HUNTINGDON 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 Huntingdon County, in the State of Pennsylvania by Milton Scott Lytle, (1876) – 386 Pages
This work provides a detailed chronicle of Huntingdon County, tracing its development from early settlement through periods of growth and institutional formation. It documents key historical events, economic changes, and the contributions of influential individuals within the county. Combining narrative history with biographical and descriptive sections, the book offers a thorough and structured account of regional development.
History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, Pennsylvania by Africa, J Simpson, (1883) – 1028 Pages
It is a combined history of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, providing a comprehensive account of settlement, development, and institutional growth in both regions. It documents early frontier life, transportation, industry, and community formation, supported by detailed township descriptions and biographical sketches of prominent citizens. The volume is considered a major regional reference, synthesizing earlier historical materials into a single extensive narrative resource.
History of Huntingdon County, in the State of Pennsylvania by Milton Scott Lytle, (1876) – 386 Pages
This work provides a detailed chronicle of Huntingdon County, tracing its development from early settlement through periods of growth and institutional formation. It documents key historical events, economic changes, and the contributions of influential individuals within the county. Combining narrative history with biographical and descriptive sections, the book offers a thorough and structured account of regional development.
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
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Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania: A Genealogical Overview
As one of central Pennsylvania’s historic counties, Huntingdon boasts a rich past shaped by its frontier origins, its vital role in the state’s early iron industry, and a series of significant boundary changes. Its history as a large parent county from which several others were formed creates a unique and challenging landscape for genealogical research.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Understanding Huntingdon’s evolution from a vast frontier territory is crucial for locating the correct records, as its original boundaries encompassed numerous modern counties.
- 1787: County Formed: Huntingdon County was created on September 20, 1787, from the northern part of Bedford County. Its original territory was immense. The town of Huntingdon, laid out in 1767, was named the county seat.
- 1789: Mifflin County Created: A portion of Huntingdon County was combined with land from Cumberland County to form Mifflin County.
- 1800: Centre County Created: A large section of northern Huntingdon County was used to create Centre County.
- 1804: Clearfield and Cambria Counties Created: Portions of Huntingdon County were used in the formation of Clearfield and Cambria counties.
- 1846: Blair County Created: The southern and western portions of Huntingdon County were partitioned to form a significant part of the new Blair County.
- 1850: Fulton County Created: A small part of Huntingdon County was used in the formation of Fulton County.
Summary for Genealogists:
- Before 1787: Your ancestor lived in Bedford County. Look for records there.
- 1787 – Present: Your ancestor lived in Huntingdon County. Records from this point forward are held by the county itself.
- Check Daughter Counties: If your ancestor lived in the outer parts of early Huntingdon County, their records after the dates listed above may be found in Mifflin, Centre, Clearfield, Cambria, Blair, or Fulton counties. Always check the formation dates against your ancestor’s location.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The region was a significant transportation corridor for various Native American groups. The Tuscarora people were notable inhabitants of the area upon the arrival of European settlers.
- Frontier Hub and Iron Industry: Early settlement in the mid-18th century was dominated by Scots-Irish and German immigrants. The area was a rugged frontier, with forts like Fort Shirley providing protection. The county’s geology made it a powerhouse of the early American iron industry, with numerous charcoal-fueled iron furnaces dotting the landscape. This industry, along with agriculture, formed the backbone of the economy.
- Transportation Development: Huntingdon’s location along the Juniata River made it a key point on the Pennsylvania Canal system in the 1830s, connecting the region to eastern markets. The canal was soon followed by the Pennsylvania Railroad, which cemented the county’s role as a transportation and industrial center throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides the practical information needed to locate ancestral records specific to the county.
- Courthouse: The county’s historical records are maintained by several offices within the courthouse.
- Huntingdon County Courthouse: Located at 223 Penn Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652. Key offices for genealogists include the Register of Wills & Clerk of the Orphans’ Court (for wills, probate records, and birth/death records from 1893-1905) and the Recorder of Deeds (for land records). The Prothonotary holds civil court records.
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Official statewide registration began in 1906. Records from 1906 to the present are held by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records. A small set of county-level birth and death registrations from 1893-1905 are available at the Huntingdon County Courthouse.
- Marriage Records: Marriage licenses were required in Pennsylvania starting in 1885. Records from 1885 to the present are held by the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court at the Huntingdon County Courthouse. Earlier marriages were often recorded in church records or ministers’ logs.
- Historical and Genealogical Societies:
- Huntingdon County Historical Society: Located at 106 4th Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652. This is an indispensable resource. The society’s collection includes an extensive research library with family histories, census records, maps, photographs, church and cemetery records, local newspapers, and archival materials focused on the history and people of Huntingdon County.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Mifflin County (east)
- Juniata County (east)
- Franklin County (southeast)
- Fulton County (south)
- Bedford County (southwest)
- Blair County (west)
- Centre County (north)