Perry County Genealogy Ancestry Search
Perry County genealogy records document family history in south-central Pennsylvania from 1820, when the county was formed from Cumberland County. The courthouse in New Bloomfield holds land records, probate files, marriage licenses, birth and death records, and court documents. Perry County has remained largely rural, which means tight-knit communities and often well-preserved local records. Researchers searching for Perry County ancestors will find the courthouse and state archives to be the primary sources.
Perry County Quick Facts
Perry County Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds
The Perry County Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds maintains combined records in New Bloomfield, PA. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This office holds marriage licenses from 1885 to the present, birth and death records from 1893 to 1905, wills and probate records from 1820, and land records from 1820. Both the deed and probate collections cover the full span of the county's history.
Land records in Perry County document two centuries of property ownership in this largely agricultural region west of the Susquehanna River. Deed books contain grantor and grantee indexes that let researchers trace land through multiple generations of the same family. Mortgage records and releases show financial relationships between neighbors and family members. The combined Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds office can assist with both types of records on a single visit.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds statewide materials that supplement Perry County records, including Civil War regimental records, bounty records, and land warrant applications from the pre-county era when Perry County was part of Cumberland County.
Perry County Birth and Death Records
Vital records in Perry County are split between the county and state systems. County-level birth and death records cover 1893 to 1905. Marriage licenses from 1885 are held at the Register of Wills in New Bloomfield. For records before 1885, church registers are the primary source. Perry County had active German Lutheran, German Reformed, and Presbyterian congregations whose registers date to the early 1800s.
For birth and death records after 1906, contact the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. Under 35 P.S. §450.801, certified copies are issued to qualified genealogical researchers. For records before county-level registration began in 1893, church records are often the only available source. FamilySearch.org holds digitized church registers for many Perry County congregations, including some Lutheran and Reformed church records from the early 1800s.
Note: Perry County was formed from Cumberland County in 1820. Records for Perry County families before that date are held in the Cumberland County courthouse in Carlisle.
Perry County Probate and Estate Research
Probate records in Perry County date from 1820. Will books, estate inventories, administration bonds, guardianship records, and Orphans' Court dockets document family relationships across two centuries. Estate inventories are among the most genealogically rich documents in the collection because they list every item of personal property owned at death. Tools, crops, livestock, furniture, books, and even personal debts are recorded, painting a vivid picture of your ancestor's life.
Administration bonds name next of kin who signed as guarantors for the estate. These bonds often reveal siblings, in-laws, and neighbors. Guardianship records document minor children by name and age, which can help identify birth years and parents. The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court in Perry County handles all probate and guardianship matters at the courthouse in New Bloomfield.
Church Records and Community Sources in Perry County
Perry County has a strong tradition of community record-keeping through churches and civic organizations. German Lutheran and Reformed congregations arrived early and kept baptism, marriage, and burial registers from the 1800s. Presbyterian and Methodist churches added to the local record base through the mid-1800s. Many of these registers have been digitized and are available on FamilySearch.org or through microfilm at the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Cemetery records in Perry County provide burial dates, birth years, and family groupings. The USGenWeb project has free cemetery transcriptions for many Perry County cemeteries available online. Local newspapers from the area contain obituaries, wedding announcements, and public notices that can supplement official records. The State Library of Pennsylvania research guide for Perry County lists additional resources available both online and in person.
Accessing Perry County Records
Perry County records are publicly accessible under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101, Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law. Land records, probate files, marriage licenses, court documents, and birth and death records can all be requested at the courthouse in New Bloomfield during business hours. Staff at the courthouse can direct you to the right office and record type. Mail requests are generally accepted if you provide sufficient identifying information and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Online access to Perry County records is limited. The Perry County government website provides contact information for all county offices. FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com hold some Perry County collections including census records. The Pennsylvania GenWeb project has free indexes for Perry County records. The 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3 framework at Justia ensures long-term preservation of historical Perry County records.
Nearby Counties
Perry County is surrounded by Dauphin, Cumberland, Juniata, and Snyder counties. Families in this rural region often moved between these counties, so neighboring records are worth checking to complete your Perry County research.