Bedford County Genealogy Records
Bedford County genealogy records are among the oldest in south-central Pennsylvania. The county was formed from Cumberland County on March 9, 1771, making it one of Pennsylvania's early counties with records spanning more than 250 years. The Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds at the Bedford courthouse hold marriage licenses, probate records, and land deeds. The Bedford County Historical Society provides additional research materials for genealogists searching for family history in this region.
Bedford County Quick Facts
Bedford County Genealogy Records Overview
Bedford County was created from Cumberland County on March 9, 1771. This makes it one of the older Pennsylvania counties, with records that predate the American Revolution. No known courthouse disasters have destroyed Bedford County records, meaning researchers have access to an unusually complete set of documents stretching back more than 250 years. The county's history includes colonial settlement, frontier conflicts, and steady agricultural development through the 18th and 19th centuries.
The primary genealogy records for Bedford County include wills and probate records from 1771 to the present, land deeds from 1771 forward, marriage licenses from 1885, and birth and death records from 1893 to 1905. Census records for Bedford County are available from 1790 through 1940. The county's long history means that wills and land records can document family connections going back to the early settlement period. Researchers can visit the courthouse in person or use online databases to search these records. The Bedford County website provides contact information for all courthouse offices.
Note: Bedford County has no known courthouse fires or major record losses, which is fortunate for genealogists and means records from the earliest years of the county are likely intact.
Bedford County Records Offices
The Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds at the Bedford County Courthouse hold the core genealogy records for the area. The Register of Wills maintains marriage licenses from 1885 to the present and birth and death records from 1893 to 1905. Wills and probate records at this office date from 1771, giving researchers access to estate files spanning more than two and a half centuries. These old estate records often identify children and spouses with considerable detail, making them essential for tracing early Bedford County families.
The Recorder of Deeds holds land records from 1771 forward. Deed books document every property transaction in Bedford County, and the grantee and grantor indexes allow you to find when a specific ancestor acquired or sold land. Early land records sometimes include survey descriptions that mention neighbors, helping you identify families who lived near each other. Online records search is available through in-office terminals at the courthouse. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
| Office |
Bedford County Courthouse 200 South Juliana Street Bedford, PA 15522 |
|---|---|
| Phone | Register of Wills: (814) 623-4804 Recorder of Deeds: (814) 623-4836 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | bedfordcounty.net |
Bedford County Historical Society
The Bedford County Historical Society is located in the Espy House at 123 East Pitt Street, Bedford, PA 15522. The society maintains archives and research materials that supplement the records held at the courthouse. Its collection includes family histories, cemetery records, church records, and county histories that document Bedford County's long past. Museum exhibits present the county's history from the colonial era through the 20th century.
The historical society provides research assistance for genealogists. Research hours vary, so it is best to call ahead at (814) 623-2075 before visiting. The society's collection of church records is particularly valuable because civil vital registration was incomplete before 1906. Bedford County had many early congregations whose records survive at the society or on microfilm. Family history files compiled by previous researchers may also be available, saving time and pointing you toward primary sources for your Bedford County ancestry search.
Vital Records in Bedford County
Bedford County birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are at the Register of Wills. These records cover only a limited period and are not always complete. For events from January 1906 onward, the Pennsylvania Department of Health holds statewide records under the Division of Vital Records. Under 35 P.S. § 450.801, birth records are restricted for 105 years and death records for 50 years. Birth records through 1913 and death records through 1968 are now open to public research at the State Archives.
Marriage records in Bedford County begin in 1885 at the Register of Wills. For earlier marriages, church registers are the primary source. The Bedford County Historical Society holds some church records. The Clerk of the Orphans Court at the Bedford County Courthouse maintains adoption records, which are sealed but accessible under certain conditions. Under Act 127 of 2016, eligible adoptees may apply to the Department of Health for original birth certificate information. The administrative rules under 28 Pa. Code Chapter 1 govern vital records procedures statewide.
Land and Probate Records
Bedford County has some of Pennsylvania's oldest surviving land and probate records at the county level. Wills at the Register of Wills go back to 1771. Early wills from the colonial and Revolutionary period can document families in fine detail. Estate inventories from the 1700s list household goods, livestock, tools, and debts, giving a vivid picture of life on the Pennsylvania frontier. Grantor and grantee deed indexes allow researchers to trace property transfers across generations of Bedford County families.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds Land Warrant Registers for Bedford County territory going back to the pre-county period. Early land acquisitions in what is now Bedford County appear in these warrant records from the 1730s onward. The Land Warrant guide at the State Archives explains how to use these records. Many Bedford County probate records are available through the Ancestry.com Pennsylvania partnership covering wills and probate from 1683 to 1993. Under 65 P.S. § 67.101, Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law supports open access to most Bedford County court and property records.
Pennsylvania Archives and Online Resources
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds state-level records important to Bedford County genealogy. Military records in the ARIAS database include Revolutionary War soldiers from Bedford County, which was a frontier area during that conflict. The Civil War Veterans Card File documents Bedford County men who served in Pennsylvania regiments. The State Archives holds county records on microfilm that may supplement what is available at the Bedford County Courthouse.
The State Library of Pennsylvania genealogy collection provides access to census records, county histories, and family histories relevant to Bedford County research. On-site access to Ancestry.com Library Edition, HeritageQuest, and Fold3 is available at the State Library. Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, State Archives records more than 75 years old are generally open to public research, meaning a large portion of Bedford County's early historical records are freely accessible to genealogists.
Nearby Counties
Bedford County is in south-central Pennsylvania and borders several neighboring counties. Many families moved between Bedford and adjacent counties, so checking nearby records can add depth to your genealogy research.