Find Forest County Ancestors
Forest County genealogy records are held at the courthouse in Tionesta and through the Forest County Historical Society. Created from Jefferson County in 1848, Forest County is one of Pennsylvania's smallest and least populated counties. Its records reflect a rural community shaped by lumber, oil, and farming. Vital records from 1893 to 1905 are at the courthouse, and records from 1906 forward are with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Researchers looking into Forest County family history will find the local historical society and two community libraries to be key resources alongside the official government offices.
Forest County Quick Facts
Forest County Genealogy Records
The Forest County government manages all official records through the courthouse in Tionesta. Because Forest County was formed from Jefferson County in 1848, researchers looking for records before that year should check Jefferson County records. Land records, wills, and court documents in Forest County date from the county's formation. Birth and death records at the county level run from 1893 to 1905. Marriage licenses go back to 1885.
The Forest County courthouse holds a small but well-organized set of records. Given the county's limited population, finding a specific family is often straightforward once you identify the right record type. Deed books and probate files are the primary genealogy sources for early Forest County families. Church records from the local communities also survive in some cases and may hold information not found at the courthouse.
The Forest County government website offers an overview of county offices and contact information. Staff at the courthouse can assist with searches in person. For older records or microfilm, the Pennsylvania State Archives may hold copies of Forest County materials that supplement local holdings.
Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds
The Register of Wills in Forest County handles probate matters including wills, estate inventories, and accounts. These records date from 1848 and are open to the public. Probate files in a small county like Forest often contain detailed family information that helps researchers identify relationships between generations. The Recorder of Deeds holds all land transfer documents and mortgage records from 1848 to the present.
Because Forest County has always been sparsely populated, its record volumes are smaller than most Pennsylvania counties. This makes it easier to search manually or through name indexes. Deed grantor and grantee indexes are the best starting point for land records. Probate dockets list all estates filed in chronological order and can be searched by name.
The Orphans' Court in Forest County holds guardianship records and adoption records. Marriage licenses are also processed through this office. All of these records support Forest County genealogy research for families who lived in the county across the 19th and 20th centuries.
Note: Forest County courthouse hours may be limited. Call ahead before making a research visit to confirm availability and any appointment requirements.
Vital Records in Forest County
Pennsylvania began statewide registration of births and deaths in 1906 under 35 P.S. §450.801. Records from that year forward are held by the Division of Vital Records. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. The fee is $20 per certified copy. For genealogical requests, indicate the intended use on the application to allow for broader access to older records.
Forest County birth records from 1893 to 1905 and death records from the same period are held at the county courthouse. Before 1893, researchers must rely on church records, cemetery records, and family bibles. The Forest County Historical Society may have transcribed some of these older records and can assist with locating them. Act 127 of 2016 created additional access paths for older vital records. See the Library of Congress guide to Pennsylvania vital records for more on what is available and how to request it.
Forest County Historical Society Resources
The Forest County Historical Society was founded in 1977 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The society is located at 206 Elm St in Tionesta, PA. The phone number is 814-755-4422 and the email is forestcountypahistory@gmail.com. Volunteers assist researchers with genealogy by appointment. Research archives are available and include materials on Forest County families, organizations, and local history.
Two community libraries in Forest County serve as additional research hubs. The Marienville Area Library holds local genealogy resources for the eastern part of the county. The Sarah Stewart Bovard Memorial Library in Tionesta has records that support genealogy research for families in and around the county seat. Both libraries are worth contacting before a research visit to learn what they hold.
Erie Yesterday, a consortium of about 20 regional historical and genealogical societies in northwestern Pennsylvania, may also have materials relevant to Forest County family history. The consortium was created in 1981 under the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Pennsylvania Archives and Forest County Research
The Pennsylvania State Archives at 1681 N. Sixth St. in Harrisburg holds materials useful for Forest County genealogy. These include land warrant registers from 1733 to 1957, which predate Forest County's formation and may document early settlers in the area before 1848. Military records in the archives include Civil War veterans' files that list men by county of residence, which can help identify Forest County soldiers and their families.
Through its digitization partnership with Ancestry.com, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has made many state-level records accessible online. Pennsylvania residents can access these records free. The ARIAS database covers about 1.5 million military records and is searchable online at no cost. The State Library of Pennsylvania also has genealogy holdings including county histories and census records. These collections can be accessed on-site in Harrisburg or through affiliated library systems.
Under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101, most government-held records are public. Forest County genealogy records held at the courthouse may be requested under the Right-to-Know Law. Provide as much detail as possible in your request, including names, approximate dates, and record types, to help staff locate the correct documents.
Nearby Counties
Forest County was carved from Jefferson County and borders several northwestern Pennsylvania counties. Records for families who migrated through this region may be split across multiple county courthouses.