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Bucks County
BUCKS COUNTY REPOSITORIES
Bucks County is an original PA county.
SPRUANCE LIBRARY, BUCKS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ( BCHS ), Mercer Museum, 84 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA 18901; (215) 345-0210. Hours: Tuesday 1:00PM–9:00PM, Wednesday–Friday 1:00PM–5:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM–5:00PM. Day fee currently $8. The Bucks County Archives, with records from the Court of Quarter Sessions, Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans Court, Prothonotary, and the County Commissioners, are deposited at the Spruance Library. Holdings, with indexes, include: Naturalization Records (1802–1906), Criminal Papers (1697–1786), Quarter Sessions (1684–1700), Coroners Papers (1700–1900), Divorces (1806–1948), Marriage Licenses (1852–1854, 1885–1946), Vendues (1784–1884), Tavern Licenses (1742–1923), Deeds (1684–1919), Wills And Administrations (1684–1900), and Mechanics Liens (1836–1949). Website: www.mercermuseum.org/library_collections.htm#buckscountyarchives
BUCKS COUNTY COURT HOUSE , 55 East State Street, Doylestown, PA 18901; (215) 348-6000.
DAVID LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION , 1201 River Road, (PO Box 748), Washington Crossing, PA 18977. Phone: (215) 493-6776. Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10:00AM–5:00PM. Holdings: 10,000 reels of microform and 40,000 books and pamphlets, primarily on the American Revolution (including Loyalists), especially British sources, with some French and Indian War material, and Early American Imprints. See online guides on its website. Website: www.dlar.org
BUCKS COUNTY LIBRARY CENTER , 150 South Pine St., Doylestown, PA 1890; (215) 348-9081. Hours: Monday – Thursday 9am – 9pm; Friday & Saturday 9am – 5pm; Sunday 1pm – 5pm.
BUCKS COUNTY RECORDS
Key to Repositories BCHS – Spruance Library, Bucks County Historical Society HSP - Historical Society of Pennsylvania Birth : - January 1906–present: Bureau of Vital Statistics, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA, 16103. Web site: health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords, provides downloadable request forms
Death : - January 1906–present: Bureau of Vital Statistics, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA, 16103. Web site: health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords, provides downloadable request forms
Marriage : - 1852–1854, 1885–1946: Marriage Licenses, indexes: BCHS - 1806–1948: Divorces, indexes: BCHS
Probate—Wills and Administrations: - 1684–1900: Wills and Administrations, indexes: BCHS - 1682–1870: Will Books, indexes (microfilm): HSP .
Court and Miscellaneous Records - 1697–1786: Criminal Papers, indexes: BCHS - 1684–1700: Quarter Sessions, indexes: BCHS - 1700–1900: Coroners Papers, indexes: BCHS - 1784–1884: Vendues, indexes: BCHS - 1742–1923: Tavern Licenses, indexes: BCHS
Land and Property: - 1684–1919: Deed Books, indexes: BCHS - 1836–1949: Mechanics Liens, indexes: BCHS - 1684–1866: Deed Books, indexes (microfilm): HSP - 1782–1821: Mortgages, indexes (microfilm): HSP - First land transactions through Proprietors at Pennsylvania State Archives - First land transactions: some microfilm: HSP
Naturalizations - 1802–1906: naturalization records, indexes: BCHS
Key to Repositories BCHS – Spruance Library, Bucks County Historical Society HSP - Historical Society of Pennsylvania
MONTGOMERY COUNTY REPOSITORIES
Montgomery County was formed in 1784 from Philadelphia County.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY RECORDS DEPARTMENT [ARCHIVES] (MCA), 1880 Markley Street (basement), Norristown, PA 19401; (610) 278-3441. Original estate papers (wills, administrations and orphans' court) 1784-c1992; original marriage records 1885-present; deed books 1784-1917; birth and death records 1893-1915; marriages, births and deaths 1852-1855; tax lists 1790-1844. Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30AM-4:15PM. Website: www2.montcopa.org/montco/cwp/view,a,3,q,14582.asp
MONTGOMERY COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS ( MCRD ), One Montgomery Plaza, 3rd floor, Swede and Airy Streets, (P.O. Box 311); Norristown, PA 19404-0311; (610) 278-3289. Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30AM–4:15PM. Holdings: Land Records from 1784, including deeds, mortgages, releases, easements (rights-of-way), subdivisions, restrictions, notaries, public and elected county officers, foreign birth certificates, and cattle brands. Website: www.montcopa.org
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PROTHONOTARY/CLERK OF COURTS ( MCP ), One Montgomery Plaza, 3rd floor, Swede and Airy Streets, (P.O. Box 311); Norristown, PA 19404-0311; (610) 278-3360. Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30AM–4:15PM. Holdings: Court Records from 1784, including divorces, naturalizations, peddlers' licenses, registration of attorneys, oaths of county officers, equity, sheriff's sales, juror lists, some tax records, and some civil court records. Website: www.prothy.montcopa.org/prothy/site/default.asp
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY ( HSMC ), 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA 19401; (610) 272-0297. Hours: Monday, Wednesday–Friday 10:00AM–4:00PM; Tuesday 1:00PM–9:00PM. Day fee currently $5. Holdings: Genealogical files, early deeds, tax records, census records, atlases, photographs, scrapbooks, newspapers. Website: www.hsmcpa.org
MENNONITE HISTORICAL LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES , Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Road, Harleysville, PA 19438; (215) 256-3020. Tuesday–Friday 10AM–5PM; Saturday 10AM–2PM. Website: www.mhep.org
SCHWENKFELDER LIBRARY AND HERITAGE CENTER , 105 Seminary Road, Pennsburg, PA 18073; (215) 679-3103. Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00AM–4:00PM; Thursday 9:00AM–8:00PM; Saturday 10:00AM–3:00PM; Sunday 1:00PM–4:00PM. Holdings: Genealogies and local histories, church and cemetery records, newspapers, family files. Website: www.schwenkfelder.com/Library_Library.htm
MONTGOMERY COUNTY RECORDS
Key to Repositories MCA – Montgomery County Archives MCP – Montgomery County Prothonotary/Clerk Of Courts MCRD – Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds HSP - Historical Society of Pennsylvania Birth : - January 1906–present: Bureau of Vital Statistics, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA, 16103. Web site: health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords, provides downloadable request forms
Death : - January 1906–present: Bureau of Vital Statistics, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA, 16103. Web site: health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords, provides downloadable request forms
Marriage : - 1885–present: Marriage Records: MCA - 1784–present: Divorces: MCP
Probate—Wills and Administrations: - 1784–present: Probate Records: MCA and MCRW - 1714–1839: Will Books and indexes (microfilm): HSP .
Court Records - 1784–present: Civil Court Records (some): MCP
Land and Property: - 1784–present: Land Records: MCRD - 1784–present: Tax Records (some): MCP - First land transactions through Proprietors at Pennsylvania State Archives - First land transactions: some microfilm: HSP - 1784–1818: Deed Books and indexes (microfilm): HSP
Miscellaneous - 1784–present: Foreign Birth Certificates: MCRD - 1784–present: Cattle Brands: MCRD - 1784–present: Public, Elected, and Appointed County Officers: MCRD - 1784–present: Peddlers' licenses: MCP - 1784–present: Sheriff's sales: MCP - 1784–present: Juror Lists: MCP
Naturalizations - 1784–present: Naturalizations: MCP
Key to Repositories MCA – Montgomery County Archives MCP – Montgomery County Prothonotary/Clerk Of Courts MCRD – Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds HSP - Historical Society of Pennsylvania
CHESTER COUNTY REPOSITORIES
Chester County is an original county.
CHESTER COUNTY ARCHIVES AND RECORD SERVICES ( CCARS ), 601 Westtown Road, Government Services Center, Suite 080, West Chester, PA 19380-0990; (610) 344-6760. Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00AM–4:00PM. The Chester County Archives and Record Services are administered by the Chester County Historical Society. Holdings: Birth and Death Records 1852–1855, 1893–1906; Marriage Records 1852–1855, 1885–1930; Wills and Administrations 1714–1923; Orphans' Court Papers 1714–1916, 1930–1940; Deeds 1688–1918, Tax Records 1715–1939; Coroner's Inquisitions Papers 1720–1940. Online indexes for most record groups on website. Website: www.chesco.org/archives
CHESTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (CCHS ), 225 North High Street, West Chester, PA 19380-2691; (610) 692-4800. Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10:00AM-5:00PM. Newspaper clipping file 1810-1970; newspapers on microfilm; diaries; family files; church and cemetery records; Septennial census/tax records. $5.00 research fee. Website: www.cchs-pa.org
CHESTER COUNTY RECORDS
Key to Repositories CCARS – Chester County Archives and Record Services HSP - Historical Society of Pennsylvania CCHS – Chester County Historical Society
Birth : - 1852–1855, 1893–1906: CCARS - 1857–1906: Delayed Birth Records: CCARS - January 1906–present: Bureau of Vital Statistics, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA, 16103. Web site: health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords, provides downloadable request forms
Death : - 1852–1855, 1893–1906: CCARS - January 1906–present: Bureau of Vital Statistics, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA, 16103. Web site: health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords, provides downloadable request forms
Marriage : - 1852–1855, 1885–1930 (applications): CCARS - 1804–1902: Divorces: CCARS - 1698–1890: Marriage Contracts, Certificates & Separations: CCARS
Probate—Wills and Administrations: - 1714–1923: CCARS - 1714–1938: Will Books (microfilm): HSP .
Orphans Court (excluding vital records): - 1714–1923: Orphans' Court Papers: CCARS - 1882–1923: Orphans' Court Estates: CCARS - 1832–1848: Feme Covert Records: CCARS - 1809–1822, 1831–1838: Orphans' Court Docket Book (microfilm): HSP
Land and Property: - 1681–1918: Deeds: CCARS - 1728–1835: Petitions for Sheriff's Deeds: CCARS - 1773–1830: Sheriff's Deeds: CCARS - 1690–1773: Mortgages: CCARS - First land transactions through Proprietors at Pennsylvania State Archives - First land transactions: some microfilm: HSP - 1715–1939: Tax Records: CCARS - various tax rolls and Septennial Census: HSP & CCHS
Court of Common Pleas - 1781–1834: Affidavits, Depositions, Interrogatories: CCARS - 1724–1850: Insolvent Debtor's Petitions & Bonds: CCARS - 1821–1942: Assigned Estates: CCARS - 1903–1905: Registry of Automobiles: CCARS - 1828–1868: Mechanics Liens: CCARS - 1683–1970: Professional Registers: CCARS - 1844–1940: Equity Cases: CCARS
Court of Quarter Sessions - 1820–1839: Fugitive Slave Records: CCARS - 1843–1872: Prison Discharges: CCARS - 1700–1855: Indentured Servants & Apprentice Records: CCARS - 1788–1821: Negro Servant Returns: CCARS - 1700–1800: Tavern Petitions: CCARS - 1869–1952: Miscellaneous Quarter Sessions Papers: CCARS - 1718–1790: Languishing Prisoner Petitions: CCARS - 1722–1869: Peddler's Petitions: CCARS - 1681–1800: Quarter Sessions Indictments: CCARS - 1802–1910: Oyer & Terminer: CCARS
Miscellaneous - 1885–1979: Veterans' Burials: CCARS - 1917–1921: World War I Servicemen Records (County War Aid Association): CCARS - 1800–1858, 1873–1900: Poorhouse Admissions: CCARS - 1856–1884: Poorhouse Children's Board Book: CCARS - 1720–1940: Coroner's Inquisition Papers: CCARS - 1777–1782: British Depredations: CCARS - 1711–2004: Chester County Commissioners: CCARS - 1861–1865: Board of Relief (Civil War): CCARS - 1810–1841: Poor School Children Records: CCARS - various years: Slave Manumissions: CCARS
Naturalizations - 1798–1935: Naturalization Records: CCARS
Key to Repositories CCARS – Chester County Archives and Record Services HSP - Historical Society of Pennsylvania CCHS – Chester County Historical Society
DELAWARE COUNTY REPOSITORIES
Delaware County was formed in 1789 from Chester County.
DELAWARE COUNTY ARCHIVES (DCA) , 340 North Middletown Road, Fair Acres Geriatric Complex, Building 19, Lima (mailing address: 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19083), (610) 891-5620. Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 8:00 am –3:00 pm . Holdings: Administrations 1790–1929; Birth Records 1893–1906, excluding the City of Chester; Civil Docket Books (Continuance and Appearance) 1797–1929; Civil Case Files (Original Writs) 1797–1929 (original papers); Criminal Docket Books 1806–1929; Criminal Case Files 1823–1929 (original papers); Death Records 1893–1906, excluding the City of Chester; Equity Case Files 1856–1897; Licenses for Peddlers 1935–1970 (usually with picture of peddler seeking license); Marriage Records 1885–1929 (license and application); Naturalization Records 1795–1926; Orphans' Court Docket Book 1790–1925 (microfilm through 1882); Orphans' Court Estate Case Files 1790–1925 (original papers); Physicians' Registrations 1881–1900 (handwritten copies of diplomas); Wills 1789–1900. Web site : www.co.delaware.pa.us/depts/archives.html
OFFICE OF JUDICIAL SUPPORT (DCOJS) , Delaware County Government, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19083, (610) 891-4399. Naturalization Records after 1926.
REGISTER OF WILLS (DCRW) [ and Clerk of the Orphans' Court ], Delaware County Government, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19083, (610) 891-4400. Administrations after 1900; Marriage Licenses after 1929; Orphans' Court Estate Case Files after 1925; Wills after 1900.
RECORDER OF DEEDS (DCRD) , Delaware County Government, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19083, (610) 891-4152. Holdings include Deeds, Mortgages, Satisfactions of Mortgage, Financial Statements, Veterans Discharge Papers, Notary Publics, Police Commissions, Highway Plans, Subdivision Plans, Powers of Attorney, Assignments of Mortgage, and Releases of Mortgage. Land records begin in 1789.
DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 408 Avenue of the States, Chester, PA 19014; 610-872-0502; www.delawarecountyhistoricalsociety.org/. Current hours: Tuesday, 1:00PM–8:00PM, Wednesday, 9:00AM–4:00PM; Saturday, 9:00AM–2:00PM. Day fee currently $5. For some of their holdings, see www.oldchesterpa.com/dchs_resources.htm.
DELAWARE COUNTY RECORDS
Key to Repositories DCA – Delaware County Archives DCOJS – Delaware County Office of Judicial Support DCRD - Delaware County Recorder of Deeds DCRW - Delaware County Register of Wills HSP - Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Birth : - 1893–1906: DCA - January 1906–present: Bureau of Vital Statistics, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA, 16103. Web site: health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords, provides downloadable request forms
Death : - 1893–1906: DCA - January 1906–present: Bureau of Vital Statistics, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA, 16103. Web site: health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords, provides downloadable request forms
Marriage : - 1885–1929: license and application: DCA - 1929–present: marriage licenses: DCRW
Probate—Wills and Administrations: - 1789–1900: Wills (name index): DCA - 1900–present: wills: DCRW - 1790–1900: Administrations: DCA - 1900–present: administrations: DCRW - 1789–1892: Will Books (microfilm): HSP .
Orphans' Court (excluding marriages): - 1790–1925: Orphans' Court Docket Book (on microfilm through 1882): DCA - 1790–1925: Orphans' Court Estate Case Files (original papers): DCA - 1925–present: Orphans' Court Estate Case Files: DCRW - 1789–1865: Orphans' Court Docket Book (microfilm): HSP
Other Court and Miscellaneous Records - 1797–1929: Civil Docket Books (Continuance and Appearance) (indexes in each docket book): DCA - 1797–1929: Civil Case Files (Original Writs) (original papers): DCA - 1806–1929: Criminal Docket Books (name indexes in each volume): DCA - 1823–1929: Criminal Case Files (original papers): DCA - 1856–1897: Equity Case Files (name index): DCA - 1935–1970: Licenses for Peddlers (alphabetical, usually with picture of peddler seeking license): DCA - 1881–1900: Physicians' Registrations (handwritten copies of diplomas): DCA
Land and Property: - 1789–present: Deeds, Mortgages, Satisfactions of Mortgage, Powers of Attorney, Assignments of Mortgage, and Releases of Mortgage: DCRD - Indexes and Deed Books, 1770 [ sic ]–1820 (several years missing) (microfilm): HSP - First land transactions through Proprietors at Pennsylvania State Archives - First land transactions: some microfilm: HSP
Naturalizations - 1795–1926: Naturalization Records (name index): DCA - 1926–present: administrations: DCOJS
Key to Repositories DCA – Delaware County Archives DCOJS – Delaware County Office of Judicial Support DCRD - Delaware County Recorder of Deeds DCRW - Delaware County Register of Wills HSP - Historical Society of Pennsylvania | |||||||||||||||||||||
