CAMBRIA COUNTY, PA HISTORY AND LOOKUP
Table of Contents
- In-Print County History Books
- Free Public Domain County History Books
- Related Books
- Concise County History
- Comments & Suggestion
In-Print County History Books
These titles are currently in print and selected for their relevance to local and county history. Click anywhere on the book listing below, each listing links directly to the book’s purchase page.
Book Title TBD
This book is still being located or processed. Details will be added once available.
Free County History Books
This section features a curated collection of county history books sourced from public domain archives. Each book provides valuable insights into local history and heritage. Click anywhere on the book listing below, each listing links directly to the book’s public domain resource.
History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania Volume 1 by Henry Wilson Storey, (1907) – 618 Pages
The first volume of this set provides a deep historical analysis of Cambria County’s topography, indigenous history, and early industrial progress. It documents the construction of the Allegheny Portage Railroad and early coal mining operations; serving as a primary source for industrial history.
History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania Volume 2 by Henry Wilson Storey, (1907) – 650 Pages
Published in the early twentieth century, this work focuses on the institutional and social evolution of Cambria County during its peak industrial era. It catalogs municipal milestones, local lore, and the development of the iron and steel sectors, offering a comprehensive look at the region’s heritage.
History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania Volume 3 by Henry Wilson Storey, (1907) – 864 Pages
This concluding volume is dedicated largely to the genealogical history and personal biographies of prominent families and citizens in Cambria County. It preserves family lineages, professional achievements, and community contributions, acting as a definitive genealogical reference for the area.
History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume 3 by Henry Wilson Storey, (1999) – 942 Pages
This detailed county history traces the settlement, development, and growth of Cambria County from its earliest pioneer days through the establishment of communities, industry, and civic institutions. The volume also includes biographical sketches of notable residents and leaders who contributed to the county’s social, economic, and political evolution.
Cambria County Pioneers by Swank, James Moore, (1910) – 154 Pages
This historical work presents a narrative focused on the pioneers and early settlers of Cambria County, highlighting their contributions to the region’s development. It also includes accounts of local communities, industries, and civic life, enriched with biographical sketches of influential figures.
Related Books
This section highlights additional county and local history titles that complement the main collection. These books are selected for their relevance, historical value, and research usefulness. Click anywhere on the book listing below, and each listing links directly to the corresponding resource or purchase page.
Book Title TBD
This book is still being located or processed. Details will be added once available.
Cambria County, Pennsylvania: A Genealogical Overview
Located in the Allegheny Mountains of central Pennsylvania, Cambria County has a history deeply forged by immigration, industry, and natural disaster. Its development from a rugged frontier to a powerhouse of coal and steel production offers a rich and compelling landscape for genealogical research.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Understanding Cambria County’s creation from larger, earlier counties is the first step to locating the oldest records for its inhabitants.
- 1804: County Created: Cambria County was officially formed on March 26, 1804, from parts of Huntingdon, Somerset, and Bedford Counties. The name “Cambria” is a Latinized form of “Cymru,” the Welsh name for Wales.
- 1804-1807: Judicially Attached to Somerset County: Although created in 1804, Cambria County lacked its own court system initially. For all legal and judicial matters, it was attached to Somerset County. Records for Cambria residents during this three-year period will be found in Somerset County’s courthouse.
- 1807: County Government Organized: Cambria County’s government became fully functional and independent, with the county seat established in Ebensburg. From this point forward, records were created and maintained within Cambria County itself.
Key Jurisdictional Facts for Genealogists:
- Before 1804: Research must be conducted in the parent counties of Huntingdon, Somerset, or Bedford, depending on the location of the specific land or ancestor.
- 1804 – 1807: Look for court, deed, and probate records in Somerset County.
- 1807 – Present: All records were created and are held within Cambria County.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The region was part of the historical hunting grounds of the Susquehannock and later the Lenape (Delaware) and Shawnee peoples.
- Pioneer Settlement and Immigration: A significant early European settlement was founded at Loretto in 1799 by Father Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, a Russian prince turned Catholic missionary, who attracted large numbers of German and Irish Catholic immigrants. Welsh immigrants, drawn by the prospect of mining, were also instrumental in settling the county, particularly around Ebensburg.
- Coal, Iron, and Steel: The county’s 19th and 20th-century history is dominated by its industrial might. Vast deposits of bituminous coal fueled the growth of the iron and steel industries, most famously the Cambria Iron Company (later part of Bethlehem Steel) in Johnstown. This industrialization drew waves of new immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe. The Pennsylvania Railroad was a critical artery for transporting coal, steel, and people.
- The Johnstown Flood: The county is tragically known for the Great Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889. The failure of the South Fork Dam unleashed a catastrophic wall of water that killed over 2,200 people, making it one of the deadliest disasters in U.S. history. This event profoundly impacted the county’s families and is a critical point of research for anyone with roots in the area.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides the practical information needed to locate ancestral records specific to the county.
- Courthouse: County records are held at the Cambria County Courthouse.
- Cambria County Courthouse: Located at 200 South Center Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931. Several offices within the courthouse hold key genealogical records:
- The Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court holds probate records (wills, administrations) and marriage licenses (from 1885).
- The Recorder of Deeds holds all land records.
- The Prothonotary holds civil court records, including divorce and naturalization records (prior to 1906).
- Cambria County Courthouse: Located at 200 South Center Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931. Several offices within the courthouse hold key genealogical records:
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Statewide civil registration of births and deaths began in Pennsylvania on January 1, 1906. Records from that date forward are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. For births and deaths prior to 1906, records are scarce but may be found in the Register of Wills office at the courthouse for the period 1893-1905, as well as in church and cemetery records.
- Marriage Records: Official county marriage licenses were required starting in 1885. These records are held by the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court at the Cambria County Courthouse. Prior to 1885, marriages were typically recorded only in church ledgers.
- Libraries and Historical Societies:
- Cambria County Historical Society: Located at 615 North Center Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931. This is the premier resource for Cambria County genealogy. The society’s collection includes family histories, local histories, church and cemetery records, maps, newspapers, photographs, and numerous manuscript collections relevant to the county’s families and history.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Indiana County (west)
- Clearfield County (north)
- Blair County (east)
- Bedford County (southeast)
- Somerset County (south)
- Westmoreland County (southwest)