CHESTER 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 Chester County, Pennsylvania by John Smith Futhey & Gilbert Cope, (1881) – 1162 Pages
This voluminous work documents the exhaustive history of Chester County, Pennsylvania, from its colonial origins through the late nineteenth century. It features an extensive collection of genealogical records, biographical sketches of prominent citizens, and detailed township histories. A foundational text for researchers of Pennsylvania lineage and local development.
Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania by Winfield Scott Garner, (1893) – 912 Pages
This cyclopedia focuses on the influential figures of Chester County, Pennsylvania, providing a comprehensive historical sketch alongside hundreds of personal profiles. The text includes detailed portraits and life stories of leading citizens, documenting their contributions to the region’s civic and economic growth. An essential biographical archive for local historical study.
A History of Chester County, Pennsylvania by Charles William Heathcote, (1932) – 518 Pages
This voluminous work documents the exhaustive history of Chester County, Pennsylvania, from its colonial origins through the late nineteenth century. It features an extensive collection of genealogical records, biographical sketches of prominent citizens, and detailed township histories. A foundational text for researchers of Pennsylvania lineage and local development.
History of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania by Charles H. Pennypacker, (1909) – 192 Pages
This historical work chronicles the founding and growth of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, detailing its settlement, civic and commercial development, and community life. It also includes biographical sketches of prominent residents and leaders who influenced the borough’s institutions and progress.
History and Progress of Chester County by Pitt, Thomas A., (1962) – 104 Pages
This detailed county history traces Chester County’s development from its colonial origins through its agricultural, industrial, and civic growth into the twentieth century. It also offers biographical sketches of notable residents and leaders whose contributions helped shape the region’s social, economic, and institutional progress.
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.
Chester County, Pennsylvania: A Genealogical Overview
As one of Pennsylvania’s three original counties, Chester County has a foundational history stretching back to the earliest days of the colony. Its vast original territory, its pivotal role in the American Revolution, and the subsequent formation of new counties from its land create a rich but complex landscape for genealogical research.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Understanding Chester County’s evolution from a massive colonial tract to its modern boundaries is crucial for locating the correct records.
- 1682: County Founded: Chester County was established by William Penn as one of the three original counties of the Province of Pennsylvania, along with Philadelphia and Bucks counties. Its original county seat was the town of Chester.
- 1729: Daughter County Formed: Lancaster County was created from the western portion of Chester County, representing the first major division of its territory.
- 1752: Daughter County Formed: Berks County was created from parts of Chester, Lancaster, and Philadelphia counties.
- 1788: County Seat Moved: The county seat was moved from Chester to a more central location at Turk’s Head, which was then renamed West Chester.
- 1789: Delaware County Formed: In a pivotal move for genealogists, the eastern portion of the county was partitioned to create Delaware County. The original county seat, the city of Chester, is now located within Delaware County. Records created prior to 1789 for locations now in Delaware County are held by Chester County.
Summary for Genealogists:
- Before 1729: Records for ancestors in what became Lancaster County are in Chester County.
- Before 1789: Records for ancestors in what is now Delaware County (including the city of Chester) are held by Chester County.
- 1789 – Present: Records for people and property within the modern boundaries of Chester County are held by Chester County government offices in West Chester.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The region was the traditional home of the Lenni Lenape people, who inhabited the Delaware Valley.
- Quaker Settlement and Diversity: As part of William Penn’s “Holy Experiment,” Chester County was settled early by English and Welsh Quakers, who established many of the first towns and meetings. The “Welsh Tract” was a large area designated for Welsh settlement. They were soon joined by Scots-Irish, German, and other European immigrants, creating a culturally and religiously diverse population.
- Revolutionary War and Industrial Hub: Chester County was the site of major Revolutionary War events, including the Battle of Brandywine (1777), the Paoli Massacre (1777), and the Valley Forge encampment (1777-1778). Later, its abundant natural resources fueled the growth of a powerful iron and steel industry in towns like Phoenixville and Coatesville, while its fertile land made it a key agricultural center for the Philadelphia region.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides the practical information needed to locate ancestral records specific to the county.
- County Archives: The primary repository for historic government records.
- Chester County Archives: Located at 601 Westtown Road, Suite 080, West Chester, PA 19380. This is the main repository for historical county records, including deeds, wills and probate records (from 1714), court records, tax assessments, and more. This is the starting point for most pre-20th-century research.
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Pennsylvania began in 1906. For records after 1906, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. The Chester County Archives holds a register of births (1893-1905) and deaths (1893-1905) for the brief period of county-level registration before the state system was implemented.
- Marriage Records: Official county marriage licenses began in 1885. Records from 1885 to the present are held by the Chester County Clerk of the Orphans’ Court. Records prior to 1885 are not centralized and are typically found in the dockets of local justices of the peace or in church records.
- Historical Societies and Libraries:
- Chester County History Center: Located at 225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380. This is an indispensable, non-governmental resource. Its library contains an extensive collection of genealogical materials, including family histories, indexed newspapers, church records, maps, city directories, manuscripts, and photographs.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Pennsylvania: Lancaster County (west), Berks County (north), Montgomery County (east), Delaware County (east)
- Delaware: New Castle County (south)
- Maryland: Cecil County (south)