Description
Artificial Index for Adoptions prior to Orphans' Court be charged with the adoption responsibilities. Information includes name of petitioner; original court year/term/case number; and whether petition granted or refused. Matches Prothonotary's Appearance Docket entries, but often petition heard in a different court year/term. Prior to 1925 Adoptions were recorded with the Prothonotary's Office and were public records.
Note: PA State assigns Adoptions to the Orphans' Court in 1925. However, an early adoption record found is in Orphans' Court Docket #20 page 407 for case papers 1876 April Term #110. It is for the adoption of Laura Alice Humes by William H. Fessler. Some adoptions after 1925 maybe recorded in Prothonotary's Appearance Dockets during transition. Juvenile Probation also has adoption information in their files starting around 1923.
Arrangement: chronological by court year/term/case number.
Index: This is more of a chronological listing by court year/term/case number.
Related Records: SEE Prothonotary Volumes: Adoption Index 1882-1925 for the Index.
RESTRICTION: None.