FAYETTE 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 Uniontown: the County Seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania by James Hadden, (1913) – 910 Pages
This work provides a focused history of Uniontown, tracing its founding, growth, and importance as the county seat of Fayette County. It highlights local institutions, community development, and notable individuals who played key roles in the town’s civic and economic progress.
Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Fayette County, Pennsylvania by John M. Gresham, Samuel T. Wiley, (1889) – 628 Pages
This illustrated volume presents detailed biographical sketches and portraits of prominent citizens of Fayette County, emphasizing their personal achievements and public contributions. It also offers contextual historical information that reflects the county’s social, political, and economic development.
History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men by Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885, (1882) – 1150 Pages
This comprehensive county history traces Fayette County’s development from early settlement through its industrial and civic growth. It includes detailed accounts of communities, institutions, and extensive biographical sketches of pioneers and influential residents.
Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania Volume 2 by John W. Jordan, (1912) – 448 Pages
This work compiles genealogical records and biographical sketches of families in western Pennsylvania, tracing their ancestry, migration, and contributions to regional development. It highlights prominent individuals and preserves family histories within the broader historical context of the region.
A History of Uniontown : The County Seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania by James Hadden, (1913) – 914 Pages
This work provides a focused history of Uniontown, tracing its founding, growth, and importance as the county seat of Fayette County. It highlights local institutions, community development, and notable individuals who played key roles in the town’s civic and economic 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.
Fayette County, Pennsylvania: A Genealogical Overview
Located in the mountainous southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, Fayette County has a rich and turbulent history that is deeply intertwined with America’s westward expansion, early military conflicts, and industrial revolution. Its legacy as a frontier battleground and a powerhouse of coal and coke production creates a compelling and complex landscape for genealogical research.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Understanding Fayette County’s creation from a larger parent county is crucial for locating the earliest records of its inhabitants.
- Pre-1773: The land that would become Fayette County was part of Cumberland County, and then Bedford County (from 1771). However, jurisdiction was hotly disputed by Virginia, which claimed the area as part of its Augusta County.
- 1773-1783: Part of Westmoreland County: The territory was incorporated into the newly formed Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Records for settlers during this decade are located with Westmoreland County’s historical records.
- 1783: Fayette County Formed: On September 26, 1783, Fayette County was officially created from a portion of Westmoreland County. It was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette.
- 1784: County Seat Established: Uniontown (originally known as Beesontown) was established as the county seat, and the county government began keeping its own distinct records.
Summary for Genealogists:
- Before 1783: Your ancestor’s records may be found in the records of Westmoreland County, PA, or potentially Bedford and Cumberland counties for the earliest period. Some early land claims may also appear in Virginia records.
- 1783 – Present: Fayette County has been an independent county. All records created from this point forward are held by the county itself.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The region was home to several Native American groups, including the Shawnee, Lenape (Delaware), and Seneca of the Iroquois Confederacy. The area was a contested hunting ground and a crossroads of ancient trails.
- Frontier Conflict and National Road: Fayette County was a central stage for the French and Indian War, hosting the battle at Fort Necessity in 1754, which marked George Washington’s only military surrender. Later, the county became a key passage for westward migration with the construction of the National Road (now U.S. Route 40), the nation’s first federally funded highway. It was also a hotbed of the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion, an anti-tax protest by backcountry farmers.
- Industrial Powerhouse: Beginning in the late 19th century, Fayette County became the center of the world’s most productive coal and coke region. The booming industry attracted tens of thousands of immigrants, particularly from Southern and Eastern Europe, to work in the mines and beehive coke ovens. This created a diverse and vibrant multicultural population whose descendants remain in the area today. The decline of the coal industry in the mid-20th century profoundly reshaped the county’s economy.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides the practical information needed to locate ancestral records specific to the county.
- Courthouse: Most key historical records are held at the county courthouse.
- Fayette County Courthouse: Located at 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. Several offices within the courthouse hold genealogically significant records:
- Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court: Holds probate records (wills, administrations) and marriage licenses (from 1885).
- Recorder of Deeds: Holds all land records (deeds, mortgages) from the county’s formation.
- Prothonotary: Holds civil court records (naturalizations, divorce, etc.).
- Fayette County Courthouse: Located at 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. Several offices within the courthouse hold genealogically significant records:
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Official statewide registration in Pennsylvania began in 1906. Records from 1906 to the present are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in New Castle, PA. Birth records (1893-1905) and death records (1893-1905) were kept spottily at the county level and may be found at the Register of Wills office.
- Marriage Records: Marriage licenses were required by the county starting in 1885. These records are held by the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court at the courthouse.
- Libraries and Historical Societies:
- Uniontown Public Library: Located at 24 Jefferson Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. The library’s Pennsylvania Room is an essential resource, containing an extensive collection of local histories, family genealogies, census records on microfilm, local newspapers, cemetery transcriptions, and more.
- Fayette County Historical Society: Located at 724 Helena Avenue, Lemont Furnace, PA 15456. The society maintains archives and a collection of artifacts related to the county’s history and offers resources for genealogical research.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Pennsylvania Counties: Greene (west), Washington (west), Westmoreland (north), Somerset (east)
- Maryland: Garrett County (southeast)
- West Virginia: Preston County (south), Monongalia County (southwest)