Union County Genealogy Records
Union County genealogy records are maintained at the courthouse in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and encompass family history documents spanning more than two centuries. Researchers searching Union County ancestry can find wills, estate records, marriage licenses, birth and death records, and land deeds through county offices. The Union County Historical Society provides additional collections for family research. Because Union County was formed from Northumberland County, some early Union County family records may also appear in Northumberland County records from before the county's establishment.
Union County Genealogy Quick Facts
Union County Genealogy Records Overview
Union County was formed from Northumberland County and named to honor the union of several townships that petitioned for a new county. Lewisburg, the county seat, is home to Bucknell University and has a well-preserved 19th-century historic district. The county's agricultural character drew farming families who settled the West Branch Susquehanna Valley and its tributaries. Many Union County families had roots in Lancaster, York, and other southeastern Pennsylvania counties, and some came directly from Germany and other European countries.
Core genealogy records for Union County include wills and estate records from the county's formation, marriage licenses from 1885, birth and death records from 1893 to 1905, and land records from the county's founding. Some early Union County records may also be found in Northumberland County because the territory was part of that county before Union County was established. The Union County government website provides contact information for courthouse offices in Lewisburg.
The image above represents Union County genealogical resources. Contact the courthouse in Lewisburg for specific research guidance and record availability.
Union County Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds
The Register of Wills in Lewisburg is the primary courthouse office for Union County genealogy research. The Register maintains wills, estate records, letters of administration, and other probate materials from the county's formation through the present. Probate files often contain detailed lists of heirs and their relationships to the deceased, making them crucial for documenting Union County family lines. The courthouse address is 103 South Second Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837, and the phone number is (570) 524-8762.
The Recorder of Deeds maintains Union County land records. Deed books track property transfers across all townships and can trace family land ownership across generations. Grantor and grantee indexes allow name-based searches. Records from before Union County's formation may appear in Northumberland County deed books, so researchers tracing Union County land back to the early 19th century or before should check Northumberland County records as well. Under Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101, most courthouse records are public and available to researchers upon request.
Union County Historical Society Research Records
The Union County Historical Society maintains an important genealogy collection in Lewisburg. The society holds census records on microfilm covering Union County from 1820 through 1920 as well as neighboring Snyder and Northumberland counties. The census holdings are especially valuable for filling in family details not found in vital records. The 1850 through 1880 censuses contain full names, ages, occupations, property values, and birthplaces for every household member, which can significantly advance a Union County genealogy project.
The historical society's Register and Recorder records include wills and letters of administration documenting date of death, residence, spouse, children, relatives, inventory, and estate value. Grantor and grantee records note property titles, spouse names, locations, and previous residences. Estate inventories and auction records list possessions and purchasers at estate sales. Together these records create a detailed picture of Union County family economic and social life that supplements vital records and census data.
Note: The Union County Historical Society holds census records for Snyder County (1860-1920) and Northumberland County (1790-1920) in addition to Union County, making it useful for families who moved between these neighboring counties.
Vital Records in Union County
Vital records in Union County divide by date. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 are held at the county courthouse in Lewisburg. For births and deaths from 1906 forward, the Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains statewide vital records. Under 35 P.S. § 450.801, birth records become publicly available after 105 years and death records after 50 years. Many early 20th-century Union County vital records are now accessible to researchers at the State Archives.
Marriage licenses in Union County date from 1885 at the Register of Wills. For marriages before 1885, church records are the primary source. Union County had numerous active German Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations, and many kept detailed registers of baptisms, marriages, and burials. Some of these church records have been transcribed and are available through FamilySearch at no cost. The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not hold marriage records, which remain permanently at the county courthouse.
Land and Probate Records in Union County
Land records in Union County trace property ownership across all townships from the county's establishment. Deed books at the Recorder of Deeds document transactions and sometimes note family relationships when land was transferred between relatives. Mortgage records, liens, and other real property instruments also appear in the deed books and can reveal financial relationships among Union County families.
Probate records at the Union County Register of Wills go back to the county's founding. Wills and estate files name heirs and their relationships to the deceased and sometimes list their locations at the time of the will's execution. Many Union County probate records through 1993 are accessible through the Pennsylvania State Archives Ancestry.com partnership. Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, State Archives records older than 75 years are generally open to public research.
Pennsylvania Archives and Union County Online Research
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg holds microfilm and digital collections that supplement Union County courthouse records. Military records in the ARIAS database include Revolutionary War and Civil War documents for Union County residents. Land Warrant Registers document early grants in Union County territory. The State Library of Pennsylvania genealogy collection provides census records, county histories, and family genealogies for Union County research. FamilySearch offers free online access to many Union County records. Act 127 of 2016 expanded access to adoption records in Pennsylvania, which may apply to some Union County searches.
Cities in Union County
Lewisburg is the county seat of Union County and home to Bucknell University. Explore Pennsylvania city genealogy resources below.
Nearby Counties
Union County borders several central Pennsylvania counties. Families often moved between these counties, so Union County genealogy research may require checking records in neighboring areas.