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Somerset County, Pennsylvania Genealogy

Somerset County, Pennsylvania genealogy and family history research. Find links to record collections, history, and genealogy resources to help you trace your Somerset Co., ancestors.

Somerset County Quick Facts

  • Government Website: www.co.somerset.pa.us
  • Created Date / Origin:  April 17, 1795 from Bedford County
  • County Seat:  Somerset
  • Named After:  The historic English county of Somerset
  • Bordering Counties: Cambria County (north), Bedford County (east), Allegany County, MD (southeast), Garrett County, MD (southwest), Fayette County (west), Westmoreland County (northwest)
  • Townships: Addison, Allegheny, Black, Brothersvalley, Conemaugh, Elk Lick, Fairhope, Greenville, Jefferson, Jenner, Larimer, Lincoln, Lower Turkeyfoot, Middlecreek, Milford, Northampton, Ogle, Paint, Quemahoning, Shade, Somerset, Southampton, Stonycreek, Summit, Upper Turkeyfoot
  • Boroughs: Addison, Benson, Berlin, Boswell, Callimont, Casselman, Central City, Confluence, Garrett, Hooversville, Indian Lake, Jennerstown, Meyersdale, New Baltimore, New Centerville, Paint, Rockwood, Salisbury, Seven Springs (partial), Shanksville, Somerset, Stoystown, Ursina, Wellersburg, Windber
  • Somerset County Municipalities Incorporation Dates

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Somerset County Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources

A list of Somerset County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See Also Pennsylvania Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.

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Somerset County Courthouse and Government Records

Researchers often overlook the importance of Somerset County court, probate, and land records as a source of genealogy and family history information. Buried away in Pennsylvania courthouses and archives everywhere are the dreams and frustrations of many Pennsylvania citizens. The chances are great that your ancestors have left a detailed record of at least some aspects of their lives in the Somerset County court records.

Please call the clerk’s department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. Even if your ancestor is not mentioned in a Court case, consider all of the other procedures which could have lead to him or her appearing in court records.

The following indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Somerset county. The dates indicated below are the first known records for each county which may include records of land, estates, taxes, vital records, divorces, naturalizations, voter registration, court records, and so forth.

  • Somerset County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: 111 East Union Street, Somerset, PA 15501
    • Phone: (814) 445-1400
  • Somerset County Recorder of Deedsis responsible for recording documents related to property. Documents recorded consist of, but are not limited to, deeds, mortgages, restrictions, notaries, public and elected county officers. Other documents, such as Military Service Discharges, foreign birth certificates, as well as obscure documents like cattle brands, are also recorded here.
    • Phone: (814) 445-1547
    • Land Records: 1795
  • Somerset County Prothonotary / Clerk of Courtshas been the clerk of court of common pleas since 1707. Court records here include divorces, naturalizations, peddlers’ licenses, registration of attorneys, oaths of county officers, equity, sheriff’s sales, juror lists, some tax records, and some civil court records.Other court records are with the clerk of courts.
    • Phone: (814) 445-1435
    • Court & Divorce Records: 1795
  • Somerset County Register of Wills/ Orphan’s Court Clerkare often the same person, sometimes sharing the responsibility of the recorder of deeds and clerk of courts as well. The Register of Wills’ principal duties include probating wills and accepting for filing all documents necessary to complete the administration of a decedent’s estate. The Clerk of Orphans’ Court, our office serves as the filing office and custodian of records for matters involving adoptions, guardianships and estate litigation. The office also issues all marriage licenses. Since 1885 the clerk of the orphans’ court in each county has had the responsibility of recording marriages
    • Phone: (814) 445-1548
    • Marriage & Probate Records: 1795
    • Birth & Death Records: before Jan 1906
  • Somerset County Tax Assessor Office has tax records but may also be in the county commissioners’ office or with the prothonotary.
  • Pennsylvania Office of Vital Records has copies of birth and death records since 1906 and death records. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Pennsylvaniafor current fees and application process. Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Pennsylvania Historical Records – Databases include Pennsylvania Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Pennsylvania Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Pennsylvania Voter Lists & Census Records; Pennsylvania Immigration & Emigration Records; Pennsylvania Obituary Records; Pennsylvania Military Records; Pennsylvania Family Tree Records; Pennsylvania Pictures; Pennsylvania Stories, Memories & Histories; Pennsylvania Directories & Member Lists and much more….
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Somerset County Genealogy Links

The following are links to Genealogy, Records and Resources relating to Somerset County. These genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some are have free access some require a payment.  This is just a list that has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to submit your own favorite genealogy or family history related sites.

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