How to Find Pennsylvania Death Records: Difference between revisions

Statewide registration for Pennsylvania deaths began in 1906. Prior to the state keeping death records counties kept death records beginning in 1893.  

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:<span style="font-size: 120%">'''Death Records'''</span>  

:<span style="font-size: 120%">Choose a time period:</span><br>

:*<span style="font-size: 120%">'''[[How to Find Pennsylvania Death Records#Deaths_1893-1905|1893-1905]]'''</span>  

:*<span style="font-size: 120%">'''[[How to Find Pennsylvania Death Records#Deaths_1906-1963|1906-1963]]'''</span>  

:*<span style="font-size: 120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Death Information|Death year unknown]]'''</span>

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Pennsylvania did not record deaths on a state level until 1906. Prior to 1906 some attempts were made to record deaths but these were usually done on the county level and not until about 1893. To determine a date of death for an individual church and cemetery records are the primary records to search. There are also [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|substitute records]] which can be searched when there is an absence of death records.  

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'''1852-1854''' - grouped by county and record type, then arranged by certificate number, these records of death were kept by the Register of Wills for each county with returns sent to the Department of State. These returns are available for 49 of the 64 counties existing at that time; however, they are not complete for each county. Digital images of the records along with a search capability are available at [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2487 www.ancestry.com]. Film copies of the birth records can also be found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.  

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For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases.  

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Prior to 1852 the state of Pennsylvania did not record statewide deaths. Search church, cemetery and probate records in the area where the individual died to determine the death date for an individual. You must search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|substitute records]] to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.  

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For addresses and phone numbers for Pennsylvania courthouses websites use this [http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/birth_certificates/14121/birth_and_death_events_prior_to_1906/608673 link].  

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Death records for this period are available to the public but there is no online index to search. To determine the death date for an individual in to order a death certificate search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|substitute records]].  

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:*[http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/death_and_fetal_death_certificates/14122/death_records_-_by_mail/556827 Division of Vital Records]<br>ATTN: Public Records<br>P.O. Box 1528<br>New Castle, PA 16103<br>Phone: (724) 656-3100<br>

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:*[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to Find United States Birth Records]]  

:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|Learn more about U.S. Death Records]]  

:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]]  

:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  

:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]  

:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]

[[Category:Pennsylvania_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How_to_articles]]