Pike County Genealogy Records

Pike County genealogy records are maintained at the Administration Building in Milford and extend back to the county's formation in 1814. Researchers searching Pike County family history can access marriage licenses, birth and death records, wills, estate files, and land deeds through county offices. The Pike County Historical Society at The Columns is an important supplementary resource for family history research. Pike County borders both New Jersey and New York, which means some families had connections to neighboring states and their records may appear in multiple jurisdictions.

Pike County Genealogy Records Overview

Pike County was formed from Wayne County on March 26, 1814, and named for General Zebulon Pike. The county occupies the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania, bordered by New Jersey to the east, New York to the north, and Monroe and Wayne counties within Pennsylvania. Milford, the county seat, sits at the Delaware River crossing and has been a center of commerce and government since the county's founding. Early families in Pike County often had roots in New York and New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania, making cross-state genealogy research important.

Key genealogy records available in Pike County include marriage licenses from 1885 to the present, birth and death records from 1893 to 1905, wills and probate records dating from the county's formation in 1814, and land records also from 1814. Before 1814, Pike County territory was part of Wayne County, so researchers looking for ancestors who lived here before the county's formation should check Wayne County records. The Pike County government online services page provides access to some records and guidance on courthouse contacts.

Pike County courthouse records in Milford cover the full range of vital, land, and probate documents for Pike County genealogy research from 1814 to the present.

Pike County Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills

The combined Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills office in Milford maintains Pike County's core genealogy records. All records for the Register of Wills, Orphans' Court, and Marriage License bureau are maintained here. Marriage licenses from 1885 to the present are on file. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are available at this office. Wills and probate records from 1814 are also held here, and the estate files often name children, spouses, and other relatives of the deceased, making them essential for Pike County family history research.

Land records at the Recorder of Deeds span from 1814 through the present. Deed books document property transfers across Pike County's townships and can trace family land ownership across generations. Online records access is available through subscription-based services for both the Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills. Under Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101, most courthouse records are available to the public upon request.

Pike County Historical Society Research

The Pike County Historical Society, housed at The Columns in Milford, maintains a research library and archive for Pike County genealogy. The society's collections include family histories, cemetery records, church records, newspaper archives, photographs, and county histories. The Columns itself is a historic mansion that dates to the 19th century and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Staff and volunteers at the historical society can assist researchers in finding Pike County ancestry in these local collections.

The historical society's holdings are particularly valuable for Pike County families who arrived before formal vital records were kept by the county. Church registers, cemetery inscriptions, and family files at the historical society can bridge gaps in the official record. Contact the Pike County Historical Society before visiting to confirm current research hours and any fees for non-members.

Note: Pike County borders New Jersey, and some Pike County families had land and legal records in Sussex or Warren County, NJ. Cross-border research may be necessary for families near the Delaware River.

Vital Records in Pike County

Birth and death records for Pike County fall under two systems. Records from 1893 to 1905 are at the county courthouse in Milford. For births and deaths after 1906, the Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains statewide vital records. Under 35 P.S. § 450.801, birth records are restricted for 105 years and death records for 50 years from the date of the event. This means early 20th-century birth and death records for Pike County are now publicly accessible at the State Archives.

Marriage licenses in Pike County date from 1885 at the courthouse in Milford. Before 1885, researchers must look to church records. Pike County had active Methodist, Presbyterian, and other Protestant congregations that kept registers of marriages and baptisms. Some of these records are held at the Pike County Historical Society or are available through FamilySearch at no cost. The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not hold marriage records; those remain permanently at the county courthouse.

Land and Probate Records in Pike County

Land records in Pike County begin in 1814 when the county was established from Wayne County. Deed books at the Recorder of Deeds track property ownership across all of Pike County's townships from that date forward. Deeds sometimes identify family relationships when land passes between relatives, adding genealogical value beyond the basic transaction record. Mortgage records, liens, and other instruments recorded at the Recorder of Deeds can further document an ancestor's financial and family life in Pike County.

Probate records at the Pike County Register of Wills go back to 1814. Wills in Pike County commonly name all living children of the testator along with their married names and sometimes their addresses at the time the will was executed. Estate inventories record personal property and can reveal the occupations and circumstances of Pike County ancestors in remarkable detail. Many Pike County probate records through 1993 are accessible through the Pennsylvania State Archives Ancestry.com partnership, which is free for Pennsylvania residents.

Pennsylvania Archives and Pike County Online Research

The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds statewide collections that supplement Pike County courthouse records. Military records in the State Archives ARIAS database include Revolutionary War and Civil War records for Pike County residents. Land Warrant Registers from 1733 to 1957 document early property grants in what is now Pike County. Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, records more than 75 years old at the State Archives are generally available for public research.

The State Library of Pennsylvania genealogy collection includes census records for Pike County from 1820 through 1940 on microfilm, along with county histories and family genealogies. FamilySearch provides free online access to many Pike County records. Act 127 of 2016 expanded access to adoption records in Pennsylvania, which applies to some Pike County research.

Cities in Pike County

Milford is the county seat and main government center of Pike County. Explore Pennsylvania city genealogy resources using the link below.

Nearby Counties

Pike County borders Monroe and Wayne counties in Pennsylvania and borders New Jersey and New York. Genealogy research may require checking records in neighboring counties and states.

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