Beaver County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Beaver County, Pennsylvania ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Beaver County was named for the Beaver River. The county is located in the west-central section of the state.[2]
County Courthouse
Beaver County Courthouse
810 Third Street
Beaver, PA 15009
Clerk of Court, (724) 770-4586
Email: @beavercountypa.gov
Register of Wills and Orphans' Court, 724-770-4550
Prothonotary Office,(724) 770-4570, Fax: 724-728-3360
Beaver County Website
Register of Wills has birth records 1893-1906, death records 1852-1854 and 1893-1906, marriage records 1852-1854 and from 1886, and probate records from 1800
Recorder Deeds has land records from 1800
Prothonotary has divorce, court, and naturalization records
Veterans Office has military records[3]
Beaver County, Pennsylvania Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1893 | 1852 | 1852 | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 | 1790 |
Record Loss
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes
|
Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[7]
| Cities | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
| Historic communities | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
- Beaver County PA Archives Bible Records, J. O. and Ivey McCoy Bible at USGenWeb Archives
Biographies
- The History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. 1980. Evansville, Indiana : Unigraphic. P. 609-908 are brief biographical sketches. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Additional Cemetery Resources
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- ca.1700-ca.1950 Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, ca. 1700-ca. 1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- Cemetery Abstracts at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images (incomplete)
- Pennsylvania Genealogy LDS Genealogy
Federal Census
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1800 | 5,776 | — |
| 1810 | 12,168 | 110.7% |
| 1820 | 15,340 | 26.1% |
| 1830 | 24,183 | 57.6% |
| 1840 | 29,368 | 21.4% |
| 1850 | 26,689 | −9.1% |
| 1860 | 29,140 | 9.2% |
| 1870 | 36,148 | 24.0% |
| 1880 | 39,605 | 9.6% |
| 1890 | 50,077 | 26.4% |
| 1900 | 56,432 | 12.7% |
| 1910 | 78,253 | 38.7% |
| 1920 | 111,621 | 42.6% |
| 1930 | 149,062 | 33.5% |
| 1940 | 156,754 | 5.2% |
| 1950 | 175,192 | 11.8% |
| 1960 | 206,948 | 18.1% |
| 1970 | 208,418 | 0.7% |
| 1980 | 204,441 | −1.9% |
| 1990 | 186,093 | −9.0% |
| 2000 | 181,412 | −2.5% |
| 2010 | 170,539 | −6.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records
- More information and resources are found on Pennsylvania Church Records.
- Visit Beaver County, Pennsylvania Church Records for information about church denominations and records in Beaver County.
Court Records
For information about records kept in the Orphan's court, Prothonotary Court, Court of Common Pleas, and other courts in counties of Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Court Records Wiki page.
- 1804-1952 Orphan's Court Dockets, 1804-1881 ; Orphan's Court Index, 1804-1952(*); Orphans' Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1828-1910 Dockets, 1828-1910(*); Justice of the Peace at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
For online resources, passenger lists, and specific groups coming to Pennsylvania, see Pennsylvania Emigration and Immigration.
- 1798-1828 Pennsylvania Landing Reports of Aliens, 1798-1828 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; Alphabet index then by numbered entry
- 1900-1923 Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Case Files of Chinese Immigrants, 1900-1923 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
- 1952-1957 Pennsylvania, Crew Lists arriving at Erie, 1952-1957 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
For groups that came, see People section of the Pennsylvania Emigration page.
Funeral Homes
- Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation LLC in Ambridge.
- Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home Inc. in Aliquippa.
- Bohn-Matich Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. in Ambridge.
- Campbell Family Funeral Homes in Beaver Falls and Chippewa.
- Copeland Funeral Homes and Cremation Services in Moon and Sewickley.
- Corless-Matter Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Ambridge.
- Darroch Cremation and Funeral Tributes, Inc. in Aliquippa.
- Gabauer Funeral Homes in Beaver, Beaver Falls and New Brighton.
- Hill and Kunselman Funeral Home, Inc. in Beaver Falls.
- Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Aliquippa, Moon Township and Rochester.
- J and J Spratt Funeral Home in New Brighton.
- John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. in Ambridge.
- Noll Funeral Home, Inc. in Beaver and Midland.
- Pitts Funeral Home in Aliquippa.
- Saul-Gabauer Funeral Home and Sylvania Hills Memorial Park in Rochester.
- Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services in Monaca.
- Spratt Funeral Home in Beaver Falls.
- Tatalovich Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. in Aliquippa.
- Washington Funeral Home and Cremation in Beaver Falls.
- William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc. in Rochester.
Genealogies
Guardianship
The Orphan's Court ensures the best interests of those not capable of handling their own affairs: minors, incapacitated persons, decedents' estates, and more.[8]
Land and Property Records
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a specific location and reveal family relationships. Records include: deeds, abstracts, indexes, mortgages, leases, grants, sheriff sales, land patents, maps and more. For more information, see Pennsylvania Land and Property.
Land records in Beaver County began in 1800. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Beaver, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1800 -1918 Deeds, 1800-1887; Deed Indexes, 1800-1918. FS Library film 863638 (first of 87 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1800-1918 Mortgage Index. FS Library films 863683-863690 - Some images online only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1957–present Beaver County offers online access to indexes and images. Fees apply.
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- The History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. 1980. Evansville, Indiana : Unigraphic. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat). Reproduction of book originally published in 1888 by A. Warner in Philadelphia and Chicago.
- History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and Its Centennial Celebration. 2 volumes. 1904. By Joseph Henderson Bausman. New York, New York : Knickerbocker Press. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive; Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
Maps
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- Ancestor Tracks has posted downloadable images of the township maps showing landowners from Map of Lawrence and Beaver Counties from Actual Surveys by N.S. Ames which was published in 1860. 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 to commercially. We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
See more databases at Pennsylvania Military Records and US Military Records.
Revolutionary War
Men living in what is now Beaver County (then Washington and Westmoreland counties) served in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment.[9]
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
World War II
- 1933-1947 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, World War II Casualty Cards, 1933-1947 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Naturalization and Citizenship
Naturalization records can contain information about immigration and nativity. Prior to 1906, it is rare to find the town of origin in naturalization records. For more information, see Pennsylvania Naturalization
- 1795-1931 Pennsylvania, Eastern District Petitions for Naturalization, 1795-1931 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1795-1952 Pennsylvania, Eastern District Naturalization Indexes, 1795-1952 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1804-1906, 1906-1920, 1929-1931 Naturalization Records FS Library film 1319514 (first of 22 films) - Index included: 1804-1982 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1820-1906 Index to Declarations and Petitions in the Western District of Pennsylvania, US Circuit and District Courts located in US Naturalization Records Indexes, 1794-1995 database on Ancestry $ National Archives publication M1208
- 1820-1930 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Fold3.com - ($), indexed, National Archives publication M1537, incomplete for all counties
- 1820-1930 Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. District Court, 1820-1930, and Circuit Court, 1820-1911, for the Western District of Pennsylvania located in Selected US Naturalization Records - Original Documents, 1790-1974 database on Ancestry $ National Archives publication M1537
- 1906-1934 Declarations of Intention FS Library film 1463464 items 3-4 (first of 4 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
Newspapers
Newspapers may contain obituaries, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, family gatherings, family travel, achievements, business notices, engagement information, and probate court proceedings. Newspapers are often found in local or university libraries, historical or genealogical societies, or state archives in the area where the newspaper was published. See Pennsylvania Newspapers for more information.
Newspapers of Beaver County
Online Newspapers
- Beaver County Times - full-text of more than 11,000 issues spanning 1954-2007 available on Google Newspaper Archive.
- Beaver Falls Tribune - more than 2,700 full-text issues spanning 1912-1928 available on Google Newspaper Archive
- Beaver Times - full-text of close to 800 digital issues spanning 1900-1906 available on Google Newspaper Archive
- Beaver Valley Times - full-text of more than 2,500 issues spanning 1946-1960 available on Google Newspaper Archive
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
- Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Pennsylvania, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles
- Selected items from The Western Argus, 1830-1834 at Beaver County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Newspaper Extracts and Abstracts
- Foster, Nancy (compiler), Every-name Index to History of the Newspapres of Beaver County, Pennsylvania (Cincinnati, Ohio:N.B. Foster, c1993) FS Catalog book 974.8 A1 no. 543
- Two books by Mark H Welchley, used together, provide abstracts from the Beaver County Argus newspaper from 1830 -1858. Argus Genealogical Gleanings covers 1830-1838 FS Catalog book 974.892 V28w and Beaver County, Pennsylvania Marriages from Beaver County Newspapers FS Catalog book 974.892 V2w covers 1830-1878. Note that the content of these books do not overlap, despite the overlapping of the dates.
- Clear, Helen G. Beaver County Deaths (abstracted from Warner's History) (S.I. s.n., 19--) At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Catalog book 974.892 V4c A list of deaths taken from newspapers. Death dates are 1817-1886.
Obituaries
Obituaries are generally found in local newspapers where the person died or where family members lived. Local libraries or societies may have indexes or other sources.
Online Obituary Abstracts
- 1977-2010 Pennsylvania Obituaries, 1977-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- PA-Roots Obituaries for Beaver County.
Other Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate matters in Beaver County are handled by the Orphans' Court and start when the county was created.
In addition to wills and administrations, the Orphans' Court also handles: audits of accounts of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians; distribution of estates; appointments of guardians; adoptions; appeals from the Register of Wills; inheritance tax appeals, and various petitions and motions.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1683-1994 Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only (by county)
- 1683-1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry ($)
- 1803-1965 Probate Records, 1803-1917; Index to Register's Office, 1803-1965(*); Register of Wills at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1864-1920 Orphan's Court Dockets, 1864-1920(*); Clerk of the Orphans' Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index 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 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Vital Records
Vital records are handled by the County Orphans' Court. Between the years 1852-1855 Pennsylvania made a failed attempt to record birth, marriage and death events at the county level. County marriage records were kept in earnest in 1885. Births and deaths, at the county level, were begun in 1893 and kept through 1905. For the most complete set of records, contact the County Orphans' Court.
Birth
Early births 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For more information, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
- 1520-1999 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Births and Baptisms, 1520-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1709-1950 Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births Ancestry $
- 1893-1904, 1942-1971 Beaver County Birth Index 1893-1904 and 1942-1971 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[10]
- 1941-1976 Pennsylvania Delayed Birth Records, 1941-1976 at FamilySerch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Marriage
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Beaver County Courthouse
- 1512-1989 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Marriage Records, 1512-1989 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1626-2016 Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at Findmypast$
- 1677–1950 Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1682-1976 Pennsylvania, Church Marriages, 1682-1976 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1700-1821 Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry $
- 1709-1940 Pennsylvania Marriages, 1709-1940 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index.
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1823-Onward Pennsylvania Marriages at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Beaver County Marriage Index 1852-1854 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection, Coverage Table; index & images; coverage may vary
- 1947-2021 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Death
Early deaths 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For indexes and records, 1906 and later, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
- 1720-1999 Pennsylvania Deaths and Burials, 1720-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index, some images
- 1852-1854, 1893-1906 Helen G Clear. Registration of Deaths, Beaver County, Pennsylvania (New Brighton, Pennsylvania: H. G. Clear, c 1984) FS Catalog book 974.892 V2c.
- 1852-1854, 1893-1907 Beaver County Death Index 1852-1854 and 1893-1907 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
- 1856-1971 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Deaths and Burials, 1856-1971 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1893-1907 Registration of Death, 2 volumes FS Library film 1289063 Items 1-2 (first of 3 films)
- 1906-1972 Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1972 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Divorce
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary.
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Beaver County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
National Archives at Philadelphia
14700 Townsend Rd
Philadelphia, PA 19154-1096
Phone: 215-305-2044
Fax: 215-305-2052
Email: philadelphia.archives@nara.gov
Website
Facebook
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Beaver Valley Pennsylvania FamilySearch Center
- Butler Pennsylvania FamilySearch Center
- Cranberry Township Pennsylvania FamilySearch Center
- Beaver County Genealogy & History Center - an affiliate library
- Cranberry Public Library - an affiliate library
- Sewickley Pubic Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Beaver County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
Beaver County Library System
109 Pleasant Dr, Ste 101
Aliquippa, PA 15001
Phone: 724-378-6227
Website
Facebook
Museums
Beaver Area Heritage Museum
1 River Rd
Beaver, PA 15009
Phone: 724-775-7174
Email: events@beaverstation.org
Website
Facebook
Societies
Listed below are societies in Beaver County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
Beaver County Genealogy and History Center
250 E End Ave
Beaver Falls, PA 15009
Phone: 724-775-1775
Email: research@beavercountyhistory.org
Website
Facebook
Beaver Falls Historical Society and Museum
1301 7th Ave
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
Phone: 724-494-2439
Website
Facebook
Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society
4400 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-4080
Phone: 412-687-6811
Email: info@wpgs.org
Website
Facebook
Websites
- Linkpendium - Beaver County
- Beaver County PAGenWeb site
- Beaver County PA Old Photos
- Beaver County PA Genealogy
- FamilySearch Catalog – 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.
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/1/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002)Beaver County, Pennsylvania, p.588
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Beaver County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 12 January 2020.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
- ↑ Harold Frederic, William C. Frederick III with William J. McMaster Sr., Path of Blood: The Untold Story of the Kittanning PA. Regiment in the American Revolution (Kittanning, Pa.: W.C. Frederick, 1998). FS Library Book 974.8 M2ff
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/6/6d/Igipennsylvaniaaa.pdf.