RESEARCH GUIDE Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
Transcription
RESEARCH GUIDE Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
RESEARCH GUIDE Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Created by Eileen A. Souza, PLCGS Contents Purpose ..........................................................................................................................................................................3 History............................................................................................................................................................................3 Boundary Changes .........................................................................................................................................................3 Places/Localities ............................................................................................................................................................4 Populated Places........................................................................................................................................................4 Neighboring Counties ....................................................................................................................................................5 Resources .......................................................................................................................................................................5 The Northumberland County Courthouse ..................................................................................................................5 The Pennsylvania State Archives................................................................................................................................7 Cemeteries .................................................................................................................................................................7 Churches ....................................................................................................................................................................8 Land ...........................................................................................................................................................................9 Local Histories ............................................................................................................................................................9 Maps ..........................................................................................................................................................................9 Military ....................................................................................................................................................................10 Newspapers .............................................................................................................................................................10 Taxation ...................................................................................................................................................................11 Vital Records ............................................................................................................................................................11 Societies and Libraries .................................................................................................................................................11 Societies ...................................................................................................................................................................11 Libraries ...................................................................................................................................................................12 Web Sites .....................................................................................................................................................................13 Books ...........................................................................................................................................................................14 © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved Purpose The purpose of this guide is to assist me in my research in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, particularly in Coal (Shamokin area) and Mount Carmel Townships. History Northumberland County was created on 11 March 21, 1772, from parts of Lancaster, Cumberland, Berks, Bedford, and Northampton counties. Northumberland County was named for the English county. Sunbury, the county seat, was incorporated March 24, 1797, and became a city in 1921. It was named for an English village near London. The present county area is land acquired by purchases from Indians in 1749 and 1768, but until the formation of Lycoming County in 1795, it included a vast amount of north central Pennsylvania as far as the Allegheny River. Iroquois, Delaware, and Shawnee Indians once had sites along the Susquehanna River. Fort Augusta (at Sunbury) was key in frontier defense from 1756 to 1765; permanent white settlement began in 1768. Tories and Indians assailed the population in 1778–1779. The confluence of the East and West Branches of the Susquehanna made this a center for gathering lumber and other products to move south. Canals improved the arrangement. After 1835, rail cars carried anthracite coal to the river, elevating the county to a mining leader in the 1850s. The older lumber and farming economy contrasted with the anthracite economy of Mt. Carmel and Shamokin; railroads competed to carry the coal directly to the east. The fourth largest anthracite producing county until 1952, Northumberland rose to its present third place. Thomas Edison’s electric lights in Sunbury in 1883 were a technical breakthrough paralleling Joseph Priestley’s scientific discoveries, many of which were made in his Northumberland home. Mount Carmel was one of the first cities to have all electric street lights. Shamokin was the center for agriculture in the central section of the county. Milton became the site of an American Car & Foundry (ACF) factory in the 1920s. County population has declined in each census since 1930, when it stood at 128,504. Silk, textiles, and cigars were once major products. Farms cover 43 percent of the land, and Northumberland is a leading county for producing chickens, swine, soybeans, and barley. Boundary Changes You can view rotating animated maps for Pennsylvania showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved Places/Localities Populated Places Name of City Incorporated Sunbury Dec. 29, 1920 Shamokin Prior Status Laid out as a town on July 4, 1772. Incorporated as a borough on March 24, 1797 Laid out on March 1, 1835 as a town. Incorporated as a borough in November, 1867 Jan. 1, 1950 Table 1Third Class Cities Name of Borough Herndon Kulpmont Marion Heights McEwensville Milton Mount Carmel Northumberland Riverside Snydertown Turbotville Watsontown Incorporated Aug. 29, 1902 1906 Nov. 7, 1857 Feb. 26, 1817 Nov. 3, 1862 Apr. 14, 1828 May 4, 1871 May 26, 1871 Apr. 1858 Nov. 4, 1867 Settled 1827 1825 1792 1853 1772 1850 1858-1859 Incorporated From Jackson Township Mount Carmel Township Mount Carmel Township Delaware Township Turbot township Mount Carmel Township Point Township Gearhart Township Shamokin Township Turbot township Turbot Township Table 2 Boroughs Name of Township Coal Delaware East Cameron East Chillisquaque Jackson Incorporated Nov. 1837 Apr. 15, 1843 Jan. 6, 1836 Jordan Aug. 4, 1852 Lewis Apr. 15, 1843 Little Mahanoy Lower Augusta Lower Mahanoy Mount Carmel Aug. 19, 1813 Apr. 13, 1846 Aug. 1806 Nov. 14, 1854 Point Feb. Ralpho Rockefeller Feb. 5, 1883 May 7, 1880 Rush Aug. 18, 1819 Shamokin Aug. Turbot Apr. 9, 1772 Upper Augusta Upper Mahanoy Washington Apr. 13, 1846 Aug. 1806 Jan. 14, 1856 1786 1788 Settled 1774 1769 1775 Abt. 1778 Abt. 1773 1794 1777 Abt. 1756 1779 1774 Abt. 1784 Abt. 1774 Abt. 1750 1701 1777 1774 Incorporated From Shamokin and Little Mahanoy Townships Turbot Township Cameron Township Chillisquaque Township Mahanoy Township Jackson and Upper Mahanoy Townships Turbot Township Augusta and Shamokin Townships Augusta Township Mahanoy Township Coal Township Turbot and Mahoning Townships Shamokin Township Lower Augusta Township Shamokin Township Catawissa Township called Ralpho Township until Aug. 1789 Augusta Township Mahanoy Township Upper Mahanoy and Jackson Townships © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved Name of Township West Cameron West Chillisquaque Zerbe Incorporated Mar. 11, 1853 Settled 1769 Abt. 1800 Incorporated From Cameron Township Chillisquaque Township Coal Township Table 3 First and Second Class Townships Northumberland County Populatopn 1800 27,797 1850 23,272 1900 90,911 1950 117,115 2000 94,556 Table 4 County Populations Neighboring Counties Counties that are adjacent to Northumberland County are Lycoming County (north), Montour County (northeast), Columbia County (east), Schuylkill County (southeast), Dauphin County (south), Perry County (southwest), Juniata County (west), Snyder County (west), Union County (west) Resources The Northumberland County Courthouse County Seat Sunbury, PA Courthouse Address 201 Market Street, Sunbury, PA 17801-3406 General Phone Number 570-988-4100 Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphan's Court 570-988-4143 Court House Hours: Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Copies: 25 cents each ($5.00 minimum on mail outs) Recorder of Deeds Deed Indexes 1772-1913, 1914-1946, 1947-1973, 1974-1989, 1990-Present Deed Books A-Z, AA-XX, 50-600; Record Books 601 [Grantor and Grantee indexes.] Mortgage Indexes 1772-1973, 1974-1989, 1990-present Mortgage Books 1-449; Record Books 601 Register of Wills Will Indexes 1772-1930, 1930-1987, 1987-present Will Books 1-59 Other original estate documents including wills, property inventories, etc. © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved Clerk of Orphans' Court Index 1772-1930, 1930-1987, 1987-present Dockets 1-67 Marriage Index (Male and Female) 1885 - present Marriage Dockets 1-113, 1885-1987; 114 - , 1987 - present Delayed Birth Certificate Books 1869-1906 Birth Docket 1852-1853 (10/7/1852 - 3/12/1853) Death Docket 1852-1855 (7/5/1853 - 3/9/1855) Marriage Docket 1852-1854 (12/4/1852 - 2/9/1854) Birth Records 2 Volumes 1893-1905 Death Records 2 Volumes 1893-1905 Charter Books, some Military Records and a huge wall map of the count by Cummings, 1858 Prothonotary (Clerk of Courts) Office Civil Court Records Appearance Dockets Execution Dockets Original Papers Filed Quarter Sessions Records Sheriffs' Deed Books Fictitious Business Names Most records date from the founding of the County in 1772. Some Additional Tips Mr. Reed and his staff are very friendly and helpful. They will assist with locating records and with the various indexing schemes employed for the court records. Recent indexes have been computerized and some indexes have been microfilmed. Older records are stored in the Court House basement. These vaults were originally used as jail cells; they are very cramped and very dirty (especially the Prothonotary vault). WEAR OLD CLOTHES. Deed Registers and Prothonotary Dockets are quite large books and are VERY HEAVY. A cart is available in Mr. Reed's office and an elevator is available for transporting books from the basement to the first floor for copying. All records in the Register and Recorders Office and most in the Prothonotary Office are open to the public and are hands-on. The only public entrance to the Court House is at the front main doors. The Court House is generally handicap accessible, although some of the basement vaults may not be. The Register and Recorder's Office is located on the first floor at the far end of the hall on the right. The Prothonotary Office is directly opposite on the left. © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved A security guard and scanner are stationed just inside the entrance. Computers and cameras are permitted (but weapons and bombs will probably have to be checked at the door.) Two-hour metered parking is provided in a public lot at the back of the Court House and also on the streets around the town square. Take plenty of nickels and dimes which are cheaper than using quarters. The Pennsylvania State Archives The Pennsylvania State Archives collects, preserves and makes available for study the permanently-valuable public records of the Commonwealth, with particular attention given to the records of state government. The State Archives also collects papers of private citizens and organizations relevant to Pennsylvania history. Please see web site for holdings, fees and other information. Phone: (717) 783-3281 Mail: 350 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120 E-mail: [email protected] Wednesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Saturday (microfilm use only), 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Closed on all Mondays, Tuesdays and State Holidays. Cemeteries Northumberland County Tombstone Transcription Project Shamokin Cemetery The Register & Recorder's Office in the Northumberland County Court House has the original burial record book for the Shamokin City Cemetery. It approximately covers the years 1860-1978, and contains name, date of death & burial, cause, age, and plot location. The book also contains a detailed map of the cemetery, showing every plot location. The cemetery caretakers gave the book to Frederick Reed's keeping several years ago out of concern over ongoing vandalism to the cemetery storage building. Mr. Reed keeps it in his office so you have to ask him directly to use it St. Edward and St. Stanislaus Cemeteries Both have both been put online by John Haile. You can find them at www.findagrave.com. Riverview Cemetery Odd Fellows Cemeteries Odd Fellows Cemetery, W Broad, Tamaqua, PA., (570) 668-2070 Odd Fellows Cemetery Assn., Morea Rd., Frackville, PA., (570) 874-4462 Odd Fellows Cemetery Assn., Ringtown Rd., Shenandoah, PA., (570) 462-0011 Odd Fellows Cemetery Co., Po Box 296. Danville, PA. (570) 275-2901 Odd Fellows Cemetery Co., RR 1 Box 950. Ranshaw, PA. (570) 648-1651 Mount Carmel Catholic Cemeteries Before the Catholic churches were forced to consolidate, each parish had its own cemetery, each with its own name. There are a number of Catholic cemeteries on the hill outside Mt. Carmel (the Meriam Mountain Road). St. Peter's Cemetery is located here. It generally houses Italian and Tyrolean families. © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved There are more Catholic cemeteries on the road leading to Kulpmont (going past the stadium). St. Mary's is one of these and it is mostly Irish. Now there are only two Catholic churches in Mt. Carmel: Divine Redeemer Church (570-339-3450), and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (570-339-1031) GNIS Cemeteries Many cemeteries are maintained by USGS as the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). According to William Dollarhide [needs ref.] this is the most complete listing and location indicator for named cemeteries to be found anywhere. The GNIS contains about 107,000 cemeteries taken from the detailed 7.5' x 7.5' series of USGS maps. Go to USGS GNIS and fill in the form with PA, Northumberland and Cemetery and you will find 22 cemeteries listed with links to USGS maps showing the locations. Other Cemetery Resources Heber G. Gearhart put together a WPA project entitled "Northumberland County Gravestone Inscriptions" during the Depression. This is collected in a large number of black fiberboard notebooks available at the Northumberland County Historical Society library in Sunbury. It is also available on microfilm in the FHC and is microfilm number 0531279. There are a series of volumes on "Northumberland County Pennsylvania Burials" (other surrounding county volumes also available) that were compiled and originally published by Joseph A. Meiser, Jr., B.S., PhD and his wife Sarah Roadarmel Meiser. Churches Catholic Churches The Archives is located in the Cardinal Keeler Center, situated in the Diocesan Center complex at 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA. The archives facilities include a research room, a sixteen-window display area, and a climate-controlled vault, which provides a secure environment in which to preserve records and artifacts. The Archives houses over 130 collections and maintains a library of approximately 3500 volumes and a wide range of sacred items and artifacts from the Diocese. Reference materials include the annual Kenedy’s The Official Catholic Directory, with volumes from 1890 to the present. Parish sacramental records, primarily baptisms and marriages, are preserved on microfilm. Death and burial records are usually not preserved on microfilm but are held at the parish level. Only records older than 70 years are open for genealogy research. The Archives is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Diocesan Center, including the Archives, is closed on holy days and national holidays. Telephone: (717) 657-4804, ext. 214 Email: [email protected] Mail: The Archives, Diocese of Harrisburg 4800 Union Deposit Road Harrisburg, PA 17111-3710 Other Church Records Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, 1774-1846: Schwaben Creek Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, 1777-1854: Stone Valley Lutheran and Reformed © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved Congregations Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, 1851-92: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Northumberland Archives Church Registers 1700s-1800s Howerter's Church Records 1700s-1800s Himmel's Church Baptismal Records 1800s-1900s St. Elias Union Church Baptismal Records 1874-1924 Baptisms at St. John's Lutheran Church 1874-1924 Deaths at St. John's Lutheran Church 1880s-1900s Baptisms at United Methodist Church in Mount Carmel Land Northumberland Archives Land Records Local Histories History of Northumberland County by Herbert C. Bell, 1891. Genealogical & Biographical Annals of Northumberland County by J. L. Floyd, 1911. Maps Northumberland County Map - County map from 1899 Pennsylvania County Census Maps Pennsylvania County Formation Maps Pennsylvania Antique Maps & Atlases has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Pennsylvania and other states. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, etc... free for viewing or download here Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Bureau of Archives and History, Pennsylvania State Archives has warrantee township maps online or for purchase at RG-17, Records of the Land Office, WARRANTEE TOWNSHIP MAPS {series #17.522} The Pennsylvania State Archives holds the following warrantee township maps, which show all original land purchases from the Proprietors of the Commonwealth made inside the boundaries of present-day townships. In essence, these maps serve as a summary and geographical index for the warrants, surveys and patents held by the State Archives. Information usually shown for each tract of land includes: name of warrantee, name of patentee, number of acres, name of tract, and dates of warrant, survey and patent. Survey and patent numbers also may be given. Northumberland County Coal (PDF file, size: 2119kb) Delaware (PDF file, size: 3821kb) East/West Cameron (PDF file, size: 1640kb) © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved Lewis (PDF file, size: 2536kb) Mt. Carmel (PDF file, size: 1805kb) Point (PDF file, size: 3201kb) Ralpho (PDF file, size: 2546kb) Rockefeller (PDF file, size: 2661kb) Rush (PDF file, size: 1108kb) Shamokin (PDF file, size: 3018kb) Military The Archives Records Information Access System (ARIAS) is designed to facilitate citizen access to archival records created by all branches and levels of Pennsylvania State Government. Records series currently online are: PA National Guard Veteran’s Card File, 1867-1921 Civil War Veterans’ Card File Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File World War I Service Medal Application Cards Spanish American War Veterans’ Card File of United States Volunteers Mexican Border Campaign Veterans’ Card File Militia Officers’ Index Cards, 1775-1800 1883 Pensioners Newspapers The Mount Carmel Public Library has the following newspapers on microfilm: Shamokin Register starting March 8, 1860 Shamokin Herald starting June 10, 1862 Mount Carmel Ledger starting October 1892 Mount Carmel Item starting January 1888. The Mount Carmel Public Library now has a searchable index of obituaries. Requests for copies can be made to the library and costs $15.00 for up to five (5) names. Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette - first newspaper in Northumberland County, began in 1792, published weekly, single column devoted to local news, suspended during War of 1812, resumed afterward and continued until ?. The Republican Argus - began in 1802, published in Northumberland, continued to 1809 or a little after. Later merged with the Gazette. Public Press - began in Northumberland, from 1872 to 1921. Der Freiheitzvogel - first Sunbury newspaper, German language paper, 1800 to about 1802. Times - Sunbury's second newspaper, 1812 to 1820. Name changed to the Public Inquirer. Public Inquirer - Sunbury, about 1820 to 1822. Name changed to Gazetteer. Gazetteer - Sunbury, abt. 1822 to 1833. © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved Northumberland Republicaner - Sunbury, German language paper, 1812. Name changed to Nordwestliche Post in 1818. Nordwestliche Post - Sunbury, German language, 1818 to 1827. Shamokin Canalboat - Sunbury, German language, 1827 to1833. Name changed to Workingman's Advocate. Workingman's Advocate - Sunbury, English language, 1833 to 1838. Sunbury Gazette and Miner's Register - Sunbury, abt. 1838 to 1879. Gazette American - Sunbury, consolidation of Sunbury Gazette and Miner's Register and another newspaper, 1879 to 1880. Gazette - Sunbury, 1880 to abt. 1883. Sunbury American - 1840 to 1923? Der Deutsche Amerikaner - Sunbury, German language edition of the Sunbury American, 1843 to 1864. GazetteAmerican - Sunbury, merger of the Gazette and the Sunbury American, after the Civil War, lasted several years. Der Deutsche Demokrat - Sunbury, 1856 to 1861. Became the Northumberland County Democrat. Northumberland County Democrat - Published in Sunbury, 1861 to 1923. Weekly News - Sunbury, ? to 1923. The Sunbury Daily - Sunbury's first daily newspaper, 1872 to 1876, then resumed again in 1879 to 1937. Evening Item - Sunbury, a daily newspaper, 1893 to 1937. Sunbury Daily Item (now The Daily Item) - merger of The Sunbury Daily and the Evening Item, 1937 to present. Taxation Tax rolls can be found in the State Archives in Harrisburg. The Sunbury Tax Books are not listed in the computer or the black books at the desk outside, but inside in a filing cabinet in the corner of the room, lower drawer. Ask the person at the desk. The tag on the boxes reads “Cartons 31, 32, L-2840 and 2833.” Vital Records PA Vital Records P.O. Box 1528 101 South Mercer Street New Castle, PA 16103 (724) 656-3100 VitalChek Societies and Libraries Societies The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved 2207 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19103-3010 (215) 545-0391 (215) 545-0936 (fax) Historical Society Of Pennsylvania. 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Phone: 215-732-6200, Fax: 215-732-2680 Northumberland County Historical Society 1150 North Front Street Sunbury, PA 17801-1126 Phone/Fax: (570) 286-4083 Library hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. March through December, holidays excepted. If coming from a distance, it is suggested that you call 570-286-4083 to verify open dates. There is a small nonmember fee to use their reading room (2nd floor not handicap accessible). There is a new set of books at the NCHS which may save some time in walking through the graveyards, A Genealogical Guide to Burials in Northumberland County, PA by Joseph A. Meiser Jr. PhD. and Sara Roadarmel Meiser, DDRAIG GOCH Publication PO Box 87 Grantham PA 17027-0087 There is another recent book at the NCHS in which the obits in the Mt Carmel News Item and other nearby papers have been cataloged. I have this source in my notes as "Mount Carmel Obituary List, 1892-1902 1920-1923" compiled by James M. Ryan. Libraries The Mount Carmel Public Library 30 South Oak Street Mount Carmel, PA 17851 Phone: (570) 339-0703 Fax: (570) 339-0703 Email: [email protected] The Mount Carmel Public Library has the Shamokin News Item (formerly the Mount Carmel News Item) from origin to present on microfilm. Recent issues on microfilm are received quarterly. In addition to microfilm for the local newspapers, they have microfilm of some birth and death records for the Mt Carmel Township. The library hours are Monday-TuesdayThursday 9:30am-7pm; Wednesday 9:30am-1pm; Friday 9:30am-4pm. © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved The hours change in the Summer! Call ahead. Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library 210 East Independence Street Shamokin, PA 17872 Phone: (570) 648-3202 Web Sites The Official County website is http://www.northumberlandco.org Northumberland County, PA GenWeb Project Pennsylvania State Facts & Information at My Pennsylvania Genealogy Search The PERiodical Source Index Coal Mining and Coal Mine Accidents http://www.msha.gov/district/Dist_01/Fatals/histfat.htm Registers Of Mine Accidents For The Anthracite Districts, 1899-1972 Pennsylvania GenDisasters Coal Region Collection of nostalgia and regionalisms from the Anthracite Coal Region of PA. Cyndi's List- Pennsylvania Cyndi's list of online PA resources 1772-1859 Wills Index 1778-1780 Tax List and Land Holders of Augusta Twp 1787 Tax List of Augusta Twp 1808 Tax List of Mifflin Twp 1870 Business Directory of Mount Carmel 1914 Business Directory of Mount Carmel 1921 Business Directory of Mandata, Herndon and surrounding areas 1921 Business Directory of Mount Carmel 1921 Business Directory of Shamokin - Surnames A-F 1921 Business Directory of Shamokin - Surnames G-M 1921 Business Directory of Shamokin - Surnames N-Z © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved Books Title Research Outline: Pennsylvania Author Year Saint Edward's Roman Catholic Cemetery: Coal Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania: Record Of Interments, 1870 - 2005 Industrial and Commercial Resources of Pennsylvania: Historical, Descriptive and Biographical Review John J. Haile 2006 Historical Publishing Company Joseph A. Meiser, Jr., PhD et al Retrospective Publishing Schuylkill Roots 1887 A Genealogists Guide to Burials in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania (Vol.1 - Vol. 5) History of Northumberland Co. Pennsylvania With Illustrations 1751 - 1876 Mount Carmel Cemetery, Located At Mount Carmel, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Oak Hill (O. Of I.A.) Cemetery At Mt. Carmel (Alaska), Schuylkill Roots Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Combined Records Of Saint Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Glenn P Schwalm Pine Grove, And Salem's "Hetzel's" Church, Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, Pine Grove Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, area key: guide to the Florence Clint genealogical records of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, including maps, histories, charts and other helpful materials, 2nd. ed 1985 Publisher Family History Library Firenze Press Format Historical Publishing Company The Authors CD 2004 Electronic Hardcover CD CD 1989 Closson Press Paperback 1989 Closson Press Paperback 1999 Closson Press Paperback 1977 Everton © Eileen A. Souza. All rights reserved