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Land Records
With the exception of the Revolutionary War years, the Land Office of the Commonwealth has operated continuously since William Penn arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 and began to administer and sell land. Settlement in Western Pennsylvania began following the French and Indian War and deeds can be found from as early as 1773.
Acquiring land from the provincial government in the early days of Pennsylvania was a 5-step process:
- Application - a person wanting to buy a piece of land would first make a request for a warrant to have a survey made, specifying the number or acres and a rough description of the land's location. This paper usually does not bear the applicant's signature.
- Warrant - issued by the land office, authorizing a survey of the tract of land
- Survey - a sketch of boundaries of the land with exact determination of total acreage
- Return - complete verbal description of the property and its boundaries, including the names of neighbors owning the adjoining tracts. This was an internal document sent from the Surveyor General to the Secretary of the Land Office.
- Patent - final, official deed from the state or commonwealth - the patent conveyed clear title and all rights to the private owner. This usually occurred several months after the survey.
The Land Office of the Pennsylvania State Archives is the repository of the majority of these early land records including warrantee maps, surveys and patents. Many have also been microfilmed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and can be accessed at their Family History Centers.
Deeds and mortgage records between individuals are maintained at the office of the Recorder of Deeds for the appropriate county. Many of the deeds and deed indexes through the mid- to late-1800s are available on microfilm at Family History Centers.
A large part of southwestern Pennsylvania -- including present-day Washington, Greene, Fayette and Westmoreland counties, and the portions of Beaver and Allegheny counties south of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers -- was claimed by both Pennsylvania and Virginia until 1779, and many Southwestern Pennsylvania settlers purchased their land from the colony of Virginia. When the land claimed by Virginia was finally ceded to Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth honored the claims of those holding land under Virginia certificates. The lands were resurveyed and new Pennsylvania patents were issued to the owners. Because of this, information regarding these disputed land claims is generally found among the records of both states. Original records for many of these early Virginia land purchases can be found at the West Virginia and Regional History Collection in Morgantown, West Virginia.
More about land records:
Metes, Bounds & Meanders - Platting the Land of Your Ancestors
Book: Pennsylvania Land Records - A History and Guide for Research
Court Records
The bulk of Pennsylvania's genealogical records can be found at the county level, in the county courthouse. These include the previously discussed estate records (Register of Wills), land records (Recorder of Deeds), guardianships (Orphan's Court), and early vital records, as well as civil and criminal court proceedings, county naturalizations and divorces. Civil Court records in Pennsylvania, generally including divorces and naturalizations, can be obtained from the county Prothonotary's Office. Records for Criminal Trials can be obtained from the Clerk of Courts. Many Pennsylvania county courthouse records have been microfilmed and are available through Family History Centers.
More about court records:
Clues in the Courthouse - Finding Your Ancestors in Court Records
Church Records
Pennsylvania's policy of religious tolerance made it a popular destination for settlers from numerous religious denominations, including Amish/Mennonite groups, Baptists, Episcopalians, German Reformed, Lutherans, Methodists, Moravians, Presbyterians, Quakers and Roman Catholics. The records from these churches, including baptisms and christenings, marriages, burials and membership lists, are especially useful for periods not covered by civil vital registration. Many church records, especially the more recent, can often be found in the possession of the church where the event took place. Older church records are often available in published or microfilmed format at a local historical or genealogical society, or at a denominational religious archive.
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