History: History of Courts in Pennsylvania

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Carol Hepburn (chepburn@cox.net)

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History of Courts in Pennsylvania by Carol Hepburn

A Brief History of PA Courts, follows, outlines the development of the 
ennsylvania Court system - good information on what court records to 
search for genealogical information. 

For general information including how to obtain copies of court records, 
specifically: Orphan's Court (1682 to present), Court of Quarter Sessions 
of the Peace (1722 to present), and the Court of Common Plea's (1722 to present), 
please contact the Somerset County Court House. Note: For information on obtaining 
records prior to 1795 - see the Bedford County, PAGenWeb website. 

Clerk of the Courts
Somerset County Court House
111 E. Union St.
Somerset, PA 15501-1416
Telephone: 814-445-1453


Orphan's Court, see also: Additional information regarding Adoption searching in 
Pennsylvania can be obtained through the PA Adoption Search Menu hosted by Sue Romberger. 

Courts in PA
Date Name of Court Description 
1682 - 1722 County Courts  Original three counties - later called the provincial court. 
Dealt with equity and estate issues, civil and criminal matters - no capital crimes. 
The justices of the court also oversaw the orphan's court procedings.  

1682 to Present Justice of the Peace courts  Justice of the peace courts were 
established for each township. They nolonger exist in some counties. Types of records: Marriage  

1682 to Present Orphan's Courts  Dealt with orphan, guardianship and estate issues.  

1684-1722 Provincial Court  Dealt with appeals from inferior courts, civil matters and criminal issues.  

1697-1789 Admiralty Court  Dealt with issues of navigation and trade. In 1789 was 
turned over to federal courts.  

1700 - 1780 Court for Trial of Negroes  Established in each county. Tried cases dealing with 
Negroes accused of committing crimes. Court was abolished in 1780.  

1720 - 1735 Court of Chancery/Equity  Short lived court - little records exist.  

1722 - Present Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace  Criminal case entries, roads, 
appointment of civil officials, and tavern and peddler license issues.  

1722 - Present Court of Common Pleas  Countywide jurisdiction over criminal and civil 
cases including real estate, bankruptcy, tax collection, naturalization, and divorce.  

1722 - Present Supreme Court  Replaced the provincial court. Divided into districts for 
eastern, middle, northern, and western areas.  
1811 - 1873 District Court  Essentially a court of the common pleas. Abolished in 1873.  

1895 - Present Superior Court  Intermediate Appelate court.  

1903 - Present Juvenile Court  Established in 1903 to administer offenses committed by 
children under the age of 16.