to 10-year terms. A president judge and a court administrator serve in each judicial district.

Orphans' Court

 * ’’’1781–1868’’’ Orphans' Court Docket with Index (1781

Family Histories

 * (Walton) Walton, John. "Job Walton of Fleming County, Kentucky," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 52, No. 1 (Mar. 1964):15-24. 973 B2ng v. 52

Land and Property
Land records in Washington County began in 1781. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds in Washington, Pennsylvania. If your ancestor lived in the area which became Washington County, they may have filed land claims with Virginia when the area was know as the District of West Augusta.

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.

The following are examples of available resources:

Online Land Records


 * 1967–present Images are available online using the Landex system. There is a fee to view the images.

Online Land Abstracts


 * Warrantees of Land in the Washington County courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Land Records on Microfilm


 * 1781-1924 Deed Books, 1781-1886; Deed Index, 1781-1924
 * 1781-1925 Mortgages, 1841-1854; Mortgage Index, 1781-1925

Maps


 * MacInnes, Sharon Cook. Early Landowners of Pennsylvania: Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Washington County. Apollo, Pennsylvania : Closson Press, 2004.

Note that the "Maps" section below also includes maps related to land ownership.

Additional Resources

See Pennsylvania Land and Property for more information about using land records, especially about original land warrants, surveys, and patents filed at the state land office.

Additional resources can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Washington County Pennsylvania Land in online catalogs such as:


 * Historical Society of Pennsylvania
 * WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog.)
 * (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search.)

Local Histories

 * History of Washington County : from its first settlement to the present time ... 1870 by Alfred Creigh. Digitized book from archive.org.  Digitized book from Penn State.
 * History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, 1882, by Boyd Crumrine. Digitized book from archive.org Digitized book from Historic Pittsburgh  Transcription from chartiers.com.
 * Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens...1893, by J. H. Beers. Volume 1 Transcription from chartiers.com.
 * 20th Century History of the City of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 1910 by Joseph Fulton McFarland, 2 volumes. Digitized book online from archive.org:  Volume 1   Volume 2
 * Some pioneers of Washington County, Pa. A family history, 1902 by Francis Smith Reeder. Digitized book from archive.org.
 * The centennial celebration of the incorporation of the borough of Washington, Pa., in its Old Home Week of October 2-8, 1910 from GoogleBooks
 * A century of education; or, The history of the schools of Burgettstown, Washington County, Pennsylvania, for one hundred years, 1898, by William Melvin. Digitized book at archive.org.
 * Centennial anniversary of the founding of Monongahela City, Pa. : celebrated November 15th, 1892 by C. W. Hazzard. Digitized book at Historic Pittsburgh.

Maps

 * Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
 * Ancestor Tracks has an Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Washington County and a Companion Scans of Township Warratee Maps CD($). They show precise outlines in metes and bounds of each original tract and all surrounding tracts in each township, giving the names of the warrantee and patentee; dates of the warrant, survey, and patent; and the patent and survey book and page of the recorded patent.

Revolutionary War
Men living in what is now Washington County (then Westmoreland County) also served in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment.


 * Washington County Muster Rolls and Papers courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Naturalization and Citizenship
Naturalization records available for Washington County, Pennsylvania include the following:

Online Naturalization Indexes and Records


 * 1820-1906 – Index to Declarations and Petitions in the Western District of Pennsylvania, US Circuit and District Courts located in US Naturalization Records Indexes, 1794-1995 database on Ancestry.com - ($), National Archives publication M1208


 * 1820-1930 – Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Fold3.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1537, incomplete for all counties


 * 1820-1930 - Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania located in Selected US Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1790-1974 database on Ancestry.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1537

Original Naturalization Records on Microfilm


 * 1802-1906 - Naturalization records, 1802-1906; Index, 1802-1962,

Newspapers
Newspapers of Washington 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.


 * The Reporter August 22, 1808 - Dec 19, 1825
 * Washington Daily News January 1, 1918 - May 11, 1919
 * Washington Daily Reporter March 25, 1884 - December 31, 1896
 * The Washington Observer January 4, 1878 - November 6, 1967
 * The Washington Reporter March 29, 1845 - September 16, 1985
 * The Washington Sem-Weekly Reporter October 5, 1889 - December 25, 1891
 * The Washington Weekly Reporter November 10, 1883 - February 29, 1888

Online Newspaper Abstracts


 * PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Washington County, Pennsylvania.
 * Miscellaneous Newspaper Items A part of a PAGenWeb Project
 * Newspaper Articles by year.

Newspaper Abstracts


 * Compliled by Bonnie Malmat, Abstracts of the Washington, PA Reporter:Washington County, PA (Apollo, Pennsylvania:Closson Press, c1990-2008)

Obituaries
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 Newspaper heading

Online Obituary Abstracts


 * PA-Roots Obituaries for Washington County, Pennsylvania.
 * Links to the Dixon Collection Death Notices for 1880 Washington County, PA. A full list of 1880 Deaths from the Washington Reporter or Washington Observer.
 * Washington County Obituaries courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Obituary Excerpts and Abstracts


 * Compiled by Yvonne L. Blair Morgan, Index of Census, Newspaper Obituary Files and Microfilm:Fayette, Green, Washington and Westmoreland Counties (Apollo, Pennsylvania:Closson Press, c2003) ;
 * Compliled by Bonnie Malmat, Abstracts of the Washington, PA Reporter:Washington County, PA (Apollo, Pennsylvania:Closson Press, c1990-2008)

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes


 * 1683-1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry.com — index and images $


 * 1683-1994 at FamilySearch — images


 * 1781–1796— Estate Records in Washington County ($) on Ancestry. Taken from Bell, Raymond Martin. Estate Records and Deed Records

Online Probate Records Original probate records for some Pennsylvania counties are available free online as digital images at FamilySearch.org. The dates vary significantly for each county and not all counties are listed. Some counties may only have probate indexes. This Pennsylvania collection of images may be browsed through the links listed below: Complete Collection:


 * 1683-1994 – at FamilySearch.org

Washington County Only:


 * 1781–1850 – Washington County Probate Records

Online Probate Abstracts


 * 1786–1830 – PAGenWeb – incomplete Extract of Washington County Partitions, Estate Divisions. Includes name, wife, children with spouses.

Original Probate Records on Microfilm


 * 1781–1872 Wills, includes index 1781–1935.
 * 1781–1850 Probate Files, includes index 1781–1924.
 * 1781–1868 Orphans' Court Records, includes index 1781–1952.

Repositories

 * List of Pennsylvania Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical &amp; Genealogical Societies

Archives

 * National Archives at Philadelphia 14700 Townsend Road Philadelphia, PA 19154-1096 Phone: (215) 305-2044 Fax (215) 305-2052
 * National Archives at Philadelphia 14700 Townsend Road Philadelphia, PA 19154-1096 Phone: (215) 305-2044 Fax (215) 305-2052

Courthouse
Washington County Courthouse 1 South Main St. Washington, PA 15301 Phone: 724-228-6787 Hours: 9:00–4:30 Directions to County complex

From the county courthouse's website you will find a great amount of information. The tab called "Recording Offices" will have the links to the following:


 * Clerk of the Courts Suite 1005 Phone: 724-228-6787


 * Prothonotary Suite 1001 Phone: 724-228-6770


 * Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court Suite 1002 Phone: 724-228-6775 Fax: 724-250-4821

Genealogy Resource describes their limitations on requests. Some of them are:


 * Simple requests
 * Requests in writing
 * $10.00 search fee
 * Stamped, self-addressed return envelope

For more extensive requests, they will provide a list of genealogists available to hire.

Family History Centers
The Monongahela Center is also nearby.

Libraries
Washington County Library System consists of 14 public libraries in Washington County. Each library has access to genealogical databases - especially newspaper sites. Many are accessible with your library card from home. There website has links websites and public records for genealogist. A list of the libraries in this system and their website and contact information is found here.


 * Citizens Library 55 South College St. Washington, PA 15301 Phone: 724-222-2400 Fax: 724-222-2606 Email: citlib@citlib.org Hours: Monday to Thursday: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM


 * Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM–5:30 PM
 * Their Genealogy Page lists a brief listing of their holdings which include newspapers, manuscripts, family histories, local histories, etc. The staff provide basic searches for pre-paid fees of $10.00 per name, $15.00 per name if only month and year are provided. Fees include postage and five copies, reqardless of the succes of the search.


 * Donora Public Library 510 Meldon Ave. Donora, PA 15033 Phone: 724-379-7940 Fax: 724-379-8809 Hours: Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM–7:00 PM


 * Friday and Saturday: 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
 * Their Microfilm Collection will be helpful for genealogist. They have census and newspapers.


 * Monongahela Area Library 813 West Main Street Monongahela, PA 15063 Phone: 724-258-5409 Fax: 724-258-5440 E-mail: monongahelalib@gmail.com


 * Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
 * Friday: 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
 * Saturday: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM /10:00 AM-2:00 PM (July and August)
 * Their Genealogical Page gives their holdings and some suggestions. They require you sign a consent form agreeing to these rules and provide ID. There is a $1.00 charge to use the microfilm collection and a $0.25 cent per page printing charge.


 * Peters Township Public Library 616 E. McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Phone: 724-941-9430


 * Hours: Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
 * Friday: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
 * Saturday: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
 * Sunday: 12:00 PM-4:00 PM(September to May)
 * Closed (June to August)
 * The library has online help and a brochure to help with access to online databases such as, America's News, Biography Resource Center, HeritageQuest. These would be accessed through the library card.

Museums

 * David Bradford House 175 S. Main St. P.O. Box 537 Washington PA 15301 E-mail: bradfordhouse@verizon.net (for general inquiries) or bradforddirector@verizon.net (Historical Director)


 * They publish a newsletter to learn more of the history of the area.


 * Washington County Historical Society Museums 49 East Maiden St. Washington, PA 15301 E-mail: wchspa@verizon.net Phone: 724-225-6740

The Society offers tours of the museums throughout downtown Washington. One house is 199-year old LeMoyne House was an Underground Railroad.

Societies
Rich in history, contains a number of societies dealing with the history of the area.


 * Washington County Historical Society 49 East Maiden St. Washington, PA 15301 E-mail: wchspa@verizon.net Phone: 724-225-6740 Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 11:00 AM–4:00 PM


 * The Research Library has some tools to help the researcher in the area of Washington County. You may research at the library or use theirResearch Contract.


 * Genealogical Society of Southwestern Pennsylvania c/o Citizens Library 55 South College St. Washington, PA 15301 E-mail: gsswpa55@yahoo.com


 * The Southwestern Pennsylvania Genealogical Society covers counties.
 * Their publication, The Keyhole is a quarterly publication, the index is archived on the internet.


 * Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society (WPGS) c/o PA Department, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh 4400 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213-4080


 * The focus of the WPGS 26 counties west of Centre County including Washington County. The are based out of Pittsburgh, PA in the Pennnsylvania Department of the Carnegie Library.
 * The Research Request lists fees for research and look ups in indexes, naturalizations, WPA Home Survey, and more.

School Records

 * Washington County Education Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives
 * 1877 Common School Report
 * Donora High School, 1919
 * East Bethlehem Senior Annual, 1919
 * West Bethlehm "Last Will and Testament for 1929"
 * Pennsylvania Reform School, 1893.

Taxation

 * 1781 - Washington County Tax Lists courtesy USGenWeb Archives
 * 1783 - The 1783 Tax Lists and the 1790 Federal Census for Washington County, Pennsylvania at - free.
 * 1786 - 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 ($); Google Books - free.
 * 1786 - A Duplicate of the State Taxes for the Year 1786 at PAGenWeb - free.
 * 1798 - Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 at Ancestry ($).
 * 1809-1810 - Anwell Township Tax List at PAGenWeb - free.
 * 1822-1824 - West Bethlehem Township Tax Lists at PAGenWeb - free.

Vital Records
See also How to order Pennsylvania Vital Records

Birth

 * 1852-1930 - - free index. Not complete for all years.
 * 1852-1854 – Pennsylvania Births Ancestry.com – $ Index with images.

Marriage

 * 1677–1950 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1700-1821 - Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry.com – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties.
 * 1752-1976 - - free index. Not complete for all years.
 * Pre-1810 – Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry.com – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties. Includes 35,000 marriage records from vol. VIII of of the second series of the Pennsylvania Archives.
 * 1852-1854 - Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry.com – ($) Index with images.
 * 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.

Marriage records recorded in the Register of Wills Office are from 1885 through the present. Write for the records at:

Register of Wills Office 1 South Main Street Suite 1002, Washington, PA 15301 Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Divorce
Divorce records are handled by the office of the Prothonotary. While no on-line indexes or records are available, records may be obtained by visiting or writing to the Prothonotary at:

Death

 * 1852-1854 – Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry.com – $ Index with images.
 * 1893-1906 - Washington County Death Index 1893-1906 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.

Washington County Pennsylvania Genealogy Websites

 * Washington County, PA History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Linkpendium - Washington County
 * USGenWeb project - Washington County
 * Washington County PA Genealogy