Mercer County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Mercer County, Pennsylvania ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county is located in the northwestern area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Mercer Courthouse
112 Mercer County Courthouse
Mercer, PA 16137-1284
Phone: 724-662-3800 ext. 2248
Clerk of Courts Phone:724-662-7548
Prothonotary Phone: 724–662-7561 Email: rbice@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us
Register of Wills & Orphans' Court Phone:724-662-3800 ext. 2248 Email: kkloos@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us
Mercer County Recorder's Office Phone: 724-662-3800
Mercer County Website
County Clerk has birth and death records 1893-1905, marriage records from 1885 and probate records from 1800
Prothonotar Office has divorce and court records
Recorder of Deeds has land records[3]
Mercer County, Pennsylvania Record Dates[edit | edit source]
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 | 1885 | 1893 | 1804 | 1803 | 1800 | 1790 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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1866 The First Mercer County Courthouse, built in 1807, was destroyed by fire in February 25, 1866.All records were saved from the fire.[5][6] 1907 The Second Mercer County Courthouse, built in 1866, was destroyed by fire in December 15, 1907. All records, except for some early tax records, were saved from the fire.[7][6]
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Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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Populated Places[edit | edit source]
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:[10]
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| Boroughs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Townships | ||
| Historic communities | ||
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History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
- Bible at USGenWeb Archives
- Bible Records at RootsWeb; Also at: PA USGenWeb Archives
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Additional Cemetery Resources
- 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)
- PA-Roots
- Names in Stone
- Ancestry ($)
Census Records[edit | edit source]
Federal Census
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1800 | 3,228 | — |
| 1810 | 8,277 | 156.4% |
| 1820 | 11,681 | 41.1% |
| 1830 | 19,729 | 68.9% |
| 1840 | 32,873 | 66.6% |
| 1850 | 33,172 | 0.9% |
| 1860 | 36,856 | 11.1% |
| 1870 | 49,977 | 35.6% |
| 1880 | 56,161 | 12.4% |
| 1890 | 55,744 | −0.7% |
| 1900 | 57,387 | 2.9% |
| 1910 | 77,699 | 35.4% |
| 1920 | 93,788 | 20.7% |
| 1930 | 99,246 | 5.8% |
| 1940 | 101,039 | 1.8% |
| 1950 | 111,954 | 10.8% |
| 1960 | 127,519 | 13.9% |
| 1970 | 127,175 | −0.3% |
| 1980 | 128,299 | 0.9% |
| 1990 | 121,003 | −5.7% |
| 2000 | 120,307 | −0.6% |
| 2010 | 116,638 | −3.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
- More information and resources are found on Pennsylvania Church Records.
- Visit Mercer County, Pennsylvania Church Records for information about church denominations and records in Mercer County.
Court Records[edit | edit source]
For information about records kept in the Orphan's court, Prothonotary Court, Court of Common Pleas, and other courts in counties of Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Court Records Wiki page.
- 1813-1825 Register of Persons Naturalized, 1813-1825(*); Court of Common Pleas and Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1919 Sharon, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1919 at MyHeritage ($) — index & images
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
For groups that came, see People section of the Pennsylvania Emigration page.
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- Cunningham Funeral Home Inc. & Cremation Services in Mercer
- Donaldson-Mohney Funeral Home in Sharpsville
- Harold W. Stevenson Funeral Home LLC. in Sharon
- J.E. Washington Funeral Services Inc. in Farrell
- John Flynn Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. in Hermitage
- Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home in Greenville
- McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. in Sharon
- Osborne-Williams Funeral Home in Greenville
- Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. in Sheakleyville
- Rose and Black Funeral Home in Stoneboro
- Rose Simplicity Cremation and Funeral Center, Inc. in Mercer
- Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Sharon
- Stephen J Sherman Funeral Home in Hermitage
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
The Orphan's Court ensures the best interests of those not capable of handling their own affairs: minors, incapacitated persons, decedents' estates, and more.[11]
Orphans
- Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court
112 Mercer County Courthouse
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: 724-662-3800, ext. 2248
Website
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
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 Mercer County began in 1800. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Mercer, Pennsylvania. The Recorder of Deeds offers an online search of land records. Guest users can view the index (unspecified date range) for free but fees apply for viewing images (1986–present).
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1787-1828 Deeds and Index. FS Library film 878951 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; The earlier land records for what would become Mercer County are for the most part in Allegheny County.
- 1803-1919 Deed Books, 1803-1886; Index to Deeds, 1803-1919. FS Library film 878941 (first of 70 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1804-1971 Mortgage Index. FS Library film 889538 (first of 17 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- A Twentieth Century History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. 2 volumes. 1909. Ed. by J. G. White. Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library; Vols. 1 & 2 - Hathitrust; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. 1877. By Samuel W. Durant. Philadelphia, L.H. Everts & Co. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its Past and Present. 1888. By Jacob F. Richard. Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
- 1873 Landowner Maps from the Combination Atlas of Mercer County and the State of Pennsylvania, 1873, Mercer County PAGenWeb site.
- Maps of Pennsylvania (1673-1878)
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
See more databases at Pennsylvania Military Records and US Military Records.
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1865-1936 Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1865-1936 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
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[edit | edit source]
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
Naturalization records for Mercer County, Pennsylvania include the following:
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1808-1906 Naturalization dockets, 1808-1906. FS Library film 1324635 (first of 2). - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Index 1808-1884.
- 1813-1825 Register of persons naturalized, 1813-1825. FS Library film 1324652 item 7. - 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 $
- 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 $
- 1906-1962 Naturalization records, 1812-1906. FS Library film 1324650 (first of 3). - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Indexes at beginning of each volume.
- 1907-1966 Petition and record, 1907-1966. FS Library film 1234635 item 1 (first of 14). - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Index 1908-1987.
- 1929-1963 Court orders, 1929-1963. FS Library film 1324652 item 8. - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
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 Mercer County
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.
- Newspaper archives of Greenville, 1869-2007
- Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Pennsylvania, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Online Newspaper Abstracts
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Obituaries are generally found in local newspapers where the person died or where family members lived. Local libraries or societies may have indexes or other sources.
- 1947-2021 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1977-2010 Pennsylvania Obituaries, 1977-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
The Mercer County Genealogical Society has an online obituary index. You may order copies of obituaries from the Mercer.
Online Obituary Abstracts
- PA-Roots Obituaries for Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
- Obituaries of Mercer County
- Mercer County Obituaries, courtesy USGenWeb Archives
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Mercer County are handled by the Orphans' Court and start when the county was created.
In addition to wills and administrations, the Orphans' Court also handles: audits of accounts of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians; distribution of estates; appointments of guardians; adoptions; appeals from the Register of Wills; inheritance tax appeals, and various petitions and motions.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1683-1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry ($)
- 1683-1994 Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images
- 1793-1880 Will Abstracts and Vital Records of Mifflin and Mercer Counties, 1793-1880(*); at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1804-1867 Orphans' Court Docket, 1804-1867(*); Orphans' Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1804-1908 Register's Docket, V. 1-2, 1804-1908(*); Register of Wills at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1804-1917 Will Books, 1804-1917(*); Register of Wills at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- 1804-1971 Estate and Proceedings Indexes, 1804-1971(*); Register of Wills at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1804-1971 Mercer County Probate Records at FamilySearch
- 1911 Will of William G. W. Porter; Porter Settlements (Sun City, Arizona) - V. 16, No. 1 (Spring 1996). By Porter, William G. W. Phoenix, Arizona : n.p., 1996. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records[edit | edit source]
- Mercer Soldiers Orphans School has several lists of those who were students, teachers, or administrators of the school.The school started January 1, 1868 and closed in 1890.
- Farrell, PA High School 1929 Basketball team
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 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[edit | edit source]
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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 $
- 1941-1976 Pennsylvania Delayed Birth Records, 1941-1976 at FamilySerch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Mercer 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 $
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection, Coverage Table; index & images; coverage may vary
- 1885 Mercer County Marriage Index 1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Death[edit | edit source]
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 Pennsylvania Deaths Ancestry $
- 1856-1971 Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Deaths and Burials, 1856-1971 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1893-1905 Mercer County Death Index 1893-1905 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch[12]
- 1906-1972 Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1972 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Mercer 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[edit | edit source]
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
- Franklin Pennsylvania FamilySearch Center
- Slippery Rock Pennsylvania FamilySearch Center
- Youngstown Ohio FamilySearch Center
- New Castle Public Library - an affiliate library
- Public Library of Youngstown and Machoning County - Ohio - an affiliate library
- Warren-Trumbull County Public Library - Ohio - an affiliate library
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Mercer County. For state-wide library facilities, see Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries.
Community Library of the Shenango Valley
11 N Sharpsville Ave
Sharon, PA 16146
Phone: 724-981-4360
Email: clshenangovalley@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Greenville Area Public Library
330 Main St
Greenville, PA 16125-2615
Phone: 724-588-5490
Email: director@greenvillelibrary.net
Website
Facebook
Grove City Community Library
125 W Main Street
Grove City, PA 16127
Phone: 724-458-7320
Email: gccl@grovecitypalibrary.org
Website
Facebook
Mercer Area Library
110 E Venango St
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: 724-662-4233
Email: mercerarealibrary@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Mercer County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Pennsylvania Societies.
Grove City Area Historical Society and Museum
111 College Ave
PO Box 764
Grove City, PA 16127
Phone: 724-458-1798
Email: cahs@zoominternet.net
Website
Facebook
Mercer County Genealogical Society
11 N Sharpsville Ave
Sharon, PA 16146-0812
Phone: 724–981-4360
Email: mcgenealogy@live.com
Website
Facebook
Mercer County Historical Society
119 S Pitt St
Mercer, PA 16137-1211
Phone: 724–662-3490
Email: mchspa1946@gmail.com
Facebook
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Mercer County Genealogical Society
- Mercer County Genealogy - PAGenWeb site. Obituaries, Cemetery information, Biographies, Maps, County History and Information, Surname List, Family Histories, Military information.
- Mercer County Links - linkpendium.com
- Mercer 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[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 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/Mercer_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/12/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Mercer County, Pennsylvania, p.591
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ gendisasters.com Mercer, PA Mercer County Courthouse Fire, Feb 1866 http://www.gendisasters.com/pennsylvania/17330/mercer-pa-mercer-county-courthouse-fire-feb-1866
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 History of the Mercer County Courthouse http://www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us/history/courthouse.htm
- ↑ gendisasters.com Mercer, PA Mercer County Courthouse Fire, Dec 1907 http://www.gendisasters.com/pennsylvania/17331/mercer-pa-mercer-county-courthouse-fire-dec-1907
- ↑ 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, "Mercer County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercer_County,_Pennsylvania, accessed 27 January 2020.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/1/10/Igipennsylvaniall.pdf.