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Local Genealogy & First Families of Tuna Valley

We strive to provide you with answers to all your Bradford related questions. We accomplish this by drawing on a multitude of archives compiled by devoted individuals determined to preserve our remarkable history. It is our pleasure to be able to share these resources with you and hope that you will reciprocate when the situation allows.

See specific headings for details on our collections.

Your monetary gift helps us continue offering these services. All donations are sincerely appreciated and gratefully accepted.

If your information states a date prior to 1878 it may be referring to Bradford County. The City of Bradford is in McKean County.

FAMILY RESEARCHERS AND GENEALOGISTS, PLEASE TAKE NOTE:

Birth and Death indices are available on-line at: PA Birth and Death Records Indices

Local Genealogy

The Society is pleased to offer these and numerous other resources to aid in your genealogical research:

  • Surname files with information we have prepared in response to past inquiries from researchers.
  • Family histories and records donated to us.
  • First Families of the Tuna Valley collection, which preserves the history of the earliest settlers in the Bradford area.
  • Partial handwritten census lists for 1840, 1850, 1860 and 1870.
  • History of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter Counties dated 1890
  • Genealogy Northern PA dated 1913
  • Obituary Index compiled from The Bradford Era newspaper, published in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
  • Cemetery Headstone Index
  • Editions of The Bradford Era newspaper from 1888 through April 1946.
  • Bradford City Directories from 1879 through 1973
  • Telephone books dating from the 1950s to present-day for Bradford and surrounding areas.

If you have Bradford, McKean County, PA roots associated with the CORNELIUS surname, you'll definitely want to visit the following website:
CORNELIUS FAMILY HISTORY
(Obituaries, photos of people, cemeteries, gravestones by Robin DeRue. An abundance of information presented in an organized, pleasing arrangement. You might just find a connection.)

First Families of Tuna Valley Index

(A collection which preserves the history of the earliest settlers in the Bradford area.)

Bradford, PA Area Obituary Index

(Compiled from The Bradford Era newspaper, published in Bradford, Pennsylvania)

Cemetery Headstone Index

(Oak Hill, Littleton (Old Bradford Cemetery), St. Bernard Catholic, Willow Dale, Mckean Memorial Park)

Local Records

Russ Carson would like to purchase a Kendall stock certificate. If you have one to sell, please contact us.

When you have a need for historical information related to the City of Bradford, the following archives will assist in your search:

 

  • Files detailing clubs, organizations and society activities.
  • Files on subjects such as aviation, railroads, business and industries, churches, and schools.
  • City of Bradford Directories - 1879 up to 1973.
  • Birth and Death Record Index 1881-1905 for the City of Bradford.
  • Telephone Directories - 1940s through present.
  • Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps - 1886, 1890, 1905, 1911, 1925, 1931 (updated to 1946), 1931 (updated to 1950) and 1940.
  • Code of Ordinances for the City of Bradford.
  • City Limits magazines.
  • Historical Photos.
  • The Bradford Era newspapers 1888 through April 1946.
  • Special Editions of The Bradford Era newspaper.
  • Postcards.
  • Courant newspapers (published by Bradford Area High School Students)
  • Yearbooks for Bradford Area High School and Bradford Central Christian High School.
  • Books by local authors.
  • Bradford High School Graduates, 1881-1906, Alphabetically
  • Bradford High School Graduates, 1881-1906, By Year
Related Sites

Chamber of Commerce

Pennsylvania Birth & Death Certificates

Older Birth and Death Certificates are available at Ancestry.com:

  • If the Birth Certificate you are seeking is 105 years ago or more, or the Death Certificate you are seeking is 50 years ago or more, this page will give you information on indexes and finding the certificates at ancestry.com.

 

 

New York State Birth & Death Records information is available here.

Historial/Genealogical

Military History

  • McKean County Military History by Joel Gilfert is a magnificent compilation. An enormous amount of research has gone into this site. Thank you Joel!

Libraries

Newspapers

  • Bradford's local newspaper is THE BRADFORD ERA.
  • The OLEAN TIMES HERALD is located in nearby Olean, NY (Cattaraugus County).
  • Search Smethport, PA newspapers such as The Citizen, The McKean County Miner, McKean County Democrat, Settler & Pennon and others covering the years 1833 through 1978.

Recreation

  • The Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau has a multitude of ideas to help you enjoy the beauty of this area year-round. Be sure to investigate the possibilities.
  • Walk the Crook Farm Loop North Trail of the Tuna Valley Trail. Located along the west side of the Tunungwant Creek from Bolivar Drive to Tuna Crossroads. There is a graveled parking lot at the Crook Farm for walkers wishing to access the trail from Seaward Avenue.
  • The Kinzua Viaduct majestically spanned the Kinzua Valley for over a century before that fateful day of July 21, 2003. Let this site take you through that day, complete with animation.
  • Would you like to put that GPS to work in the Bradford area searching for geocaches? The Bradford Landmark Society has a cache named in its honor. Get the facts here.

Schools