Northampton County Genealogy Records Search
Northampton County genealogy records are among the oldest in Pennsylvania, with the county formed in 1752 and land records dating from that year. The courthouse in Easton holds deeds, probate files, marriage licenses, birth and death records, naturalization documents, and court records. The Moravian Archives in Bethlehem adds an extraordinary resource for researchers tracing German-speaking families. Northampton County also borders New Jersey, making it a gateway region for families who crossed state lines.
Northampton County Quick Facts
Northampton County Recorder of Deeds
The Northampton County Recorder of Deeds is located at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042. Phone: 610-559-3084. Land records in Northampton County date from 1752, making this one of the oldest deed collections in Pennsylvania. The office handles deeds, mortgages, miscellaneous documents, marriage license records, and passport applications. eRecording is available. Online search and document images are accessible through the county system. A Record Alert service lets you monitor property activity for ongoing research.
Database search options include grantor/grantee name, book and page, date range, document type, and parcel number. Copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certification costs $5.00. Online fees vary by service. The county uses a custom online system for deed record access. Tax lists from 1761 to 1806 are among the earliest historical documents available through county resources, and these can help identify families in the area long before deed or vital records begin.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds colonial-era land warrant applications and Revolutionary War records that are essential for tracing Northampton County families who arrived in the region before the Revolution.
Northampton County Archives and Vital Records
The Northampton County Archives and Records Center is the central repository for historical county materials. This office holds birth and death records from 1893 to 1905, marriage records from 1885, Orphans' Court records, probate records, historical maps, county commissioner minutes, tax records, and naturalization records. Adoption records are restricted and require a court order.
Naturalization records in Northampton County are a strong research resource. They typically list the applicant's country of origin, port of entry, and date of arrival in the United States. Witnesses named in the naturalization process are often relatives or neighbors, which can open new research leads. Tax records from the 1700s and 1800s can serve as a substitute census when no other records exist for a specific time period in Northampton County.
For vital records after 1906, contact the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. Under 35 P.S. §450.801, certified copies are issued to qualified genealogical researchers. Early Northampton County will abstracts have also been published and are available through local libraries and the Easton Area Public Library.
Moravian Archives in Bethlehem
The Moravian Archives at 41 W Locust St, Bethlehem, PA 18018 is one of the most significant genealogical resources in Pennsylvania. The collection contains approximately 8,000 linear feet of material including church registers, congregational records, diaries, and manuscripts. The Moravian Church established Bethlehem in 1741 and kept meticulous records of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths from the earliest years of settlement.
Note that Bethlehem straddles both Northampton and Lehigh counties. Families in the Bethlehem area may have records held in either county courthouse, and researchers should check both. The Moravian Archives serves both counties and is essential for tracing German-speaking families who settled in the Lehigh Valley region during the 1700s and 1800s. The Sigal Museum in Easton is a partner institution with additional collections on Northampton County history.
The Easton Area Public Library's Henry F. Marx Local History Room is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library with over 15,000 items for researchers. Tax lists from 1761 to 1806, Revolutionary Oaths of Allegiance, and early Northampton County will abstracts are among the standout collections.
Easton Area Public Library Genealogy Collections
The Easton Area Public Library at 515 Church St, Easton, PA 18042 (phone 610-258-2917) has the Henry F. Marx Local History Room dedicated to genealogy research. The room holds over 15,000 items with a focus on Northampton County and surrounding areas. As a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, it provides access to restricted digital images not available to remote users.
Key collections include family history books, periodicals, local newspapers from 1799 to current, obituary indexes, 175 volumes of church and cemetery records, Northampton County court records, DAR publications, vertical family files, census records from 1790 to 1940, Revolutionary Oaths of Allegiance, tax lists from 1761 to 1806, Easton city births/deaths/burials from 1888 to 1907, marriage and death indexes to local newspapers from 1799 to 1902, Easton city directories from 1855, and Civil War materials. This is a comprehensive starting point for any Northampton County research project.
Note: The Easton Area Public Library FamilySearch affiliate access allows researchers to view restricted microfilm images in person that are not available through the standard FamilySearch website at home.
Online Northampton County Records and Research
Northampton County maintains a custom online system for deed and court record searching. The county's website at northamptoncounty.org provides direct access. FamilySearch.org holds digitized collections including early Northampton County church registers, vital records, and census data. Ancestry.com has federal census materials and newspaper archives for the Easton and Bethlehem area.
Under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101, Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law makes most Northampton County records accessible to the public. The State Library of Pennsylvania research guides include specific Northampton County genealogy tips. The Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society has additional published materials and research assistance available to members.
Cities in Northampton County
Northampton County includes Easton and Bethlehem. Bethlehem straddles the boundary between Northampton and Lehigh counties, so Bethlehem-area families may have records in both counties. Always check both courthouse collections when researching Bethlehem ancestors.
Nearby Counties
Northampton County borders Lehigh, Monroe, Pike, Carbon, and Bucks counties in Pennsylvania and also borders New Jersey to the east. Families in this region crossed the Delaware River frequently, so New Jersey records may hold additional genealogy information.