Snyder County Family History Records
Snyder County genealogy records are kept at the Middleburg courthouse and at the Snyder County Historical Society. The county has maintained birth, death, marriage, land, probate, and court records since its formation in 1855. Researchers searching for ancestors in Snyder County will find a well-organized system of records that can help trace families through multiple generations. Because Snyder County was carved from Union County, some early records are also held in Union County repositories.
Snyder County Quick Facts
Snyder County Genealogy Records Available
Snyder County was formed from Union County on March 2, 1855, and was named after Governor Simon Snyder of Pennsylvania. The county seat is Middleburg, a small town in central Pennsylvania. Because the county is relatively young, its oldest local records date from 1855. However, researchers tracing families in the area before that date should also search Union County records, which cover the region prior to Snyder County's creation.
The Snyder County Register and Recorder office maintains a broad range of genealogical records. Birth, death, and burial records run from 1893 to 1905. Marriage records are available from 1885 to the present. Court records span from 1855 to the present, and land records cover the same period. Probate records also begin in 1855, providing a complete picture of property ownership and estate settlements from the county's founding. The Prothonotary can be reached by email at prothonotary@snydercounty.org for basic inquiries.
For births and deaths after 1906, the Pennsylvania Department of Health holds the records under 35 P.S. §450.801. Researchers should contact the Division of Vital Records in New Castle for copies of those documents.
Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds
The combined Register and Recorder office in Snyder County handles probate records, land records, and marriage licenses. Wills, letters of administration, and estate inventories are available from 1855 forward. These probate documents are among the most useful genealogical sources because they name heirs, beneficiaries, and other relatives of the deceased. Land deeds from 1855 are also on file and can be searched by name through grantor and grantee indexes.
Marriage records from 1885 to the present are held at this office and include the original applications and dockets. For researchers tracing a family line, marriage records confirm the names of both spouses and often include ages and places of residence. The office is located at the Snyder County Courthouse in Middleburg. Under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101, historical records held by county offices are accessible to the public under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law.
Note: Early records from before the county's formation in 1855 may be found in Union County archives or through the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg.
Snyder County Historical Society
The Snyder County Historical Society is located at 30 E Market St in Middleburg, Pennsylvania. Phone: 570-837-6191. Email: schs@snydercounty.org. The society collects local history and genealogy materials that supplement the official county records. Membership provides benefits including access to research materials and assistance from society staff.
The society's collection includes local history documents, family genealogies, photographs, and records related to the communities of Snyder County. Research assistance is available for those who cannot visit in person. The society can help identify which records are most relevant to a given research question and point researchers toward the correct county office or repository. Check the website for current hours, as the society's schedule may vary by season.
The Pennsylvania State Archives provides statewide genealogy resources that complement local Snyder County records collections.
Vital Records in Snyder County
Vital records in Snyder County follow the same pattern as the rest of Pennsylvania. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are held locally at the county courthouse in Middleburg. For events after 1906, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is the correct source. Marriage records from 1885 to the present are maintained by the Register and Recorder's office at the county level.
Before 1893, births and deaths were not required to be officially recorded in Pennsylvania. Researchers looking for family events before that date should search church records, cemetery records, and family Bibles. The Snyder County Historical Society may have access to some of these older records through its collections. Under Act 127 of 2016, older vital records have become more accessible to researchers, which can help when seeking records from the early years of Snyder County's history.
Land and Probate Records in Snyder County
Land records and probate documents from 1855 to the present are among the core genealogical resources held at the Snyder County courthouse. Deed books record every property transfer since the county was founded, and the grantor and grantee indexes allow researchers to search by name. A deed can reveal where an ancestor lived, what land they owned, and who they sold property to or bought it from, which helps reconstruct family networks across time.
Probate records are equally valuable. The Register of Wills maintains wills, letters of administration, and estate inventories from 1855 forward. When a person died with a will, the document was filed with the Register and entered into the will book. When there was no will, an administrator was appointed and letters of administration were issued. Both types of records name the heirs and often provide a detailed inventory of the deceased person's possessions. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds older land warrant records that predate county formation and can help trace how land in the Snyder County area was originally granted.
Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, historical county records of enduring value are preserved for ongoing public access, ensuring that Snyder County's genealogical documents remain available for future researchers.
Pennsylvania Archives and Online Research
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds statewide records including military records, early tax lists, and land warrant registers that complement what is available locally in Snyder County. Some of these collections are available online. The Union County Historical Society also holds census records for Snyder County from 1860 to 1920, making it a valuable resource for Snyder County research.
The Union County Historical Society at unioncopahistory.com maintains Snyder County census records from 1860 to 1920 as part of its collection. Because Union County was the parent of Snyder County, its historical society naturally accumulated records from the region. The State Library of Pennsylvania offers online access to genealogy databases and guides that can help researchers find digitized collections relevant to Snyder County ancestors. FamilySearch.org has microfilmed many Pennsylvania probate and land records, including some from Snyder County, that can be searched online at no cost.
Note: When researching Snyder County families before 1855, always check Union County records first, as that county was the direct parent and its records cover the same geographic area.
Cities in Snyder County
Snyder County's county seat is Middleburg. The county also includes several boroughs and townships across central Pennsylvania. Genealogical records for all communities within Snyder County are held at the Middleburg courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Snyder County is surrounded by several central Pennsylvania counties. Families often moved between these counties, so checking neighboring archives can uncover additional records.