York County, Pennsylvania Genealogy

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

Description
York is located in the southeastern area of the state.

County Courthouse
York County Judicial Center (courthouse) 45 North George Street York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-771-9288 Fax: 717-771-4678 Office of the Prothonotary: 717-771-9611 Recorder of Deeds: 717-771-9608 Orphans' Court: 717-771-9288 York County Website County Clerk has birth and death records from 1893-1907, marriage records from 1885, divorce, court, and land records from 1749 Register of Wills has probate records

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

History Timeline

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

Bible Records

 * (*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * (*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * (*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * Search and View Bible Collection at York County History Center
 * York County Bible Records at USGenWeb Archives

Biographies

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

Business, Commerce, and Occupations
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.

Cemeteries
Additional Cemetery Resources
 * ca.1700-ca.1950  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images (incomplete)
 * PA-Roots
 * Names in Stone
 * Ancestry ($)
 * FamilyHart's Harry Senft York and Adams County Cemetery Pictures. Thousands of headstone photographs in 320+ cemeteries in York and Adams counties.

Census Records
Federal Census
 * 1850-1880  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images

Church Records

 * Visit York County, Pennsylvania Church Records for information about church denominations and records in York County.

Court Records

 * 1749-1794 (*); Court of Quarter Sessions at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1749-1887 (*); Orphans' Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1749-1950 Clerk of Courts Quarter Session Dockets at The York County Archives

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

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.

Genealogies

 * FamilyHart Facebook Group - York County, Pennsylvania Genealogy Group Facebook page
 * FamilyHart Online Genealogy Database - Atlantic Roots FamilyHart - Currently contains 1,068,000 linked family records online, mostly from York and Adams County, Pennsylvania.
 * FamilyHart's York County, Pennsylvania - York County USGenWeb Project is a central repository for Internet genealogical data and resources.

Guardianship

 * 1749-1881 Orphans' Court Dockets; General Index to Dockets, 1749-1887 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
 * 1749-1762 An Every name Index to Orphans' Court Book A Plus Introductory Text - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
 * 1941-1958 Delayed Birth Record Docket, filed 1941-1958, - images only; click on the camera icon to view images

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

Online Land Indexes and Records
 * 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.
 * 1749 -1912 Deeds, 1749-1859; Index to deeds, 1749-1912 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
 * 1981–present Images are available online using the Landex system. There is a fee to view the images.


 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

Local Histories

 * History of York County from its Erection to the Present Time, 1729-1834. c1930. By W. C. Carter & A. J. Glossbrenner. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania : Aurand Press. Online at: Ancestry ($);.
 * History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the Earliest Period to the Present Time. 1886. Ed. by John Gibson. Chicago, Illinois : F.A. Battey Pub. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive;.
 * History of York County, Pennsylvania. 2 volumes. 1907. By George R. Prowell. Chicago, Illinois : J.H. Beers & Co. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive; Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive; Vols. 1 & 2 - Hathitrust; . Vol. 2 is biographical. Includes index.

Maps and Gazetteers
Maps
 * 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.
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Military Records
Revolutionary War

York County men also served in the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment (Revolutionary War). Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.

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
 * 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1865-1936  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * York County Pennsylvania Soldiers in the Civil War

Civil War Battle The following Civil War battle was fought in York County:
 * June 30, 1863 - Hanover.
 * Battles of the American Civil War maps - filter by state or by battle name.

World War I
 * An index for the scrapbook of World War I letters from soldiers and others : found in the York County Heritage Trust library, York, Pennsylvania including sundry items Special publication (South Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society); no. 75 FS Library 974.84 B4s no. 75

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

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1795-1931  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1795-1952  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images

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

Newspapers
Newspapers of York County


 * The York Daily Record
 * Weekly Record
 * The York Dispatch
 * Community Courier
 * Dillsburg Banner

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.


 * Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory.
 * Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive
 * Pennsylvania Newspapers
 * York Dispatch

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
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
 * 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)

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
 * 1749-1762 (*); at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1749-1820 (*); at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1749-1887 (*); Orphans' Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1749-1940 An Index of the Wills and Administration Bonds of York County, 1749-1940. By Staub, Ruth E. York County, Pennsylvania : York County, Pennsylvania, n.d. Online at: Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library; Also at:
 * 1749-1940 (*); Register of Wills at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1749-1944 Estate Records and Will Abstracts at Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
 * 1757-1794 York Co. Penn. Miller Wills : from Original Records; Genealogy : A Journal of American Ancestry - V. 8, 1918-1919. No. 03. By Clemens, William Montgomery. Hackensack, New Jersey : William M. Clemens, 1918. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
 * 1795-1806 York Co. Penn. Miller Wills : from Original Records; Genealogy : A Journal of American Ancestry - V. 8, 1918-1919. No. 02. By Clemens, William Montgomery. Hackensack, New Jersey : William M. Clemens, 1918. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
 * 1796 (*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 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   at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)  They originated in the Register of Wills office.


 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

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.
 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Tax Records
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.


 * 1762 	South Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society (York, Pa.). An alphabetical listing of the assessed inhabitants of York County, Pennsylvania for the year 1762, York, Pennsylvania : South Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, 1978-1979.
 * 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 ($); Google Books
 * 1798 Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 at Ancestry ($).

Vital Records
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.

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


 * 1520-1999  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1709-1950  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1852-1854 Pennsylvania, Births 1852-1854 Index with images. Ancestry ($)
 * 1852-1853 Birth Records, online index
 * 1893-1906 Birth Records, online index
 * 1906 and earlier Delayed Births, recorded after 1941, online index
 * Some York County Birth Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives
 * 1941-1976  at FamilySerch - How to Use this Collection; index and images

Marriage
The following records are available at the York County Archives:
 * 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  at 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
 * 1725-1976  index. Not complete for all years.
 * Pre-1810  Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
 * 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
 * 1852-1853 Marriage Records, online index
 * 1885-1929  Marriage Records, online index
 * 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1930-1949 Marriage Records, online index
 * Some York County Marriage Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives
 * 1947-2010  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images

Death
The following records are available at the York County Archives:
 * 1720-1999  *1720-1999   at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index, some images
 * 1852-1855 Death Records, online index
 * 1852-1854 Pennsylvania, Deaths, 1852-1854 Index with images. Ancestry ($)
 * 1856-1971  at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1888-1915 York County Death Index 1888-1915 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
 * 1893-1906 Death Records, online index
 * Some York County Death 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.

Archives
National Archives at Philadelphia 14700 Townsend Rd Philadelphia, PA 19154-1096 Phone: 215-305-2044 Fax: 215-305-2052 Email: [mailto:philadelphia.archives@nara.gov philadelphia.archives@nara.gov] Website Facebook York County Archives 150 Pleasant Acres Rd York, PA 17420 Phone: 717-840-7222 Email: [mailto:archives@yorkcountypa.gov archives@yorkcountypa.gov] Website
 * York County 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.

FamilySearch Centers

 * Gettysburg Pennsylvania FamilySearch Center
 * Lancaster Pennsylvania FamilySearch Center
 * York Pennsylvania FamilySearch Center
 * Cecil County Public Library - Rising Sun Branch - Maryland - an affiliate library.
 * York County History Center - an affiliate library.

Libraries
Guthrie Memorial Library 2 Library Place Hanover, PA Phone: 717-632-5183 Email: [mailto:guthrielibrary@yorklibraries.org guthrielibrary@yorklibraries.org] Website Facebook
 * The Pennsylvania Room houses an extensive collection of genealogical materials including church and cemetery records, ships' passenger lists, and family histories.

Martin Library 159 E Market St York, PA Phone: 717-846-5300 Email: [mailto:martinlibrary@yorklibraries.org martinlibrary@yorklibraries.org] Website Facebook York County Libraries 159 E Market St York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-849-6969 Email: [mailto:talkwithus@yorklibraries.org talkwithus@yorklibraries.org] Website Facebook
 * Most libraries in York County have genealogical and local history collections.

Museums
Police Heritage Museum 54 W Market St PO Box 1582 York, PA 17401 Phone: 717-845-COPS (2677) Website Facebook
 * The museum has historic records of police officers, their departments, and the techniques and equipment they used. Limited hours; visit website for information.

York County History Center 250 E Market St York, PA 17403 Phone: 717-848-1587 Email: [mailto:info@yorkhistorycenter.org info@yorkhistorycenter.org] Website Facebook
 * The Historical Society Museum and Library houses exhibits and an extensive research library.

Societies
South Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society PO Box 1824 York, PA 17405 Email: [mailto:CPAGenSociety@gmail.com CPAGenSociety@gmail.com] Website Facebook Susquehanna Trail Genealogy Club 2101 Hollywood Dr York, PA Phone: 717-292-0377 Email: [mailto:mark.gagermeier@gmail.com mark.gagermeier@gmail.com] Website Facebook York County History Center 250 E Market St York, PA 17403 Phone: 717-848-1587 Email: [mailto:info@yorkhistorycenter.org info@yorkhistorycenter.org] Website Facebook

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
 * FamilyHart Online Database. Large collection of York County family genealogies online.
 * – 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.