Fulton County Family Records
Fulton County genealogy records in McConnellsburg cover family history from the county's formation in 1850. Carved from Bedford County, Fulton County is one of Pennsylvania's smaller counties and borders Maryland to the south. Land records start from 1850, and marriage registers go back to 1852. The Fulton County Historical Society library and the courthouse offices are the primary sources for genealogy research here. This guide covers what records exist, where they are held, and how to access them for your Fulton County family history search.
Fulton County Quick Facts
Fulton County Genealogy Records
Fulton County was formed from Bedford County in 1850, and its records begin at that point. For family history before 1850, researchers need to check Bedford County records. The Fulton County government maintains official records through the courthouse offices in McConnellsburg. The county officers office is located at 101 Lincoln Way West, Suite 103, McConnellsburg, PA 17233. The phone number is 717-485-6860.
Land records in Fulton County date from 1850 to the present. Marriage registers cover 1852 to 1854 and 1885 to 1963. Birth and death records at the county level run from 1893 to 1905. The courthouse was built in 1852 for $5,695, making it one of the earliest structures associated with Fulton County history. The Fulton County Historical Society library is located at 104 Lincoln Way East in McConnellsburg, just a short distance from the courthouse.
The official Fulton County government website at co.fulton.pa.us provides contact details for all county offices. Researchers can use this as a starting point to identify which office holds the specific records they need before making a visit to McConnellsburg.
Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds
The Register of Wills in Fulton County handles probate matters including wills, estate inventories, and estate accounts. Probate records from 1850 to the present are open to the public at the courthouse. Estate files often include lists of heirs, descriptions of personal property, and financial accounts that help researchers trace family members and confirm relationships in Fulton County families.
The Recorder of Deeds holds all land transfer documents from 1850 forward. Deed records are indexed by grantor and grantee, making it possible to trace all land transactions for a specific person or family. Fulton County deeds often name children and other relatives when property was divided among heirs, making them useful genealogy tools even when probate records are incomplete.
For records from before Fulton County's formation in 1850, Bedford County is the source. Bedford County was the parent county and holds earlier land records, probate files, and court documents for what is now Fulton County. The Pennsylvania State Archives also holds older Bedford County materials that may document early Fulton County families.
Note: Marriage registers from 1852 to 1854 and 1885 to 1963 cover two distinct time periods. Researchers should check both sets when looking for Fulton County marriage records.
Vital Records in Fulton County
Pennsylvania statewide birth and death registration began in 1906 under 35 P.S. §450.801. Records from 1906 to the present are held by the Division of Vital Records. Certified copies can be ordered by mail to P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or online through VitalChek. The fee is $20 per copy. Indicate on the application that the request is for genealogy research. For births and deaths from 1893 to 1905, contact the Fulton County courthouse.
Marriage records in Fulton County go back to 1885 through the county courthouse. The gap in marriage registers from 1855 to 1884 means that marriages from that period must be found through church records, newspaper announcements, or census data. Fulton County's churches kept baptism and burial registers that may cover this gap, and the Fulton County Historical Society library may hold transcriptions of some of these records. Act 127 of 2016 improved access to older Pennsylvania vital records for genealogical research. The Library of Congress guide to Pennsylvania vital records explains what is available and how to order it.
Fulton County Historical Society Library
The Fulton County Historical Society library is located at 104 Lincoln Way East in McConnellsburg. The phone number is 717-294-3369. The library is handicap accessible. Its collections support genealogy research for Fulton County families and include local histories, family records, cemetery transcriptions, and photographs from across the county.
The historical society holds records that span the county's history since 1850 and may have materials on Bedford County families who later moved into Fulton County. Cemetery records are especially useful in a small rural county like Fulton, where church and local cemeteries hold many graves from early families. Researchers should contact the historical society before visiting to confirm hours and to get guidance on what is available for their specific research needs.
Pennsylvania Archives and Fulton County Research
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds many materials that support Fulton County genealogy. Land warrant registers from 1733 to 1957 document early land grants in what is now Fulton County, going back well before the county's formation in 1850. These records are available on microfilm and digitally through the archives' partnership with Ancestry.com. Death certificates from 1906 to 1974 and county marriage records from 1845 to 1963 are also available at the state level and can supplement local courthouse records.
The State Library of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg has census records for Fulton County on microfilm from 1790 to 1930, county histories, and city directories. These can be accessed on-site or through affiliated library systems. The state library subscribes to Ancestry.com, HeritageQuest, and Fold3, all accessible in person at the library building.
Under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101, most government records in Pennsylvania are public records. Fulton County genealogy records held at the courthouse can be requested under the Right-to-Know Law. Provide the name, record type, and approximate date range in your request to help staff locate the correct documents. Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, records of permanent value must be preserved and made accessible, which protects the availability of Fulton County genealogy records for future research.
Nearby Counties
Fulton County was formed from Bedford County and borders Maryland to the south. Researchers often need to check records in Bedford, Huntingdon, and Franklin Counties when tracing Fulton County families.