COLUMBIA 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.
A History of Columbia County, Pennsylvania. From the Earliest Times by John G. Freeze, (1883) – 594 Pages
This comprehensive county history traces Columbia County’s development from its earliest settlement through its agricultural, industrial, and civic growth in the nineteenth century. It also includes detailed accounts of towns, institutions, and biographical sketches of prominent citizens who contributed to the region’s progress.
Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania by Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co., (1915) – 806 Pages
This illustrated historical volume presents a narrative of regional development, focusing on the growth of communities, industries, and institutions in the Chicago area. It also contains numerous biographical sketches and portraits of influential citizens who played key roles in shaping the region’s economic and social landscape.
History of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a History of Each County by Battle, J. H., Bates, Samuel Penniman, Bell, Herbert Charles, Bradsby, Henry C., (1887) – 912 Pages
This comprehensive history traces the founding and evolution of Columbia County from its earliest settlement through agricultural, industrial, and civic expansion. It includes detailed descriptions of towns, economic development, and biographical sketches of pioneers and community leaders.
Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Volume 2 by Chicago, J. H. Beers & co., (1915) – 728 Pages
This second volume of county annals continues the narrative of Columbia and Montour Counties’ growth, offering additional biographical profiles and expanded accounts of local events, institutions, and community life. It further highlights the contributions of influential citizens and the development of regional industries and social organizations.
Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Volume 1 by Chicago, J. H. Beers & co., (1915) – 800 Pages
This extensive volume provides a detailed chronological history of Columbia and Montour counties alongside an exhaustive genealogical record of their prominent families. It serves as a vital resource for researchers interested in the ancestral heritage and local governance of this region during the early 20th century.
History of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania by J.H. Battle, (1887) – 862 Pages
Published in 1887, this comprehensive work explores the foundational development of two Pennsylvania counties, highlighting their townships, schools, and local industries. The text is enriched with biographical sketches and historical data that document the growth of these communities through the late 19th century.
History of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania by J. H. Battle, (1887) – 946 Pages
This collaborative historical account covers the broad evolution of Pennsylvania with specific, in-depth focuses on the administrative and social structures of Columbia and Montour counties. It features numerous portraits of representative citizens and statistical appendices that detail the economic landscape of the era.
A History of Columbia County, Pennsylvania by John G. Freeze, (1883) – 588 Pages
This 1883 publication offers a specialized look into the legal, political, and social history of Columbia County from its earliest settlements. Author John G. Freeze provides a narrative that emphasizes the legislative milestones and community efforts that shaped the county’s distinct identity.
History of Columbia County, Pennsylvania, Sponsored by the Columbia County Historical Society by Barton, Edwin Michelet, (1964) – 166 Pages
Sponsored by the local historical society, this updated mid-century edition refines the narrative of Columbia County’s progress with modern research and revised insights. It provides a concise yet thorough overview of the region’s historical landmarks and the influential figures who guided its development.
History of Columbia County, Pennsylvania, Volume 1 by Barton, Edwin Michelet, (1958) – 172 Pages
This foundational edition serves as a key academic survey of Columbia County, meticulously detailing its geographic and cultural transformation over several decades. The book includes valuable fold-out maps and illustrations that visually document the industrial and residential shifts within the county.
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.
Columbia County, Pennsylvania: A Genealogical Overview
Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region, Columbia County has a rich history shaped by its agricultural roots, the rise and fall of industry, and successive waves of settlement. Its straightforward creation from a single parent county simplifies early research, but understanding its economic and social history is key to uncovering the complete story of its people.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Understanding Columbia County’s formation is crucial for locating records created before its establishment.
- Pre-1813: Part of Northumberland County: Prior to its creation, the land that is now Columbia County was the eastern portion of the much larger Northumberland County. Northumberland itself was formed in 1772 from parts of several other counties.
- 1813: County Formed: Columbia County was officially created on March 22, 1813, from part of Northumberland County. The town of Bloomsburg was established as the county seat.
- 1816: Boundary Change: A small portion of the new county was returned to Northumberland County.
- 1850: Montour County Created: Columbia County’s boundaries were significantly reduced when the western portion of the county was used to form Montour County. Any ancestors living in the townships that became part of Montour County will have their post-1850 records located there.
Summary for Genealogists:
- Before 1813: The area was part of Northumberland County, PA. Look for records there.
- 1813 – Present: It is Columbia County, PA. Records from this point forward are held by the county itself.
- Post-1850: If your ancestors lived in the western part of the county (e.g., Mahoning, Valley, Liberty townships), check records in the newly formed Montour County after this date.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The region was home to various Native American groups, most notably the Susquehannock and the Delaware (Lenape) peoples.
- Settlement and Agriculture: The first European settlers in the mid-18th century were predominantly Quakers, Scots-Irish, and Germans (Pennsylvania Dutch). The fertile valleys of the Susquehanna River supported a strong agricultural economy, and the county remains known for its farming heritage, celebrated annually at the historic Bloomsburg Fair.
- Anthracite Coal and Industry: The 19th and early 20th centuries were dominated by the anthracite coal industry in the county’s southern region. This drew thousands of European immigrants, particularly from Ireland, Wales, Poland, and Eastern Europe, to work in the mines. This era was also marked by labor disputes, including the infamous Molly Maguires trials which had a significant impact in the region. The legacy of coal mining is still visible in the landscape and culture of towns like Centralia.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides the practical information needed to locate ancestral records specific to the county.
- Courthouse: Pennsylvania county courthouses divide records between several offices.
- Columbia County Courthouse: Located at 35 West Main Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. This building houses the key repositories for genealogical records.
- Register of Wills & Clerk of the Orphans’ Court: Holds wills, estate files (probate records), and marriage licenses (from 1885). It also holds birth and death registers from 1893-1905.
- Prothonotary: Holds civil court records, including divorce, equity, and naturalization records.
- Recorder of Deeds: Holds all land transaction records (deeds and mortgages) from the county’s formation.
- Columbia County Courthouse: Located at 35 West Main Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. This building houses the key repositories for genealogical records.
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration began in 1906. All official certificates from 1906 to the present are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. For records from 1893-1905, consult the registers at the County Courthouse.
- Marriage Records: Official county-level marriage licenses began in 1885. Records from 1885 to the present are held by the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court at the County Courthouse. Prior to 1885, marriages were recorded in church or minister’s records, or in civil dockets held by a justice of the peace.
- Libraries and Historical Societies:
- Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society: Located at 225 Market Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. This is the premier resource for Columbia County genealogy. The collection includes extensive family files, surname folders, church and cemetery records, local histories, maps, photographs, and archival materials focused on the county’s history and its people.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Luzerne County (east)
- Lycoming County (west)
- Montour County (west)
- Northumberland County (south)
- Schuylkill County (south)
- Sullivan County (north)