WASHINGTON 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 Washington County, Pennsylvania From Its First Settlement to the Present Time by Alfred Creigh, Ll. D., (1871) – 520 Pages
This history of Washington County recounts the region’s early frontier settlement, political milestones, and economic changes from its founding in 1781 through later growth. It describes key historical themes such as the Whiskey Rebellion and the influence of oil and gas production, while also profiling influential citizens and community institutions. The work blends narrative chronology with biographical detail, making it both scholarly and accessible.
20th Century History of the City of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens by McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., Chicago, pub, (1910) – 1462 Pages
This expansive volume chronicles the growth of Washington County and its county seat, the City of Washington, into the early 20th century. It combines historical narrative, civic and industrial developments, and biographical profiles of notable residents. The work serves as both a local history and a genealogical resource, highlighting community and individual contributions.
History of Washington County, Pennsylvania by Boyd Crumrine; Franklin Ellis; Austin N. Hungerford, (1882) – 1180 Pages
This comprehensive county history documents Washington County’s early settlement, political formation, and economic growth. It provides detailed biographical sketches, township histories, and accounts of civic institutions. The work combines narrative history with genealogical and documentary material, preserving the county’s cultural heritage.
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.
Washington County, Pennsylvania: A Genealogical Overview
As one of Pennsylvania’s earliest and most historically significant counties, Washington County boasts a rich past shaped by frontier settlement, political rebellion, and industrial growth. Its formation on the edge of the new nation and its subsequent role as the parent to other counties create a unique landscape for genealogical research.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Understanding Washington County’s evolution from a vast frontier territory is crucial for locating the correct records.
- 1781: County Formed: Washington County was officially formed on March 28, 1781, from part of Westmoreland County. It was the first county formed in Pennsylvania after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
- Original Territory: At its creation, the county encompassed a massive territory, including all of modern-day Washington and Greene Counties, most of Beaver County, and a significant portion of Allegheny County.
- 1788: Allegheny County Formed: The creation of Allegheny County significantly reduced Washington County’s size to the north and east. Researchers with ancestors in the Pittsburgh area after this date should look in Allegheny County records.
- 1796: Greene County Formed: The southern portion of Washington County was separated to form Greene County. Family records in the southern townships after this date will be found in Greene County.
- 1800: Beaver County Formed: The northern portion of the county was used, along with land from Allegheny County, to create Beaver County.
Summary for Genealogists:
- Before 1781: Records for settlers are in the records of its parent, Westmoreland County, PA.
- 1781 – 1788: It existed with its vast original boundaries. An ancestor living near modern Pittsburgh was in Washington County during this time.
- 1788 – Present: It exists within its modern boundaries (with minor adjustments). Check records in the newly formed Allegheny (1788), Greene (1796), and Beaver (1800) counties if your ancestor’s land fell within their new borders.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The region was home to several Native American groups, including the Lenape (Delaware), Shawnee, and was a key hunting ground for the Iroquois Confederacy.
- Frontier Settlement and the National Road: Following the American Revolution, the area was settled rapidly, primarily by Scotch-Irish immigrants seeking land. The construction of the National Road (now US Route 40) through the county in the early 19th century transformed it into a “Gateway to the West,” bringing commerce, travelers, and new settlers.
- The Whiskey Rebellion: Washington County was the epicenter of the Whiskey Rebellion (1791-1794), a major uprising of backcountry farmers who protested a federal tax on distilled spirits. This event was a significant early test of the authority of the newly formed United States government. Later, the county became a center for coal mining, oil and gas production, and steel manufacturing.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides the practical information needed to locate ancestral records specific to the county.
- Courthouse: Records are maintained by various offices within the county government.
- Washington County Courthouse: Located at 1 South Main Street, Washington, PA 15301. This building houses the key offices for genealogical research. The Register of Wills holds probate records and wills, the Recorder of Deeds holds land records, and 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 in New Castle, PA. Records of births and deaths from 1893-1905 may be found at the county courthouse, but they are often incomplete.
- Marriage Records: County-level marriage licenses began in 1885. Records from 1885 to the present are held by the Marriage License Bureau at the Washington County Courthouse. Earlier marriages were often recorded in church records or private family Bibles.
- Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
- Citizens Library: Located at 55 South College Street, Washington, PA 15301. This is an indispensable resource. The library’s Local History Room offers extensive genealogical materials, including county histories, family histories, census records on microfilm, local newspapers, maps, and access to online genealogical databases.
- Washington County Historical Society: Located at 49 East Maiden Street, Washington, PA 15301. The society maintains an archive and library with manuscript collections, photographs, and historical artifacts relevant to county history and families.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Pennsylvania: Allegheny County (northeast), Beaver County (north), Fayette County (east), Greene County (south)
- West Virginia: Brooke County (west), Ohio County (west), Marshall County (southwest)