York County, Pennsylvania Genealogy

United States Pennsylvania  York County

Guide to  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.

York County Pennsylvania Historical Facts


Parent Counties: Formed from Lancaster County 14 October 1748. County Seat: York Neighboring Counties: York County residents may also have records in
 * Dauphin
 * Baltimore County, Maryland
 * Carroll County, Maryland
 * Adams
 * Lancaster
 * Cumberland
 * Harford

The Scotch-Irish made settlements at the "Monaghan Settlement" and the "Barrens" in what is predominantly a German area.

Description
It's county seat is York and was founded August 19, 1749. It is located in the Southeastern area of the state.

Boundary Changes

 * 22 January 1800: Adams 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.

York County Pennsylvania Genealogy Resources

 * York County USGenWeb Project is a central respository for genealogical data and resources on the Internet, all of which are free.
 * The York County Archives also has a wealth of data available that can be searched online.
 * York County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Group Facebook page
 * FamilyHart Online Database contains hundreds of thousands of linked names of York County families

Bible Records

 * York County Bible Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Biographies

 * Gibson, John, Biographies from the History of York County, Pennsylvania, 1886 courtesy USGenWeb Archives

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


 * FamilyHart's Harry Senft York and Adams County Cemetery Pictures Harry Senft has taken pictures of 100s of 1000s of headstones in 320+ cemeteries in York and Adams counties that are ALL posted online (free). In conjunction with [mailto:familyhart@aol.com FamilyHart] (aka Don &amp; Jeanine Hartman), Custom Google Maps for each cemetery location have been produced so that the user can easily find the cemetery. An index of the cemeteries listed is also provided by name and by location. In addition, indexing of the actual cemetery picture files with links to the FamilyHart Online Database are being compiled, many of which are completed. The FamilyHart Online Database contains over 811,000 linked family names, most of which have connections to York and Adams counties. This family database is the most comprehensive and complete listing of York and Adams County names on the Internet. It grows by about 1,200 names per week, and is updated online quarterly at the MidAtlantic Roots Network, and weekly on Ancestry Worldtree and Rootsweb WorldConnect. The Harry Senft Pictures on FamilyHart are endorsed by the York County USGenWeb site ˄see above˄.
 * The York County Cemeteries USGenWeb Archives site is a relatively comprehensive site for finding transcriptions and pictures of Tombstones in York County. Many of Harry Senft's pictures (and those of others) are posted here and are indexed by cemetery.  Also found here are transcriptions of many cemeteries (some complete and many incomplete.)  These transcriptions are valuable as they often include stones that are no longer readable and may not show up on photo images.  Also many cemeteries have only transcriptions available. Neither this page nor the FamilyHart site are all inclusive for burials in York County but used together they provide the most comprehensive record online of burials in the county.
 * There are over 345 different cemeteries in the county. Finding the right cemetery is often compounded by the fact that many cemeteries have changed names over the years and are now known by a different name. A comprehensive list of cemeteries can be found at York County Cemeteries and Locations. This link does not have burials listed but is the most complete listing of all the cemeteries in York County.

Individual Cemeteries:


 * Fairview Cemetery, Hellam BillionGraves
 * Highmount Cemetery, Hellam BillionGraves
 * Bethlehem Steltz Reformed Church: Glen Rock, Pennsylvania

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:
 * Abbottstown: Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
 * Cross Roads: Gatchellville Charge United Methodist Church
 * Delroy: Lutheran Church
 * East Prospect: Zion United Brethren Church
 * East York: Emanuel United Church of Christ
 * Gatchellville: Gatchellville Charge United Methodist Church
 * Glen Rock: Emmanuel United Methodist Church
 * Hametown: St. Paul Lutheran Church
 * Hanover: First United Methodist Church
 * Hellam: St. Paul Methodist Church
 * Loganville: Christ Lutheran Church
 * Mount Wolf: Otterbein United Methodist Church
 * Red Lion: Grace Lutheran Church; St. John's United Church of Christ; United Methodist Church
 * Springettsbury: United Brethren in Christ
 * Starview: United Brethren in Christ
 * Stewartstown: Presbyterian Church
 * Thomasville: Paradise (Holtzschwamm) Lutheran Church
 * York: Aldersgate United Methodist Church; Asbury United Methodist Church; Bethlehem United Methodist Church; First Church of the Brethren; J.O. Miller Memorial Reformed Church; Locust Grove United Church of Christ; Memorial United Church of Christ; St. John's Episcopal Church; St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church; St. Matthew Lutheran Church; St. Paul's Lutheran Church; St. Paul's United Church of Christ; Trinity Reformed Church (United Church of Christ); Trinity United Church of Christ; United Brethren in Christ; York Grace Charge; Zion United Church of Christ


 * Marlene Strawser Bates and F. Edward Wright, York County, Pennsylvania, church records of the 18th century (Westminster, Maryland : Family Line Publications, 1991)
 * 1730-1800 - Humphrey, John T. Pennsylvania Births, York County, 1730-1800. Washington, D.C.: Larjon and Company Inc., 1998..
 * Information is taken from church records of the Warrington Friends' Monthly Meeting, Warrington Township; Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, York; St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Hanover; Records of Jacob Lischy, Reformed pastor; Trinity Reformed Church, York; St. Jacob's Lutheran and Reformed Church, Codorus Township; Moravian Church, York; St. David's Lutheran and Reformed Church, West Manheim Township; Trinity Reformed Church, Kreutz Creek, Hellam Township; Strayer's Reformed Church, Dover Township; Canadochly Lutheran and Reformed Church, Lower Windsor Township; St. Luke's Lutheran and Reformed Church, Chanceford Township; St. Paul's Lutheran and Reformed Church, West Manchester Township; St. John's Lutheran and Reformed Church, Hopewell Township; Strayer's Lutheran Church, Dover Township; Zion Lutheran and Reformed Church, Conewago Township; Friedensaal Lutheran Church, Springfield Township; St. James' Lutheran Church, Kreutz Creek, Hellam Township; St. Paul's Lutheran and Reformed Church, North Codorus Township; Records of Jacob Goering; Jerusalem Lutheran and Reformed Church, Shrewsbury Township; St. Peter's Reformed Church, North Codorus Township; St. John's Episcopal Church, York; St. Peter's Reformed Church, Springfield Township; Emanuel Reformed Church, Hanover; St. John's Lutheran Church, Hopewell Township; Steltz Lutheran and Reformed Church, Codorus Township.


 * Churches of York County A listing of the old-time Churches of York County (pre-1900).


 * York County Church Histories courtesy USGenWeb Archives
 * York County Church Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives Includes records for:
 * Bethlehem Reformed, Stiltz
 * Canadochly Church, Lower Windsor Twp
 * Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church (partial)
 * Emanuel Reformed Church, Hanover
 * Guinston United Presbyterian Church, Chanceford Township
 * Lischey's Reformed Charge
 * Salem Union Church, (Strayers) now Salem
 * Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church
 * St. Jacob's Stone Church
 * St. James Church Lancaster Records for York, Huntington and Marsh Creek
 * Union Church, Shiloh
 * United Brethren in Christ (Now United Methodist), Hanover

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Blue Ridge District of the Eastern States Mission comprised church members living in southeastern Pennsylvania. District headquarters were in Lancaster, with branches located in Bucks, Fulton, Lancaster, and York counties.


 * Record of Members, [1929]-1944,


 * LDS York 2nd Ward Family History Newsletters The York Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints produces monthly Family History Newsletters that are posted online.

Episcopalian
St. John's Church, York

Registers begin in 1786, but some earlier parishioners appear in the registers of St. James's Church, Lancaster.


 * 1785-1875  St. John Episcopal Church, York, Baptism Index 1785-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1811-1878  St. John Episcopal Church, York, Marriage Index 1811-1878 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1784-1800  St. John's (St. John the Baptist's) Episcopal Church, City of York, 1784-1800 in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records to 1800" at Ancestry ($).

Lutheran

 * 1730-1739 Records of Rev. Johan Casper Stoever: Baptismal and Marriage, 1730-39 in "Private Church Registers to 1800, York County, Pennsylvania" at Ancestry ($).
 * 1730-1779 Marriage Records of Rev. Johan Casper Stoever at USGenWeb (free).


 * 1788-1789 Baptisms Performed by Pastor Jacob Goering (Lutheran) in Pennsylvania: York County, 1788-89 in "Private Church Registers to 1800, York County, Pennsylvania" at Ancestry ($).

Blymir's (St. John) Union Church (Lutheran and Reformed), York Township


 * 1766-1798 Blymir's (St. John) Union Church, York Township, 1766-98 (Lutheran and Reformed) in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records to 1800" at Ancestry ($).
 * 1761-1830 Blymire's Lutheran (formerly United Reformed and Lutheran) Church Register at USGenWeb (free)
 * 1766-1851 Lutheran and Reformed Blimyer's Union Church, York County, Pennsylvania, 1766-1851 at Ancestry ($). Mainly births and baptisms; some marriages, burials.
 * 1767-1834 Blymire's Union Church Lutheran and Reformed, York Township, Baptism Index 1767-1834 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1793 Blymire's Union Church Lutheran and Reformed, York Township, Marriage Index 1793 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Canadochly Lutheran Church, Lower Windsor Township


 * 1754-1800 Canadochly Lutheran Church, Lower Windsor Township, 1754-1800 in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records to 1800" at Ancestry ($).

Canadochly Lutheran and Reformed Congregations


 * 1755-1759  Canadochly Lutheran and Reformed Congregation, Lower Windsor Township, Baptism Index 1755-1759 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1801-1873  York County, Pennsylvania, 1801-73: Canadochly Lutheran and Reformed Congregations at Ancestry ($). Mainly baptisms and communions.

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church


 * 1733-1875 Christ Lutheran Church, Baptism Index 1733-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1735-1881 Christ Lutheran Church, Baptism Index 1733-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1733-1800 York County, Pennsylvania, 1733-1800: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church at Ancestry ($).

Creutz Creek (St. James) Lutheran and (Trinity) Reformed Church, Hellam Township


 * 1754-1871 York County, Pennsylvania: Creutz Creek Church Records at Ancestry ($). Hellam Township. Includes baptisms, marriages, burials for Creutz Creek (St. James) Lutheran Church 1757-1799; Creutz Creek (Trinity) Reformed Church, 1763-1799; and Reformed Congregation at Creutz Creek, 1800-1855.

Dub's Union Church Reformed Congregation, Manheim Township


 * 1855-1875 Dub's Union Church Reformed Congregation, Manheim Township, Baptism Index 1855-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Fissel's (Jerusalem) Union Church, Shrewsbury Township


 * 1780-1794 Fissel's (Jerusalem) Union Church, Shrewsbury Township, 1780-94 in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records to 1800" at Ancestry ($).

Frey's Church, Reformed and Lutheran Congregations


 * 1809-1832, 1861-1862 Reformed and Lutheran Congregations of Frey's Church, York County, Pennsylvania, 1809-32, 1861-62 at Ancestry ($).
 * 1862 Frey's Reformed and Lutheran Congregation, Windsor Township, Baptism Index 1862 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Freysville Evangelical Lutheran Congregation


 * 1871-1889 Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Freysville, York County, Pennsylvania, 1871-89 at Ancestry ($). Baptisms, marriages, burials.

Friedensall (Schuster's White) Church, Springfield Township


 * 1755-1801 Friedensall (Schuster's White) Church, 1755-1801 in "Springfield Township Church Records, York County, Pennsylvania, 1755-1801" at Ancestry ($).

Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Cedar Point, Fairview Township


 * 1868-1938 Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Cedar Point, Fairview Township, York County, Pennsylvania; records 1868-1938 at Ancestry ($). Baptisms, marriages, burials.

Quickel's (Zion) Lutheran and Reformed Church


 * 1765-1803 York County, Pennsylvania, 1765-1803: Quickel's (Zion) Lutheran and Reformed Church at Ancestry ($).

Rossville Lutheran Evangelical Congregation


 * 1819-1875 Lutheran Evangelical Church, Rossville, Baptism Index 1819-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1843-1888 Evangelical Lutheran Congregation at Rossville, York County, Pennsylvania, 1843-88 at Ancestry ($). Baptisms, marriages, burials.
 * 1876-1880 Lutheran Evangelical Church, Rossville, Marriage Index 1876-1880 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

St. Jacob's (Stone) Union Church, Codorus Township


 * 1756-1875 St. Jacob's Stone Lutheran and Reformed Church, Brodbecks, Baptism Index 1756-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1762-1800 St. Jacob's (Stone) Union Church in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records, 1760-1800: Codorus Township" at Ancestry ($).

St. Luke's Lutheran and Reformed Congregations


 * 1773-1835 St. Luke's Lutheran and Reformed Congregations, York County, Pennsylvania, 1773-1835 at Ancestry ($). Baptisms, marriages, burials.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church


 * 1743-1799 St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, York County, Pennsylvania, 1743-99 at Ancestry ($).

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Hanover


 * 1734-1876 St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Hanover, Baptism Index 1734-1876 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1743-1880 St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Hanover, Baptism Index 1734-1876 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

St. Paul's (Ziegler's) Evangelical Lutheran Church, Codorus Township


 * 1771-1875 St. Paul Lutheran and Reformed or Ziegler's Church, North Codorus Township, Baptism Index 1771-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1771-1800 St. Paul's (Ziegler's) Evangelical Lutheran Church in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records, 1760-1800: Codorus Township" at Ancestry ($).

Saddler's (St. John's) Lutheran Church, Hopewell Township


 * 1791-1800 Saddler's (St. John's) Lutheran Church, Hopewell Township, 1791-1800 in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records to 1800" at Ancestry ($).
 * 1792-1861 Saddler's Lutheran Church Baptisms, York County, Pennsylvania, 1792-1861 in Ancestry ($).
 * 1792-1863 Saddler's Lutheran Church, Hopewell Township, Baptism Index 1792-1863 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Second Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chambersburg


 * 1836-1880  Second Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chambersburg, Baptism Index 1836-1880 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Sherman's (St. David's) Union Church


 * 1751-1800 Sherman's (St. David's) Union Church, York County, Pennsylvania, 1751-1800 at Ancestry ($).
 * 1763-1869 York County, Pennsylvania, 1763-1869: St. David's/Sherman's Reformed and Lutheran Church at Ancestry ($). Baptisms, communions.

Stehli's (St. Luke's) Union Church, Chanceford Township


 * 1772-1800 Records of Stehli's (St. Luke's) Union Church, Chanceford Township, York County, Pennsylvania, 1772--1800 in "Chanceford Township, York County, Pennsylvania Church Records," at Ancestry ($). Baptisms, marriages.
 * 1773-1835 St. Luke's Church or Stahley's Lutheran and Reformed Congregation, Chanceford Township, Baptism Index 1773-1835 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1772-1793 St. Luke's Church or Stahley's Lutheran and Reformed Congregation, Chanceford Township, Baptism Index 1773-1835 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Steltz Union Church, Codorus Township


 * 1797-1800 Steltz Union Church in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records, 1760-1800: Codorus Township" at Ancestry ($).

Wolf's (St. Paul's) Reformed and Lutheran Church, West Manchester Township


 * 1760-1875 St. Paul's Reformed Congregation, West Manchester Township, Baptism Index 1760-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1764-1894 York County, Pennsylvania, 1764-1894: Wolf's (St. Paul's) Reformed and Lutheran Church at Ancestry ($). Baptisms, marriages, burials.
 * 1764-1800 Wolf's (St. Paul's) Reformed and Lutheran Church, West Manchester Township, 1764-1800 in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records to 1800" at Ancestry ($).

Moravian
First Moravian Church


 * 1758-1800 York County, Pennsylvania, 1758-1800: First Moravian Church at Ancestry ($).

Presbyterian

 * 1752-1790 Records from Reverend John Cuthbertson's Diary, York County, Pennsylvania in "Private Church Registers to 1800, York County, Pennsylvania" at Ancestry ($).

Guinston (Muddy Creek) United Presbyterian Church, North Codorus Township


 * 1772-1799 Records of Guinston (Muddy Creek) United Presbyterian Church, North Codorus Township, York County, Pennsylvania, 1772-1799 in "Chanceford Township, York County, Pennsylvania Church Records," at Ancestry ($). Baptisms, marriages.

Presbyterian Congregation, York


 * 1793-1836 Presbyterian Congregation, York, Baptism Index 1793-1834 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1793-1839 Presbyterian Congregation, York, Marriage Index 1796 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Presbyterian Congregation, Hopewell Township


 * 1793-1834 Presbyterian Congregation, Hopewell Township, Baptism Index 1793-1834 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1796 Presbyterian Congregation, Hopewell Township, Marriage Index 1796 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Quaker
Warrington Monthly Meeting


 * 1800s-1900s  Pennsylvania Quaker Records: Warrington, York County, Little Brittain, Lancaster County, Centre, Centre County, West Branch, Clearfield County, Dunnings Creek, Bedford County. n.p. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive - free.


 * Myers, Albert Cook,. Warrington Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers), Warrington Township near Wellsville, York County, Pennsylvania. York, Pa.: 1950. Digitized by Ancestry ($).

Reformed

 * 1744-1769 York County, Pennsylvania Church Records, 1744-69: Jacob Lischy's Private Pastoral Record at Ancestry ($). Rev. served the following York County congregations: Lischy York Reformed, Kreutz Creek, St. David in West Manheim, Canadochly, St. Peter's, Jacob's, Strayer's, Wolf's, Emanuel's, Quickel's, and Friedensaal.

Emanuel Reformed Church, Hanover Township


 * 1770-1800 Emanuel Reformed Church, Hanover Township, 1770-1800 in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records to 1800" at Ancestry ($).

Emmanuel's Reformed Church


 * 1800-1856 York County, Pennsylvania, 1800-56: Emmanuel's Reformed Church at Ancestry ($).

First Reformed Church


 * 1745-1800 York County, Pennsylvania, 1745-1800: First Reformed (Trinity) Church at Ancestry ($).

First Trinity Reformed Church


 * 1800-1846 York County, Pennsylvania Marriages, 1800-46: First Trinity Reformed Church at Ancestry ($).

Fissel's (Jerusalem) Union Church, Shrewsbury Township


 * 1780-1794 Fissel's (Jerusalem) Union Church, Shrewsbury Township, 1780-94 in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records to 1800" at Ancestry ($).

German Branch First Reformed and Zion Reformed Church, York


 * 1850-1875  German Branch First Reformed and Zion Reformed Church, York, Baptism Index 1850-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Holzschwamm Reformed Church, Paradise Township


 * 1833-1875  Holtzchwamm Reformed Congregation, Paradise Township, Baptism Index 1833-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1833-1935 Holzschwamm Reformed Church Records (Paradise Township, York County, Pennsylvania) at Ancestry ($). Baptisms.

Lischy's (St. Peter's) Reformed Church, Cordorus Township


 * 1773-1797 Lischy's (St. Peter's) Reformed Church in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records, 1760-1800: Codorus Township" at Ancestry ($).

Reformed Church, York


 * 1762-1763  Reformed Church, York, Baptism Index 1762-1763 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Reformed Congregation, Dub's Union


 * 1855-1887 Reformed Congregation at Dub's Union Church Baptisms, York County, Pennsylvania, 1855-1887 at Ancestry ($).

Roth's Church (now Trinity Reformed Church), Jackson Township


 * 1818-1900 The Register of the Reformed Congregation of Roth's Church (now Trinity Reformed Church), Jackson Township, York County, Pennsylvania, 1818-1900 at Ancestry ($). Baptisms.
 * 1819-1875 Roth's Reformed Church, Jackson Township, Baptism Index 1819-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

St. John's Reformed Church, Hopewell Township


 * 1877-1909 St. John's Reformed Church, Hopewell Township, Baptism Index 1877-1909 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1877-1909 St. John's Reformed Church, Hopewell Township, Marriage Index 1877-1909 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

St. Peter's (Yellow and formerly Salem) Reformed Church, Springfield Township


 * 1789-1797 St. Peter's (Yellow and formerly Salem) Reformed Church, 1789-1797 in "Springfield Township Church Records, York County, Pennsylvania, 1755-1801" at Ancestry ($).

Steltz Union Church, Codorus Township


 * 1797-1800 Steltz Union Church in "York County, Pennsylvania Church Records, 1760-1800: Codorus Township" at Ancestry ($).

Strayer's (Salem) Reformed Church


 * 1745-1875 Strayer's Salem Reformed Congregation, Dover Township, Baptism Index 1745-1875 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1764-1800 York County, Pennsylvania, 1764-1800: Strayer's (Salem) Reformed Church at Ancestry ($).

Trinity Reformed Church


 * 1801-1853 York County, Pennsylvania, 1801-53: Trinity Reformed Church at Ancestry ($).

Court Records
The York County Archiveshave searchable indexes for the following:


 * Clerk of Courts Quarter Session Dockets (1749 - 1876, 1877 - 1949, and 1950 - 1989)

Again these are only indexes but will lead you to the location of these court records.

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. York County 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.

Prothonotary

 * Office of the Prothonotary York County Judicial Center 45 North George St. York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-771-9611 Email: [mailto:pslee@yorkcountypa.gov pslee@yorkcountypa.gov ]

Orphan's Court (see Vital Records)

 * Clerk of Orphans' Court York County Judicial Center Second Floor 45 North George Street York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-771-9288 Fax: 717-771-4678 Email: [mailto:bcjacobs@yorkcountypa.gov bcjacobs@yorkcountypa.gov ]

1749-1881 Orphans' Court Dockets; General Index to Dockets, 1749-1887 1749-1762 An Everyname Index to Orphans' Court Book A Plus Introductory Text 1941-1958 Delayed Birth Record Docket, filed 1941-1958,

Genealogy

 * FamilyHart Online Genealogy Database - Currently contains 843,203 linked family records online, mostly from York and Adams County, Pennsylvania.

History

 * Gibson, John, History of York County, Pennsylvania, 1886 courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Published Histories
HistoricPA.net Pennsylvania County Histories Biographies


 * York County USGenWeb Project This site contains several local histories and links to histories online.

Land and Property
Land records in York County began in 1749. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in York, 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.

The following are examples of available resources:

Online Land Records


 * 1981–present Images are available online using the Landex system. There is a fee to view the images.
 * 1749–1943 The York County Archives have deed book indexes online (1749 - 1912 and 1913 - 1943).  When searching these indexes you will be directed to PDF pages that have the grantee and grantor indexes.  Instructions are given on the York County Archives page as to how to use the PDF pages that are generated.  The PDF documents are quite large and take some time to download.  These indexes provide you with the details needed to search and obtain copies of the original deeds.
 * PA Original Land Records The Rev. Neal Hively has done extensive land record compilations and land mapping of York and Adams counties with indexes available online.

Land Records on Microfilm


 * 1749–1912 Deeds, 1749-1859; Index to deeds, 1749-1912

Additional Resources

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

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 York 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.)

Maps
Click the image to view an enlarged version


 * Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
 * Ancestor Tracks has posted free, downloadable images from the 1876 Atlas of York County, Pennsylvania, Illustrated from Actual Surveys by and under the Direction of Beach Nichols, Published by Pomeroy, Whitman and Co. (Philadelphia). 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.
 * The York County USGenWeb site has several York County Maps, including the 1835, 1846, and 1895 Atlases of York County in addition to modern maps of today. 
 * The York County USGenWeb Project has several maps, both current and historical, online (as well as excellent links to many other resources).
 * Rev. Neal Hively has compiled and published books and maps showing the earliest landowners of York County.
 * The Pennsylvania Visitors Network promotes tourism to York County.
 * Detailed topographical maps are posted at the York County Township Maps site.

Revolutionary War
York County men also served in the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment.

The Camp Security website has a lot of information on this Revelotionary War Prisoner of War Camp that was located in York County.

Military Records

Civil War
Civil War at York County Pennsylvania Soldiers in the Civil War

Civil War Battle

 * Map showing Civil War battles in Pennsylvania.


 * June 30, 1863 = Civil War battle fought in York County at Hanover

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records


 * 1795-1990 York County Naturalization Records Index c.1799 to c.1990 on York County website - free, index only, request copies of the documents on this website

Original Naturalization Records on Microfilm

Newspapers
Newspapers of York County


 * Pennsylvania Newspapers
 * Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
 * The York Daily Record at [mailto:letters@ydr.com letters@ydr.com]
 * Weekly Record at Joan Concilio [mailto:jconcilio@ydr.com jconcilio@ydr.com] "Flipside"
 * The York Dispatch at [mailto:bmundis@yorkdispatch.com bmundis@yorkdispatch.com] "Flipside"
 * Community Courier at news@engleonline.com
 * Dillsburg Banner at dillsburgbanner@dillsburgbanner.net

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.

Online Newspaper Abstracts


 * Newspaper Articles at York County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives.
 * PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for York County, Pennsylvania.

Newspaper Excerpts and Abstracts


 * Sullivan, Raymond B., Newspaper Clippings of York County, Penn., Evening Sun, 1967 (SLC, Utah, 1968)
 * Sullivan, Raymond B., Newspaper Clippings of York County, Penn., Gazette and Daily, 1967 (SLC, Utah, 1968)
 * Compiled by Raymond B. Sullivan, A Collection of Newspaper Clippings of Vital Records from the Evening Sun, Gazette and Daily, Adams Co., York Co., Pennsylvania, Carroll Co., Maryland, 1968-1969; Sykesville Times Caroll County Times, Carroll Co., Maryland, 1967-1968, 1967-1969 (SLC, Utah, 1969)

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


 * Obituaries at York County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives.
 * PA-Roots Obituaries for York County, Pennsylvania.

Obituary Excerpts and Abstracts


 * Compiled by Diana L. Bowman, The Pennsylvania Herald and York General Advertiser (Apollo, PA:Closson Press, c1993) ;
 * York Recorder (York, Pennsylvania), Marriages and Deaths from the York Recorder, 1821-1830 (Westminster, Maryland:Family Line Publications, 1994)

Indentured Servants
By searching for the term "servant" at the York County Archives website, you can retrieve a list of indentured servants listed in York County Quarter Sessions.

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


 * 1784-1850 Williams, Richard T. Index of Wills &amp; Estate Settlements, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 1784-1850. Danboro, Pa.: R.T. and M.C. Williams, 1972. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

Online Probate Records

Many original York County probate records are available free online as digital images at:


 * 1749-1940  at FamilySearch.org - free. Includes  Will Index (1749-1940), Will Books A-AA (1749-1879); Orphans' Court Docket Index (1749-1887), and Orphans' Court Docket Books A-2X (1749-1881)

Online Probate Abstracts


 * Will Abstracts 1749-1819 courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Original Probate Records on Microfilm


 * 1749-1882 Will Books Index included: 1749-1940

Original Records


 * The York County Archives houses the following original probate related records:
 * Bond Books (1794 - 1968) There is no local microfilm available. They are indexed and can be searched online at the Archives website. These records originated in the Recorder of Deeds office. Bonds from 1749 - 1793 are found in Estate Files. After 1968 Bonds are at the Register of Deeds.
 * Estate Files (1749 - 1958) There is no local microfilm or index. They originated in the office of the Register of Wills/Orphan's Court.
 * Estate Files (1959 - 1967) There is no local microfilm but they are indexed and can be searched online at the Archives website. These records also originated in the office of the Register of Wills/Orphan's Court.
 * Will Books (1749 - 1973) There are local microfilms of Dockets A - AA. These records are indexed. They are searchable online at - free. They originated in the Register of Wills office.

Repositories

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

Archives

 * The York County Archives is a department of the York County Government. 150 Pleasant Acres Road York, PA 17420 Phone: 717-840-7222
 * Visit website for hours
 * York County's records begin in August of 1749 when York County was formed from Lancaster County. The Archives stores records for over 40 different county offices during various time periods throughout the past 250 years.


 * 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

 * York County Government 45 North George Street York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-771-9288 Fax: 717-771-4678


 * Office of the Prothonotary York County Judicial Center 45 North George St. York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-771-9611 Email: [mailto:pslee@yorkcountypa.gov pslee@yorkcountypa.gov ]
 * Prothonotary: All civil litigation is filed with the Prothonotary, including: mortgage foreclosures, personal injury cases, license suspension appeals, divorce, child custody and protection from abuse cases. They also accept U.S. passport applications.


 * Court of Common Pleas
 * The Court of Common Pleas is the trial court that hears major civil and criminal cases. The Court also decides cases involving adoption, divorce, child custody, abuse, juvenile delinquency, estates, guardianships, and other matters.


 * Recorder of Deeds
 * The Recorder of Deeds not only handles real estate records, but the Recorder's office also records military discharge papers and notary bonds/commissions.


 * Orphans Court
 * The Clerk of the Orphans Court accepts marriage applications.

Family History Centers
Family History Centers (FHCs) are branches of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and are located all over the world. Their goal is to provide resources for family history research.

The main FHC for York County, Pennsylvania is the York Pennsylvania Family History Center. For additional nearby Family History Centers, search online in the FHC directory.

Libraries

 * York County Libraries online map shows where libraries are located in York County with links to each library's website. Most libraries in York County have genealogical and local history collections.


 * Martin Memorial Library 159 East Market Street York, Pennsylvania Phone: 717-846-5300


 * Guthrie Memorial Library 2 Library Place Hanover, PA Online catalog Phone: 717-632-5183
 * The Guthrie Memorial Library is especially rich in genealogical resources.
 * Most genealogy materials are in the Pennsylvania Room, including resources for Hanover, York County, and surrounding areas. It is one of the few libraries with a microfilm collection. The Pennsylvania Room's print materials are included in the York Libraries catalog; microfilm, however, is not.
 * Visit website or call the Pennsylvania Room for the schedule before visiting. Hours vary

Museums

 * York Heritage Trust (formerly York County Historical Society) 250 East Market Street York, PA
 * From quilts to tiny photographs, the Historical Society Museum and Library houses both exhibits and an extensive research library. The Heritage Trust's Library and Archives houses an extensive and varied collection covering a wide range of topics including genealogy and family history, local history, the decorative arts and military history.


 * Police Heritage Museum 54 West Market Street York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-845-COPS
 * Among other things, the museum has historic records of police officers, their departments, and the techniques and equipment they used. Limited hours; visit website for information.

Societies

 * York Heritage Trust (formerly York County Historical Society) 250 East Market Street York, PA


 * South Central Genealogical Society


 * Susquehanna Trail Genealogy Club

Taxation
The York County Archives house tax records for the county from 1767 (with gaps) to 1988. Prior to the 1950's these tax records were listed under the tax payer's name and township and borough. Records since then are listed by name, address, location of property, account number, etc. These records originated in the Assessment Office of the Court House. They are available locally on microfilm for 1767 - 1850 and 1950 - 1988. These records are not indexed nor are they available at the Archives website.


 * 1779-1783 York County USGenWeb Project The York County USGenWeb Project has the Returns of Taxables of the County of York for the Years 1779, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783 online.


 * 1779-1783 Returns of Taxables of the County of York: For the Years 1779, 1780, 1781, 1782 and 1783. (Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3, Vol. 21). Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Google Books - free.


 * 1798 Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 at Ancestry ($).

Vital Records
The vital records created by York County are now housed at the York County Archives. See also How to order Pennsylvania Vital Records


 * The York County Archives 150 Pleasant Acres Rd York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-840-7222 Fax: 717-840-7224 Email: [mailto:archives@york-county.org archives@york-county.org]
 * The following indexes are available for online searches:
 * 1852 - 1853, 1893 - 1906 Birth Records
 * Prior to 1906 Delayed Births (recorded after 1941)
 * 1852 - 1853, 1885 - 1949 Marriage Records
 * 1852 - 1855, 1893 - 1906 Death Records
 * 1877 - 1958 Affidavits of Death


 * These indexes reference the original records which can be ordered from the Archives.

York County Archives

Birth
The following records are available at the York County Archives:


 * 1852-1853 Birth Records, online index
 * 1893-1906 Birth Records, online index
 * 1906 and earlier Delayed Births, recorded after 1941, online index


 * 1768-1896  - free index. Not complete for all years. This index is an electronic 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.
 * 1852-1854 Pennsylvania, Births 1852-1854 Index with images. Ancestry ($)
 * Some York County Birth Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Marriage
The following records are available at the York County Archives:


 * 1852-1853 Marriage Records, online index
 * 1885-1929 Marriage Records, online index
 * 1930-1949 Marriage Records, online index


 * 1677-1950  at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1700-1821 Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry.com – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties.
 * 1725-1976  - free index. Not complete for all years.
 * Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry.com – ($) 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.
 * 1887-1896  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.
 * Some York County Marriage Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives

Divorce
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary. The office of the Prothonotary is located in the courthouse building.

Death
The following records are available at the York County Archives:


 * 1852-1855 Death Records, online index
 * 1852-1854 Pennsylvania, Deaths, 1852-1854 Index with images. Ancestry ($)
 * 1888-1915 York County Death Index 1888-1915 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1893-1906 Death Records, online index
 * Some York County Death Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives

York County Pennsylvania Genealogy Websites

 * York County USGenWeb Project The York County, Pennsylvania USGenweb Project has an extensive collection of links for help in performing genealogy in York County. The Project also has many online extracted and original records.


 * York County PA Genealogy


 * York County, PA History, Records, Facts and Genealogy




 * FamilyHart Online Database, provided by [mailto:familyhart@aol.com FamilyHart] (aka Don &amp; Jeanine Hartman), has the largest collection of York County family genealogies online (Total database size over 843,000 linked names, most with York County ties). They also have a large collection of family photgraphs, documents, and headstone pictures associated with these families.


 * McClure, Jim, local author on York County, Pennsylvania, "York Town Square" Blog, York Town Square; also McClure, Jim, Blog on "The Laux, Loux, Loucks, Laucks, Louck, Lauck, Louks family to hold 300th reunion in York".


 * Pennsylvania Dutch Family History, Genealogy, Culture and Life This site contains links to everything Pennsylvania Dutch.


 * York County Genealogy Facebook Group


 * FamilyHart's Harry Senft Cemetery Pictures and Indices - 100s of 1000s of pictures of headstones from York and Adams County, Pennsylvania with associated indices - Virtually every known cemetery in the two counties.

Populated Places
York, Franklintown, Codorus Township, Heidelberg Township, Penn Township, York Township, more ...