WELLSBORO — The Tioga County Courthouse holds the history of the county and its people. Visitors there may catch a glimpse of the huge volumes in the Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts.
The heavy, white canvas bound books go from floor to ceiling on one wall, floor to countertop in the front. Inside, perfect copperplate cursive writing in faded ink records the lives and legal events dating back to the county’s early days.
The prothonotary is the chief clerk and record keeper for all filings related to criminal, civil and court cases.
In charge of those records is Marie Seymour, who began working there in 2008 before being elected to the post. She’s gained a reputation for precision, as well as protecting and maintaining those records.
“It’s almost got to be 100% accurate because these files are our history,” Seymour said. “Fifty years from now when someone is looking, it has to be right. That’s why it’s important to double check and make sure it’s correct and accurate like it should be.”
Most of those books are index books, listing each case, lien or action by name of the involved parties, along with where to find the record. The show their age and the number of hands that have opened them to look for information.
While some are nearly pristine, others have covers that are worn and show the metal binding beneath it. One or two have fallen apart and are belted around the center to keep the pages intact.
Since Tioga County’s founding in 1804, the office has housed scores of records in the first floor and the basement level below.
Now some of those records have been digitized so that those searching for information can find it online before coming to the Wellsboro office to look at the actual archive.
Seymour, the county prothonotary and clerk of courts, said the recent digitization completed a little less than half the books. She was able to digitize about 15,000 pages at 65 cents per page, or about $10,000 worth.
Completing the remaining books will require about another $12,000, or roughly 18,000 pages.
Plus, the office is able to do that without using taxpayer dollars.
The Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts is able to charge a small fee for all civil and family case filings. Those funds were held until they totaled $10,000 for the first part of the project, said Seymour.
The original books will not be discarded. Rather, they will be stored safely outside the courthouse in a climate-controlled building.
The ink on some of the pages, Seymour said, has faded, which may be difficult to read. In case there’s a question, the original book can be retrieved to double check the information.
In the early 1800s, the case files were logged in the index each quarter. That can result in confusion over when an event took place.
There’s a volume labeled “Lunatics.” Her office holds naturalization papers dating back to 1813. Those are a treasure trove for genealogists. Seymour recalls a group of women from Great Britain inspecting her records.
“They were so excited. They kept saying, ‘Oh, there’s another one,’” Seymour said.
There are adoption records and an entire wall of dull green metal drawers hold the financial statements of individuals who borrowed money.
Seymour is part history buff as well, relaying little known facts. In the 1800s, women could not file for divorce under any circumstances unless a male relative — father, brother, uncle — filed on her behalf to dissolve the union.
“I’m just so fascinated by everything here,” Seymour said. “People only know if they are involved in anything.”
The link to the index books should be live on the county website, www.tiogacountypa.us, in a few months, along with answers to frequently-asked questions.
“At least people can look here (on the website) and find what they’re looking for,” Seymour said. “We’re very excited to do this.”
This post was originally published on here
