McKean County Archives - Pennsylvania Genealogy

The Johnson Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

This genealogy traces the Johnson family from Captain Edward Johnson, an early New England settler, through successive generations to the Bradford, Pennsylvania branch. It follows the family’s migration from Massachusetts and Vermont into Pennsylvania, highlighting descendants who served as farmers, civic leaders, ministers, and military officers, including Lieutenant Ezekiel Thomas Johnson, a Civil War veteran and later Bradford oil businessman. The article also connects the Johnsons with the Sawyer, Rogers, and Bayley families, showing the interwoven New England roots that shaped the family’s history. Along the way, it records marriages, children, and notable public service across multiple generations.

The Holmes Family of Smethport, Pennsylvania

Old town hall, Allegheny City, torn down in 1863

The surname Holmes is of ancient English origin and most of the American families of the name are descended from three brothers, emigrants, who came to New England before 1650. (I) Francis Holmes Francis Holmes, immigrant ancestor of the line following, was an inhabitant of Stamford, Connecticut, as early as 1648. His will dated September 6, 1671, is recorded in Fairfield, Connecticut. In it he mentions wife Ann and four children. Children of Francis and Ann Holmes (II) John Holmes John, second child of Francis Holmes, was born in England. He married, 1659, Rachel Waterbury, of Stamford; ten children. Children … Read more

The Green Family of Smethport, Pennsylvania

This genealogy traces the Green family from its English origins to settlement in Pennsylvania, focusing on William A. Green and his descendants in Smethport and nearby communities. It outlines William’s arrival in the United States in 1872, his work and family life, and the later career of his son Samuel Green as a carpenter, contractor, and community member in McKean County. The account also connects the Greens to the Taylor and Provin families through marriage, recording children, residences, occupations, and other family relationships across several generations, with many descendants moving to Pennsylvania, Washington, Illinois, and other states.

The Corwin Family of Smethport, Pennsylvania

This genealogy traces the Corwin line from Matthias Corwin, who came from England to New England in the 1630s and settled on Long Island, through successive generations that remained prominent in Southold and later in Pennsylvania. It follows the family’s movement from colonial Long Island to McKean County, highlighting farmers, carpenters, merchants, and Revolutionary War service. The account gives details on marriages, children, property ownership, military experiences, and local civic life, with special attention to Benjamin Corwin of Smethport and his descendants, including Franklin Corwin and Ghordis Burdette Corwin.

The VanDyke Family of Smethport, Pennsylvania

This genealogical sketch traces the VanDyke family from its Dutch origins and early American tradition to several generations in northwestern Pennsylvania. It follows Augustus VanDyke and his descendants, including machinist Abram VanDyke and his children, many of whom lived in Bradford, Oil City, Kane, and nearby towns. The article also profiles Rev. William Elmer VanDyke, whose career led from store clerk and supply company manager to Episcopal ministry, including service in Smethport, Kane, Pittsburgh, and Osceola Mills. Alongside family marriages, occupations, and children, the piece preserves a detailed record of the family’s ties to local history and church life.

The Gleason Family of Smethport, Pennsylvania

This genealogical sketch traces the Gleason line associated with Smethport, Pennsylvania, beginning with early New England ancestry and moving through Amos Gleason and his son Ira Sylvenus Gleason, who established the family’s presence in McKean County. It describes Ira’s harness business, civic service, and church involvement, then follows his son Ralph Corwin Gleason, a photographer and local official. The article also details Ralph’s marriage into the Ryan family, including the military service and New England roots of Harriet Marsh Ryan. In addition, it presents a substantial Stanton lineage, linking the family to colonial Connecticut, frontier settlement, and later migration into Pennsylvania.

The Sherman Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

This genealogical account traces the Sherman family from its German and English roots through successive generations in New England and beyond, beginning with Henry Sherman of Dedham, England, and following descendants who settled in Watertown, Massachusetts, and later Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania. It highlights the family’s early civic, military, and clerical service, including Roger Sherman, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and later descendants such as Sergeant Edmond James Sherman and Edward Roger Sherman. The article concludes with the Bradford, Pennsylvania branch, describing Edward Roger Sherman’s Civil War service, public roles, business career, and family connections.

The Stewart and Richmond Families of Smethport, Pennsylvania

This article traces the ancestry of the Stewart and Richmond families from England and Scotland to Canada and Pennsylvania, then follows their descendants through several generations. It outlines the life of William Stewart of Ontario and his children, including Mary Sarah Stewart, who later married Thomas Franklin Richmond of Smethport, Pennsylvania. The Richmond line is explored in detail, linking local family history to earlier generations in McKean County and New England. The piece also highlights Thomas Franklin Richmond’s education, legal career, public service, fraternal memberships, and reputation in Smethport, while preserving the broader family connections across Canada, the Midwest, and the western United States.

The Lillibridge Family of Eldred, Pennsylvania

This genealogy traces the Lillibridge family from Rhode Island roots to early settlement in McKean County, Pennsylvania, beginning with Lodowick Lillibridge and his marriage to Anna Carpenter Stanton. It follows several generations through Elias Lillibridge, a farmer and lumberman in Port Allegany, and his son Wilbur Stanton Lillibridge, who later served as a mail carrier and local official. The narrative culminates with Charles Wesley Lillibridge, a teacher and county superintendent of schools in McKean County, and includes family connections through marriage, children, occupations, church affiliation, and civic service, offering a detailed portrait of one Pennsylvania family over multiple generations.

The Specht Family of Smethport, Pennsylvania

This genealogy traces the Specht family’s German origins and their establishment in Smethport, Pennsylvania, beginning with cabinetmaker William Specht, who emigrated in 1851 and built a successful furniture and undertaking business. It follows his marriage to Elizabeth Heinemann and the career of their son, William Frederick Specht, whose varied work in railroading, merchandising, and insurance was matched by long public service and active involvement in Masonic organizations. The article also connects the family through the Brownell line, detailing several generations of ancestry from colonial Rhode Island to McKean County, and showing the kinship that linked the Spechts to the Brownell family of Smethport.