Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Huntingdon 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
The county is located in the southwest corner of the state. [2]
County Courthouse
Huntingdon County Courthouse
223 Penn Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652
Phone: 814-643-2740
Fax: 814-643-8152
Register and Recorder/Register of Wills/Orphan's Court
Phone: 814-643-2740 Fax: 814-643-6849 Email: regrec@huntingdoncounty.net
Prothonotory/Clerk of Court Phone: 814-643-1610 or 814-643-5511 Fax: 814-643-4271 Email: kcoons@huntingdoncounty.net
Huntingdon County
County Clerk has birth records 1894-1906, death records 1894-1905, marriage records from 1885, divorce, probate and court records from 1787[3]
Huntingdon 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 |
| 1894 | 1885 | 1894 | 1787 | 1786 | 1787 | 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]
| Boroughs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
- 1766-1938 Church and Cemetery Records, Bible Records, 1766-1938(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- Huntingdon County Bible Records at PA USGenWeb Archives
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
- 1700-1950 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)
Census Records
State Census
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1790 | 7,558 | — |
| 1800 | 13,008 | 72.1% |
| 1810 | 14,778 | 13.6% |
| 1820 | 20,142 | 36.3% |
| 1830 | 27,145 | 34.8% |
| 1840 | 35,484 | 30.7% |
| 1850 | 24,786 | −30.1% |
| 1860 | 28,100 | 13.4% |
| 1870 | 31,251 | 11.2% |
| 1880 | 33,954 | 8.6% |
| 1890 | 35,751 | 5.3% |
| 1900 | 34,650 | −3.1% |
| 1910 | 38,304 | 10.5% |
| 1920 | 39,848 | 4.0% |
| 1930 | 39,021 | −2.1% |
| 1940 | 41,836 | 7.2% |
| 1950 | 40,872 | −2.3% |
| 1960 | 39,457 | −3.5% |
| 1970 | 39,108 | −0.9% |
| 1980 | 42,253 | 8.0% |
| 1990 | 44,164 | 4.5% |
| 2000 | 45,586 | 3.2% |
| 2010 | 45,913 | 0.7% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records
- More information and resources are found on Pennsylvania Church Records.
- Visit Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania Church Records for information about church denominations and records in Huntingdon 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.
Some of the Continuence Dockets and the Quarter Session Books are stored in the basement of the Huntingdon County Court House. The Continuence Dockets have been microfilmed and are at the Huntingdon County Pennsylvania Courthouse.
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
- Anderson Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services in Mount Union.
- Bruce E. Cox Funeral Home in Warriors Mark.
- Curtis A. Heath Funeral Home, Inc. in Broad Top City.
- Cutright Funeral Homes PC in Huntingdon.
- John B. Brown Funeral Home, Inc. in Huntingdon.
- Martin R. Brown Funeral Home, Inc. in Orbisonia.
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 Huntingdon County began in 1803. These records are filed with the Register and Recorder office in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1786-1972 Deeds, 1786-1866; Index to Deeds, 1786-1972; Misc. Index to Deeds, 1790- 1877. FS Library film 900605 (first of 47 films)
- 1787-1889 Pennsylvania Archives Land Warrant Lists at Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
- 1803-1969 Mortgage Index FS Library film 902449
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- History and Topography of Northumberland, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Centre, Union, Columbia, Juniata and Clinton Counties, Pa. 1847. By I. Daniel Rupp. Lancaster, Pennsylvania : G. Hills. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, Pennsylvania. 1883. By J. Simpson Africa. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : L.H. Everts. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Huntingdon County in the State of Pennsylvania. 1876. By Milton Scott Lytle. Lancaster, Pennsylvania : W. H. Roy. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- A History of the Juniata Valley. 3 volumes. 1936. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania : National Historical Association, Inc. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 3 - FamilySearch Digital Library.
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- 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.
- 1861-1865 Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
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
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 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
- 1901-1991 Pennsylvania, Middle District Court, Naturalization Records, 1901-1991 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & 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.
Newspaper Excerpts and Abstracts
- McFarland, K.T.H., Hollidaysburg Records Marriages, Deaths & Partitions from Weekly Newspapers of Hollidaysburg, Huntingdon/Blair Cos., Pa., 1836-1852 (Apollo, Pennsylvania:Closson Press, c1994) At various libraries (WorldCat; FS Catalog book 974.875/H1 B3m
Newspapers of Huntingdon County
- The Blair County Genealogical Society has a copy of the book Huntingdon County Newspaper: A Finding List which was compiled by M. M. Faust and Nancy S. Shedd for the Huntingdon County Historical Society. Also available at various libraries (WorldCat
- The Pennsylvania State Library has a book entitled Huntingdon County Newspapers, Vol I that contains notices from the Huntingdon Gazette 1806-1811. This book is not indexed. It's call number is 929.37484 NW1001 and is found in Form Room 101.
Newspapers on Microfilm
The Blair County Genealogical Society and the State Library of Pennsylvania has the Huntingdon Gazette on microfilm.
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
- Newspaperarchive.com has the Huntingdon County News online.
- Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Pennsylvania, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Obituaries
Obituaries are generally found in local newspapers where the person died or where family members lived. Local libraries or societies may have indexes or other sources.
Obituary Indexes
- Archie Claar Obituary Collection Index, Volume 19, 20 through Blair County Genealogical Society. Online
- Wion, John H. Deaths in Central Pennsylvania; an Index to the Obituaries Appearing in the Democratic Watchman, Bellefonte, Pa (S.I.:s.n., 1969) FS Library film 873814 item 2; book 974.8 V4w v.1,2
Online Obituary Abstracts
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Huntingdon County.
- 1977-2010 Pennsylvania Obituaries, 1977-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- PA-Roots Obituaries for Huntingdon County.
Other Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate matters in Huntingdon County are handled by the Orphans' Court and start when the county was created.
In addition to wills and administrations, the Orphans' Court also handles: audits of accounts of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians; distribution of estates; appointments of guardians; adoptions; appeals from the Register of Wills; inheritance tax appeals, and various petitions and motions.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1683-1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry ($)
- 1683-1994 Huntingdon County Probate Records at FamilySearch
- 1683-1994 Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images
- 1786-1972 Orphans' Court Dockets, 1788-1866 ; Index to Orphans' Court Dockets, 1786-1972(*); Orphans' Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1787-1918 Wills, 1787-1908; Index to Wills and Letters of Administration, 1787-1918(*); Register of Wills at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1787-1943 Pennsylvania, Huntingdon County, Probate Records(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- Huntingdon County Wills and Estate Records at Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
- Full-Text Search - Land 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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Many of the tax lists have been microfilmed, but no one repository has them all. The Huntingdon County Historical Society, State Library of Pennsylvania and the FamilySearch Library each have collections. One can purchase a microfilm roll from the Huntingdon County Historical Society and the State Library of Pennsylvania. The FamilySearch Library will loan their films to their various centers for a small fee.
- 1788 Returns of Taxables for the Counties of Bedford (1773 to 1784), Huntingdon (1788), Westmoreland (1783, 1786), Fayette (1785, 1786), Allegheny (1791), Washington (1786) and Census of Bedford (1784) and Westmoreland (1783) (Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3, Vol. 22). Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Google Books
- 1798 Pennsylvania, U.S. Direct Tax Lists, 1798 at Ancestry ($).
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
- 1800-1935 Pennsylvania, Huntingdon County, Delayed Birth Records, 1800-1935 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1941-1976 Pennsylvania Delayed Birth Records, 1941-1976 - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Some birth records exist for the 1852 -1853 time period for Huntingdon County. Only a small percentage of births were recorded in this time period. These records are available at:
- 1852-1853 Births FS Library film 900604
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Births – Ancestry $
- 1893-1905, 1941 Birth Registers FS Library film 900604 The birth records for Huntingdon County were microfilmed by FamilySearch. These microfilms may be available to view at a local FamilySearch Center.
Marriage
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Huntingdon County Courthouse
Huntingdon County marriages are maintained by the Huntingdon County Courthouse. The county began recording marriages in 1885. A few marriage records were created by the county in the 1853 -1854 time period. To obtain a marriage record you may go to or contact the Huntingdon 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 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
- 1787-1823 Marriages by Rev. John Johnston 1787-1823, from J. Simpson Africa's History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, (1883), PAGenWeb
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1823-Onward Pennsylvania Marriages at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Marriages FS Library film 900604
- 1885-1887 Marriage Licences, contributed by Barbara Lautherboren, PAGenWeb
- 1885-1907 Marriage License Dockets films 900593–900603
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection, Coverage Table; index & images; coverage may vary (incomplete for all counties. May contain marriage records earlier than 1885.
- Huntingdon County Marriage Applications, Licenses & Certificates, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
- Huntingdon County Marriage Notices, Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
- 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.
Huntingdon County began recording deaths in 1893, although some were recorded from 1852 -1854. These records are available in the County Courthouse in Huntingdon. You may request a death record from the Huntingdon County Courthouse.
- 1720-1999 Pennsylvania Deaths and Burials, 1720-1999 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index, some images
- 1807-1827 Huntingdon County Deaths,1807-1827, PAGenWeb, extracted from J. Simpson Africa's History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, Pennsylvania, 1883.
- 1836-1846 Huntingdon County Deaths, 1836-1846, PAGenWeb, extracted from the Hollidaysburg Record, a weekly newspaper of Blair County.
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
- 1856-1971 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Deaths and Burials, 1856-1971 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1852-1854 Deaths FS Catalog Collection The 1852-1854 county death records were microfilmed by FamilySearch. They are available through FamilySearch Centers and at the Pennsylvania State Archives.
- 1894 -1896 Death Registers and Reports, 1894-1896 Partial listing of P surnames – USGenWeb Archives
- 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 Huntingdon 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
- Altoona Pennsylvania FamilySearch Center
- State College Pennsylvania FamilySearch Center
- Centre County Federation of Public Libraries - multiple locations - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Huntingdon County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
Alexandria Memorial Library
313 Main St
Alexandria, PA 16611
Phone: 814-669-4313
Website
Facebook
Roller-Hojeth Memorial Library
Blair County Genealogical Society, Inc.
431 Scotch Valley Rd
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: 814-696-3492
Email: administrator@bcgslibrary.org
Website
Facebook
- Collection covers Blair and surrounding counties, particularly Huntingdon, Cambria, and Bedford Counties.
Museums
Hartslog Heritage Museum
311 Main St
PO Box 3
Alexandria, PA 16611
Phone: 814-207-1410
Email: hartslogday@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
- The Museum is located on the 2nd floor of the Alexandria Memorial Public Library. It houses over 4000 artifacts that represent the area's past. Most notable is a rare historic map of Huntingdon County.
Societies
Listed below are societies in Huntingdon County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
Blair County Genealogical Society, Inc.
Roller-Hojeth Memorial Library
431 Scotch Valley Rd
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: 814-696-3492
Email: administrator@bcgslibrary.org
Website
Facebook
- Collection covers Blair and surrounding counties, particularly Huntingdon, Cambria, and Bedford Counties.
Huntingdon County Historical Society
106 4th Street
PO Box 305
Huntingdon, PA 16652-1418
Phone: 814-643-5449
Email: hchsmail@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Websites
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- Huntingdon 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/Huntingdon_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/12/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, p.590
- ↑ 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, "Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntingdon_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 22 January 2020.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012