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 | ===Births===  |  | ===Births===  | 
 | *'''1520-1999''' {{RecordSearch|4138679|Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Births and Baptisms, 1520-1999}} at FamilySearch - [[Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images  |  | *'''1520-1999''' {{RecordSearch|4138679|Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Births and Baptisms, 1520-1999}} at FamilySearch - [[Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images  | 
 | *'''1675-1875''' {{FSC|555301|item|disp=Complete Name Index to ''Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''}} at FamilySearch Catalog(*) microfilm 1597740 Item 6; {{WorldCat|866538853|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}};<ref>The original collections may be viewed at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, per [https://genpa.org/public-collections/surname-index-to-gsp-manuscripts-collections/ Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania]. Viewed 4/7/2025</ref>  |  | *'''1675-1875''' {{FSC|555301|item|disp=Complete Name Index to ''Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''}} at FamilySearch Catalog(*) microfilm 1597740 Item 6; {{WorldCat|866538853|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}};<ref>The original collections may be viewed at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, per [https://genpa.org/public-collections/surname-index-to-gsp-manuscripts-collections/ Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. Viewed 4/7/2025</ref>  | 
 | *'''1709-1950''' {{RecordSearch|1681005|Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950}} at FamilySearch — [[Pennsylvania Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index    |  | *'''1709-1950''' {{RecordSearch|1681005|Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950}} at FamilySearch — [[Pennsylvania Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index    | 
 | *'''1791-1815''' {{FSC|271764|item|disp=Old German Midwife's Records, 1791-1815}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images<ref>The originals are at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.</ref>  |  | *'''1791-1815''' {{FSC|271764|item|disp=Old German Midwife's Records, 1791-1815}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images<ref>The originals are at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.</ref>  | 
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 | ''Restrictions:''<br>  |  | ''Restrictions:''<br>  | 
 | *Birth records 105 years and older are public records  |  | *Birth records 105 years and older are public records  | 
 | *Death records 50 years and older are public records<ref>[https://www.google.com/search?q=years+of+laws+for+pennsylvania+vital+records+&sca_esv=dae00c36fa947bf4&sxsrf=AHTn8zq5xKgIGH2oEhlLokFlLyE_nOAljw%3A1742946092903&ei=LD_jZ-n1Nv65kPIP1NnjuA0&ved=0ahUKEwjpu-uVtKaMAxX-HEQIHdTsGNcQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=years+of+laws+for+pennsylvania+vital+records+&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiLXllYXJzIG9mIGxhd3MgZm9yIHBlbm5zeWx2YW5pYSB2aXRhbCByZWNvcmRzIDIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRirAjIFECEYqwIyBRAhGJ8FMgUQIRifBTIFECEYnwVI1YIBULYWWM11cAJ4AJABAJgBgQGgAdINqgEEMy4xM7gBA8gBAPgBAZgCEaACtA3CAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHwgIHECMYsAIYJ8ICCBAAGIAEGKIEwgIIEAAYogQYiQXCAgoQIRigARjDBBgKwgIIECEYoAEYwwTCAgUQABjvBZgDAIgGAZAGBpIHBDQuMTOgB_ZVsgcEMi4xM7gHqg0&sclient=gws-wiz-serp ''Vital Statistics Law of 1953''] PA General Assembly. access March 25, 2025</ref>    |  | *Death records 50 years and older are public records<ref>[https://www.google.com/search?q=years+of+laws+for+pennsylvania+vital+records+&sca_esv=dae00c36fa947bf4&sxsrf=AHTn8zq5xKgIGH2oEhlLokFlLyE_nOAljw%3A1742946092903&ei=LD_jZ-n1Nv65kPIP1NnjuA0&ved=0ahUKEwjpu-uVtKaMAxX-HEQIHdTsGNcQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=years+of+laws+for+pennsylvania+vital+records+&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiLXllYXJzIG9mIGxhd3MgZm9yIHBlbm5zeWx2YW5pYSB2aXRhbCByZWNvcmRzIDIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRirAjIFECEYqwIyBRAhGJ8FMgUQIRifBTIFECEYnwVI1YIBULYWWM11cAJ4AJABAJgBgQGgAdINqgEEMy4xM7gBA8gBAPgBAZgCEaACtA3CAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHwgIHECMYsAIYJ8ICCBAAGIAEGKIEwgIIEAAYogQYiQXCAgoQIRigARjDBBgKwgIIECEYoAEYwwTCAgUQABjvBZgDAIgGAZAGBpIHBDQuMTOgB_ZVsgcEMi4xM7gHqg0&sclient=gws-wiz-serp ''VITAL STATISTICS LAW OF 1953''] PA General Assembly. access March 25, 2025</ref>    | 
 | *Marriage records in Pennsylvania are public, though specific details like Social Security numbers are restricted from view<ref>[https://www.google.com/search?q=restrictions+for+ordering+marriage+records+in+pennsylvania&sca_esv=dae00c36fa947bf4&sxsrf=AHTn8zr7V6AgUnPVn_thaISpq0G5Xza_Aw%3A1742946448313&ei=kEDjZ-PsEtjKkPIP4_a52Qw&ved=0ahUKEwjj9Ke_taaMAxVYJUQIHWN7LssQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=restrictions+for+ordering+marriage+records+in+pennsylvania&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiOnJlc3RyaWN0aW9ucyBmb3Igb3JkZXJpbmcgbWFycmlhZ2UgcmVjb3JkcyBpbiBwZW5uc3lsdmFuaWEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYqwIyBRAhGJ8FMgUQIRifBTIFECEYnwUyBRAhGJ8FSKyFAlAAWMXxAXADeACQAQCYAesBoAGCLKoBBzEwLjQwLjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAiqgAtsjwgIHECMYsAIYJ8ICBxAAGIAEGA3CAgoQIRigARjDBBgKwgIIECEYoAEYwwTCAggQABiABBiiBMICBRAAGO8FwgIIEAAYogQYiQXCAgQQIRgKmAMAkgcGMy4zOC4xoAfs9QGyBwYwLjM4LjG4B9Aj&sclient=gws-wiz-serp Google AI Overview] in response to query "restrictions for ordering marriage records in pennsylvania", accessed 25 March 2025</ref>  |  | *Marriage records in Pennsylvania are public, though specific details like Social Security numbers are restricted from view<ref>[https://www.google.com/search?q=restrictions+for+ordering+marriage+records+in+pennsylvania&sca_esv=dae00c36fa947bf4&sxsrf=AHTn8zr7V6AgUnPVn_thaISpq0G5Xza_Aw%3A1742946448313&ei=kEDjZ-PsEtjKkPIP4_a52Qw&ved=0ahUKEwjj9Ke_taaMAxVYJUQIHWN7LssQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=restrictions+for+ordering+marriage+records+in+pennsylvania&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiOnJlc3RyaWN0aW9ucyBmb3Igb3JkZXJpbmcgbWFycmlhZ2UgcmVjb3JkcyBpbiBwZW5uc3lsdmFuaWEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYqwIyBRAhGJ8FMgUQIRifBTIFECEYnwUyBRAhGJ8FSKyFAlAAWMXxAXADeACQAQCYAesBoAGCLKoBBzEwLjQwLjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAiqgAtsjwgIHECMYsAIYJ8ICBxAAGIAEGA3CAgoQIRigARjDBBgKwgIIECEYoAEYwwTCAggQABiABBiiBMICBRAAGO8FwgIIEAAYogQYiQXCAgQQIRgKmAMAkgcGMy4zOC4xoAfs9QGyBwYwLjM4LjG4B9Aj&sclient=gws-wiz-serp Google AI Overview] in response to query "restrictions for ordering marriage records in pennsylvania", accessed 25 March 2025</ref>  | 
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 | '''County Courthouses'''<br>  |  | '''County Courthouses'''<br>  | 
 | *Prior to 1906, Pennsylvania births and deaths were recorded only sporadically by the counties and some cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.<ref>[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives/research-online/vital-statistics-records.html ''Vital Statistics Records''] ibid.</ref>  |  | *Prior to 1906, Pennsylvania births and deaths were recorded only sporadically by the counties and some cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.<ref>[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives/research-online/vital-statistics-records.html ''Vital Statistics Records''] ibid.</ref>  | 
 | *Births, marriages, and deaths were recorded by the Clerk of Orphans Court at each county courthouse.<ref>[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives/research-online/vital-statistics-records.html Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission], accessed 3/25/2025</ref><ref>[https://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/5828/Marriage-Records ''Guide to Marriage Records''] by Chester County Archives, accessed 25 March, 2025</ref>  |  | *Births, marriages, and deaths were recorded by the Clerk of Orphans Court at each county courthouse.<ref>[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives/research-online/vital-statistics-records.html Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, accessed 3/25/2025</ref><ref>[https://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/5828/Marriage-Records ''Guide to Marriage Records''] by Chester County Archives, accessed 25 March, 2025</ref>  | 
 | *List of [https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/orphans-court-clerks County Orphans Court Clerks]  |  | *List of [https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/orphans-court-clerks County Orphans Court Clerks]  | 
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 | ''See also:''<br>  |  | ''See also:''<br>  | 
 |  | *[[Pennsylvania Guided Research|Pennsylvania Guided Research]]  | 
 | *[[Pennsylvania Law and Legislation#Vital Records Laws|Pennsylvania Vital Records Laws]]  |  | *[[Pennsylvania Law and Legislation#Vital Records Laws|Pennsylvania Vital Records Laws]]  | 
 | *[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  |  | *[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  | 
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 | 
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 | ==Strategies==  |  | ==Strategies==  | 
 | '''Tips for Using Vital Records'''<br>
  |  | 
 | *Certificate or record is not found:  |  | *Certificate or record is not found:  | 
 | #Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped  |  | #Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped  | 
 | #Search the towns and cities where the event took place. Also search surrounding counties to locate the document.  |  | #Search the towns and cities where the event took place. Also search surrounding counties to locate the document.  | 
 | #The record may not exist because of record loss at the the county courthouse. See Burned, Lost, or Missing Records below.  |  | #The record may not exist because of record loss at the the county courthouse. See [[Pennsylvania Vital Records#Burned, Lost, or Missing Records|Burned, Lost, or Missing Records]].  | 
 | #The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. See Substitute Records below  |  | #The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. [[Pennsylvania Vital Records#Substitute Records|Substitute Records]].  | 
 | *Examine the record to determine accuracy:  |  | *Examine the record to determine accuracy:  | 
 | #Person providing information may not remember events accurately  |  | #Person providing information may not remember events accurately  | 
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 | *Review the informant on the document:  |  | *Review the informant on the document:  | 
 | #Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record    |  | #Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record    | 
 | #See if records about the informant may have clues and evidence for your family    |  | #See if records about the informant may have clues about the family    | 
 | #Use the information as a clue, not a fact, until verified by other sources <br>  |  | #Verify vital information with other sources <br>  | 
 |    |  | <br>  | 
 |    |  | 
 | :''See also:''<br>  |  | :''See also:''<br>  | 
 | :* [[Pennsylvania Research Tips and Strategies]]  |  | :* [[Pennsylvania Research Tips and Strategies]]  | 
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 | :* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]  |  | :* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]  | 
 | 
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 |    |  | ===Burned, Lost, or Missing Records===  | 
 | '''Burned, Lost, or Missing Records?'''<br>
  |  | 
 | The following counties had record loss.  Click on the county for more information.<br>  |  | The following counties had record loss.  Click on the county for more information.<br>  | 
 | {| style="width:70%; vertical-align:top;"  |  | {| style="width:70%; vertical-align:top;"  | 
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 | *[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research]] for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.  |  | *[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research]] for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.  | 
 | 
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 |    |  | <br>  | 
 | '''Substitute Records'''<br>
  |  | ===Substitute Records===  | 
 | For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:  |  | For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:  | 
 | *[[Pennsylvania_Substitute Records|Pennsylvania Substitute Records]]  |  | *[[Pennsylvania_Substitute Records|Pennsylvania Substitute Records]]  |