Over 1,500 reels of microfilm may be found in the Pennsylvania Room’s collection. From local newspapers to government records, these reels capture many different facets of Fayette County’s history, and a large portion of the material has not yet been digitized.
At present, two microfilm machines are available for viewing the film, including a ScanPro digital microfilm machine. Printed copies are 50 cents each. Visitors are also welcome to bring flash drives / portable hard drives to scan items from microfilm at no cost.
Below is a general overview of our holdings. If you have any questions about our microfilm collection, please contact us at (724) 437-1165 or [email protected].
Newspapers
Available in the PA Room: Uniontown newspapers dating from 1805 to about 6 months ago. These publications include The Genius of Liberty, The Republican Standard, The Morning Herald, The Evening Standard, The Herald Standard, and others. A limited run of the Brownsville Clipper is available from 1899 to 1912. More recent newspapers are held in hard copy until the microfilm is received.
*Some local publications, like the Morning Herald, Evening Standard, and Daily Courier have been digitized on subscription websites like Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com.
Birth Records
What is available in Fayette County?
Births were recorded by the county from 1893 – 1905. These records are available in the Pennsylvania Room on microfilm and at the Courthouse.
Also available are “delayed birth records,” which were filed by individuals who did not have their births registered and needed proof in order to collect Social Security. These records can be found on microfilm in the Pennsylvania Room or at the Courthouse. While the state did require registrations of births from 1852-1855, the book from Fayette County is missing and no microfilm of it exists.
Beginning in 1906, the state began recording births. A limited number of these records are available on Ancestry.com. Those that have not yet become public records are held by the PA Department of Health.
What can I learn from a birth record?
Birth records may note your ancestor’s date and place of birth, the names and occupations of their parents, and their parents’ current residence, among other information.
My ancestor was born in Fayette County prior to 1893. How can I find information on their birth?
Researchers often seek out church records, tombstones, and family bibles to determine a date of birth.
Marriage Records
What is available in Fayette County?
From 1852 – 1855, the state required registrations of marriages. Not many people complied, but some records are available in the Pennsylvania Room on microfilm and at the Courthouse.
Marriages were recorded by the county from 1885 – present. These records are available in the Pennsylvania Room on microfilm from 1885 – 1916 and in full at the Courthouse. They are also available on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
What can I learn from a marriage record?
Marriage records typically offer a significant amount of information about both the bride and groom, including the couple’s ages, residences, occupations, parents’ names, and previous marriages. The date of marriage and the name of whoever performed the ceremony is usually also available.
My ancestor got married in Fayette County prior to 1885. How can I find information on their marriage?
Researchers often seek out church records and family bibles for marriage information. If your ancestor came from a family who was prominent in the area, a marriage announcement may also have been published in the local newspaper.
Death Records
What is available in Fayette County?
From 1852 – 1855, the state required registrations of deaths. Not many people complied, but some records are available in the Pennsylvania Room on microfilm and at the Courthouse.
Deaths were recorded by the county from 1893 – 1905. These records are available in the Pennsylvania Room on microfilm and at the Courthouse.
Beginning in 1906, the state began recording deaths. Many of these records are available on Ancestry.com. Those that have not yet become public records are held by the PA Department of Health.
What can I learn from a death record?
Death records may note your ancestor’s age, place of birth, marital status, occupation, date of death, cause of death, parents’ names (particularly when the deceased is a child, but occasionally for adults), and place of interment.
My ancestor died in Fayette County prior to 1893. How can I find information on their death?
Researchers often seek out church records, tombstones, and family bibles to determine a date of death. You might also consider looking for an obituary, will, or Orphan’s Court record. The “Mortality Schedules” done with each census between 1850 and 1880 may also prove helpful; they report deaths from the previous year.
Probate Records
Available in the PA Room: Wills dating from the late 1700s to 1917 and Orphans Court records dating to 1856. The index reels for both of these resources extend beyond the range of actual records that we have on microfilm. (For example, our index reel for the wills extends to 1949, but we only have the actual wills to 1917.) The originals, as well as more recent records, are held at the Courthouse. Some are now available on Ancestry.com.
Landownership Records
Available in the PA Room: A range of Fayette County deed and mortgage records dating from the late 1700s through the mid-1800s. Indexes to these records are also available on microfilm. The originals, as well as more recent records, are held at the Courthouse.
Tax Records
Available in the PA Room: A range of Fayette County tax records dating from the late 1700s through the mid-1800s. (For a complete list of our holdings, please visit our Tax Records page.) The originals, as well as more recent records, are held at the Courthouse.
Census Records
Available in the PA Room: The U.S. Census for the state of Pennsylvania (or in later years, only Fayette County) from 1790 to 1940, excluding the “lost year” of 1890. These are arranged by townships, so it is helpful to know where the person you’re seeking was living. For 1790 to 1870, printed indices are available on-site. These records are also available on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
Miscellaneous Records
A limited number of reels include records such as local mortgages, the 1798 Direct Tax, the 1890 United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, and other miscellaneous materials.