History of Pennsylvania Counties

History of Pennsylvania Counties


Pennsylvania County Timeline

Timeline created by Karon M. Bosze, 1997.

YEAR MONTH DAY EVENT
1800 0 0 Adams County, Pennsylvania formed from York County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1788 0 0 Allegheny County, Pennsylvania formed from Westmoreland and Washington Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1800 0 0 Armstrong County, Pennsylvania formed from Allegheny, Lycoming, and Westmoreland Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1800 0 0 Beaver County, Pennsylvania formed from Allegheny and Washington Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1771 3 9 Bedford County, Pennsylvania formed from Cumberland County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1752 0 0 Berks County, Pennsylvania formed from Bucks, Lancaster, and Philadelphia Counties. Bentley shows the organization year as 1751. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1846 0 0 Blair County, Pennsylvania formed from Huntingdon and Bedford Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1812 0 0 Bradford County, Pennsylvania renamed in 1812 from Ontario County which was formed from Luzerne and Lycoming Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1682 0 0 Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Original county. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1800 0 0 Butler County, Pennsylvania formed from Allegheny County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1804 0 0 Cambria County, Pennsylvania formed from Somerset, Bedford, and Huntingdon Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1860 0 0 Cameron County, Pennsylvania formed from Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1843 3 13 Carbon County, Pennsylvania formed from Northampton and Monroe Counties. Formed in 1842, according to Everton. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1800 0 0 Centre County, Pennsylvania formed from Lycoming, Mifflin, Northumerland, and Huntingdon Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1682 0 0 Chester County, Pennsylvania formed. Original county. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1839 0 0 Clarion County, Pennsylvania formed from Venango and Armstrong Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1804 0 0 Clearfield County, Pennsylvania formed from Northumberland and Lycoming Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1839 0 0 Clinton County, Pennsylvania formed from Lycoming and Centre Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1813 0 0 Columbia County, Pennsylvania formed from Northumberland County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1800 0 0 Crawford County, Pennsylvania formed from Allegheny County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1750 0 0 Cumberland County, Pennsylvania formed from Lancaster County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1785 0 0 Dauphin County, Pennsylvania formed from Lancaster County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1789 0 0 Delaware County, Pennsylvania formed from Chester County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1843 0 0 Elk County, Pennsylvania formed from Jefferson, McKean, and Clearfield Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1800 0 0 Erie County, Pennsylvania formed from Allegheny County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1783 0 0 Fayette County, Pennsylvania formed from Westmoreland County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1848 0 0 Forest County, Pennsylvania formed from Jefferson and Venango Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1784 0 0 Franklin County, Pennsylvania formed from Cumberland County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1850 0 0 Fulton County, Pennsylvania formed from Bedford County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1796 0 0 Greene County, Pennsylvania formed from Washington County.[The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1787 0 0 Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania formed from Bedford County.[The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1803 0 0 Indiana County, Pennsylvania formed from Westmoreland and Lycoming Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1804 0 0 Jefferson County, Pennsylvania formed from Lycoming County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1831 0 0 Juniata County, Pennsylvania formed from Mifflin County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1878 0 0 Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania formed from Luzerne County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1729 0 0 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania formed from Chester County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1850 0 0 Lawrence County, Pennsylvania formed from Beaver and Mercer Counties. Bentley gives an 1849 organizational date. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1813 0 0 Lebanon County, Pennsylvania formed from Dauphin and Lancaster Counties. Bentley gives an 1815 organizational date. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1812 0 0 Lehigh County, Pennsylvania formed from Northampton County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1786 0 0 Luzerne County, Pennsylvania formed from Northumberland County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1795 0 0 Lycoming County, Pennsylvania formed from Northumberland County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1804 0 0 McKean County, Pennsylvania formed from Lycoming County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1800 0 0 Mercer County, Pennsylvania formed from Allegheny County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1789 0 0 Mifflin County, Pennsylvania formed from Cumberland and Northumberland Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1836 0 0 Monroe County, Pennsylvania formed from Pike and Northampton Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1784 0 0 Montgomery County, Pennsylvania formed from Philadelphia County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1850 0 0 Montour County, Pennsylvania formed from Columbia County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1752 0 0 Northampton County, Pennsylvania formed from Bucks County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1772 0 0 Northumberland County, Pennsylvania formed from Lancaster, Berks, Cumberland, Northampton, and Bedford Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1810 0 0 Ontario County, Pennsylvania formed from Luzerne and Lycoming Counties. Renamed Bradford County in 1812. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1820 0 0 Perry County, Pennsylvania formed from Cumberland County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1682 0 0 Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania formed. Original county. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1814 0 0 Pike County, Pennsylvania formed from Wayne County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1804 0 0 Potter County, Pennsylvania formed from Lycoming County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1811 0 0 Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania formed from Berks and Northampton Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1855 0 0 Snyder County, Pennsylvania formed from Union County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1795 0 0 Somerset County, Pennsylvania formed from Bedford County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1847 0 0 Sullivan County, Pennsylvania formed from Lycoming County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1810 0 0 Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania formed from Luzerne County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1804 3 26 Tioga County, Pennsylvania formed from Lycoming County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1813 0 0 Union County, Pennsylvania formed from Northumberland County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1800 0 0 Venango County, Pennsylvania formed from Allegheny and Lycoming Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1800 0 0 Warren County, Pennsylvania formed from Allegheny and Lycoming Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1800 0 0 Warren County, Pennsylvania formed from Allegheny and Lycoming Counties. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1781 0 0 Washington County, Pennsylvania formed from Westmoreland County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1798 0 0 Wayne County, Pennsylvania formed from Northampton County. Everton gives a 1796 formation date. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1773 0 0 Westmoreland County formed from Bedford County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1842 0 0 Wyoming County, Pennsylvania formed from Luzerne County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]
1749 0 0 York County, Pennsylvania formed from Lancaster County. [The Handybook for Genealogists, United States of America;, 8th Edition, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah.] [County Courthouse Book, compiled by Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1990.]


Timeline created by Karon M. Bosze, 1993 and revised 1996.
E-mail: [email protected] 
Home Page: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/karon_bosze


Date conventions used: due to current limitations in the date field, if a county was formed in the January to March timeframe (before 1752 when the old style dates were in effect in the British colonies), the earlier year is used. And often the date given is the legislative enactment date.

These files may be distributed via electronic media, IF AND ONLY IF, distributed free of charge.
Copyright © 1997, 1998 by Karon M. Bosze. All rights reserved.


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Last Updated: 12 Nov 1999
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