Blair County Genealogy Records
Blair County genealogy records are kept at the courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. The county holds vital records, land deeds, wills, and probate files going back to 1846 when Blair County was formed. Researchers can find birth and death records from 1893 to 1905, marriage licenses from 1885 to the present, and land records from the county's founding. Whether you are tracing a family line or looking for a specific ancestor, Blair County offers a rich set of records to search through official offices and local archives.
Blair County Genealogy Quick Facts
Blair County Genealogy Records Overview
Blair County was formed on February 26, 1846, from parts of Huntingdon and Bedford Counties. That means all official records date from that year at the earliest. Wills and probate records go back to 1846. Land deeds from the Recorder of Deeds also start in 1846. Marriage licenses are on file from 1885. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are held at the Register of Wills. For births and deaths after 1905, researchers must contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The county has no known history of courthouse fires or flood damage that would have destroyed records. This is good news for anyone researching Blair County ancestry. Most of the original records have survived intact and are stored at the courthouse at 423 Allegheny Street in Hollidaysburg. The Register of Wills and the Recorder of Deeds each maintain separate collections, though they operate from the same courthouse complex. The Blair County Historical Society also holds supplementary genealogical materials not found in official offices.
USGenWeb maintains a free online archive for Blair County at usgwarchives.net. The archive includes cemetery transcriptions, Bible records, biographies, census records, deeds, military records, obituaries, tax lists, and will abstracts. The 1850 census for Blair County spans 525 pages and covers all townships. These free records are a good starting point before visiting the courthouse in person.
Note: Birth and death records from 1906 to the present are not held at the Blair County courthouse. Contact the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records for those more recent documents.
Blair County Register of Wills and Recorder
The Blair County Register of Wills handles marriage licenses, probate records, and pre-1906 birth and death records. The Recorder of Deeds handles all land records from 1846 onward. Both offices share the same courthouse location in Hollidaysburg. Staff can assist with record searches and provide certified copies of documents on file.
The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Register of Wills can be reached at (814) 693-3080. The Recorder of Deeds office is at (814) 693-3095. Both offices are located at 423 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours. Mail requests are also accepted. Researchers who need certified copies should be prepared to pay per-page copy fees and certification charges.
| Register of Wills |
Blair County Courthouse 423 Allegheny Street Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 Phone: (814) 693-3080 |
|---|---|
| Recorder of Deeds |
Blair County Courthouse 423 Allegheny Street Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 Phone: (814) 693-3095 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | blaircounty.pa.gov |
Blair County Historical Society Resources
The Blair County Historical Society holds a wide range of genealogical materials that complement the courthouse records. The society's collection includes family histories, cemetery records, church records, photographs, business records, and personal manuscripts. Obituary indexes for local newspapers are also available. Newspapers on microfilm cover many decades of Blair County history and can help confirm family connections or locate death notices.
The society is located within the Blair County Courthouse complex in Hollidaysburg. Research hours vary, so it is best to contact the society before visiting. Research fees may apply for non-members. The society publishes local history materials and can provide guidance on where to look for specific Blair County ancestors. Cemetery transcriptions and church records from various denominations round out the collection.
The USGenWeb Archives project for Blair County also offers free online access to historical records. Wills images, tombstone photos, and census pages are among the materials volunteers have contributed. The 1850 census covers all fifteen townships and boroughs in the county at that time, including Hollidaysburg Borough, Frankstown Township, and Allegheny Township.
Note: The Blair County Historical Society's research fees and hours change periodically. Call ahead or check the county website for current information before planning a research trip.
Blair County Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
Vital records in Blair County are split between local and state offices depending on when the event occurred. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are held at the Blair County Register of Wills. Marriage licenses from 1885 to the present are also kept at the Register of Wills office. For events before 1893, researchers may need to look at church records or other local sources.
Under 35 P.S. Section 450.801, Pennsylvania began a formal statewide system of vital records registration in 1906. Records from 1906 forward are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Certified copies of birth and death certificates from that period cost $20 each and can be ordered online through the state's official vendor or by mail. The processing time is roughly two to three weeks. Blair County researchers often need to check both the local courthouse and the state vital records office to build a complete family picture.
Church records can fill gaps where civil registration does not exist. Many early Blair County families attended Methodist, Lutheran, or Presbyterian churches, and those congregations kept their own baptism and burial records well before state registration began. The Blair County Historical Society can point researchers toward known church record collections in the area.
Land and Probate Records in Blair County
Land records in Blair County begin in 1846 at the Recorder of Deeds office. Deeds, mortgages, and other real estate documents have been recorded continuously since the county was formed. Researchers can search by grantor or grantee name to trace property ownership over time. Land records are valuable for genealogy because they place ancestors in specific locations and often name family members.
Probate records at the Blair County Register of Wills include wills, estate inventories, and administration files from 1846 to the present. Wills name heirs, describe property, and sometimes mention relationships not found elsewhere. Estate inventories list household goods and personal effects, giving a detailed picture of daily life. These records are open to the public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. Section 67.101, and can be reviewed at the courthouse or requested by mail.
The USGenWeb Archives include will abstracts and deed records contributed by Blair County researchers. While these abstracts are not certified copies, they can help identify ancestors and guide research at the courthouse.
Pennsylvania Archives and Blair County Research
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds records that cover all counties, including Blair. Military records, naturalization records, and some early land warrant applications are among the collections researchers can access. The Archives has an online research guide and accepts in-person visits from the public. Many Blair County families have ancestors whose records appear in the statewide collections.
FamilySearch and Ancestry.com both have digitized records relevant to Blair County genealogy. FamilySearch offers free access to many Pennsylvania vital records indexes and census images. Ancestry.com, through its partnership with the Pennsylvania State Archives, hosts additional state records. The State Library of Pennsylvania also maintains genealogy research guides that can help researchers find the right sources for Blair County family history work.
Naturalization records for Blair County immigrants are held at the Pennsylvania State Archives and through the courthouse. These records identify the country of origin, which can open doors to research in other countries for families who came to Blair County during the industrial era.
Note: The Pennsylvania State Archives at pa.gov is free to visit and holds materials that span all 67 Pennsylvania counties, including Blair.
Cities in Blair County
Blair County includes several communities where genealogy records may originate, including Altoona, Hollidaysburg, and Tyrone. For a full list of Pennsylvania cities with dedicated genealogy pages, visit our cities directory.
Nearby Counties
Blair County borders several other Pennsylvania counties. If your ancestor lived near a county line, records may be found in a neighboring county. Check the offices below for boundary-area research.