Estate Records, 1781-1796 & Deed Records 1782-1785
of Washington County, Pennsylvania

Estate Records – {The following article taken from Estate Records, 1781-1796 & Deed Records 1782-1785 of Washington County, Pennsylvania.} Before the formation of Washington County, PA. in 1781 the main sources for estates for the region are in Westmoreland County and Yohogania County, VA. A few earlier records may be found at Wheeling, WV; Morgantown, WV; Bedford, PA; and Carlisle, PA. Both Virginia and Pennsylvania claimed the region and established courts. Permanent settlements began about the year 1770.

Washington County in 1781 included all of Pennsylvania south of the Ohio and west of the Monongahela River – present Washington and Greene Counties with parts of Allegheny and Beaver. Mary Ellison Wood has abstracted the wills of Washington County, 1781-1811.

Washington County Historical Society, 49 East Maiden St., Washington, PA 15301. 724.225.6740
Web site - www.wchspa.org
E-mail: info@wchspa.org
Focus, Editor, Joyce Mullen

The newsletter includes articles on the people and places of Washington County history. You can check their web site for upcoming events and details on programs, events and speakers. Frontier History Center Update – Site preparation work has already begun on the Fort History Center. The new trail has been cleared and groundwork has begun on what will be the fort and parking areas. The interior of the log cabin has been cleared and plans have been finalized for all stage of the completed project. The next time you travel to Washington Park, stop by the new site.

Researching Military Ancestors from Washington County, PA – {The following information was shared by James Baxter, a chapter member who is researching ancestors in Washington Co.} Jim made a trip to the Washington Co., PA County Courthouse on July 1, 2005 with some friends. He was seeking information on a veteran believed to have been in Washington County. Here is the process in which a researcher should follow in order to have success locating an ancestor’s military record as of 2007.

• The Washington County Law Library is your first stop. The woman that works in the law office is very helpful and knowledgeable about the records. There you will find the:

1. WPA maps (veteran map locator)
2. Veterans Grave Registration (3 volumes in alphabetical order) where you obtain the name of your veteran, war served in, page # and block #, all needed to receive desired records.

• Once this information is located, you will then go to the Veteran’s Affairs Office, 100 West Beau St., Suite 703, Washington, PA 15301 where you obtain a "release" for this veteran’s record. Then you must go to the Recorder’s Office to request discharge records and grave registration information. The Recorder’s Office WILL NOT give you this information without first going to the Veteran’s Affairs Office.
• The Director of Veteran’s Affairs, Harry Wilson, 724.228.6872. The Veteran’s Office MUST request a "Release of this information" for you to obtain the veteran’s records.