Archive Record
Metadata
Title of Record Series |
Veteran Death Records |
Year Range from |
1933 |
Year Range to |
1960 |
Collection/Office |
Commissioner |
Catalog Number |
CO-6 |
Description |
Military service records compiled from death certificates by the State Bureau of Vital Statistics. Forms were sent to the County Commissioners and provide name of deceased veteran, age, date of death, place of burial, name/address of funeral director, file number of death certificate, branch of service, name of war, military organization and rank, date enlisted, date discharged, character of discharge, if wounded in action, months overseas, and name of informant. The majority of the records are for World War I and World War II veterans with some from the Korean War. Also includes correspondence from Vital Statistics Bureau to the County Commissioners listing soldiers that died each month (arranged separately). |
Finding Aids |
No index with records. Compiled index available on archives website: www.co.lancaster.pa.us/archivesdivision |
Admin/Biographical History |
Beginning in 1722, the Office of County Commissioner was a three year elected term consisting of three members. Since this time Commissioners were given additional duties which originally belonged to the court system. The statute which created Lancaster in 1729 provided for two persons to be chosen as commissioners for raising taxes and levies. The Commissioner's office is also responsible for the building and maintenance of all County bridges. Through the early twentieth century this office was required to furnish bounties for the destruction of all undesirable wild animals. Some of their earliest responsibilities were caring for the poor, providing polling places, and securing appropriate taxes. The Commissioner's Minutes detail some of the earliest duties performed during the establishment of Lancaster County in the early eighteenth century. |