How to Research Lancaster County, PA Family History
A wealth of resources are available for researching your Lancaster County, Pennsylvania ancestors. A visit to the Lancaster County Courthouse in Lancaster City will likely prove fruitful. The Annex is a genealogist's haven. Older newspapers and old city directories are housed at the Lancaster County Library, also in Lancaster City. There are several historical societies in Lancaster County which also provide resources.
Instructions
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Courthouse Records
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Go to the courthouse. It is located at 50 N. Duke Street in Lancaster City. The older section of the courthouse houses the old records prior to 1906. The staff there is willing to help researchers and will make copies of the records for a minimal charge.
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Search birth and death records by last name and year. An index will tell you which book to search. Search marriage records by either the bride or the groom's name.
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Search the wills, probate records, deeds and tax lists while at the courthouse. Also search early land records. Many times land was kept in the family and land deeds can lead to unknown relatives.
Churches & Cemeteries
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Determine your ancestors' religion. Lancaster County was formed in 1729. At that time there were 11 congregations already meeting.
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Seek out your ancestors' church and possible burial locations. A local historian, A. Hunter Rineer, Jr., compiled the "Churches & Cemeteries of Lancaster County Pennsylvania." It is an excellent resource to determine the history of your ancestors' church and the probable location of their graves.
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Use an ADC map to assist in finding the correct cemetery. They are found in most gas stations and convenience stores and are incredibly detailed. Review the area where your ancestor lived. The ADC maps list many old family cemeteries at which older families were buried on the family farms.
Historical Societies
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Go to the Lancaster County Historical Society. It is located at 230 North President Avenue, Lancaster, and offers a wealth of information.
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Visit the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Located on Lincoln Highway (Route 30) just east of Lancaster City, it provides family Bibles, cemetery records, biographical works, and city and county directories. The society also offers gazetteers and passenger lists.
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Pay a visit to the Southern Lancaster County Historical Society. Located in the Archive Building across from the Robert Fulton Birthplace, the Society primarily focuses on the Southern End of Lancaster County. It focuses on Bart, Colerain, Drumore, East Drumore, Eden, Fulton, Little Britain, Providence, Quarryville Boro and Sadsbury townships.
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Visit the Conestoga Historical Society at 51 Kendig Road, Conestoga. The Conestoga Historical Society focuses on Conestoga, Martic, Manor and Pequea Townships as well as Millersville and Washington Boroughs.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit family tree image by Judy Ben Joud from Fotolia.com
