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Tioga County, Pennsylvania

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
Tioga County Pennsylvania Map
VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Created March 26, 1804 from part of Lycoming County and named for the Tioga River. Tioga is derived from an Indian word meaning “the forks of a stream.” Wellsboro, the county seat, was laid out in 1806 and incorporated as a borough on March 6, 1830. It was named for the Wells family,

Soldiers on the Continental Army’s Sullivan Expedition in 1779 saw the potential of the area, but not until the Trenton Decree in 1782 abolished Connecticut’s claims and the Ft. Stanwix Treaty of 1784 (the “Last Purchase”) took title away from the Indians, did many settlers arrive. The Williamson Road, from Williamsport to Bath, was opened in 1793. The State Road to Wellsboro in 1800 brought in about five hundred settlers, mostly from Connecticut and New York. These residents did not advocate creation of the new county. In 1802 Aaron Bloss settled Blossburg and mined the high quality Bloss vein bituminous coal. An east-west road, begun in 1807, was essential. Forestry and agriculture controlled the economy from the first, but not until gristmills, sawmills, tanneries, distilleries, and iron works appeared in the 1840s was economic growth significant. The Corning and Blossburg Railroad was opened in 1840. By 1883 railroads connected coal fields with outlets on all four sides of county. 1890 saw the all time peak population: 52,313. The white pines were exhausted by 1865, but hemlock became marketable until it too was depleted, around 1900. Tanning leather was a major industry while there was hemlock; only one company remains today. Tobacco production and cigar making flourished from 1880 to 1900. Celery was a major product from 1900 to 1950. The coal-mining operators experienced labor unrest from the beginning. Now, mining has almost ceased. In the 1930s natural gas was discovered, sold off, and is now exhausted. Today dairying, corn, and maple sugar produce income. Farms cover 31 percent of the county. Corning Glass Works, two manufacturers of pipe fittings and related metal items, Wundies Corporation producing lingerie, and Borden Food Products, are major employers. In the years 1987 to 1992, the value added to the economy by this county’s manufactures increased 71 percent. Hunting, fishing, water sports, and other tourism are strong, and there are extensive state forest reserves.

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County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Pennsylvania Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records and Marriage Records

Tioga County Register of Wills/ Orphan's Court Clerk has Marriage Records from 1806 and Probate Records from 1806 and is located at 116 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901; (570) 724-9260.

 

Tioga County Recorder of Deeds has Land Records from 1806 and is located at 116 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901; (570) 724-9260 .

Tioga County Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts has Court Records from 1806 and is located at 116 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901; (570) 724-9281, Email: mclark@tiogacountypa.us .

Late eighteenth-century tax records for various counties, 1765–1791, were published in Pennsylvania Archives, 3d series, vols. 11–32.

Among the few surviving 1798 U.S. Direct Tax lists are those for Pennsylvania. They were microfilmed by the National Archives and are available at the Mid-Atlantic Region in Philadelphia and at the Pennsylvania State Archives. Indexes have been published for Washington and Lancaster counties.

Tax records are typically found in the county tax assessment offices but may also be in the county commissioners' office or with the prothonotary. The state archives has microfilms for some of these records (1715–1930s). Some assessment records have found their way into manuscript collections of county historical societies and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania as well as at the Philadelphia City Archives.

Below is a list of online resources for Tioga County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Tioga County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Vital Records in Pennsylvania

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Birth & Death Certificates before 1906: Pennsylvania birth & death records prior to 1906 can be accessed through the Tioga County courthouse. The Division of Vital Records does not keep this information. Please write or call to 116-188 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901; (570) 724-9260. Courthouse has Birth records from 1893 to1905, Death Records from 1893 to1905

Vital Records, State Dept of Health, P.O. Box 1528, 101 South Mercer Street, New Castle, PA 16101; (724) 656-3100, Fax: (724) 652-8951, Please allow up to approximately 4-6 weeks for processing of all type of certificates when ordered through the mail. They have the following records:

  • Birth & Death Certificates: Birth records maintained by Pennsylvania Vital Records since Jan 1906 through the present.
  • Marriage & Divorce Certificates: Marriage & Divorce records are not available from the Division of Vital Records. They are usually obtained from the Tioga County Courthouse (If they were issued there).
  • Ordering Vital Records - You can also order
  • Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail.

Cost: Include $10.00 fee per copy, $17.00 (by fax) for Birth records and Include $9.00 fee per copy, $16.00 (by fax) for Death Records. Please do not send cash. Make check or money order payable to “Vital Records." Please do not send cash in the mail.

Order In Person:You may apply in person at one of our six public offices in Erie, Harrisburg, New Castle, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or Scranton

Order By Mail: Mail a check or money order (no cash) payable to the "Vital Records " along with the necessary information to the following address:Vital Records, State Dept of Health, P.O. Box 1528, 101 South Mercer Street, New Castle, PA 16101. Birth Certificate by Mail Order Form , Death Certificate by Mail Order Form. Allow 4-6 weeks when ordering by mail.

Below is a list of online resources for Tioga County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Tioga County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Links for Pennsylvania

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Tioga County, Pennsylvania are 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940. There are three indexes for the 1800 census and two for 1810. The 1850 census also has two indexes, one arranged by county. For the 1910 Miracode, Philadelphia County is indexed apart from the rest of the commonwealth. After it was filmed by the National Archives, the 1880 census was sent to the University of Pittsburgh. The state copies of the 1840–70 censuses are no longer extant, but a few county copies are known to exist. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Tioga County, Pennsylvania areIndustry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Union Veterans Schedules were conducted in 1890.

There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms & U.K. Census Extraction Forms

State Schedules: Pennsylvania took no state censuses, but an enumeration of taxpayers compiled every seven years from 1779 through 1863 is commonly called the Septennial Census. These records have only survived in small numbers and are available at the state archives.

Below is a list of online resources for Tioga County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Tioga County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Below is a list of online resources for Tioga County Maps. Email us with websites containing Tioga County Maps by clicking the link below:

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County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Pennsylvania

Below is a list of online resources for Tioga County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Tioga County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Pennsylvania

There are many churches and cemeteries in Tioga County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Tioga County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Tioga County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Tioga County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Pennsylvania

 

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Tioga County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Tioga County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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