Cambria County Genealogy Records
Cambria County genealogy records span more than two centuries of Pennsylvania history. The county was formed in 1804 from Somerset, Huntingdon, and Bedford Counties, and takes its name from the Latin word for Wales. Records at the courthouse in Ebensburg include wills dating to 1808, land deeds from 1804, marriage licenses from 1885, and birth and death records from 1893 to 1906. The Historical Society of Cambria County and the Cambria County Library in Johnstown offer additional genealogical materials. The county's rich coal-mining heritage means many immigrant families settled here, making Cambria County research both varied and rewarding.
Cambria County Genealogy Quick Facts
Cambria County Genealogy Records Overview
Cambria County was formed in 1804. Its name comes from the ancient Latin name for Wales, reflecting the Welsh heritage of some early settlers. The county seat is Ebensburg. The courthouse complex holds several offices that serve genealogical researchers: the Orphans' Court and Register of Wills, the Recorder of Deeds, and the Public Records Center. Each office holds distinct collections that together paint a complete picture of Cambria County family history.
The county has no known history of courthouse disasters or major record losses. This means most records have survived from the earliest years of the county's existence. Wills and estate records go back to 1808. Deed books start in 1804. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1906 are held at the Register of Wills, along with marriage licenses from 1885 to the present. Naturalization records from 1825 to the 1970s are kept at the Cambria County Public Records Center.
The USGenWeb Archives for Cambria County at usgwarchives.net hold free online genealogical materials. These include cemetery records from coal patch towns, military records from Civil War regiments, naturalization records for immigrant coal miners, church records for Catholic and Protestant congregations, family histories from Eastern European immigrants, and obituary indexes from local newspapers. The 1820 and 1830 census images are also available there.
Cambria County Register and Recorder Office
The Cambria County Register and Recorder Office serves as the Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, and Clerk of the Orphans' Court. The main courthouse address is 200 S. Center Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931. The phone number for the Orphans' Court and Register of Wills is (814) 472-1440. The Recorder of Deeds can be reached at (814) 472-1473. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM.
The Register of Wills holds birth and death records from 1893 to 1906, marriage licenses from 1885 to the present, and wills from 1808 to the present. Certified copies cost $5.00 each. The Recorder of Deeds holds land records from 1805 and deed books from 1804. The Cambria County Public Records Center at 201 N. Center Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931, phone (814) 472-2353, holds naturalization records from 1825 to the 1970s. Hours there are also Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM.
Tax records from 1895 are held at the Tax Assessment Office at (814) 472-1451. The Prothonotary at (814) 472-1637 holds civil case records, custody records, and judgments. Researchers building a complete Cambria County genealogy profile may need to visit multiple offices within the courthouse complex.
| Register of Wills / Orphans' Court |
200 S. Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931 Phone: (814) 472-1440 |
|---|---|
| Recorder of Deeds |
200 S. Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931 Phone: (814) 472-1473 |
| Public Records Center |
201 N. Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931 Phone: (814) 472-2353 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM |
| Website | cambriacountypa.gov |
Historical Society of Cambria County
The Historical Society of Cambria County is the primary historical archive for Cambria County genealogy research. Located at 615 N. Center Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931, the society can be reached at (814) 472-6674. Research hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM. A daily fee of $3.00 covers access to the museum and library.
The society's collection is extensive. It includes regional, county, and community histories; individual family surname files; cemetery lists; census records; atlases; photographs; subject files on boroughs, townships, and people; and local newspapers. Johnstown-area records are well represented, given the city's central role in Cambria County history. The society's resources are especially valuable for tracing immigrant families who came to work in the coal and steel industries.
The Cambria County Library at 248 Main Street in Johnstown, phone (814) 536-5131, also holds significant genealogy materials. The library's collection includes newspapers, cemetery records, local church records, county and family histories, and Johnstown City Directories published intermittently from 1869 to 2003. Information on the Johnstown floods is also available. Photocopies of obituaries and marriage notices from local papers can be obtained for a fee.
Note: The Historical Society of Cambria County is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Plan your visit around the Tuesday through Saturday schedule and call ahead to confirm current access procedures.
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records in Cambria County
Vital records held locally in Cambria County cover the period from 1893 to 1906 for births and deaths. Marriage licenses from 1885 onward are also at the Register of Wills. Certified copies of these records cost $5.00 each. For events before 1893, church records and family papers are the primary sources.
Pennsylvania established statewide vital records registration in 1906 under 35 P.S. Section 450.801. Birth and death records from 1906 to the present are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. Standard certified copies cost $20. Birth certificates are not released to the public until 105 years after the birth date. Qualified family members may request death certificates and other vital records by mail to the Division of Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103.
Cambria County's immigrant history is a key factor for genealogy research. Many families came from Eastern Europe, Ireland, and Wales to work in the coal mines and steel mills. Church records from Catholic parishes and Protestant churches often predate civil registration. The Historical Society of Cambria County has records from many of these congregations.
Land and Probate Records in Cambria County
Cambria County deed books begin in 1804, and land records continue unbroken to the present at the Recorder of Deeds. Property records are valuable for tracing family movement and confirming relationships through property transfers. Early land records in Cambria County reflect both original settlement patterns and the later development of coal towns throughout the county.
Wills and estate records at the Register of Wills date from 1808. Probate files include wills, inventories, letters of administration, and orphans' court records. These records are open to the public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. Section 67.101. Estate inventories from the 1800s and early 1900s often list personal property in detail, which can confirm whether two people with the same name are actually the same individual. The USGenWeb Archives hold will abstracts for some early Cambria County estates.
Naturalization records from 1825 to the 1970s at the Public Records Center are especially valuable for tracing immigrant coal miners and their families back to their home countries. These records often include the country of origin, the date of arrival, and the names of witnesses, all of which can guide further research.
Pennsylvania Archives and Cambria County Research
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds statewide records relevant to Cambria County research. Military records, additional naturalization records, and coal-era labor records are among the materials available at the state level. Cambria County residents served in the Civil War, and records of their service may be found both at the state level and through the National Archives.
FamilySearch and Ancestry.com both hold digitized records that include Cambria County materials. The State Library of Pennsylvania offers genealogy research guides covering south-central and western Pennsylvania, including Cambria County. Together, these statewide resources extend the research options beyond what is held locally in Ebensburg and Johnstown.
Cities in Cambria County
Cambria County includes Johnstown, Ebensburg, and many former coal-mining communities. For a complete list of Pennsylvania cities with genealogy pages, visit our cities directory.
Nearby Counties
Cambria County borders several central and western Pennsylvania counties. Research across county lines is common for families who lived near the borders of these areas.