Pennsylvania Vital Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Pennsylvania]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' '''Vital Records''' {{PA-sidebar}}
{{breadcrumb
=== Online Resources ===
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
 
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
*{{RecordSearch|1681005|Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950}} Index.
| link3=[[Pennsylvania, United States Genealogy|Pennsylvania]]
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2349 Pennsylvania, Births, 1852-1854] ($)
| link4=
*[http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/genealogy/3183/birth_indices/1962923 Pennsylvania State Archives Birth Index 1905-1909]. Requires log-in.
| link5=[[Pennsylvania Vital Records|Vital Records]]
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60484 Pennsylvania, Birth Records, 1906-1908], ($), index/images<br><br>
}}
 
<div style="width:23%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__
<center><span style="color: #cc9999">'''''Marriages'''''</span></center>
</div>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2081 American Marriages Before 1699] ($)
== Pennsylvania Vital Records Dates ==  
*{{RecordSearch|2466357|Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950}} — index and images<br>
{| class="wikitable" width="40%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2383 Pennsylvania, Marriage Records, 1700-1821] ($)
*{{RecordSearch|1681011|Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940}} Index.
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=j4UpsDxHI8YC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false Record of Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1810], e-book.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2486 Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1852-1854] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2521 U.S., Hochheimer Marriage Records, 1850-1900 (Jewish)] ($)
*{{RecordSearch|1589502|Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885 - 1950}} Index and Images.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2489 Pennsylvania, Records of Marriages, 1885-1889] ($)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150921032909/http://genpa.org/collections/browse/Marriage%20Indexes%20and%20Licenses Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Marriage Indexes and Licenses], index/images<br><br>
 
<center><span style="color: #cc9999">'''''Deaths'''''</span></center>
*[http://www.deathindexes.com/pennsylvania/ Online Pennsylvania Death Records, Indexes &amp; Obituaries], by county
*{{RecordSearch|1202535|United States Social Security Death Index - starts 1962}} Index.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3693 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60901 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007], incomplete, ($).
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2487 Pennsylvania, Deaths, 1852-1854] ($)
*[http://www.phmc.pa.gov/Archives/Research-Online/Pages/Death-Indices.aspx Pennsylvania State Archives Death Index, 1906-1964] Index is arranged by Soundex. Requires registration.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5164 Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2414 Pennsylvania, Oliver H. Bair Funeral Records Indexes, 1920-1980], ($), index/images<br><br>
 
<center><span style="color: #cc9999">'''''Births, Marriages, and Deaths'''''</span></center>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2451 Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 ]($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4640 Pennsylvania, Lutheran Baptisms and Marriages, 1773-1779], ($), index
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48382 Pennsylvania Vital Records, Vol. I] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48383 Pennsylvania Vital Records, Vol. II] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48607 Pennsylvania Vital Records, Vol. III] ($)
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2282148 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010], images/no index
*[http://www.idreamof.com/church/pa.html I Dream of Genealogy Pennsylvania Church Records]
*[http://ldsgenealogy.com/PA/ Pennsylvania Vital Records], statewide and by county
 
== Introduction to Vital Records ==  
 
[[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]] consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]] recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. [[Locating United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]&nbsp;has&nbsp;additional research guidance&nbsp;on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be&nbsp;purchased from&nbsp;the [http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/genealogy_requests/14125 Pennsylvania Vital Records State Department of Health] or the clerk of the orphans' court of the county where the event occurred. The Department of Health has birth and death certificates registered in Pennsylvania from 1906 to the present. For records prior to that date, contact the appropriate county. Marriage and divorce records are usually obtained from the courthouse in the county where the marriage license was issued or divorce decree was granted.
 
{| width="70%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| width="8%" align="center" | '''Government Registration'''
| width="44%" | __TOC__
| width="11%" bgcolor="#e7f8fe" align="center" | '''[[Pennsylvania Vital Records#Birth_Records|Births]]'''
| valign="middle" | <center>''' [[Image:Vital Records Collage.JPG|center|250px|Vital Records Collage.JPG]] '''<br></center>
| width="10%" bgcolor="#e7f8fe" align="center" | '''[[Pennsylvania Vital Records#Marriage_Records|Marriages]]'''
=== Vital Records Reference Dates  ===
| width="11%" bgcolor="#e7f8fe" align="center" | '''[[Pennsylvania Vital Records#Death_Records|Deaths]]'''
 
Pennsylvania's civil records start the following years:
 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
| width="16.6%" align="center" | <br>
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | [[How to Find Pennsylvania Birth Records|'''Birth''']]
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | [[How to Find Pennsylvania Marriage Records|'''County Marriages''']]
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | [[How to Find Pennsylvania Death Records|'''Death''']]
|-
|-
| width="8%" bgcolor="#e7f8fe" align="left" | '''County/Town'''
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | Earliest
| width="11%" align="center" | 1852-54, 1893
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1852-54, 1893  
| width="10%" align="center" | 1852-54, 1885
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1885, some in 1700s
| width="11%" align="center" | 1852-54, 1893
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1852-54, 1893
|-
|-
| width="8%" bgcolor="#e7f8fe" align="left" | '''Statewide Registration'''
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | Statewide Registration  
| width="11%" align="center" | January 1906  
| width="16.6%" align="center" | January 1906  
| width="10%" align="center" | None
| width="16.6%" align="center" |  
| width="11%" align="center" | January 1906
| width="16.6%" align="center" | January 1906
|-
|-
| colspan="4"*<br>|See [[Pennsylvania Vital Records#Coverage and Compliance|Coverage and Compliance]] for details
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | General Compliance
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1915
| width="16.6%" align="center" | <br>  
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1915
|}
 
<br>
 
|}
|}
<div style="clear:left"></div>


== Online Resources ==
=== For Philadelphia City and County Records ''[[Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania#Vital_Records|click here.]]''  ===
 
== Pennsylvania Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online ==
 
The following is a list of online resources useful for locating Pennsylvania Vital Records which consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]].&nbsp; Most online resources for Pennsylvania Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the informatio...] in the index.&nbsp;Pennsylvania legislation&nbsp;allows access to statewide death records 50 years and older and statewide birth records 105 years and older. Indexes to the records are available at the [http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/public_records/20686 Pennsylvania Department of Health] website. Additional online records include those kept by the various counties or cities of Pennsylvania. These records generally cover births and deaths from 1893-1905, before the state began its vital records program in 1906. Births, deaths and marriages were also officially recorded by the counties between 1851-1855. County marriages are then recorded from 1885 to the present. Some exceptions include city births or deaths beginning in 1803--as in the case of Philadelphia--or the 1870's--as in the case of Reading and Pittsburgh. Also, some city, township, or borough vital records overlap the state records for several years as late as the 1940's.
 
Those websites without a search box can be searched per page by using the CTRL + F function.
 
*Search {{RecordSearch|1589502|Pennsylvania County Marriages, 1885-1950}} at FamilySearch.org - free.
*Search {{RecordSearch|1681005|Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950}} at FamilySearch.org - free.
*Search {{RecordSearch|1681011|Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940}} at FamilySearch.org - free.
*Search the [http://www.ancestry.com/search/locality/dbpage.aspx?tp=2&p=41&categoryFilterID=34&showPaging=true Pennsylvania Birth, Marriage&nbsp;; Death] Records at Ancestry.com - $
*Search [http://usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives] for miscellaneous vital records collections - Free
*Check PaHR-Access' listing of [http://users.rcn.com/pahraccess/PaHR-Access-states.htm Vital Records Currently Available Online ]- Free
*Browse [http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r14-25RecordMarriages/r14-25MainInterface.htm Pennsylvania, Department of Internal Affairs, Record of Marriages, 1885-1889] - Free
*Search [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/deaths.htm Pennsylvania, Allegheny County USGenWeb Archives Deaths]: includes 1852-1854 - Free
*Search [http://rwills.co.berks.pa.us/geneology/ Pennsylvania, Berks County Register of Wills Indexes]: includes births and deaths 1893-1905, marriages 1885-present, City of Reading 1875-1905 - Free
*Search [http://www.joycetice.com/birth/bcbirths.htm Pennsylvania, Bradford County Birth Record Extracts, 1893-1905] - Free
*Search [http://www.joycetice.com/marriage/1885bradmarr01.htm#toc Pennsylvania, Bradford County Marriage Record Extracts, 1885-1911] - Free
*Search [http://www.joycetice.com/death/bcdeaths.htm Pennsylvania, Bradford County Death Record Extracts, 1893-1905] - Free
*Search [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/Births.htm Pennsylvania, Butler County Birth Record Extracts, 1893-1905] - Free
*Search [http://www.camgenpa.com/courthouse/marriage.html Pennsylvania, Cambria County Marriage Records Index, 1885-1920] - Free
*Search [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pacblack/interests/btwp_bir.html Pennsylvania, Cambria County, Blacklick Township Birth Extracts, 1908-1923] - Free
*Search [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pacblack/interests/btwp_dth.html Pennsylvania, Cambria County, Blacklick Township Death Extracts, 1908-1921] - Free
*Search [http://www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=1167 Pennsylvania, Chester County Archives Birth Index 1852-1855; 1893-1906; also delayed births 1857-1906]
*[http://www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=1165 Pennsylvania, Chester County Archives Deaths 1852-1855; 1893-1905; Proof of Death registers 1875-1893; Corner's records 1720-1957]
*[http://www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=1174 Pennsylvania, Chester County Archives Marriages 1852-1855; 1885-1930; Marriage Contracts, Separations, and Certificates, 1698-1890; Divorce records 1804-1902] - Free
*Search [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ Pennsylvania, Clearfield County USGenWeb Archives]: includes extracts and images, births and deaths 1893-1905, births 1852-1854, select marriages - Free
*Search [http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/vitals/deaths/dr185255.txt Pennsylvania, Cumberland County Death Record Abstracts, 1852-1855] - Free
*Search [http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/depts/archives.html Pennsylvania, Delaware County Archives Indexes]: includes births and deaths 1893-1905, marriages 1885-1929 - Free
*Search [http://usgwarchives.net/pa/fayette/vitals.htm Pennsylvania, Fayette County USGenWeb Archives]: select deaths 1893-1905 - Free
*Search [http://usgwarchives.net/pa/greene/ Pennsylvania, Greene County Vital Records Extracts]: births and deaths 1893-1915 - Free
*Search [http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/jefferson/vitals/1852marr01.txt Pennsylvania, Jefferson County Marriage Record Extracts, 1852-1855] - Free
*Search [http://paperless.co.lancaster.pa.us/viewerportal/portal.asp?cc=true Pennsylvania, Lancaster County Marriage Records Index, 1950-2010] - Free
*Search [http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/mckean/vitals/births/anni0001.txt Pennsylvania, McKean County, Annin Township Births, 1892-1905] - Free
*Search [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/mckean/marriages-digital.html Pennsylvania, McKean County Marriage Extracts and Images, select 1887-1947] - Free
*Search [http://webapp.montcopa.org/PSI/Viewer/Search.aspx?oq=Yz1NYXJyaWFnZUxpY2Vuc2VTZWFyY2g=&amp;rwocNav=%7C Pennsylvania, Montgomery County Marriage Records Index, 1990's-present] - Free
*Search [http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/northumberp/vitals.html Pennsylvania, Northumberland USGenWeb Archives]: partial marriage index - Free
*Search [http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/perry/vitals/drperry.txt Pennsylvania, Perry County Death Abstracts, 1852-1855] - Free
*Search [http://www.co.schuylkill.pa.us/info/Offices/ROW/Marriage/Combo/Lookup.csp Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County Marriage Records Index, 1885-1969] - Free
*Search [http://www.joycetice.com/birth/tiog1852.htm Pennsylvania, Tioga County Vital Records Abstracts, 1851-1854] - Free
*Search [http://www.joycetice.com/birth/tcbirths.htm Pennsylvania, Tioga County Birth Record Extracts, partial 1893-1905] - Free
*Search [http://www.yorkcountyarchives.org/records.asp Pennsylvania, York County Archives Indexes]: includes births and deaths 1893-1905, marriages 1885-1929 - Free
 
If you are aware of other online databases, please feel free to add them.
 
== Birth And Death Records  ==
 
=== Statewide Records of Births and Deaths  ===
 
Ancestry - $ has begun to place death certificates on their website and are available as follows:
 
:*Currently [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5164 1906-1963 Death Certificates] are available
 
Statewide registration of births and deaths began in January, 1906, and was generally complied with by 1915. You can obtain copies by writing to:
 
'''Division of Vital Statistics<br>'''Room 401 Central Building<br>101 South Mercer Street<br>New Castle, PA 16101<br>Phone: 1-877-PA-HEALTH or (724) 656-3100
 
'''[http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/genealogy/3183/birth_indices/1962923 Birth] and [http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/genealogy/3183/death_indices/1962924 Death] Indexes are available at the Pennsylvania State Archives website:'''<br>State your relationship to the individual you want information about and your reason. The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are available at the&nbsp;website for the [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/pennsylvania.htm Center for Disease Control] and Prevention (CDC) or at&nbsp;[http://www.vitalrec.com/ Vitalrec.com]. You can also write to the [http://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx#.VMGRb3u_Z41 Division of Vital Statistics] for current information.
 
'''Records at the Pennsylvania State Archives:'''<br>Currently birth certificates 1906 through 1911 and death certificates, 1906 through 1966 are available at the [[Pennsylvania State Archives|Pennsylvania State Archives]]. If you walk into the archives the certificates are only 50 cents per certificate. Certificates are limited to twenty per family per day.<br>
 
'''Other walk-in locations include:'''<br>[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/Erie.aspx#.Vo2Skb_0_y0 Erie]<br>[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/Harrisburg.aspx#.Vo2Stb_0_y0 Harrisbug]<br>[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/New%20Castle.aspx#.Vo2S0L_0_y0 New Castle]<br>[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/Pittsburgh.aspx#.Vo2S6r_0_y0 Pittsburgh]<br>[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/Scranton.aspx#.Vo2THb_0_y0 Scranton]<br>[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/Philadelphia.aspx#.Vo2TRL_0_y0 Philadelphia]<br>
 
'''Wiki articles describing online collections found at:'''<br>
 
*[[Pennsylvania Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Pennsylvania Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]<br>
*[[Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]<br>
*[[Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Deaths (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Deaths (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]<br>
*[[Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh City Deaths (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh City Deaths (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]<br>
 
=== Local Records of Births and Deaths  ===
 
The Register of [[Pennsylvania Probate Records|Wills]] in most counties kept records of births and deaths for the years 1852-1854. However, the practice stopped due to lack of compliance.
 
Counties began registering births and deaths in 1893. Some counties (Chester, Cumberland, Fulton) and the City of Philadelphia began about 1873 or before. Birth and death registration continued until the state took over the responsibility in 1906.
 
Vital records were also kept by some of the larger cities. The Family History Library has birth and death records on microfilm for the cities of Altoona, Harrisburg, Johnstown, McKeesport, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, Scranton, Wilkinsburg, Williamsport, and York.<br>
 
=== Other records include:  ===
 
*''Old German Midwife's Records, 1791-1815''. <ref>''Old German Midwife's Records, 1791-1815''. ({{FHL|271764|item}} film 383294) </ref>The originals are at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.&nbsp;
 
The Family History Library has ''Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Births, Marriages, and Deaths'' on File at the State Archives, 1852-1854. <ref>''Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Births, Marriages, and Deaths''. ({{FHL|283624|item}}films 1016403-408). </ref>The Family History Library does not have 1852-1854 records for the counties of Blair, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Lehigh, Monroe, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, and Union. Cameron, Lackawanna, and Snyder counties were formed after 1854.
 
*Pennsylvania. Governor. ''Death Warrants, 1794-1873''. <ref>''Death Warrants, 1794-1873''. ({{FHL|304019|item}} films 1016409-412) </ref>These records are warrants for the executions of convicted criminals.&nbsp;
 
*Funeral records issued by a funeral home include financial records (cost of casket, dressings, etc.), funeral cards given out at the time of the funeral, etc. These records usually give the name of the deceased, when and where buried, if shipped out to another funeral home, purchaser of cemetery plot, etc. The Family History Library has many records of funeral homes.
 
*''Complete Name Index to Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''. <ref>Santos, Carile. ''Complete Name Index to Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''. (Family History Library ({{FHL|607951|item}} film 1597740 item 6.) </ref>
 
*''Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''. <ref>Charles Adam Fisher. ''Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''. Reprint of 1947 edition; Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979 ({{FHL|282865|item}} Book 974.8 V2fi; film 1597740 item 6.) </ref>This book contains church and cemetery records as well as birth dates, many from sources never before published, in the counties of Berks, Juniata, Lebanon, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union. An index to this is:
 
*''Pennsylvania Vital Records From the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography.'' 3 vols. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. {{FHL|8392|item|disp=FHL Book 974.8 V2p}}. Includes most records of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths published in those magazines.
 
=== Delayed Registration of Birth Records  ===
 
Births before 1906 that were not registered at the time of the birth may have been registered beginning in 1941. To prove a birth, several witnesses were required to sign affidavits before the orphans' court which would then issue a birth certificate. Delayed registration of births began in various counties in different years, usually in 1941, and continued until about 1976.
 
The Registrar of Vital Statistics at the county seat. Write for information.
 
An example of delayed registration of births is ''Pennsylvania, Orphans' Court (Bucks County), Delayed Special Registration of Births and Index, 1941-1972''. <ref>''Pennsylvania, Orphans' Court (Bucks County), Delayed Special Registration of Births and Index, 1941-1972'' {{FHL|265163|titleno}}</ref>
 
The Family History Library. Microfilm records are available for all counties EXCEPT Carbon, Chester, Lehigh, Monroe, Pike, and Union.
 
== Marriage Records  ==
 
Pennsylvania counties recorded few civil marriage records before 1885. As a general rule to obtain records, make applications to the Marriage License Clerk, County Courthouse, in the county where licenses were issued.&nbsp;However, many marriages before then will be found in church records.<br>
 
*'''1885-1950''' - {{RecordSearch|1589502|Pennsylvania County Marriages, 1885-1950}} a very good site to start your research. However, not all of the counties have marriage records available to 1950 in this database.
 
Some earlier records have been published:
 
*'''Pre-1810''' - ''Record of Pennsylvania Marriages, Prior to 1810''. Digital versions at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2206 Ancestry.com ($)]; [https://books.google.com/books?id=j4UpsDxHI8YC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false] (vol. 2 only) - free.<ref>2 vols. 1880. Reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1968. ({{FHL|284981|item}} Book 974.8 V2r; fiche 6049248-9.) </ref>This was reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, volumes 8 and 9, and is mostly from church records.
 
*'''1684-1689''' - ''Marriage Register of Pennsylvania, 1684 to 1689''. <ref>''Marriage Register of Pennsylvania, 1684 to 1689''. ({{FHL|189466|item|disp=FHL film 20438 item 4}}.</ref>This contains mainly Quaker records in Philadelphia.
 
*'''1729-1763''' - Meier, Judith A. "Elopements and Other Miscreant Deeds of Women as Advertised in ''The Pennsylvania Gazette''," ''The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine'', Vol. 34, No. 3 (1986):201-227. For free online access, click [http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Source:Genealogical_Society_of_Pennsylvania._Pennsylvania_Genealogical_Magazine here]
 
*'''1742-1748''' - "Pennsylvania Marriage Licenses, 1742-1748," ''The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography,'' '''Dec 1742-May 1746:''' Vol. 39 (1915):176-185; '''Jun 1746-Dec 1747:''' Vol. 39 (1915):364-372; '''1748:''' Vol. 39 (1915):434-439. For free online access, see [http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Source:Historical_Society_of_Pennsylvania._Pennsylvania_Magazine_of_History_and_Biography here]
 
*'''1742-1790''' - ''Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790'' <ref>''Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790''. 1968. Reprint, Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 1968. ({{FHL|283258|item|disp=FHL Book 974.8 V2n; film 823832 item 2}}. Includes marriage licenses (mostly 1744 to 1776). This was reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, volume 2. </ref>. Digital versions at [http://books.google.com/books?id=onEFAAAAQAAJ Google Books] - free.


===Births===
*'''1748-1752''' - Jordan, Helen. "Pennsylvania Marriage Licenses, Issued by Governor Hamilton, 1748-1752," ''The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography,'' '''Surnames A-H:''' Vol. 32 (1907):71-87; '''Surnames H-J:''' Vol. 32 (1907):233-236; '''Surnames J-M:''' Vol. 32 (1907):345; '''Surnames M-Y:''' Vol. 32 (1907):471-486. For free online access, click [http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Source:Historical_Society_of_Pennsylvania._Pennsylvania_Magazine_of_History_and_Biography here]
*'''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>
*'''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>
*'''1852-1854''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2349 Pennsylvania Births, 1852-1854] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1852-1854''' {{FSC|283624|item|disp=Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1852-1854}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — index and images<ref>Full collection at the Pennsylvania State Archives. This FamilySearch Library collection does not include the counties of Blair, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Lehigh, Monroe, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, and Union. Cameron, Lackawanna, and Snyder counties were formed after 1854.</ref>
*'''1905-1915''' [http://www.phmc.pa.gov/Archives/Research-Online/Pages/Birth-Indices.aspx Birth Indices] at Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission — images
*'''1906-1914''' [http://www.phmc.pa.gov/Archives/Research-Online/Pages/Birth-Indices.aspx Pennsylvania State Archives Birth Index 1906-1914].
*'''1906-1915''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60484 Pennsylvania Birth Certificates, 1906-most currently released] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1941-1976''' {{RecordSearch|3743274|Pennsylvania Delayed Birth Records, 1941-1976}} at FamilySearch — [[Pennsylvania Delayed Birth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images


===Marriages===
*'''1755-1759''' - ''List of Marriage Licenses Issued in the Secretary's Office From August 1755 through April 1759''. <ref>Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 21 (1960): 312-27. </ref>See the [[Pennsylvania Periodicals|"Periodicals]]" page.
*'''Pre-1699''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2081 American Marriages Before 1699] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''Pre-1810''' ''Record of Pennsylvania Marriages, Prior to 1810,'' by Pennsylvania Archives. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1968. 2 v. {{FSC|284981|item|disp=FS Catalog fiche 6049248-9}}; {{WorldCat|866597903|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; '''''Online at:''''' [https://books.google.com/books?id=j4UpsDxHI8YC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false Google Books] (vol. 1 only)<ref>This was reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, volumes 8 and 9, and is mostly from church records.</ref>
*'''1512-1989''' {{RecordSearch|4138689|Pennsylvania Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Marriage Records, 1512-1989}} at FamilySearch — [[Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images; ''Also at: [https://search.findmypast.com/results/world-records/historical-society-of-pennsylvania-marriages Findmypast] ($)''
*'''1600s-1900s''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=pennsylvania US Marriages – Pennsylvania] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
*'''1626-2016''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=pennsylvania United States Marriages – Pennsylvania, 1626-2016] at Findmypast - index and some images ($)
*'''1677-1950''' {{RecordSearch|2466357|Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950}} at FamilySearch — [[Pennsylvania, Civil Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1684-1689''' {{FSC|189466|item|disp=Marriage register of Pennsylvania, 1684 to 1689}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images<ref>From records from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</ref>
*'''1700-1821''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2383 Pennsylvania, Marriage Records, 1700-1821] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1709-1940''' {{RecordSearch|1681011|Pennsylvania Marriages, 1709-1940}} at FamilySearch — [[Pennsylvania Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1775-1991''' {{RecordSearch|1589502|Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1775-1991}} at FamilySearch — [[Pennsylvania, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1823-Onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20625/pennsylvania-marriages?s=275764761 Pennsylvania Marriages] at MyHeritage — index ($)
*'''1845-1963''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61324 Pennsylvania County Marriages, 1845-1963] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1852-1854''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2486 Pennsylvania Marriages, 1852-1854] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1852-1854''' {{FSC|283624|item|disp=Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1852-1854}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — index and images<ref>Full collection at the Pennsylvania State Archives. This FamilySearch Library collection does not include the counties of Blair, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Lehigh, Monroe, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, and Union. Cameron, Lackawanna, and Snyder counties were formed after 1854. </ref>
*'''1885-1889''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2489 Pennsylvania Marriage Records, 1885-1889] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1885-1950''' {{RecordSearch|1589502|Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950}} at FamilySearch - [[Pennsylvania, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images<br>


===Deaths===
*'''1762-1768''' - "Pennsylvania Marriage Licenses, 1762-1768," ''The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography,'' Vol. 40 (1916):104-107; Vol. 40 (1916):208-221; Vol. 40 (1916):319-334; Vol. 40 (1916):436-457. For free online access, see [http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Source:Historical_Society_of_Pennsylvania._Pennsylvania_Magazine_of_History_and_Biography here]
*'''1720-1999''' {{RecordSearch|3535178|Pennsylvania Deaths and Burials, 1720-1999}} at FamilySearch - [[Pennsylvania Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1794-1873''' {{FSC|304019|item|disp=Death Warrants, 1794-1873}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images<ref>Pennsylvania. Governor. ''Death Warrants, 1794-1873''. These records are warrants for the executions of convicted criminals.</ref>
*'''1850-1880''' {{RecordSearch|3512181|Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880}} at FamilySearch - [[Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules- FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1852-1854''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2487 Pennsylvania Deaths, 1852-1854] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1852-1854''' {{FSC|283624|item|disp=Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1852-1854}}(*) at FamilySearch Catalog; — index and images<ref>Full collection at the Pennsylvania State Archives. This FamilySearch Library collection does not include the counties of Blair, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Lehigh, Monroe, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, and Union. Cameron, Lackawanna, and Snyder counties were formed after 1854.</ref>
*'''1856-1971''' {{RecordSearch|4138690|Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Deaths and Burials, 1856-1971}} at FamilySearch - [[Pennsylvania, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Deaths and Burials - Familysearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1906-1964''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10724/pennsylvania-death-index-1906-1964?utm_source=organic_blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=supersearch&tr_funnel=supersearch&tr_country=US&tr_creative=aug19historicalrecords&utm_content=aug19historicalrecords Pennsylvania Death Index, 1906-1964] at MyHeritage — index ($)
*'''1906-1969''' [http://www.phmc.pa.gov/Archives/Research-Online/Pages/Death-Indices.aspx Pennsylvania Death Index] at Pennsylvania State Archives - index
*'''1906-1971''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5164 Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-most currently released] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/historical-society-of-pennsylvania-deaths-and-burials Historical Society Of Pennsylvania, Deaths & Burials] at Findmypast — index & images ($)


===Divorce===
*'''1769-1776''' - "Pennsylvania Marriage Licenses, 1769-1776," ''The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography,'' Vol. 41 (1917):224-246; Vol. 41 (1917):334-358; Vol. 41 (1917):489-501. For free online access, see [http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Source:Historical_Society_of_Pennsylvania._Pennsylvania_Magazine_of_History_and_Biography here]
*See [[Pennsylvania Divorce Records|Pennsylvania Divorce Records]] for more resources.


==Print Publications==
*'''1784-1791''' - Rogers, Harry. "Marriage Bonds in the State Library, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania," ''The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography,'' Vol. 55, No. 3 (Jul. 1931):259-276. For free online access, see [http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Source:Historical_Society_of_Pennsylvania._Pennsylvania_Magazine_of_History_and_Biography here]. (mostly 1785-1786)
*''Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875,'' by Charles Adam Fisher. Reprint of 1947 edition; Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979. {{FSC|282865|item|disp=FS Catalog Book 974.8 V2fi; film 1597740 item 6}}<ref>This book contains church and cemetery records as well as birth dates, many from sources never before published, in the counties of Berks, Juniata, Lebanon, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union.</ref>
*''Genealogical abstracts of the Laws of Pennsylvania & the Statutes at large'', by Candy Crocker Livengood. Westminster, Maryland: Family Line Publications, c1990. {{FSC|408852|item|disp=FS Catalog book 974.8 P38L}}; {{WorldCat|22896734|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}<ref> "The Statutes at Large... [include] name changes, children being legitimized for inheritances, divorces and annulments,...." [and much much more.] "This book is a comprehensive abstraction of every name from every book beginning in 1683...." p. iii.</ref>
*''Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790: Names of Persons for whom Marriage Licenses were Issued in the Province of Pennsylvania Previous to 1790,'' compiled by John B. Linn and William H. Egle. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1984. {{FSC|455657|item|disp=FS Catalog book 974.8 V2n 2001}}; {{WorldCat|20287360|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}};<ref>Originally published as Volume II, second series, Pennsylvania Archives, Harrisburg, 1890.</ref>
*''Pennsylvania Vital Records From the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography.'' 3 vols. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. {{FSC|8392|item|disp=FS Library Book 974.8 V2p}}<ref>Includes most records of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths published in those magazines.</ref>
*''Record of Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1810,'' by John B. Linn and William H. Egle. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1968. {{FSC|545541|item|disp=FS Catalog book 974.8 V2r 1987 v.2}}


== Get Copies ==
*'''1784-1786''' - Pennsylvania. Supreme Executive Council. ''Marriage Bonds, 1784-1786''. <ref>''Marriage Bonds, 1784-1786''({{FHL|685442|item}} films 1759094 item 1.) </ref>These records are alphabetically arranged by male applicant and are all at Philadelphia. They are probably the same records as those abstracted in Pennsylvania Archives, series 6, volume 6, pp. 285- 310.
''Restrictions:''<br>
*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>  
*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>


*'''1885-1889''' - Pennsylvania. Bureau of Vital Statistics. ''Marriage Records, 1885-1889''. <ref>''Marriage Records, 1885-1889'' ({{FHL|11462|item}} film 1027957-958.) </ref>The males are listed on the first film and the females on the second.


'''Pennsylvania Department of Health'''<br>
Many of these old articles have been republished in three volumes:  
Division of Vital Records<br>
Health and Human Services Building, 8th Floor West<br>
625 Forster Street<br>
Harrisburg, PA 171202<br>
''Order copies:'' PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103<br>
Phone: 724-656-3100 or toll free 844-228-3516 <br>
[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records.html.html Website]<br>


* [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records/birth-certificates.html#accordion-8440e572be-item-b9ee96eaf3 ''Ordering A Birth Certificate''] 1906-present; slide to "Who Can Apply for a Birth Certificate"
*''Pennsylvania Vital Records From the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography.'' 3 vols. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. {{FHL|8392|item|disp=FHL Book 974.8 V2p}}. Includes most records of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths published in those magazines.
* Genealogy requests: Requirements relaxed, must provide the person's proof of death
* [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records/death-certificates.html#accordion-9ca4d1fb9c-item-a2c0a81509 ''Ordering a Death Certificate''] 1906-present; slide to "Who Can Apply for a Death Certificate"
* Links to order forms: [https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/health/documents/topics/documents/certificates-and-records/Application_for_a_Birth_Certificate.pdf Birth], [https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/health/documents/topics/documents/certificates-and-records/Application%20for%20a%20Death%20Certificate.pdf Death]
*[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records/multi-year-searches.html Multi-Year Search Information]


''Other walk-in locations include:''<br>
Individual counties or cities such as Philadelphia have recorded marriages. Some cities began keeping records in the '''early 1800s'''. Counties which kept birth and death records for the years '''1852-1854''' usually kept marriage records for the same time period. Most counties began keeping marriage records in '''October 1885'''. You can obtain copies from the clerk of the orphans' court in the appropriate county.  
*[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/Erie.aspx#.Vo2Skb_0_y0 Erie]
*[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/Harrisburg.aspx#.Vo2Stb_0_y0 Harrisbug]
*[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/New%20Castle.aspx#.Vo2S0L_0_y0 New Castle]
*[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/Pittsburgh.aspx#.Vo2S6r_0_y0 Pittsburgh]
*[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/Scranton.aspx#.Vo2THb_0_y0 Scranton]
*[http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/Philadelphia.aspx#.Vo2TRL_0_y0 Philadelphia]


The Family History Library has copies of many marriage records, usually from '''1885 to 1920''', Justice of the Peace records may contain marriages '''before 1885'''. The library has these records from the counties of Beaver, Centre, Chester, Columbia, Dauphin, Greene, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery, Potter, and Somerset. For example see:


'''Pennsylvania State Archives'''<br>
*'''1865-1927''' - Potter County (Pennsylvania). ''Justice of the Peace. Records, 1865-1927''. <ref>({{FHL|591293|item}} film 1421828 items 1-2.) </ref>This source contains summons, warrants, and marriages. It also includes typewritten indexes to the records and a separate typewritten index to marriages (1865-1896).
1681 N. Sixth St.<br>
Harrisburg, PA 17102-1106<br>
Phone: (717) 783-3281<br>
Email: [mailto:ra-statearchives@pa.gov ra-statearchives@pa.gov]<br>
[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives/research-online/vital-statistics-records.html Website]<br>


*They have original birth certificates for 1906-1919 and death certificates for 1906-1974 <ref>[https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc/pa-state-archives/research-online/vital-statistics-records.html ''Vital Records''] at Pennsylvania State Archives, accessed 22 March 2025</ref>
*'''1835-1839''' - Bucks County (Pennsylvania). ''Justice of the Peace. Register of Marriages Performed by Lewis Swift, a Justice of the Peace of Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 1835-1839''. <ref>({{FHL|193210|item}} film 20447 item 3.) </ref>
*They do not issue certified copies
* Mail in request forms: [https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/phmc/documents/archives/documents/Pennsylvania-State-Archives-Vital-Records-Request-Form.pdf PDF form];  [https://paggdc.powerappsportals.us/NonCertifiedCopyOfBirthorDeathCertificatOrderForm/ Fill in online]


'''County Courthouses'''<br>
Newspaper accounts of marriages and deaths are valuable sources for further research. The library has numerous newspaper accounts of vital records. Many obituary records have been abstracted in published books such as:  
*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>
*List of [https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/orphans-court-clerks County Orphans Court Clerks]


== Coverage and Compliance ==
*'''1724-1746''' - Samuel, Edith. "Index to the Deaths Mentioned in the ''American Weekly Mercury,'' 1724-1746," ''The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography,'' Vol. 58, No. 1 (Jan. 1933):37-60. For free online access, see [http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Source:Historical_Society_of_Pennsylvania._Pennsylvania_Magazine_of_History_and_Biography here.]


''Coverage included:''<br>
*'''1766-1787''' - Scott, Kenneth. "Marriage Notices in the ''Pennsylvania Gazette,'' 1766-1787," ''National Genealogical Society Quarterly,'' Vol. 64 (1976):184-188. {{FHL|39597|item|disp=FHL Book 973 B2ng v. 64 (1976)}}.
*Residents of the area
*In the early registration years, there may be under-representation for Blacks/African Americans and other groups


*'''1775-1783''' - ''Abstracts (Mainly Deaths) From the Pennsylvania Gazette, 1775-1783'' <ref>Scott, Kenneth. ''Abstracts (Mainly Deaths) From the Pennsylvania Gazette, 1775-1783''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1976. ({{FHL|238199|item}} Book 974.811 V4s.) </ref>See the [[Pennsylvania Newspapers|Pennsylvania Newspapers]] page for more information.


''Births and Deaths:''<br>
=== Additional marriage records are in:  ===
*1852-1854 Very low compliance<br>
*1893-1906 Much higher compliance, especially when midwives, doctors, or funeral homes were used
*1960-present General compliance by 1915
*Births are collected by county clerk of the Orphans Court as reported by hospitals, midwives, birthing centers, parents, etc.
*Death records are also collected by the county clerk of the Orphans Court as reported by funeral homes, medical examiners, physicians, hospitals, relatives, etc.


'''[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Gretna Greens]].''' When an '''eloping''' Pennsylvania couple's marriage is not in their home county, search for it in alternate places like:<ref name="Eakle1">Arlene H. Eakle, "Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in ''Genealogy Blog'' at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 8 January 2011).</ref><ref>Arlene H. Eakle, "Charles H. Browning and Your Genealogy" in ''Genealogy Blog'' at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/11/30/charles-h-browning-and-your-genealogy/ (accessed 8 January 2011).</ref>


''Marriages:''<br>
:*[[Berks County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania]]
*Generally high compliance from 1885
:*[[Washington County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|West Alexander, Washington, Pennsylvania]]
*Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped
:*[[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania]]
:*[[Cecil County, Maryland Genealogy|Elkton, Cecil, Maryland]]
:*[[Howard County, Maryland Genealogy|Howard County, Maryland]]
:*[[Prince William County, Virginia|Prince William County, Virginia]]
:*[[Niagara County, New York Genealogy|Niagara Falls, New York]]


== Information in the Records ==
'''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:'''
=== Birth Records ===
 
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
*[[Pennsylvania County Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Pennsylvania County Marriage Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
|-
*[[Pennsylvania Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Pennsylvania Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Pennsylvania Birth Records May Include*'''
*[[Pennsylvania Philadelphia Marriage Index (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Pennsylvania Philadelphia Marriage Index (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
|-
 
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Child'''
To see a coverage map of FamilySearch's holdings of Pennsylvania marriages, click [http://user.xmission.com/~jsvare/FR/PA_FRM.html here].
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
 
|-
== Divorce Records  ==
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Date/Place'''  
 
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
Divorce became more common in Pennsylvania after the divorce law of 1785.<ref>Thomas R. Meehan, "'Not Made Out of Levity,' Evolution of Divorce in Early Pennsylvania," ''The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography,'' Vol. 92, No. 4 (Oct. 1968):441-464. Digital version at [http://dpubs.libraries.psu.edu/DPubS?Service=UIverb=Displayhandle=psu.pmhb The Historical Society of Pennsylvania websit... - free.</ref> Divorce proceedings were usually kept by the court of common pleas. However, to obtain a record of divorce and it's proceedings, contact the Office of the Prothonotary in the county where the divorce was granted. For example, see:
|-
 
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''  
:*'''1851-1874''' - Pennsylvania. Court of Common Pleas (Philadelphia County). ''Divorce Docket, 1851-1874''. <ref>''Divorce Docket, 1851-1874''. {{FHL|99168|item|disp=FHL films 963387-393}} </ref>
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
 
|-
:*'''1785-1801''' - "Divorces Granted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from December 1785 until 1801," ''Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania,'' Vol. 1 (Jul. 1897):185-192. For free online access, see [http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Source:Genealogical_Society_of_Pennsylvania._Pennsylvania_Genealogical_Magazine here]; {{FHL|55326|item|disp=FHL Book 974.8 B2p v. 1; FHL film 1698098 item 2}}.
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''  
 
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
== Adoption Records  ==
|-
 
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Birthplace'''
Adoption records for living persons: By law, Pennsylvania adoption records are confidential: "All adoption records, and other papers shall be withheld from inspection except upon a court order. The adoptee, who is at least 18 years of age, or the adoptee's adoptive parents, if the adoptee is under 18 years of age, may request of the court information concerning the natural parents that will not reveal their identity. Upon such a request of an adoptee who is 18 years of age, or the adoptive parents, if the adoptee is under 18 years of age, the court or the agency which placed the adoptee may attempt to contact the natural parents to obtain their consent to release of their identity. Information shall only be released about parents that agree to the disclosure" (23 Pa. C.S.A. 2905).
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Children Born/Living'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residence/Occupation'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Midwife/Doctor'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have less information
|}


[[United_States_Birth_Records#Content_of_Birth_Records|Information in birth records]] can vary, depending upon the who made the report (midwife,  doctor, parent, etc.).
For more information on Pennsylvania adoption records contact:
*Births are collected by county clerk of the Orphans Court


Department of Public Welfare<br>
Office of Children Youth Families<br>
P.O. Box 8018 <br>
Harrisburg, PA 17105 <br>
Phone: (717) 787-3672<br>
FAX: (717) 787-9706<br>
[http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/department_of_health_home/17457 Pennsylvania Department of Health]<ref>Public Records Information. Pennsylvania Adoption Records. http://www.publicrecordsinfo.com/adoption_records/Pennsylvania_adoption_records.htm, 23 September 2010.</ref>


'''Delayed Birth Records'''<br>
== Additional Helps  ==
[[United_States_Delayed_Birth_Records|Delayed birth records]] were created in the 1940s for adults without birth certificates in order to be eligible for [[United_States_Social_Security_Administration_Records|Social Security]] benefits or for passports.<br>


''See also:''<br>
=== Tips  ===
*[[GuidedResearch:Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find Pennsylvania Birth Records|How to Find Pennsylvania Birth Records]]
*[[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records]]
*[[United_States_Delayed_Birth_Records|United States Delayed Birth Records]]
*[[How to Find Birth Information in the United States|How to Find Birth Information in the United States]]
*[[United States, How to Use Birth Records|United States How to Use Birth Records]]


<div style="clear:both"></div>
*Information listed on vital records is given by an informant. Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record. The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.
=== Marriage Records ===
*If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governments, search for church records of christening, marriages, death or burial. A family Bible may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths.
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
*Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records. Copies of some vital records recorded in the las 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.
|-
*Search for Vital Records in the FamilySearch Catalog by using a '''Place Search''' and then choosing '''Vital Records.''' Search for Pennsylvania to locate records filed by the State and then search the '''name of the county '''to locate records kept by the county.
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Pennsylvania Marriage Records May Include:*'''
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Names of Bride/Groom**'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Marriage'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Presiding Official'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Times Married'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Dates/Places of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residences/Race'''  
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" | x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''  
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Witnesses'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have less information<br>** May be previous married name of bride
|-
|}


Most county clerks of the Orphans Court began recording and retaining marriage records beginning in October 1885. <br>
=== Substitute Records ===
*The persons performing the marriages (usually ministers or justices of the peace) send the "returns" to the clerks
*These records can include applications for licenses, marriage licenses, and marriage returns<ref>See [[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]] for a good explanation of each type of marriage record.</ref>
*The couple or a parent provided information
*Individual counties or cities such as Philadelphia may have recorded marriages earlier


These links will take you to wiki pages describing alternate sources for birth, marriage and death records.


'''[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Gretna Greens]].''' When eloping, couples would get married in alternate places instead of the county they lived in.<br> For those from Pennsylvania, these locations include:<ref>Arlene H. Eakle,"Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in ''Genealogy Blog'' at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 8 January 2011).</ref><br>
[[Pennsylvania Church Records|Pennsylvania Church Records]] Depending on the denomination, church records may contain information about birth, marriage and death.  
*[[Berks County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania]]
*[[Washington County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|West Alexander, Washington, Pennsylvania]]
*[[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania]]
*[[Cecil County, Maryland Genealogy|Elkton, Cecil, Maryland]]
*[[Howard County, Maryland Genealogy|Howard County, Maryland]]
*[[Prince William County, Virginia|Prince William County, Virginia]]
*[[Niagara County, New York Genealogy|Niagara Falls, New York]]


[[Pennsylvania Cemeteries|Pennsylvania Cemetery Records]] Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information. These records may also reveal family relationships.


''See also:''
[[Pennsylvania Census|Pennsylvania Census]] Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices. Also check newspaper social columns for additional information.
*[[GuidedResearch:Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find Pennsylvania Marriage Records|How to Find Pennsylvania Marriage Records]]
*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]
*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States How to Use Marriage Records]]
*[[Pennsylvania_Divorce_Records|Pennsylvania Divorce Records]]


<div style="clear:both"></div>
[[Pennsylvania Newspapers|Pennsylvania Newspapers]] Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices. Also check newspaper social columns for additional information.
=== Death Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''Pennsylvania Death Records May Include:*'''
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Decedent'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Death'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Occupation'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Age/Date of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''State/Country of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Length of Residence'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Spouse'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Places of Parents'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Physician'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cause of Death'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Informant'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cemetery'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" | * Early records may have less information
|}


*'''1852-1854:''' The Register of Wills in most counties kept records deaths for the years 1852-1854. However, the practice stopped due to lack of compliance
[[Pennsylvania Military Records|Pennsylvania Military Records]] Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information, In addition, soldiers' homes records can included this same information.  
*'''1893-1906:''' Most counties began registering births and deaths in 1893
*'''1906-present:''' The state took over the responsibility in 1906. Deaths are collected by county clerk of the Orphans Court


[[Pennsylvania Periodicals|Pennsylvania Periodicals]] If no death record exists, probate records may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Probate records in the 20th Century often contain the exact death date.


''See also:''
[[Pennsylvania Probate Records|Pennsylvania Probate Records]] If no death record exists, probate records may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Probate records in the 20th Century often contain the exact death date. <br>
*[[GuidedResearch:Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find Pennsylvania Death Records|How to Find Pennsylvania Death Records]]  
*[[United States Death Records|United States Death Records]]
*[[United States, How to Find Death Records|United States How to Find Death Records]]
*[[United States, How to Use Death Records|United States How to Use Death Records]]


[[Pennsylvania History]] Local histories, family histories and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in surname searches of the FamilySearch Catalog.


'''Cause of Death'''<br>
=== More Online Links  ===
*[[Historical Causes of Death|Causes of Death]] - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate.
<div style="clear:both"></div>


== Additional Information ==
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/location/23?region=United+States+of+America&englishRegion=United+States+of+America Pennsylvania records in FamilySearch.org] - Free
*Wee Monster Links for Pennsylvania [http://www.germanroots.com/vitalrecords.html#Pennsylvania Birth Marriage] and [http://www.germanroots.com/deathrecords.html Death] Records - Free/$
*USGenWeb.org [http://www.pagenweb.org/ Pennsylvania Site] - Free
*The Vital Records Search and Information Directory [http://www.daddezio.com/records/room/RR-PA-NDX.html for Pennsylvania]- Free/$
*Linkpendium Links for [http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/PA/ Pennsylvania Genealogy and History], including individual Counties Free
*[http://ldsgenealogy.com/PA/index.htm Pennsylvania Vital Records], organized by county and city - Free/$


''See also:''<br>
=== W.P.A. Inventory of Vital Records ===
*[[Pennsylvania Guided Research|Pennsylvania Guided Research]]
*[[Pennsylvania Law and Legislation#Vital Records Laws|Pennsylvania Vital Records Laws]]
*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]
*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]
*{{FSC|283700|item|disp=''W.P.A. Inventory of Vital Statistics Within Each County''}} <ref>Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Historical Records Survey, N.d. This inventory also describes many available church records.</ref> at FamilySearch Catalog(*)
*[https://pagenweb.org/resources.html Pennsylvania GenWeb] for maps, resources, and histories
*[https://genpa.org/public-collections/ ''Public Resources and Collections''] at Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Society_of_Pennsylvania#Collections ''Collections''] at Pennsylvania Historical Society
*[https://guides.loc.gov/pennsylvania-local-history-genealogy/vital-records ''Vital Records''] part of Library of Congress, ''Pennsylvania: Local History & Genealogy Resource Guide''


==Strategies==
You can learn more about the history and availability of vital records in ''Inventory of Vital Statistics within Each County''. <ref>Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Historical Records Survey, N.d. (FHL|283700|item}} Film 1016402.) </ref>This inventory also describes many available church records.
*Certificate or record is not found:
#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.
#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. [[Pennsylvania Vital Records#Substitute Records|Substitute Records]].
*Examine the record to determine accuracy:
#Person providing information may not remember events accurately
#Informant may not have been present at the time of the event
#Informant may give false information to hide age, race, religion, or illegitimacy
#Grieving relatives may not have remembered correctly
*Review the informant on the document:
#Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record
#See if records about the informant may have clues about the family
#Verify vital information with other sources <br>
<br>
{{Block indent|''See also:''}}
* [[Pennsylvania Research Tips and Strategies]]
* [[United States Basic Search Strategies]]
* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]


===Burned, Lost, or Missing Records===
{{Template:Pros-PA}}
The following counties had record loss.  Click on the county for more information.<br>
{| style="width:70%; vertical-align:top;"
|-
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Erie County, Pennsylvania Genealogy#Record Loss|Erie]]
*[[Franklin County, Pennsylvania Genealogy#Record Loss|Franklin]]
*[[Mercer County, Pennsylvania Genealogy#Record Loss|Mercer]]
|}


''See also:''<br>
== References  ==
*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research]] for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.


<br>
<references />  
===Substitute Records===
For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:
*[[Pennsylvania_Substitute Records|Pennsylvania Substitute Records]]
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Birth_Information|Substitute Records for United States Birth Information]]
*[[Substitute_Records_for_United_States_Marriage_Information|Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information]]
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Death_Information|Substitute Records for United States Death Information]]


== References ==
{{Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania}} {{U.S. Vital Records}}  
{{reflist}}


{{featured article}}


[[Category:Pennsylvania Vital Records]][[Category:Pennsylvania, United States]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania,_United_States|Vital Records]] [[Category:Pennsylvania_Vital_Records]]

Revision as of 15:20, 10 January 2017

United States Gotoarrow.png Pennsylvania Gotoarrow.png Vital Records

Pennsylvania Wiki Topics
Pennsylvania flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Pennsylvania Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Marriages
Deaths
Births, Marriages, and Deaths

Introduction to Vital Records[edit | edit source]

Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. United States Vital Records has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Pennsylvania Vital Records State Department of Health or the clerk of the orphans' court of the county where the event occurred. The Department of Health has birth and death certificates registered in Pennsylvania from 1906 to the present. For records prior to that date, contact the appropriate county. Marriage and divorce records are usually obtained from the courthouse in the county where the marriage license was issued or divorce decree was granted.

Vital Records Collage.JPG

Vital Records Reference Dates[edit | edit source]

Pennsylvania's civil records start the following years:


Birth County Marriages Death
Earliest 1852-54, 1893 1885, some in 1700s 1852-54, 1893
Statewide Registration January 1906 January 1906
General Compliance 1915
1915


For Philadelphia City and County Records click here.[edit | edit source]

Pennsylvania Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online[edit | edit source]

The following is a list of online resources useful for locating Pennsylvania Vital Records which consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths.  Most online resources for Pennsylvania Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the informatio...] in the index. Pennsylvania legislation allows access to statewide death records 50 years and older and statewide birth records 105 years and older. Indexes to the records are available at the Pennsylvania Department of Health website. Additional online records include those kept by the various counties or cities of Pennsylvania. These records generally cover births and deaths from 1893-1905, before the state began its vital records program in 1906. Births, deaths and marriages were also officially recorded by the counties between 1851-1855. County marriages are then recorded from 1885 to the present. Some exceptions include city births or deaths beginning in 1803--as in the case of Philadelphia--or the 1870's--as in the case of Reading and Pittsburgh. Also, some city, township, or borough vital records overlap the state records for several years as late as the 1940's.

Those websites without a search box can be searched per page by using the CTRL + F function.

If you are aware of other online databases, please feel free to add them.

Birth And Death Records[edit | edit source]

Statewide Records of Births and Deaths[edit | edit source]

Ancestry - $ has begun to place death certificates on their website and are available as follows:

Statewide registration of births and deaths began in January, 1906, and was generally complied with by 1915. You can obtain copies by writing to:

Division of Vital Statistics
Room 401 Central Building
101 South Mercer Street
New Castle, PA 16101
Phone: 1-877-PA-HEALTH or (724) 656-3100

Birth and Death Indexes are available at the Pennsylvania State Archives website:
State your relationship to the individual you want information about and your reason. The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are available at the website for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or at Vitalrec.com. You can also write to the Division of Vital Statistics for current information.

Records at the Pennsylvania State Archives:
Currently birth certificates 1906 through 1911 and death certificates, 1906 through 1966 are available at the Pennsylvania State Archives. If you walk into the archives the certificates are only 50 cents per certificate. Certificates are limited to twenty per family per day.

Other walk-in locations include:
Erie
Harrisbug
New Castle
Pittsburgh
Scranton
Philadelphia

Wiki articles describing online collections found at:

Local Records of Births and Deaths[edit | edit source]

The Register of Wills in most counties kept records of births and deaths for the years 1852-1854. However, the practice stopped due to lack of compliance.

Counties began registering births and deaths in 1893. Some counties (Chester, Cumberland, Fulton) and the City of Philadelphia began about 1873 or before. Birth and death registration continued until the state took over the responsibility in 1906.

Vital records were also kept by some of the larger cities. The Family History Library has birth and death records on microfilm for the cities of Altoona, Harrisburg, Johnstown, McKeesport, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, Scranton, Wilkinsburg, Williamsport, and York.

Other records include:[edit | edit source]

  • Old German Midwife's Records, 1791-1815. [1]The originals are at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 

The Family History Library has Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Births, Marriages, and Deaths on File at the State Archives, 1852-1854. [2]The Family History Library does not have 1852-1854 records for the counties of Blair, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Lehigh, Monroe, Montour, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, and Union. Cameron, Lackawanna, and Snyder counties were formed after 1854.

  • Pennsylvania. Governor. Death Warrants, 1794-1873. [3]These records are warrants for the executions of convicted criminals. 
  • Funeral records issued by a funeral home include financial records (cost of casket, dressings, etc.), funeral cards given out at the time of the funeral, etc. These records usually give the name of the deceased, when and where buried, if shipped out to another funeral home, purchaser of cemetery plot, etc. The Family History Library has many records of funeral homes.
  • Complete Name Index to Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875. [4]
  • Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875. [5]This book contains church and cemetery records as well as birth dates, many from sources never before published, in the counties of Berks, Juniata, Lebanon, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union. An index to this is:
  • Pennsylvania Vital Records From the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. 3 vols. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. FHL Book 974.8 V2p. Includes most records of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths published in those magazines.

Delayed Registration of Birth Records[edit | edit source]

Births before 1906 that were not registered at the time of the birth may have been registered beginning in 1941. To prove a birth, several witnesses were required to sign affidavits before the orphans' court which would then issue a birth certificate. Delayed registration of births began in various counties in different years, usually in 1941, and continued until about 1976.

The Registrar of Vital Statistics at the county seat. Write for information.

An example of delayed registration of births is Pennsylvania, Orphans' Court (Bucks County), Delayed Special Registration of Births and Index, 1941-1972. [6]

The Family History Library. Microfilm records are available for all counties EXCEPT Carbon, Chester, Lehigh, Monroe, Pike, and Union.

Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

Pennsylvania counties recorded few civil marriage records before 1885. As a general rule to obtain records, make applications to the Marriage License Clerk, County Courthouse, in the county where licenses were issued. However, many marriages before then will be found in church records.

Some earlier records have been published:

  • Pre-1810 - Record of Pennsylvania Marriages, Prior to 1810. Digital versions at Ancestry.com ($); [1] (vol. 2 only) - free.[7]This was reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, volumes 8 and 9, and is mostly from church records.
  • 1684-1689 - Marriage Register of Pennsylvania, 1684 to 1689. [8]This contains mainly Quaker records in Philadelphia.
  • 1729-1763 - Meier, Judith A. "Elopements and Other Miscreant Deeds of Women as Advertised in The Pennsylvania Gazette," The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 34, No. 3 (1986):201-227. For free online access, click here
  • 1742-1748 - "Pennsylvania Marriage Licenses, 1742-1748," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Dec 1742-May 1746: Vol. 39 (1915):176-185; Jun 1746-Dec 1747: Vol. 39 (1915):364-372; 1748: Vol. 39 (1915):434-439. For free online access, see here
  • 1742-1790 - Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790 [9]. Digital versions at Google Books - free.
  • 1748-1752 - Jordan, Helen. "Pennsylvania Marriage Licenses, Issued by Governor Hamilton, 1748-1752," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Surnames A-H: Vol. 32 (1907):71-87; Surnames H-J: Vol. 32 (1907):233-236; Surnames J-M: Vol. 32 (1907):345; Surnames M-Y: Vol. 32 (1907):471-486. For free online access, click here
  • 1755-1759 - List of Marriage Licenses Issued in the Secretary's Office From August 1755 through April 1759. [10]See the "Periodicals" page.
  • 1762-1768 - "Pennsylvania Marriage Licenses, 1762-1768," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 40 (1916):104-107; Vol. 40 (1916):208-221; Vol. 40 (1916):319-334; Vol. 40 (1916):436-457. For free online access, see here
  • 1769-1776 - "Pennsylvania Marriage Licenses, 1769-1776," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 41 (1917):224-246; Vol. 41 (1917):334-358; Vol. 41 (1917):489-501. For free online access, see here
  • 1784-1791 - Rogers, Harry. "Marriage Bonds in the State Library, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 55, No. 3 (Jul. 1931):259-276. For free online access, see here. (mostly 1785-1786)
  • 1784-1786 - Pennsylvania. Supreme Executive Council. Marriage Bonds, 1784-1786. [11]These records are alphabetically arranged by male applicant and are all at Philadelphia. They are probably the same records as those abstracted in Pennsylvania Archives, series 6, volume 6, pp. 285- 310.
  • 1885-1889 - Pennsylvania. Bureau of Vital Statistics. Marriage Records, 1885-1889. [12]The males are listed on the first film and the females on the second.

Many of these old articles have been republished in three volumes:

  • Pennsylvania Vital Records From the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. 3 vols. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. FHL Book 974.8 V2p. Includes most records of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths published in those magazines.

Individual counties or cities such as Philadelphia have recorded marriages. Some cities began keeping records in the early 1800s. Counties which kept birth and death records for the years 1852-1854 usually kept marriage records for the same time period. Most counties began keeping marriage records in October 1885. You can obtain copies from the clerk of the orphans' court in the appropriate county.

The Family History Library has copies of many marriage records, usually from 1885 to 1920, Justice of the Peace records may contain marriages before 1885. The library has these records from the counties of Beaver, Centre, Chester, Columbia, Dauphin, Greene, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery, Potter, and Somerset. For example see:

  • 1865-1927 - Potter County (Pennsylvania). Justice of the Peace. Records, 1865-1927. [13]This source contains summons, warrants, and marriages. It also includes typewritten indexes to the records and a separate typewritten index to marriages (1865-1896).
  • 1835-1839 - Bucks County (Pennsylvania). Justice of the Peace. Register of Marriages Performed by Lewis Swift, a Justice of the Peace of Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 1835-1839. [14]

Newspaper accounts of marriages and deaths are valuable sources for further research. The library has numerous newspaper accounts of vital records. Many obituary records have been abstracted in published books such as:

  • 1724-1746 - Samuel, Edith. "Index to the Deaths Mentioned in the American Weekly Mercury, 1724-1746," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 58, No. 1 (Jan. 1933):37-60. For free online access, see here.
  • 1766-1787 - Scott, Kenneth. "Marriage Notices in the Pennsylvania Gazette, 1766-1787," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 64 (1976):184-188. FHL Book 973 B2ng v. 64 (1976).
  • 1775-1783 - Abstracts (Mainly Deaths) From the Pennsylvania Gazette, 1775-1783 [15]See the Pennsylvania Newspapers page for more information.

Additional marriage records are in:[edit | edit source]

Gretna Greens. When an eloping Pennsylvania couple's marriage is not in their home county, search for it in alternate places like:[16][17]

Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:

To see a coverage map of FamilySearch's holdings of Pennsylvania marriages, click here.

Divorce Records[edit | edit source]

Divorce became more common in Pennsylvania after the divorce law of 1785.[18] Divorce proceedings were usually kept by the court of common pleas. However, to obtain a record of divorce and it's proceedings, contact the Office of the Prothonotary in the county where the divorce was granted. For example, see:

  • 1851-1874 - Pennsylvania. Court of Common Pleas (Philadelphia County). Divorce Docket, 1851-1874. [19]
  • 1785-1801 - "Divorces Granted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from December 1785 until 1801," Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Vol. 1 (Jul. 1897):185-192. For free online access, see here; FHL Book 974.8 B2p v. 1; FHL film 1698098 item 2.

Adoption Records[edit | edit source]

Adoption records for living persons: By law, Pennsylvania adoption records are confidential: "All adoption records, and other papers shall be withheld from inspection except upon a court order. The adoptee, who is at least 18 years of age, or the adoptee's adoptive parents, if the adoptee is under 18 years of age, may request of the court information concerning the natural parents that will not reveal their identity. Upon such a request of an adoptee who is 18 years of age, or the adoptive parents, if the adoptee is under 18 years of age, the court or the agency which placed the adoptee may attempt to contact the natural parents to obtain their consent to release of their identity. Information shall only be released about parents that agree to the disclosure" (23 Pa. C.S.A. 2905).

For more information on Pennsylvania adoption records contact:

Department of Public Welfare
Office of Children Youth Families
P.O. Box 8018
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Phone: (717) 787-3672
FAX: (717) 787-9706
Pennsylvania Department of Health[20]

Additional Helps[edit | edit source]

Tips[edit | edit source]

  • Information listed on vital records is given by an informant. Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record. The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.
  • If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governments, search for church records of christening, marriages, death or burial. A family Bible may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths.
  • Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records. Copies of some vital records recorded in the las 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.
  • Search for Vital Records in the FamilySearch Catalog by using a Place Search and then choosing Vital Records. Search for Pennsylvania to locate records filed by the State and then search the name of the county to locate records kept by the county.

Substitute Records[edit | edit source]

These links will take you to wiki pages describing alternate sources for birth, marriage and death records.

Pennsylvania Church Records Depending on the denomination, church records may contain information about birth, marriage and death.

Pennsylvania Cemetery Records Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information. These records may also reveal family relationships.

Pennsylvania Census Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices. Also check newspaper social columns for additional information.

Pennsylvania Newspapers Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices. Also check newspaper social columns for additional information.

Pennsylvania Military Records Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information, In addition, soldiers' homes records can included this same information.

Pennsylvania Periodicals If no death record exists, probate records may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Probate records in the 20th Century often contain the exact death date.

Pennsylvania Probate Records If no death record exists, probate records may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Probate records in the 20th Century often contain the exact death date.

Pennsylvania History Local histories, family histories and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in surname searches of the FamilySearch Catalog.

More Online Links[edit | edit source]

W.P.A. Inventory of Vital Records[edit | edit source]

You can learn more about the history and availability of vital records in Inventory of Vital Statistics within Each County. [21]This inventory also describes many available church records.


References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Old German Midwife's Records, 1791-1815. (FHL Collection film 383294)
  2. ↑ Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Births, Marriages, and Deaths. (FHL Collectionfilms 1016403-408).
  3. ↑ Death Warrants, 1794-1873. (FHL Collection films 1016409-412)
  4. ↑ Santos, Carile. Complete Name Index to Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875. (Family History Library (FHL Collection film 1597740 item 6.)
  5. ↑ Charles Adam Fisher. Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875. Reprint of 1947 edition; Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979 (FHL Collection Book 974.8 V2fi; film 1597740 item 6.)
  6. ↑ Pennsylvania, Orphans' Court (Bucks County), Delayed Special Registration of Births and Index, 1941-1972 FHL Collection
  7. ↑ 2 vols. 1880. Reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1968. (FHL Collection Book 974.8 V2r; fiche 6049248-9.)
  8. ↑ Marriage Register of Pennsylvania, 1684 to 1689. (FHL film 20438 item 4.
  9. ↑ Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790. 1968. Reprint, Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 1968. (FHL Book 974.8 V2n; film 823832 item 2. Includes marriage licenses (mostly 1744 to 1776). This was reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, volume 2.
  10. ↑ Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 21 (1960): 312-27.
  11. ↑ Marriage Bonds, 1784-1786(FHL Collection films 1759094 item 1.)
  12. ↑ Marriage Records, 1885-1889 (FHL Collection film 1027957-958.)
  13. ↑ (FHL Collection film 1421828 items 1-2.)
  14. ↑ (FHL Collection film 20447 item 3.)
  15. ↑ Scott, Kenneth. Abstracts (Mainly Deaths) From the Pennsylvania Gazette, 1775-1783. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1976. (FHL Collection Book 974.811 V4s.)
  16. ↑ Arlene H. Eakle, "Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in Genealogy Blog at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 8 January 2011).
  17. ↑ Arlene H. Eakle, "Charles H. Browning and Your Genealogy" in Genealogy Blog at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/11/30/charles-h-browning-and-your-genealogy/ (accessed 8 January 2011).
  18. ↑ Thomas R. Meehan, "'Not Made Out of Levity,' Evolution of Divorce in Early Pennsylvania," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 92, No. 4 (Oct. 1968):441-464. Digital version at [http://dpubs.libraries.psu.edu/DPubS?Service=UIverb=Displayhandle=psu.pmhb The Historical Society of Pennsylvania websit... - free.
  19. ↑ Divorce Docket, 1851-1874. FHL films 963387-393
  20. ↑ Public Records Information. Pennsylvania Adoption Records. http://www.publicrecordsinfo.com/adoption_records/Pennsylvania_adoption_records.htm, 23 September 2010.
  21. ↑ Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Historical Records Survey, N.d. (FHL|283700|item}} Film 1016402.)
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