SULLIVAN COUNTY, PA HISTORY AND LOOKUP

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Table of Contents

• In-Print County History Books
• Free Public Domain County History Books
• Related Books
• Concise County History
• Comments & Suggestion

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sullivan County, Pennsylvania: A Genealogical Overview

As one of Pennsylvania’s most rural and sparsely populated counties, Sullivan County offers a genealogical landscape deeply connected to its rugged terrain and 19th-century industries. Its history as a late-formed county, carved from another, is fundamental for researchers tracing families who settled in this remote part of the Endless Mountains region.

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I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Sullivan County’s creation is the first step in locating the earliest records for its inhabitants.

• Pre-1847: Part of Lycoming County: The land that would become Sullivan County was originally the northeastern portion of Lycoming County. The first permanent European settlers began arriving in the 1790s.
• 1847: County Formed: Sullivan County was officially created on March 15, 1847, from a large section of Lycoming County. The formation was driven by residents who found the journey to the Lycoming County seat in Williamsport too arduous.
• 1847-Present: Stable Boundaries: Since its formation, Sullivan County’s boundaries have remained largely unchanged. Laporte was established as the county seat, and it remains one of the smallest county seats in Pennsylvania. All records created from 1847 forward are held by Sullivan County itself.

Summary for Genealogists:

• Before March 15, 1847: The area was part of Lycoming County, PA. Look for all records (deeds, wills, court records) in Williamsport, the Lycoming County seat.
• After March 15, 1847: It is Sullivan County, PA. All records created from this point forward are held by Sullivan County, with the courthouse located in Laporte.

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II. Settlement and Early History

• Early Inhabitants: The region was a traditional hunting ground for the Iroquoian-speaking Susquehannock people and later the Lenape (Delaware).
• Pioneer Settlement and Industry: The county’s rugged terrain delayed major settlement. Early pioneers, many of English and German descent, were drawn to the area for its vast timber resources. The county’s economy boomed in the mid-to-late 19th century, driven by logging, sawmills, and large leather tanneries that utilized the bark from the immense hemlock forests. Coal mining also became a significant industry in certain parts of the county.
• Immigrant Communities: Unlike earlier settlements in Pennsylvania, Sullivan County saw a notable influx of Irish immigrants in the mid-19th century, many of whom came to work on canal and railroad projects or in the mines. Several small communities, such as Mildred and Murraytown, were founded by Eastern European immigrants who arrived later to work in the coal mines.

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III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides the practical information needed to locate ancestral records specific to Sullivan County.

• Courthouse: Records are maintained at the county level in the county seat.
  • Sullivan County Courthouse: Located at 245 Muncy Street, Laporte, PA 18626. The county’s various offices hold all official records from 1847 to the present. Key offices for genealogists include:
    • Register of Wills & Recorder of Deeds: Holds probate records (wills, administrations) and land records (deeds, mortgages).
    • Prothonotary & Clerk of Courts: Holds civil court records (naturalizations, divorces) and criminal 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. For births and deaths prior to 1906, researchers must consult county-level records, such as courthouse registers (if they exist), church records, and newspapers.
  • Marriage Records: Marriage licenses were required by the county beginning in 1885. These records are held by the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court at the Sullivan County Courthouse.
• Historical Societies and Libraries:
  • Sullivan County Historical Society & Museum: Located at 458 Main Street, Laporte, PA 18626. This is the most important resource for Sullivan County genealogy. The society maintains a research library with family histories, cemetery records, local newspapers, maps, photographs, and archival materials related to the county’s people, industries, and communities.
• Bordering Jurisdictions:
  • Bradford County (north)
  • Wyoming County (east)
  • Luzerne County (southeast)
  • Columbia County (south)
  • Lycoming County (west)