York County Genealogy Records
York County genealogy records are among the oldest in Pennsylvania, extending back to the county's formation in 1749. Researchers searching York County family history can access marriage licenses, birth and death records, wills, deed books, and court documents through the York County Archives and the York County History Center. York County has indexed and microfilmed an extensive range of records, including deed books from 1749, estate files from 1749, and marriage indexes from 1852 to 1929 that are available online. The York County History Center Library and Archives at 250 East Market Street in York holds vital statistics abstracts, tax records from 1762, and cemetery indexes for thousands of York County burials.
York County Genealogy Quick Facts
York County Genealogy Records Overview
York County was created on August 19, 1749 from Lancaster County, making it one of Pennsylvania's earliest counties and one of the most important genealogy research destinations in the mid-Atlantic region. The city of York briefly served as the capital of the Continental Congress in 1777 and 1778. The county borders Maryland to the south, which means many families moved between York County and the Maryland counties of Baltimore, Harford, and Carroll, making cross-state genealogy research important for some researchers.
The York County Archives holds an exceptional range of genealogy records. Birth records from 1852 to 1853 and from 1893 to 1906 are indexed and microfilmed. Death records from 1852 to 1855 and from 1893 to 1906 are also indexed. Marriage records from 1852 to 1853 are available online, and marriage records from 1885 to 1949 are indexed online. Deed books from 1749 to 1943 are indexed and microfilmed. Estate files from 1749 to 1985 are indexed. The York County Archives records page provides a complete list of available record series.
York County Archives and the York County History Center Library and Archives together hold one of the most comprehensive sets of genealogy records for any Pennsylvania county.
York County Archives and Register of Wills
The York County Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds offices hold the official records for York County genealogy research. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Register of Wills maintains marriage licenses from 1885 to the present, birth and death records from 1893 to 1905, and wills and probate records from 1749. Estate files from 1749 to 1899 are preserved and indexed; estate files from 1900 to 1985 are also indexed and searchable.
Additional records at the York County Archives include administration bond books from 1794 to 1978, affidavits of death from 1877 to 1958, coroner's records from 1796 to 1819 and from 1858 to 1958, and Clerk of Courts Quarter Session dockets from 1749 to 1986. Delayed birth certificates recorded after 1941 are also maintained. The Recorder of Deeds holds deed books from 1749 to 1912 indexed and microfilmed, and from 1913 to 1943 also indexed. Under Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101, most courthouse records are presumed public.
| Website | yorkcountypa.gov |
|---|---|
| Archives | yorkcountyarchives.org |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
York County History Center Library and Archives
The York County History Center Library and Archives at 250 East Market Street, York, PA 17401 is a premier genealogy research destination for York County families. The center holds The York County Trust Collections, which include vital statistics abstracts, tax abstracts from 1762 and 1783 and 1795, and early county histories. A marriage index to York County newspapers from 1783 to 1909 and a death index to York County newspapers from the same period cover an era before formal vital records were kept. These newspaper-compiled indexes are invaluable for tracing York County families in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
The center's collections also include genealogical reports with limited surnames cut off at 1850, a cemetery index for York and Adams Counties with tombstone records cut off at 1930, and will and Orphans' Court abstracts from 1749 to 1850. Tax records from 1762 predating the county's formal record-keeping era provide an early glimpse of York County family heads. Note that prior to 1800, Adams County was part of York County, so researchers looking for York County ancestor records before 1800 for territory that is now Adams County will find them in the York County collections.
Note: The York County History Center's marriage and death newspaper indexes from 1783 to 1909 extend the available genealogy record base back more than a century before formal marriage license registration began in 1885.
Vital Records in York County
York County vital records divide into two time periods. Birth and death records from 1852 to 1853 and from 1893 to 1906 are indexed and microfilmed at the York County Archives. 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. This means many early 20th-century York County vital records are now publicly accessible at the State Archives.
Marriage records in York County are available from 1852 to 1853 (online index) and from 1885 to 1949 (online index), with records through the present at the Register of Wills. For marriages between 1853 and 1885, researchers must use church records and the newspaper death and marriage indexes at the York County History Center. The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not hold marriage records, which remain permanently at the county courthouse. York County's large German population means many early marriages were recorded in German Reformed, Mennonite, and Lutheran church registers that predate the county's formal vital records.
Pennsylvania Archives and York County Research
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds many York County records in microfilm and digital form. Land Warrant Registers from 1733 document early grants in York County territory. Military records in the ARIAS database cover York County residents in Pennsylvania units from the Revolutionary War through World War II. The 1783 provincial tax records in the State Archives document York County household heads shortly after the Revolution. Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, records more than 75 years old at the State Archives are open for public research.
The State Library of Pennsylvania maintains census records for York County from 1790 through 1940 on microfilm, along with city directories, county histories, and family genealogies. FamilySearch offers free online access to many York County records. Act 127 of 2016 expanded access to adoption records in Pennsylvania, which may apply to some York County genealogy searches. The large German immigrant community in York County is well-documented through church records and immigration files available through FamilySearch and the State Archives.
Cities in York County
York is the county seat and largest city in York County. Explore Pennsylvania city genealogy resources below.
Nearby Counties
York County borders several south-central Pennsylvania counties and Maryland. Research may require checking records in neighboring counties and in Maryland counties to the south.