You live out of State - Where to go when you visit
Washington County PA?
By Judith Florian
NOTE: About 10 full pages to print.
Having visited other States and Counties in Pennsylvania, I know how daunting it can be to know where to go in a "new" county. WHO should you talk to? WHAT are the resources? WHEN should you do footwork by mail (or email), and when should you research in person? WHERE are the records housed? WHY is it worth the effort to travel to the place your ancestors lived?
Click here for the first 5 points of this article.
SIXTH, yes, yes, I know---you want to know the "important stuff" like the WHO, WHAT, WHERE to research. So now, let's hit some of these locations.
CITIZENS LIBRARY
55 South College Street
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: 724 222-2400
Fax: 724 225-7303
Email: citlib@citlib.org
Hours: M-F 9:30 -9, Sat 9:30 -5, Sun 2-5(closed Sundays, Memorial Day-Labor Day)
Citizens Library has...
... a locked "genealogy room" called The Special Reference Room with family histories, county histories, and other resources. Ask for entry.
.... microfilmed newspapers back to very 1808 to present. KNOW the dates you want before you go, because you will be limited to 1 hour with the microfilm reader (if the library is busy).
You MAY want to write to the Library before your trip to request simple questions, ask for specific look-ups, or specific copies of particular pages of history. The library charges a a small fee per name. They will search newspaper microfilm IF you have a specific date or a short time frame (such as one month). Remember that many websites have County Histories, maps, etc., so check all the Washington County PA websites before making requests. The sites are listed at the bottom of this page.
If writing to any location, always include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE).
WASHINGTON
COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
49 East Maiden Street
Washington, PA 15301
Phone 724-225-6740
FAX 724-225-8495
http://www.wchspa.org/
Located in the historic LeMoyne House in Washington, Pennsylvania, once
owned by Dr. LeMoyne, prominent physician of Washington County, PA.
CALL ahead for times and days of operation.
Parking is difficult on East Maiden St., which is a 2-lane street with parking on both sides. Bring plenty of quarters to "feed" the meters. The County's Meter Maid (meter checker) walks the uptown route constantly during the workday. Citizen's Library is several blocks up and allows 2-hour meters, but their lot is also frequently checked for expired meters. Best bet is to park in a parking garage (Chestnut St between Chestnut and Beau Sts... or behind the Court House) and walk down to East Maiden.
They conduct tours of the House and of the area. See http://www.wchspa.org/tours.html
The
LeMoyne House and The David Bradford House (nearby on South Main St.) offer
tours in "period clothing." Genealogy, maps, and county
histories are at the LeMoyne House (The David Bradford House does not
maintain research materials, but still a nice short tour to pass time and
support the House with your admission fee.)
A. D. WHITE CENTER FOR
REGIONAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
130 Center Avenue
Burgettstown, PA 15021-1204
(724) 947-0925
E-mail: kth3@forcomm.net
Hours: Call or email for appointment
Call ahead for specific hours. You can reserve computer time
also.
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
P.O. Box 894
Washington, PA 15301
E-mail: gsswpa@cobweb.net
This non-profit, educational organization publishes the Keyhole Magazine for
a small yearly subscription. They preserve genealogical records for Southwestern
Pennsylvania, meet at Citizens Library (check their schedule) where they maintain
a genealogical collection.
WASHINGTON COUNTY [PA] FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
525 Fairway Drive
Washington, PA
Phone: (724) 222-9474
Hours: Tuesday 10-3 and Thursday 12-3
Call ahead for specific hours. You can reserve computer time
also.
WASHINGTON
COUNTY COURT HOUSE
100 W. Beau St.
Washington, PA 15301-4402
Phone: (724) 228-6700
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Address written requests to the appropriate office (see below).
Just put the specific office, then Washington County Court House, and the
same address as above.
Call before writing to request records to check for current policies and fees
The court house has...
.... first, they've changed over the last 20 years. Many records are being stored "OFF-SITE." Requests must be submitted to the specific office for specific records-- retrieval times are 10AM or 2PM. Therefore, you may want to research on DAY ONE and make your requests for document retrieval to be delivered back to the Court House at 10 AM on DAY TWO. Or, if you know what you need, make the request for the same day's retrieval -- just make your requests early so you'll get them at 2PM.
....at each office, ask an employee for a 3-minute Quick Overview of what records they have and how to use indexes, etc.
WHAT IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE?
BIRTH - DEATH (Clerk of the Orphan's Court Office for old birth/marriage/death marriages.)
Birth and death records from 1893-1905 are available from the County Clerk. at the Washington County courthouse.
You may also check for copies of these records at the local Family History Center.
Birth records from January 1, 1906 to the present -- must contact the Pennsylvania Vital Records
office in New Castle, PA. Fees are low. They will research by
decade for additional fees. You may print forms or request forms from
their website. You can also get a stamped letter from their office as
verification that a "Delayed Birth Certificate" or or that other
proof of a birth is on file without an actual birth certificate. NOTE: Most
Vital Records offices now require your picture ID with each request.
These records usually contain the name of the person, date of event, location of event, age (for death records), and parents' names (often including mother's maiden name). Death records usually contain name of informant (family, physician, or funeral home), the physician who cared for the deceased in their last illness, the location (whether home, hospital, or institution), cause of death, and name of funeral home.
Birth and death records are spotty for information - some years are better than others.
MARRIAGE RECORDS (Clerk of the Orphan's Court Office for old birth/marriage/death marriages.)
Marriage records start from October 1, 1885, available at the Washington County courthouse.
Besides the names of the bride and groom, marriage license applications list the couple's ages and the names of their parents. Sometimes, these records contain additional information. Ask about the "returned license" to see that the couple actually married.
You may also check for copies of these records at the local Family History Center.
LAND - DEEDS - MORTGAGES (Recorder of Deeds Office)
Pennsylvania Records start in 1682. However, for SW PA few records exist before 1781. Check at the Recorder of Deeds Office at the Washington County Court House for 1781 to present for Deeds and Mortgages. You should learn the alphabet system used on both the Grantor AND Grantee Index. Be aware that some Deeds were not filed and recorded for years -- to decades -- after the physical property transferred hands, especially when there was a death and the land was absorbed into lands owned by relatives. Check ALL variant spellings of surnames.
You can check the Land Office of the Pennsylvania State Archives for early documents, warrantee maps, surveys, land grants, and patents.
If you get stuck in finding your ancestor's deeds, try reading the Deeds of the ancestor's neighbors (sometimes there are family relationships or clues as to where your ancestor's land ended up). Look at the last known deed for your ancestor to find neighbors' names.
WILLS, PROBATE (ESTATE), AND ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNTS (Register of Wills
Office)
It is good to consult an index if possible before your trip- with Will Book Number, Page Number, Date and Name of Deceased, you might be able to obtain a good copy from the Court House via Postal Mail for a fee. For indexes, try the Southwestern Pennsylvania Genealogical Society which has published three volumes of indexes to early Wills. RAOGK volunteers may own these volumes; just ask around on Message Boards or Mailing Lists online!
Wills and Estate (probate) records start from 1781 and are housed in the Register of Wills Office. Wills can be short or long, may contain in-depth family relationships, or may contain very little information. Most Wills include date the person wrote the Will, and date it was Recorded at the Recorder of Wills in the Court House. Estate records sometimes include date of death or dates of "last illness", family members (sometimes including children's spouses), and complete descriptions of personal property (examples: 1 bedstead, 2 quilts, 1 Bible, lot of books) and often the real estate property.
If you cannot locate a Will (the person died intestate -- without a Will),
then check for other estate records called Administrator Accounts. You do
not need to know in advance who acted as Administrator; you only need the
deceased's name. Some of these records might also be available at the Citizens
Library and the local Family History Center, BUT always seek the original
documents (full packet) at the Court House.
TAX LISTS (the Law Library)
Tax lists cover 1785-1859 and are now on microfilm at The Law Library at
the Washington County Courthouse, basement level. Copies are also in the Pennsylvania Room of the Carnegie Library, at local Family History
Centers, and possibly at Citizens Library.
PROTHONOTARY (Prothonotary Office)
Think your ancestor had a squeaky clean record? Possibly. However, if the person was ever sued or had a court case, you'll find those records here!
Did your law-abiding ancestor decide someone else's fate or determine "who was right - who was wrong?" Jury Lists can be found in the Prothonotary Office, too!
Wife batterers, Assault, Disputes and more....
Naturalizations? Oaths from 1802 onward *should* be in this office. But, the Oath could have been made at the Local, State, or Federal level. You must determine the correct State as well. Family History Centers have microfilmed records. PA Supreme Court Naturalizations from 1793 to 1868 can be found at The Pennsylvania State Archives. For Oaths after October 1906, check the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization.
And, no Oaths were/are required for natural born citizens. Even the lack of Naturalization for one individual can point you to look backward for the immigrant ancestor and his Oath.
TAX OFFICE - (in the
The Tax Office has aerial maps (which you can browse or buy copies). These are oversized maps showing an area, such as a township. These maps are useful especially if you know the location of an ancestor's land. A special point to remember in Washington County is that, very often, the boundary lines of properties are clearly seen 100 or 200 years after the original Land Patent. Look for white or black "borders" indicating a fence line or plow line-- the same land was farmed over and over in the same areas. Even when farmers rotated land usage (i.e. did not farm a section for a period of time), often the land plot in country areas is very distinguishable and the boundary lines clearly seen. In some instances, a deed will mention "to a boulder" or "to a tree" or to water, and those landmarks can still be seen. (This tip won't hold true if your land has been bulldozed for development complexes or industry.)
Compare
the Aerial Maps to Plat or Farm Directory Maps at the Law Library, at Citizens
Library, or online.
The County Courthouses in Pennsylvania holds the ORIGINAL records.
But, some records are also on Microfilm at The PA State Archives; however, the Archives does not do research. You may go in person, or hire a researcher. Note: "Rolls" below refers to microfilm rolls at the State level.
Here is a Quick Cheat Sheet of Records and which offices hold the original records at the County level. Click here for a no-frills list of these records--use "File >Print" on your browser.
Board of County Commissioners
Cemetery Maps of Soldiers' Graves Registration of the Veterans Affairs Office, undated. 1 roll.
Milita Rolls, 1846, 1852-1855, undated. 1 roll.
Records of the Directors of the Poor, County Home, and County Children's Home, 1842-1993. 6 rolls.
Tax Records, 1785-1859. 101 rolls.
Veterans Grave Registration Record of the Office of Veterans Affairs, 1932-1982. 2 rolls.
Clerk of Courts
Miscellaneous Court Papers, [ca. 1784-1829]. 5 rolls.
Prothonotary
Naturalization Index, 1802-1944. 6 rolls.
Naturalization Files, 1802-1906 (bulk 1841-1906). 16 rolls.
Election Return Dockets, 1856-1920. 7 rolls.
Township Election Return Dockets, 1867-1912. 2 rolls
Recorder of Deeds
Deeds, 1781-1866. 57 rolls.
Index to Deeds, Grantees, 1781-1924. 15 rolls.
Index to Deeds, Grantors, 1781-1924. 15 rolls.
Inventories of Estates, Yohogania County, Virginia, 1776-1781.
Deeds, 1786-1791.
Negro Register, 1782-1851 (bulk 1782-1820).
Mortgages, 1841-1854. 1 roll.
Index to Mortgages, 1781-1925. 5 rolls.
Mortgage Books, 1924-1944. 25 rolls.
Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court
Delayed Birth Records, 1941-1970 (Births, 1869-1906).
Birth Records, 1893-1906.
Index to Birth Records, 1852-1853.
Death Records, 1893-1906.
Marriage License Dockets, 1885-1916.
Index to Marriage License Dockets, 1885-1940.
Marriage License Dockets, 1885-1932. 103 rolls
Orphans' Court Dockets, 1781-1868. 5 rolls.
Index to Orphans' Court Dockets, 1781-1952. 3 rolls.
Wills, 1781-1915. 15 rolls.
Index to Wills, 1808-1939. 2 rolls.
Probate Files, 1781-1850. 55 rolls.
Probate File Indexes, 1781-1924.
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