Greene County, Pennsylvania Archives Project
WHERE ARE THE ORIGINAL RECORDS?
Orphans’ Court / Clerk of Courts office
10 East High Street, Room 103
Greene County Courthouse
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania 15370
Phone: 724-852-5282
Web site: www.co.greene.pa.us/department-clerk-of-courts
Physical records exist in two formats: Docket Books and original Paper Files. Not all paper files have survived to present day. Some were checked out by attorneys in the past and never returned, others have been lost or destroyed over the last 200 years. However, paper files that are still intact may provide valuable additional details, handwritten signatures, maps, exhibits, and so on.
ONLINE RESOURCES:
Greene County, Pennsylvania Orphans’ Court records are currently being digitized for preservation and access. Most digital records must still be viewed in the office; however, the very oldest Docket Books are also online, as follows:
ABOUT THE RECORDS (courtesy of Chester County, PA Archives):
“Orphans’ court is a valuable but under-utilized source for genealogical information. Many people are confused by the name of the court, as its duties extend beyond caring for children. Orphans’ court is a county court. It has additional duties now, but the court’s earlier jurisdiction fell into 3 general categories: guardianship of minor children, the sale or division of real estate out of a decedent’s (deceased person’s) estate, and the confirmation and auditing of estate accounts. Orphans’ court records should always be checked when working with probate records.
There are two types of orphans’ court files: