Berks County, Pennsylvania Genealogy

Guide to Berks County, Pennsylvania ancestry, family history and genealogy 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.

Berks County, Pennsylvania Historical Facts
Parent Counties: Formed from Chester, Lancaster, and Philadelphia Counties 14 October 1751.

County Seat: Reading

Neighboring Counties:


 * Schuylkill (north)
 * Lehigh (northeast)
 * Lebanon (west)
 * Chester (south)
 * Lancaster (southwest)
 * Montgomery (southeast)

Description
It's county seat is Reading. It was organized March 11, 1752. It is located in the South-East section of the state.

Boundary Changes

 * 14 October 1728: Future southwestern half of Berks County became part of Lancaster County when it was created; the other half remained in Philadelphia County.
 * 1 March 1811: Schuylkill County was created, giving Berks its final boundaries.

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.

Berks County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Resources

Bible Records

 * http://usgwarchives.net/pa/berksp/bibles.htm

Cemeteries
There are numerous cemeteries throughout Berks County. It is important that you learn what church your ancestors attended as they may be buried in the cemetery attached to the the church they attended. These are the top 10 cemeteries in the county with the most memorials. 1119 Centre Avenue, Reading, PA 19601 3139 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, PA 19605 Perkiomen Ave, Mount Penn, PA 19606 391 West Neversink Road, Reiffton, PA 19606 Tuckerton Road and Pottsville Pike (PA 61), Tuckerton, PA Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19601 Philadelphia Avenue (PA 73), Boyertown, PA 19512 1018 East Main Street, Birdsboro, PA 19508 99 Church Street, Hamburg, PA 650 Fritztown Road, Sinking Spring, PA 19608 Additional Cemetery Resources
 * Charles Evans Cemetery
 * Gethsemane Cemetery
 * Aulenbach's Cemetery
 * Forest Hills Memorial Park
 * Laureldale Cemetery
 * Alsace Lutheran Church Cemetery
 * Fairview Cemetery
 * Saint Michaels Cemetery
 * Saint John's Cemetery
 * Pleasant View Cemetery

The cemetery database at the Mennonite Heritage Center includes 86,000 burial records from 125 local cemeteries. Records cover cemeteries in the counties of Berks, Bucks, Butler, Chester, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Westmoreland. The database provides transcriptions from Mennonite, Brethren, Lutheran, Reformed, Union, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, community, and private cemeteries. Search the list of cemeteries and the alphabetical surname lists in Adobe PDF format. Visit the Mennonite Heritage Center to search the cemetery database by various criteria. The transcriptions are available for further research at the MHC library.
 * Pennsylvania Genealogy
 * Names in Stone
 * Ancestry($)
 * The Mennonite Heritage Center 565 Yoder Road Harleysville PA 19438-1020 215-256-3020 [mailto:library@mhep.org library@mhep.org]

Census
The below listed census records were taken by Schuyler C. Brossman, a local historian, and are not official government 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.
 * 1964, State Census Transcription - only Rehrersburg
 * 1965, State Census Transcription - only Rehrersburg

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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 Societyhas 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)




 * 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 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


 * 1729 - 1881 Pennsylvania Church Records - Adams, Berks, and Lancaster Counties, 1729-1881 at Ancestry.com – $; details on 180,000 church-goers from 50 churches; incomplete.


 * 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.


 * 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.

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.

Brethren Historical Library and Archives 1451 Dundee Ave. Elgin, IL 60120

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

Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic 61 Seminary Ridge Gettysburg, PA 17325

Altalaha Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rehrersburg


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

Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sinking Spring


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

Huff's Church, Hereford Township


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

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

Maidencreek Lutheran Church, Brandon


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

Mertz Lutheran Church, Rockland Township


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

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

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Strausstown


 * 1862 - 1873 St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Strausstown, Baptism Index 1862-1873 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Salem Lutheran Church, Bethel


 * 1861 - 1885 Salem Lutheran Church, Bethel, Marriage Index 1861-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. 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 - free. Batches  and.
 * 1838 - 1885 Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading, Marriage Index 1838-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. 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 - free. Batch.

Mennonite
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society 2215 Millstream Rd Lancaster, PA 17602-1499 Phone: (717) 393-9745

Presbyterian
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.

Presbyterian Historical Society 425 Lombard Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 Phone: (215) 627-1852

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:.

Friends Historical Association Haverford College 370 Lancaster Avenue Haverford, PA, 19041-1392 Phone: (610) 896-1161

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.com – $, contains members name in a directory
 * Berks County, Pennsylvania, 1745-1805: Cacusi or Hain's Reformed Church at Ancestry ($).
 * 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 - free. 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 - free. Batch.

Host Reformed Church, Tulpehocken Township


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

Reformed Church, Oley


 * 1763 - 1783 Reformed Church, Oley, Baptism Index 1763-1783 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1784 - 1860 Reformed Church, Oley, Baptism Index 1784-1860 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. 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 - free. Batch.
 * 1841 - 1951 St. John's Reformed Church, Kutztown, Baptism Index 1841-1951 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. 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 - free. 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 - free. Batch.

St. Michael's Reformed Church, Upper Bern Township


 * 1771 - 1825 St. Michael's Reformed Church, Upper Bern Township, Baptism Index 1771-1825 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Windsor Township


 * 1766 - 1804 St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Windsor Township, Baptism Index 1766-1804 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Salem German Reformed Church, Bethel


 * 1884 - 1885 Salem German Reformed Church, Bethel, Marriage Index 1884-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. 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 - free.

St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Goshenhoppen

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

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. Berks County has its own judicial district. A president judge and a court administrator serve in each judicial district.

Prothonotary
The office of the Prothonotary is the custodian of all civil matters in the county. This includes naturalization, immigration, equity actions, judgments, federal and local tax leins, city liens, family court, arbitrations, license suspension appeals, appeals to higher court, commercial code filings, applications for passports and divorce proceedings. The prothonotary does have a website with limited indexes for searching. There are no on-line divorce indexes. Some of their records are stored off site and staff makes one trip a month to retrieve off-site files. It is a good idea to contact the prothonotary before visiting so that, if need be, staff can retrieve the off-site record before your visit. Their website does have e-mail contact available. The staff is very helpful.

Orphan's Court (see Vital Records)
The Orphans' Court is responsible for a wide range of matters. The name of the Court is derived from the more general definition of "orphan," that being a person or thing that is without protective affiliation or sponsorship. This would include those not capable of handling their own affairs, minors, incapacitated persons, decedents estates, nonprofit corporations and trusts. It is the role of the Court to ensure that the best interests of the person or entity are not compromised.

It is believed the name of this court was borrowed from the Court of Orphans of the city of London, England which had the care and guardianship of children of deceased citizens, in their minority.

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Emigration and Immigration
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. Top of Page

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

Gazetteers

 * http://www.linkpendium.com/berks-pa-genealogy/maps/ at Berks County, Pennsylvania: Maps and Gazetteers

Genealogy

 * https://www.berkslibraries.org/research/history-genealogy at History & Genealogy

History
The Historical Society of Berks County presents a monthly program concerning the history of the county and happenings of the society. The program can be viewed at their website for free anytime.

Published Histories
Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, comp. by Morton L. Montgomery. (1909) Top of Page

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


 * Deeds are indexed and available online for free viewing at the Recorder of Deeds. Copies of deeds can be made from the website or in person for a small fee.
 * 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.

Land Records on Microfilm


 * 1734 - 1926 Deeds, 1734-1866; Indexes, 1752-1926 The earlier land records for what would become Berks County are for the most part in Philadelphia County.
 * 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.

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 Berks County Pennsylvania Land in online catalogs such as:

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 * 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 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.

Revolutionary War
Many Germans from Berks County served in the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment.Wikipedia contributors, "1st Pennsylvania Regiment," in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia,&lt;/ref&gt; 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

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. Top of Page

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

Online Naturalization Records


 * 1795 - 1952  on FamilySearch.org - free, National Archives publication M1248, browsesable images of card index
 * 1795 - 1931  at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1795 - 1930 Naturalization Petitions for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1795-1930 on Fold3.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1522, incomplete for all counties
 * 1795 - 1930 Naturalization Petitions for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania located in Selected US Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1790-1974 database on Ancestry.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1522
 * 1729 - 1773 Naturalization records at PAGenWeb - free.

Original Naturalization Records on Microfilm


 * 1798 - 1852 Naturalization Papers - Index included: 1798-1915
 * 1798 - 1915 Naturalization Papers - Index included: 1798-1915

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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 for free 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
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


 * Index to Berks County Obituaries
 * PA-Roots Obituaries for Berks County.

Obituary Excerpts and Abstracts

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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 free online access, see WeRelate.

Indentured Servants
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Probate Records
Probate records for Berks County are located on the 2nd floor in the Service Center next to the courthouse. Computers are located in the service center to help you identify the probate file you wish to view. The older probate files are on microfiche and the office staff will retrieve the files for you once you have the probate file number. Fiche copiers are located in the office to make your own copies of the records.

Online Probate Indexes


 * 1683 - 1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 1683 - 1994 at FamilySearch — images
 * 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 - Present Berks County This index was created by volunteers at the the Berks County courthouse and is located on their website.
 * 1752 - 1914 Berks County, Pennsylvania Estate Records on Ancestry$
 * 1752 - 1850 Index of Berks County, Pennsylvania, wills and administration records on Ancestry$

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

Berks County Only:


 * 1752 - 1936 Berks County Probate Records

Original Probate Records on Microfilm


 * 1752 - 1851 Administration Letters and Bonds -Index included, 1752-1915
 * 1752 - 1860 Wills -Index included, 1752-1915
 * 1752 - 1915 Estate Files

Will Abstracts


 * 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.

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 * 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 - free.

Archives

 * 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.


 * 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
Berks County Courthouse 633 Court Street Reading, PA 19601 Phone: (610) 478-6136

The office of the Prothonotary is the custodian of all civil matters in the county. This includes naturalization, immigration, equity actions, judgements, federal and local tax leins, city liens, family court, arbitrations, license suspension appeals, appeals to higher court, commercial code filings, applications for passports and divorce proceedings. The prothonotary does have a website with limited indexes for searching. There are no on-line divorce indexes. Some of their records are stored off site and staff makes one trip a month to retrieve off-site files. It is a good idea to contact the prothonotary before visiting so that, if need be, staff can retrieve the off-site record before your visit. Their website does have e-mail contact available. The staff is very helpful.

Berks County Prothonotary Second Floor 633 Court Street Reading, PA 19601 Phone: 610-478-6970

Libraries

 * The Reading Public Libraryis located at 100 South Fifth Street in Reading. Free parking is available in the rear of the library for library patrons. Microfilm copiers are available and full runs of the Reading Eagle and the Reading Times are open to the public. Located on the second floor of the library is the Pennsylvania Room. It contains local histories and genealogies associated with Berks County. City directories and high school yearbooks are also located in the Pennsylvania Room.


 * The Mennonite Heritage Center 565 Yoder Road Harleysville PA 19438-1020 Phone:(215) 256-3020 [mailto:library@mhep.org library@mhep.org] 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 treasure also cover the counties of Bucks, Chester, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, and Philadelphia. The website provides a comprehensive overview of library resources, online cemetery database, manuscript collections, photo collections, archival collections, and more.

Museums

 * Foundation for the Reading Public Museum 500 Museum Road Reading, PA 19611-1425 Phone: (610) 371-5844


 * Central Pennsylvania African American Museum Old Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church 119 N. Tenth Street Reading, PA 19601 Phone: (610) 371-8713 Email: [mailto:mgilyard@cpaam.net mgilyard@cpaam.net]

Societies

 * Berks History Centeris located on Centre Street in Reading. The society has an interesting and informative monthly television program. The program can be viewed, for free, at BCTV.ORG. When you access the BCTV website, in the search box type "historical society" to find the latest historical society TV program.


 * Berks County Genealogical Societyis located in the Goggle Works building at: 201 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601 Phone: (610) 921-4970 E-mail: [mailto:berksgenes@dejazzd.com berksgenes@dejazzd.com]<br<

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 * Albany Township Historical Society
 * Boyertown Area Historical Society 43 South Chestnut Street Boyertown, Pa 19512 Phone: (610) 367-5255 E-mail: [mailto:Boyertownhistory@windstream.net Boyertownhistory@windstream.net]
 * Fleetwood Area Historical Society 110 W. Arch St. Fleetwood, PA 19522 Phone: (610) 698-2383 E-mail: [mailto:history@fleetwoodpa.org history@fleetwoodpa.org]
 * 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]

Schools
Wyomissing, PA High School 1940 Girls Glee Club

Taxation

 * 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 - free.


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

Vital Records
Vital records in Berks County are handled by the Orphan's Court. Between the years 1852-1855 Pennsylvania made a failed attempt to record birth, marriage and death events at the county level. While the records for that time period are available, there were few events recorded. County marriage records were kept in earnest in 1885. Births and deaths, at the county level, were begun in 1893 and kept through 1905.

See also How to order Pennsylvania Vital Records

Birth

 * Records are available at the courthouse service center and also on microfilm at

Ancestry.com - ($); has Pennsylvania statewide birth certificates from 1906 through 1909.

Indexes for Pennsylvania birth records are available through the Pennsylvania State Archives for 1906 and 1911 only. Once an individual is located in the index a certificate can be obtained by writing to: Division of Vital Records ATTN: Public Records P.O. Box 1528 New Castle, PA 16103


 * 1726 - 1930  - 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.
 * 1833 - 1903 Berks County Birth Index 1833-1903 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1852 - 1854 Pennsylvania Births Ancestry.com – ($) Index with images.
 * 1876 - 1906 Berks County, Pennsylvania Births, 1876-1906 at Ancestry.com - ($); index only.
 * 1893 - 1905 Pennsylvania, Berks County Register of Wills Birth Index
 * Berks County, Pennsylvania Delayed Births at Ancestry.com - ($); index only.
 * 1817 - 1873 Greenwich Birth Index 1817-1873 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

Marriage
Marriage records are located on the second floor of the courthouse Service Center and are available to the public. Computers are located in the office to obtain the volume and page number of the certificate for the couple you are seeking. Take the volume and page number to the marriage licence office and a staff member will retrieve the certificate. The marriage records are on microfiche and copiers are available. You can also try:


 * 1626 - 2016 - Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1677 - 1950  at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1700 - 1821 Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry.com – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties.
 * 1725 - 1976  - free index. Not complete for all years. This index is not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records. This index is not complete for any particular place or region. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections
 * Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry.com – ($) This database is incomplete for all counties. Includes 35,000 marriage records from vol. VIII of of the second series of the Pennsylvania Archives.
 * 1801 - 1825 Berks County Marriages at Berks County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
 * 1852 - 1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry.com – ($) Index with images.
 * 1885 - 2008 Pennsylvania, Berks County Register of Wills Marriage Index
 * 1885 - 1950  Extracted marriage records – free. For Berks County this set of records covers 1885 through 1906 only.
 * 1885 - 1909 Marriage Dockets
 * 1885 - 1929 Berks County, Pennsylvania Marriages, 1885-1929 at Ancestry.com - ($); index only.
 * 1947 - 2010  at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 2009 - Present - https://countyfusion4.kofiletech.us/countyweb/login.do?countyname=BerksWills – (free); index only

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

Death
Death records, 1893 through 1906, are available at the courthouse Service Center.

Ancestry.com - ($); has Pennsylvania statewide death certificates from 1906 through 1964.

Indexes for Pennsylvania death records are available through the Pennsylvania State Archives for 1906 through 1966. Once an individual is located in the index a certificate can be obtained by writing to: Division of Vital Records ATTN: Public Records P.O. Box 1528 New Castle, PA 16103


 * 1852 - 1855 Deaths
 * 1860 - 1900 Berks County Death Index 1860-1900 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1873 - 1905 Reading Death Index 1873-1905 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.
 * 1894 - 1906 Deaths, v.1
 * 1905 - 1906 Death Returns
 * 1852 - 1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry.com – ($) Index with images.
 * 1852 - 1855, 1894 - 1906 Berks County, Pennsylvania Deaths, 1852-1854, 1894-1906 at Ancestry.com - ($); index only
 * 1893 - 1905 Pennsylvania, Berks County Register of Wills death Index
 * 1817 - 1886 Greenwich Birth Index 1817-1886 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1947 - 2010  at FamilySearch — index and images

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Genealogy Societies and Libraries

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

Berks County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Websites

 * Berks County, PA History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Berks County PA Genealogy

Populated Places



 * Cities (as of 1990): Reading.
 * Townships (as of 1990): Albany, Alsace, Amity, Bern, Bethel, Brecknock, Caernarvon, Centre, Colebrookdale, Cumru, District, Douglass, Earl, Exeter, Greenwich, Heidelberg, Hereford, Jefferson, Longswamp, Lower Alsace, Lower Heidelberg, Maidencreek, Marion, Maxatawny, Muhlenberg, North Heidelberg, Oley, Ontelaunee, Penn, Perry, Pike, Richmond, Robeson, Rockland, Ruscombmanor, South Heidelberg, Spring, Tilden, Tulpehocken, Union, Upper Bern, Upper Tulpehocken, Washington, Windsor.
 * Boroughs (as of 1990): Adamstown, Bally, Bechtelsville, Bernville, Birdsboro, Boyertown, Centerport, Fleetwood, Hamburg, Kenhorst, Kutztown, Laureldale, Leesport, Lenhartsville, Lyons, Mohnton, Mount Penn, Robesonia, St. Lawrence, Shillington, Shoemakersville, Sinking Spring, Strausstown, Temple, Topton, Wernersville, West Lawn, West Reading, Womelsdorf, Wyomissing, Wyomissing Hills.
 * Census-designated places: Alleghenyville, Alsace Manor, Amity Gardens, Baumstown, Bethel, Blandon, Bowers, Colony Park, Dauberville, Douglassville, Dryville, Edenburg, Flying Hills, Fox Chase, Frystown, Gibraltar, Gouglersville, Greenfields, Grill, Hereford, Hyde Park, Jacksonwald, Kempton, Kutztown University, Lincoln Park, Lorane, Mertztown, Mohrsville, Montrose Manor, Morgantown, Mount Aetna, Muhlenberg Park, New Berlinville, New Jerusalem, New Schaefferstown, Oley, Pennside, Pennwyn, Rehrersburg, Reiffton, Riverview Park, Schubert, Shartlesville, South Temple, Springmont, Spring Ridge, Stony Creek Mills, Stouchsburg, Temple, Virginville, Walnuttown, West Hamburg, West Lawn, West Wyomissing, Whitfield.
 * Unincorporated Communities: Blue Marsh, Brownsville, Cocoosing, Geigertown, Leinbachs, North Heidelberg, Pine Swamp, Plowville, Pricetown, Scarlets Mill, State Hill, Strausstown, Wooltown