Berks County, Pennsylvania Genealogy

Guide to Berks County, Pennsylvania ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Description
The county is located in the South-East section of the state.

County Courthouse
Berks County Courthouse 633 Court Street Reading, PA 19601 Phone: 610-478-6208 Fax: 610-478-6366 Clerk Of Courts: 610-478-6550 Orphan's Court Prothonotary: 610-478-6970 Recorder of Deeds: 610-478-3380 Register of Wills: 610-478-6600 Berks County Website County clerk has birth and death records 1894-1905, marriage records from 1885, and probate records from 1752 Prothonotary Office has divorce and court records Recorder Deeds has land records

Populated Places
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:

Bible Records

 * Berks County Bibles

Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Indentured Servants

Iron Industry The histories and owners of Colebrookdale Furnace, Mount Pleasant Furnace, Hopewell Furnace, Oley Furnace, Berkshire Furnace, Pool Forges, Pine Forge, Hay-Creek Forge, Oley Forge, Spring Forges, Mount Pleasant Forge, Gibraltar Forge, Charming Forge, Union Furnace, District Furnace, Sally-Ann Furnace, Joanna Furnace, Dale Furnace, Mary-Ann Furnace, Reading Furnace, Greenwood Furnace, Brobst's Furnace, Rockland Forges, Burkhart's Forge, Dale Forge, District Forge, and Speed-well Forge and described in:


 * Montgomery, Morton L. "Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Pennsylvania," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 8 (1884):56-81. For online access, see WeRelate.

Cemeteries
Additional Cemetery Resources


 * 1700-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1887-1979 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images (incomplete)
 * LDS Genealogy Berks County
 * Names in Stone

Census Records
Note that the 1810 U.S. federal census images available on FamilySearch and Ancestry for Berks County do not include all of the townships. It appears that Tulpehocken Township is missing, but some people seem to be included in the Bern Township section.
 * 1850-1880  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1964, State Census Transcription - only Rehrersburg
 * 1965, State Census Transcription - only Rehrersburg

Church Records


Many denominations dot the landscape of Berks County. Visiting the church your ancestor attended is recommended; however, many times, due to distance, that is not possible. The Historical Society of Berks County has an on-line index of more then 1.2 millions names, gleaned from the records of more than 300 local churches. It is not a complete index but still worth your time if you are looking for baptism, marriage, and burial records. The index is searchable in numerous ways, but searching by last name or church name is probably most popular. The index lists the name of the record, volume and page number where the individual record can be found. The volume and page number refer to books located at the historical society. To view the actual record, use the printable on-line form that can be mailed to obtain a copy of the record or visit the society. There is a fee for acquiring the record by mail. Check the website for current fees.

The Berks County Genealogical Society has various records for churches throughout the Berks County area. However, the society has not put the records on-line and to view the records one must go to the society.Church records of Berks County are located under the Research tab.

Additional church records can be located at Linkpendium and by searching the FamilySearch Catalog. The FamilySearch Catalog has a plethora of for Berks 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.

County-wide Database - Multi-denominational




 * 1620-1991  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 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:
 * Albany: Jerusalem Allemaengel; Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
 * Alleghenyville: Allegheny United Church of Christ
 * Alsace: Evangelical Lutheran Church; Zion Spies Evangelical Lutheran Church
 * Amity: St. Paul's United Church of Christ
 * Bally: Beford Mennonite Cemetery Gravestone Inscriptions
 * Bernville: St. Thomas United Church of Christ
 * Birdsboro: St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church; St. Michael's Protestant Episcopal Parish
 * Boyertown: Boyertown Methodist Episcopal Church; Reford and Boyertown Mennonite Records
 * Douglassville: St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church
 * Geigertown: St. James Lutheran Church
 * Gibraltar: St. John's United Church of Christ
 * Gouglersville: Wyomissing United Church of Christ
 * Hamburg: Trinity Lutheran Church
 * Jacksonwald: Schwarzwald United Church of Christ
 * Kempton: Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church
 * Maidencreek: United Church of Christ - St. Peter's Parish
 * Maxatawny: Trinity Lutheran Church; Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
 * Mohnton: Robeson Evangelical Lutheran Church; Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
 * Oley: Friedens United Church of Christ
 * Pike: St. Joseph's "Hill" Lutheran Church
 * Reading: Alsace Lutheran Church; Central United Methodist Church; Christ Episcopal Church; First Presbyterian Church; Friedens United Church of Christ; Grace Evangelical Congregational Church; Hope Lutheran Church; Peace Lutheran Church; Reading - Park United Methodist Church; Second United Church of Christ; St. Barnabas Episcopal Church; St. John's Lutheran Church; St. John's United Church of Christ; St. Luke's Episcopal Church; St. Luke's Lutheran Church; St. Mark's Lutheran Church; St. Mark's United Church of Christ; St. Paul's Evangelical Congregational Church; St. Paul's Lutheran Church; St. Paul's Memorial United Church of Christ; St. Stephen's United Church of Christ; St. Thomas United Church of Christ; Trinity Lutheran Church; Trinity United Church of Christ; Zion United Church of Christ
 * Rehrersburg: Trinity United Church of Christ
 * Richmond: United Church of Christ - St. Peter's Parish
 * Robesonia: St. Paul's United Church of Christ
 * Shoemakersville: St. Luke's United Church of Christ


 * 1710 -1800 Humphrey, John T. Pennsylvania Births, Berks County 1710-1800 2 vols. Washington, D.C.: Humphrey Publications, 1997-1998..


 * Contains baptisms from the records of the Exeter Monthly Meeting in Exeter Township, St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Amity Township, Reed's/Rieth's Church in Marion Township, Host Reformed Church in Tulpehocken Township, Hain's Reformed Church in Lower Heidelberg Township, Oley Reformed Church in Oley Township, Moravian Church in Oley Township, Bern Reformed Church in Bern Township, Allemangel Lutheran Church in Albany Township, Moselem Lutheran Church in Ontelaunee Township, Catholic Mission at Goshenhoppen, Heidelberg Moravian Church in Heidelberg Township, Tulpehocken Lutheran Church in Jefferson Township, Christ Lutheran Church at Stouchsburg, Dunkel's Reformed in Greenwich Township, Blue Mountain Church in Upper Tulpehocken Township, Longswamp Reformed Church in Longswamp Township, Altalaha Lutheran Church in Tulpehocken Towhship, Rockland Lutheran Church in Rockland Township, St. Daniel's Lutheran Church in Heidelberg Township, Trinity Lutheran Church in Reading, First Reformed Church in Reading, St. Paul's Reformed and Lutheran Church in Amity Township, St. Joseph's Lutheran and Reformed Church, in Pike Township, records of Daniel Schumacher, Zion Lutheran and Reformed Church in Perry Township, Delong's Reformed Church in Maxatawny Township, Robeson Lutheran Church in Robeson Township, Zion Lutheran Church in Greenwich Township, Rosenthal or New Bethel Church in Albany Township, Christ Episcopal Church in Reading, St. Peter's Church in Richmond Township, St. Michael's Church in Tilden Township, St. Paul's Church in Windsor Township, Allegheny Church in Brecknock Township, New Allemangel Lutheran Church in Albany Township, Friedens Lutheran Church in Bernville, Spies Lutheran Church in Alsace Township, Robeson Monthy Meeting in Robeson Township, Schwartzwald Reformed Church in Exeter Township, records of Rev. William Boos for Spies Reformed Church, records of birth found in the Wittman pension file, Zion Lutheran and Reformed Church at Womelsdorf.


 * 1729 -1881 Pennsylvania Church Records - Adams, Berks, and Lancaster Counties, 1729-1881 at Ancestry $
 * Berks County church records at USGenWeb. This site contains a list of churches in Berks and Schuykill counties and baptisms, marriages, and burials from Lutheran, Reformed, and other denominations.

Amish A branch of the Mennonites, early settlement in the Berks area consisted of congregations in Cumru, Maidencreek and Bern Townships. Bern Township was home to the Northkill Amish. The Northkill settlement was the largest Amish settlement up to the 1780s.

Records for the Amish are not readily available. However, if one does have an Amish background, a good place to start is the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Records are not available on-line and can only be viewed at the historical society.

Baptists Baptists settled in Berks County about 1738 along the Tulpehocken creek by individuals from the counties of Chester and Philadelphia. Two congregations were formed but by 1774 both had disappeared from the Tulpehocken region.

Brethren Also known as "Dunkards" or "German Baptists," the Brethren were in the Berks County area as early as 1724. However, the first Brethren congregation was settled in 1723 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Early Berks County congregations were located near Pricetown, Millersburg and Oley with additional groups in the townships of Tulpehocken, Upper Tulpehocken and Bern.

Episcopalian Bangor Church, Caernarvon Registers are lost, but some parishioners appear in the registers of St. James's Church, Lancaster. An old trunk was discovered at Bangor Church with "sundry account-books and ancient title-deeds."

Christ Church, Reading
 * 1763 -1850 Christ Church, Reading, Baptism Index 1763-1850 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch
 * 1767 -1777, 1825 - 1850 Christ Church, Reading, Marriage Index 1767-1777 and 1825-1850 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

St. Gabriel's Church, Douglassville Registers begin in 1735.


 * 1735 -1815 St. Gabriel's Protestant Episcopal Church, Morlotton, Baptism Index 1735-1815 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

St. Thomas's Church, Caernarvon Registers are lost, but some parishioners appear in the registers of St. James's Church, Lancaster.

Lutheran The Lutheran denomination existed in the Berks County area as early as 1727 when Lutherans from Schoharie, New York settled in the Tulpehocken area of the county. The German religions were the most abundant denominations in the Berks County area. The Lutheran and Reformed were united in the building of their church edifices. These structures were called "Union" churches as the Lutheran and Reformed congregations took responsibilty for the maintenance of the building. The two denominations alternated their church services every two Sundays.

Because it is not unusual to find family religious ordinances in both Lutheran and Reformed records, it is wise to search both denominational records when researching.

Altalaha Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rehrersburg
 * 1757 -1842 Altalaha Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rehrersburg, Baptism Index 1757-1842 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Belleman's Lutheran Church, Centre Township
 * 1798 -1806, 1831 - 1871 Belleman's Lutheran Church, Centre Township, Baptism Index 1798-1806 and 1831-1871 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sinking Spring
 * 1853 Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sinking Spring, Baptism Index 1853 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Friedens Lutheran and Reformed Church, Albany Township
 * 1771 -1855 Friedens Lutheran and Reformed Church, Albany Township, 1771-1855 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch

Huff's Church, Hereford Township
 * 1813 -1875 Huff's Church, Hereford Township, Baptism Index 1813-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch

Little Tulpehocken or Christ's Church Evangelical Lutheran, Jefferson Township
 * 1726 -1846 Little Tulpehocken or Christ's Church Evangelical Lutheran, Jefferson Township, Baptism Index 1726-1846 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch
 * 1735 -1750 Little Tulpehocken or Christ's Church Evangelical Lutheran, Jefferson Township, Marriage Index 1735-1750 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Maidencreek Lutheran Church, Brandon
 * 1861 -1885 Maidencreek Lutheran Church, Brandon, Marriage Index 1861-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Mertz Lutheran Church, Rockland Township
 * 1738 -1903 Mertz Lutheran Church, Rockland Township, Baptism Index 1738-1903 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
 * 1749 -1767 Mertz Lutheran Church, Rockland Township, Marriage Index 1749-1767 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

New Bethel or Stone Lutheran Church, Grimville
 * 1761 -1802 New Bethel or Stone Lutheran Church, Grimville, Baptism Index 1761-1802 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch

Oley Hill or St. Joseph's Church, Pike Township
 * 1731 -1734, 1754 - 1881 Oley Hill or St. Joseph's Church, Pike Township, Marriage Index 1731-1734 and 1754-1881 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

St. Paul Lutheran and Reformed Church, Amityville
 * 1759 -1802 St. Paul Lutheran and Reformed Church, Amityville, Baptism Index 1759-1802 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
 * 1790 -1795 St. Paul Lutheran and Reformed Church, Amityville, Marriage Index 1790-1795 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch

Salem Lutheran Church, Bethel
 * 1861 -1885 Salem Lutheran Church, Bethel, Marriage Index 1861-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading
 * 1751 -1767, 1825 - 1885 Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading, Baptism Index 1751-1767 and 1825-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
 * 1838 -1885 Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading, Marriage Index 1838-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Zion's Moselem Lutheran Church, Richmond Township
 * 1737 -1771 Zion's Moselem Lutheran Church, Richmond Township, Baptism Index 1737-1771 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Quakers Also known as the "Friends," the Quakers earliest settlement in the Berks County area was in 1725 in what was Amity Township. Later meetinghouses were erected in the townships of Maiden Creek and Robeson and eventually in the town of Reading. The Quakers had considerably political control of the county as long as the Penn proprietors controlled the colony of Pennsylvania.

Early Quaker monthly meetings (with years established):


 * Exeter Monthly Meeting, near Stonersville, Pa. (1737). First known as Oley Monthly Meeting. Hinshaw published the early records:.

Reformed Also known as "German Calvinists" or "Dutch Reformed", Reformed congregations had their beginnings in Berks County in the townships of Oley, Greenwich and Heidelberg. The Reformed congregations were heavily associated with the Lutheran congregations. For a list of ministers see the attached reference.


 * History and directory of St. Paul's Memorial Reformed Church, North Sixth Street, Reading, Pa. at Ancestry $
 * Berks County, Pennsylvania, 1745-1805: Cacusi or Hain's Reformed Church at Ancestry ($).
 * Berks County, Pennsylvania, 1762-1810: Longswamp Reformed Church Records at Ancestry ($).

Christ Manatawny or Delong Reformed Church, Bowers
 * 1765 -1859 Christ Manatawny or Delong Reformed Church, Bowers, Baptism Index 1765-1859 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Friedens New Alemangel White Church Lutheran Church, Wesnersville
 * 1772 -1855 Friedens New Alemangel White Church Lutheran Church, Wesnersville, Baptism Index 1772-1777, 1788-1840, and 1855 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Host Reformed Church, Tulpehocken Township
 * 1740 -1875 Host Reformed Church, Tulpehocken Township, Baptism Index 1740-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch
 * 1752 -1760 Host Reformed Church, Tulpehocken Township, Marriage Index 1740-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Reformed Church, Oley
 * 1763 -1783 Reformed Church, Oley, Baptism Index 1763-1783 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch
 * 1784 -1860 Reformed Church, Oley, Baptism Index 1784-1860 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

St. John's Reformed Church, Kutztown
 * 1840 -1951 St. John's Reformed Church, Kutztown, Baptism Index 1840-1951 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

St. John's or St. John's (Hains) Reformed Church, Lower Heidelberg Township
 * 1745 -1875 St. John's or St. John's (Hains) Reformed Church, Lower Heidelberg Township, Baptism Index 1745-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch
 * 1872 -1883 St. John's or St. John's (Hains) Reformed Church, Lower Heidelberg Township, Marriage Index 1872-1883 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch

Roman Catholic The Catholic Church, while currently prominent, had very humble beginnings in the county. Part the of Diocese of Allentown, the Catholic population in Berks County began to appear about 1740 and by 1757 had two congregations which amounted to approximately 250 people. It must be remembered that the Catholic Church persecuted the protestant denominations throughout European history. Hence, the protestants of Berks County were leary of the arrival of the Catholic Church arriving in the area.

Currently, the Family History Library has few Catholic records. It is best to contact the church or the diocese where the ancestor lived.

Most Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, Bally
 * 1819 -1872 Most Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, Bally, Marriage Index 1819-1872 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch

St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Goshenhoppen
 * 1741 -1865 St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Goshenhoppen, Baptism Index 1741-1865 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
 * 1741 -1872 St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Goshenhoppen, Marriage Index 1741-1865 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch

List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Emigration and Immigration

 * 1798-1828  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; Alphabet index then by numbered entry
 * 1900-1923  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
 * 1952-1957   at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images

Berks County is a potpourri of humanity. Early immigrants to the county were from the Netherlands, Germany and the British Isles. Later immigrants were of eastern European and Hispanic extraction. The major ports of arrival for these groups were Philadelphia and New York.

Prior to 1906 many individuals naturalized at the county level and these records are kept by the prothonotary at the county courthouse. Many of the records will not list town or city of origin or birth but it is still wise to check.

Indentured Servants

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Native Americans


 * The Indians of Berks County, Pennsylvania. FHL Book 970.1 B836t

Land and Property Records
Land records in Berks County began in 1752. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Online Land Indexes and Records


 * 1734 -1926 Deeds, 1734-1866; Indexes, 1752-1926 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; The earlier land records for what would become Berks County are for the most part in Philadelphia County.
 * Ancestor Tracks publishes county atlases of the Pennsylvania Township Warrantee Maps on file at the Pennsylvania Archives in Harrisburg and offers links to other early landowner map sources.
 * PAGenWeb has several land abstracts for Berks County.
 * Deeds are indexed and available online viewing at the Recorder of Deeds. Copies of deeds can be made from the website or in person for a small fee.

Land Records on Microfilm


 * 1752 -1926 Mortgage Records 1752-1822; Mortgager Index 1752-1926
 * 1752 -1936 Miscellaneous Records, 1752-1869; Grantor and Grantee indexes, 1752-1936

Maps


 * MacInnes, Sharon Cook. Early Landowners of Pennsylvania: Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Berks County. Apollo, Pennsylvania Closson Press, 2006.
 * Henry, Mathew Schropp and M.K. Boyer. Township Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania 1985 edition published by Berks County Genealogical Society. Original edition published 1854. Berks County Genealogical Society added an index of land owners.

Click the image to view an enlarged version

Local Histories

 * Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania. 2 volumes. 1909. Compiled by Morton L. Montgomery. Chicago, Illinois : J.H. Beers & Co. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Ancestry ($); . Includes indexes. Historical index at front of volume 1 and biographical index at the front of both volumes.
 * History of Berks County in Pennsylvania. 1886. By Morton Luther Montgomery. Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive;.
 * History of the Counties of Berks and Lebanon. 1844. By I. Daniel Rupp. Lancaster, Pennsylvania : G. Hills. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Google Books, Ancestry ($);.
 * The Story of Berks County, Pennsylvania. 1913. By Alvin E Wagner, Francis Wilhauser Balthaser, and D K Hoch. Reading, Pa., Eagle Book and Job Press. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive;.

Iron Industry


 * Montgomery, Morton L. "Early Furnaces and Forges of Berks County, Pennsylvania," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 8 (1884):56-81. For online access, see WeRelate. Describes the histories and owners of Colebrookdale Furnace, Mount Pleasant Furnace, Hopewell Furnace, Oley Furnace, Berkshire Furnace, Pool Forges, Pine Forge, Hay-Creek Forge, Oley Forge, Spring Forges, Mount Pleasant Forge, Gibraltar Forge, Charming Forge, Union Furnace, District Furnace, Sally-Ann Furnace, Joanna Furnace, Dale Furnace, Mary-Ann Furnace, Reading Furnace, Greenwood Furnace, Brobst's Furnace, Rockland Forges, Burkhart's Forge, Dale Forge, District Forge, and Speed-well Forge.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * http://www.linkpendium.com/berks-pa-genealogy/maps/ at Berks County, Pennsylvania: Maps and Gazetteers
 * FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places

Maps


 * Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
 * Ancestor Tracks has posted downloadable images from Map of Berks County from Actual Surveys published by H.S. Bridgens in 1860 which can be used in conjunction with the 1860 census and published county histories to help pinpoint your ancestors.
 * Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Berks County and a companion Scans of Township Warrantee Maps plus Current Road Overlays CD ($) are also available from Ancestor Tracks. They show precise outlines in metes and bounds of each original tract and all surrounding tracts in the township, giving the names of the warrantee and patentee; dates of the warrant, survey, and patent; and the patent and survey books and page of the recorded patent. Please be aware that only approx. 75% of the county is covered. fckLR*On-line township maps of Berks County for 1862 are available at Andy's Antique Atlases. fckLR*Township maps of Berks County Pennsylvania from the Historical Atlas of Berks County, Pennsylvania 1876 is available in the . To locate a copy nearest you use WorldCat.

Military Records
Revolutionary War Many Germans from Berks County served in the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment.Wikipedia contributors, "1st Pennsylvania Regiment," in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, Berks County men also served in the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, apparently in the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment, and the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment.

War of 1812 Berks County Genealogical Society, Berks County &amp; the War of 1812 (Reading, Pennsylvania 1989) pages 66-84

Civil War 
 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

World War I The Reading Militia in the Great War is a wonderful history of those men who served in the First World War. Rosters are included.

World War II
 * 1933-1947  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records


 * 1729 -1773 Naturalization records at PAGenWeb
 * 1795 -1930 Naturalization Petitions for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1795-1930 on Fold3.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1522, incomplete for all counties
 * 1795 -1930 Naturalization Petitions for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania located in Selected US Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1790-1974 database on Ancestry $
 * 1795 -1931  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1795 -1952  at FamilySearch.org - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1798 -1852 Naturalization Papers - Index included: 1798-1915
 * 1798 -1915 Naturalization Papers - Index included: 1798-1915

Newspapers
Newspapers of Berks County


 * PA-Roots List of Newspapers Published in Berks County Click on News Clippings and then click on "List of Newspapers Published in Berks County."
 * Pennsylvania Newspapers
 * Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
 * The Reading Eagle, which began in 1868, is currently the major newspaper for the county. Their web site does have a searchable archive that covers the period 1989 to the present. There is a fee to search the archives and you can print the images.
 * Hamburger Schnellpost of Hamburg, Pennsylvania was a German-language newspaper.
 * Nolan, James Bennett, Newspapers of Berks County, Pennsylvania (SLC, Utah, 1985)
 * Miller, Daniel, The German Newspapers of Berks County

Online Newspapers

To learn if there are newspapers online for a specific town or city in Pennsylvania, see news.google/newspapers and search for the town or the name of a newspaper.


 * Reading Eagle January 28, 1868 - December 31, 2008
 * Reading Eagle Reading Times A.M. Berks June 5, 1991 - June 15, 1991
 * Reading Times$, 1859-1939 Search the site but there is a fee to view the article.

Online Newspaper Abstracts


 * USGenWeb Newspaper Items Related to Berks County
 * PA-Roots Newspaper Articles
 * Adams, David M., Berks County, Pennsylvania, Wedding Anniversaries (SLC, Utah, 1997)

Obituaries
Online Obituary Abstracts
 * 1947-2010  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1977-2010  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * Index to Berks County Obituaries
 * PA-Roots Obituaries for Berks County.

Obituary Excerpts and Abstracts



Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records


 * 1683 -1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry $
 * 1683 -1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
 * 1733 -1825 Index to Berks County Estates and Wills, 1733-1825. To access the index, click on the link to "Wills" found on the home page. Includes will abstracts, 1733-1825, estate administrations, 1733-1825, and various transcriptions of wills and estate records.
 * 1752 -1850 Index of Berks County, Pennsylvania, wills and administration records on Ancestry$
 * 1752 -1914 Berks County, Pennsylvania Estate Records on Ancestry$
 * 1752 - Present Berks County This index was created by volunteers at the the Berks County courthouse and is located on their website.
 * 1752 -1936 Berks County Probate Records
 * 1752 -1851 Administration Letters and Bonds - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Index included, 1752-1915
 * 1752 -1860 Wills - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Index included, 1752-1915
 * 1752 -1915 Estate Files - images only; click on the camera icon to view images

Will Abstracts


 * 1752 -1850 Williams, Richard T. and Mildred C. Williams. Index of Berks County, Pennsylvania Wills and Administration Records 1752-1850 Danboro, Pa.: the authors, 1973. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library
 * Berks County, Pennsylvania Will Abstracts, 1733-1825 are available on the Berks County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb. To access the abstracts, click on the link to "Wills" found on the home page.
 * Will Abstracts at Berks County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives. Includes Abtracts of Berks Co., Wills, 1752-1825 with index.

School Records
Wyomissing, PA High School 1940 Girls Glee Club

Social Security Records

 * 1935-2014 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

 * 1767-1768, 1779-1781, 1784-1785 Proprietary and State Tax Lists of the County of Berks: For the Years 1767, 1768, 1779, 1780, 1781, 1784, 1785 (Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3, Vol. 18). Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Google Books
 * 1798 Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 at Ancestry ($).

Birth

 * 1520-1999  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1709-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1817-1873 Greenwich Birth Index 1817-1873 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch. Batch
 * 1833-1903 Berks County Birth Index 1833-1903 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
 * 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births Ancestry $
 * 1876-1906 Berks County, Pennsylvania Births, 1876-1906 at Ancestry $
 * 1893 1905 Pennsylvania, Berks County Register of Wills Birth Index
 * Berks County, Pennsylvania Delayed Births at Ancestry $
 * Records are available at the courthouse service center and also on microfilm at ,
 * 1941-1976 - How to Use this Collection; index and images

Marriage

 * 1512-1989  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1626-2016 Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at FindMyPast ($)
 * 1677-1950  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1682-1976 FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1700-1821 Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry $
 * 1709-1940  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
 * 1801 1825 Berks County Marriages at Berks County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
 * 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
 * 1885-1909 Marriage Dockets
 * 1885-1929 Berks County, Pennsylvania Marriages, 1885-1929 at Ancestry $
 * 1885-1950  - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1885-2008 Pennsylvania, Berks County Register of Wills Marriage Index
 * 1947-2021  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 2009-Present - Clerk of Orphan's Court Online Services; index only

Death

 * 1720-1999  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index, some images
 * 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
 * 1852-1855 Deaths
 * 1852-1855, 1894-1906 Berks County, Pennsylvania Deaths, 1852-1854, 1894-1906 at Ancestry $
 * 1856-1971  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1860-1900 Berks County Death Index 1860-1900 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
 * 1873-1905 Reading Death Index 1873-1905 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
 * 1893-1905 Pennsylvania, Berks County Register of Wills Death Index
 * 1894-1906 Deaths, v.1
 * 1905-1906 Death Returns

Divorce
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary, Berks County Courthouse.

Archives

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


 * Prothonotary's Office Archive Center Berks County Courthouse, 2nd Floor 633 Court Street Reading, PA 19601 Hours: Tuesday and Thursday - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone: 610-478-6970 ext. 3486 Records in this office consist of the following: Sheriff Deeds Grantor/Grantee Index; Appearance Docket: 1754 - 1950; Judgment Docket: 1770 - 1956; Execution Docket: 1768 - 1960; Mechanics Liens: 1836 - 1937; City Liens: 1861 - 1927; Locality Index; Naturalization Records: 1795 to present; Miscellaneous records which include: divorces, registration of doctors and attorneys, "lunatics and drunkards," and other miscellaneous materials.

Family History Centers

 * Reading Pennsylvania Family History Center

Libraries

 * Brethren Historical Library and Archives 1451 Dundee Avenue Elgin, IL 60120 Phone: 847-742-5100, 800-323-8039 Fellowship of Brethren Genealogists


 * Reading Public Library 100 South Fifth Street Reading, PA 19602 Phone: 610-655-6350 Email: [mailto:webmaster@reading.lib.pa.us webmaster@reading.lib.pa.us] Website

Museums

 * Berks History Center Museum 940 Centre Avenue Reading, PA 19601 Phone: 610-375-4375 Website


 * The museum has an interesting and informative monthly television program which can be viewed at BCTV.ORG. When you access this channel, type "historical society" in the search box to access the latest historical program


 * Central Pennsylvania African American Museum 119 N. 10th Street Reading, PA 19601 Phone: 610-371-8713 Email: [mailto:mgilyard@cpaam.net mgilyard@cpaam.net] Website

Societies

 * Albany Township Historical Society 404 Old Philly Pike Kempton, PA, 19529 Email: [mailto:Info@AlbanyThs.Org Info@AlbanyThs.Org] Website


 * Berks County Genealogical Society  201 Washington Street Reading, PA 19601 Phone: 484-509-4806 E-mail: [mailto:berksgenes@dejazzd.com berksgenes@dejazzd.com] Website


 * Berks History Center Research Library 160 Spring Street Reading, PA 19601 Phone: (610) 375-4375 Website


 * Boyertown Area Historical Society 43 South Chestnut Street Boyertown, Pa 19512 Phone: 610-367-5255 E-mail: [mailto:Boyertownhistory@windstream.net Boyertownhistory@windstream.net] Website


 * Directory of Pennsylvania Genealogical & Historical Societies Website


 * Fleetwood Area Historical Society 110 W. Arch Street Fleetwood, PA 19522 Phone: 610-451-4070 E-mail: [mailto:history@fleetwoodpa.org history@fleetwoodpa.org] Website


 * Friends Historical Association (Quakers) Haverford College Library 370 Lancaster Avenue Haverford, PA, 19041-1392 Phone: 610-896-1161 Email: [mailto:fha@haverford.edu fha@haverford.edu] Website


 * Dedicated to the study, preservation, and publication of material relating to the history of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)


 * Kutztown Area Historical Society P.O. Box 307 Normal Avenue and Whiteoak Street Kutztown, PA 19530 Phone: 610-683-7697 E-mail: [mailto:kahs1892@yahoo.com kahs1892@yahoo.com] Website


 * Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society 2215 Millstream Road Lancaster, PA 17602-1499 Phone: 717-393-9745 E-mail: [mailto:lmhs@lmhs.org lmhs@lmhs.org] Website


 * Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic c/o United Lutheran Seminary 61 Seminary Ridge Gettysburg, PA 17325 Email: [mailto:info@lutheranhistoricalsociety.com info@lutheranhistoricalsociety.com] Website,


 * Presbyterian Historical Society 425 Lombard Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 Phone: 215-627-1852 Email: [refdesk@history.pcusa.org refdesk@history.pcusa.org] Website


 * While never a denomination of prominence in Berks County, their beginnings were early in the county. Organized in 1812 the First Presbyterian Church is currently located at 37 South Fifth Street in Reading, PA. There are currently five Presbyterian churches in the city of Reading and the surrounding area. Currently the Historical of Berks County has only records for First Presbyterian. Additional records may be located at the individual churches.


 * Reading Public Museum 500 Museum Road Reading, PA 19611-1425 Phone: 610-371-5850 Website


 * The Mennonite Heritage Center 565 Yoder Road Harleysville PA 19438-1020 Phone: 215-256-3020 [mailto:library@mhep.org library@mhep.org] Website


 * The Mennonite Historians of Eastern Pennsylvania support the John L. Ruth Historical Library and Museum at the Mennonite Heritage Center. Located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania the records and resources of this center cover the counties of Bucks, Chester, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Philadelphia and provide a comprehensive overview of library resources, online cemetery database, manuscript collections, photo collections, archival collections, and more.

Websites

 * USGenWeb project
 * Berks County PA Genealogy
 * – 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.