Pennsylvania Vital Records: Difference between revisions

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[[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]] has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the [http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/genealogy_requests/14125 Pennsylvania Vital Records State Department of Health] or the County Clerk's office 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 divirce records are usually obtained from the courthouse in the county where the marriage license was issued or divorce decree was granted.  
[[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]] has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the [http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/genealogy_requests/14125 Pennsylvania Vital Records State Department of Health] or the County Clerk's office 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 divirce records are usually obtained from the courthouse in the county where the marriage license was issued or divorce decree was granted.  


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Pennsylvania's civil records start the following years:  
Pennsylvania's civil records start the following years:  


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{| border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%"
|-
|-
| align="center" width="16.6%" |  
| width="16.6%" align="center" |  
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Pennsylvania_Vital_Records#Birth_and_Death_Records Birth]'''  
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Pennsylvania_Vital_Records#Birth_and_Death_Records Birth]'''  
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Pennsylvania_Vital_Records#Marriage_Records County Marriages]'''  
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Pennsylvania_Vital_Records#Marriage_Records County Marriages]'''  
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Pennsylvania_Vital_Records#Birth_and_Death_Records Death]'''
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Pennsylvania_Vital_Records#Birth_and_Death_Records Death]'''
|-
|-
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | Earliest  
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6%" align="center" | Earliest  
| align="center" width="16.6%" |    
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1852-54, 1893   
| align="center" width="16.6%" |    
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1885, some in 1700s   
| align="center" width="16.6%" |  
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1852-54, 1893 
|-
|-
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | Statewide Registration  
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6%" align="center" | Statewide Registration  
| align="center" width="16.6%" |    
| width="16.6%" align="center" |   January 1906
| align="center" width="16.6%" |    
| width="16.6%" align="center" |    
| align="center" width="16.6%" |  
| width="16.6%" align="center" | January 1906
|-
|-
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | General Compliance  
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6%" align="center" | General Compliance  
| align="center" width="16.6%" |
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1915
| align="center" width="16.6%" |
| width="16.6%" align="center" |
| align="center" width="16.6%" |  
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1915 
|}
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*USGenWeb.org [http://www.pagenweb.org/ Pennsylvania Site] - Free  
*USGenWeb.org [http://www.pagenweb.org/ Pennsylvania Site] - Free  
*Search for Pennsylvania Collections on [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start FamilySearch Record Search] under [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#r=0;p=allCollections Canada, USA, and Mexico] - Free
*The Vital Records Search and Information Directory [http://www.daddezio.com/records/room/RR-PA-NDX.html for Pennsylvania ]- Free/$  
*The Vital Records Search and Information Directory [http://www.daddezio.com/records/room/RR-PA-NDX.html for Pennsylvania ]- 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/$
*Linkpendium Links for [http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/PA/ Pennsylvania Genealogy and History], including individual Counties - Free/$   
*Linkpendium Links for [http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/PA/ Pennsylvania Genealogy and History], including individual Counties - Free/$   
*Progenealogists Links for the [http://progenealogists.com/genealogysleuthb.htm United States]. Press '''Ctrl + F''' on the keyboard to search for '''Pennsylvania''' or '''PA''' - Free/$  
*Progenealogists Links for the [http://progenealogists.com/genealogysleuthb.htm United States]. Press '''Ctrl + F''' on the keyboard to search for '''Pennsylvania''' or '''PA''' - Free/$  
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=== Other records include:  ===
=== Other records include:  ===


*''Old German Midwife's Records, 1791-1815''. <ref>''Old German Midwife's Records, 1791-1815''. (Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;filmno=383294 383294].) </ref>The originals are at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.&nbsp;
*''Old German Midwife's Records, 1791-1815''. <ref>''Old German Midwife's Records, 1791-1815''. (Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;filmno=383294 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''(Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;filmno=1016403 films 1016403]-8). </ref>The 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.  
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''(Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;filmno=1016403 films 1016403]-8). </ref>The 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''. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;filmno=1016409 films 1016409]-12.) </ref>These records are warrants for the executions of convicted criminals.&nbsp;
*Pennsylvania. Governor. ''Death Warrants, 1794-1873''. <ref>''Death Warrants, 1794-1873''. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;filmno=1016409 films 1016409]-12.) </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.
*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 [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;filmno=1597740 film 1597740] item 6.) </ref>
*''Complete Name Index to Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''. <ref>Santos, Carile. ''Complete Name Index to Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;filmno=1597740 film 1597740] item 6.) </ref>


=== Delayed Registration of Birth Records  ===
=== Delayed Registration of Birth Records  ===
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Pennsylvania counties recorded few civil marriage records before 1885. As a general rule, 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>
Pennsylvania counties recorded few civil marriage records before 1885. As a general rule, 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>


*''Marriage Register of Pennsylvania, 1684 to 1689''. <ref>''Marriage Register of Pennsylvania, 1684 to 1689''. (Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=189466&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Marriage+register+of+Pennsylvania%2C+168%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 20438 item 4].) </ref>This contains mainly Quaker records in Philadelphia.
*''Marriage Register of Pennsylvania, 1684 to 1689''. <ref>''Marriage Register of Pennsylvania, 1684 to 1689''. (Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=189466&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Marriage+register+of+Pennsylvania%2C+168%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 20438 item 4].) </ref>This contains mainly Quaker records in Philadelphia.


*Pennsylvania. Supreme Executive Council. ''Marriage Bonds, 1784-1786''. <ref>''Marriage Bonds, 1784-1786''(Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=685442&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Marriage+bonds%2C+1784%2D1786%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1759093 item 2] through [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=685442&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Marriage+bonds%2C+1784%2D1786%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 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.
*Pennsylvania. Supreme Executive Council. ''Marriage Bonds, 1784-1786''. <ref>''Marriage Bonds, 1784-1786''(Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=685442&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Marriage+bonds%2C+1784%2D1786%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1759093 item 2] through [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=685442&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Marriage+bonds%2C+1784%2D1786%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 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.


*Pennsylvania. Bureau of Vital Statistics. ''Marriage Records, 1885-1889''. <ref>''Marriage Records, 1885-1889'' (Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=11462&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Marriage+records%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1027957-8].) </ref>The males are listed on the first film and the females on the second.
*Pennsylvania. Bureau of Vital Statistics. ''Marriage Records, 1885-1889''. <ref>''Marriage Records, 1885-1889'' (Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=11462&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Marriage+records%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1027957-8].) </ref>The males are listed on the first film and the females on the second.


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.  
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.  
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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, Chester, Dauphin, Greene, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery, and Somerset. For example see:  
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, Chester, Dauphin, Greene, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery, and Somerset. For example see:  


*Potter County (Pennsylvania). ''Justice of the Peace. Records, 1865-1927''. <ref>Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=591293&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Records%2C+1865%2D1927%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1421828]. </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).
*Potter County (Pennsylvania). ''Justice of the Peace. Records, 1865-1927''. <ref>Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=591293&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Records%2C+1865%2D1927%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1421828]. </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).


*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>Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=193203&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Register+of+marriages+performed+by+Lewis%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 20447 item 3]. </ref>
*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>Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=193203&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Register+of+marriages+performed+by+Lewis%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 20447 item 3]. </ref>


Published records include the following:  
Published records include the following:  
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Marriage licenses for 1742 to 1790 (mostly for 1744 to 1776) are in:  
Marriage licenses for 1742 to 1790 (mostly for 1744 to 1776) are in:  


*''Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790'' <ref>''Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790''. 1968. Reprint, Baltimore, Maryland.: Genealogical Publishing, 1968. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=1023537&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Pennsylvania+marriages+prior+to+1790%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 974.8 V2n; film 823832 item 2].) This was reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, volume 2. </ref>
*''Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790'' <ref>''Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790''. 1968. Reprint, Baltimore, Maryland.: Genealogical Publishing, 1968. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=1023537&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Pennsylvania+marriages+prior+to+1790%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 974.8 V2n; film 823832 item 2].) This was reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, volume 2. </ref>


=== Additional marriage records are in:  ===
=== Additional marriage records are in:  ===
Line 125: Line 123:
*''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.
*''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.


*''Record of Pennsylvania Marriages, Prior to 1810''. <ref>2 vols. 1880. Reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1968. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=545541&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Record+of+Pennsylvania+marriages%2C+prio%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 974.8 V2r; fiche 6049248-9.] </ref>This was reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, volumes 8 and 9, and is mostly from church records.
*''Record of Pennsylvania Marriages, Prior to 1810''. <ref>2 vols. 1880. Reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1968. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=545541&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Record+of+Pennsylvania+marriages%2C+prio%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 974.8 V2r; fiche 6049248-9.] </ref>This was reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives, series 2, volumes 8 and 9, and is mostly from church records.


== Divorce Records  ==
== Divorce Records  ==
Line 131: Line 129:
In Pennsylvania, divorce proceedings were usually kept by the court of common pleas. For example, see:  
In Pennsylvania, divorce proceedings were usually kept by the court of common pleas. For example, see:  


*Pennsylvania. Court of Common Pleas (Philadelphia County). ''Divorce Docket, 1851-1874''. <ref>''Divorce Docket, 1851-1874''. (Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=99168&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Divorce+docket%2C+1851%2D1875%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 963387]-93.) </ref>
*Pennsylvania. Court of Common Pleas (Philadelphia County). ''Divorce Docket, 1851-1874''. <ref>''Divorce Docket, 1851-1874''. (Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=99168&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Divorce+docket%2C+1851%2D1875%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 963387]-93.) </ref>


*''Divorces Granted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from December 1785 until 1801, Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania''. <ref>''Divorces Granted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from December 1785 until 1801, Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania''. Vol. 1, pp. 185-92. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=55326&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Publications+of+the+Genealogical+Society%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 974.8 B2p v. 1; film 1698098 item 2].)</ref>
*''Divorces Granted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from December 1785 until 1801, Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania''. <ref>''Divorces Granted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from December 1785 until 1801, Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania''. Vol. 1, pp. 185-92. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=55326&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Publications+of+the+Genealogical+Society%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 974.8 B2p v. 1; film 1698098 item 2].)</ref>


== Adoption Records  ==
== Adoption Records  ==
Line 173: Line 171:


=== More Online Links  ===
=== More Online Links  ===
*[http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start FamilySearch Record Search] under [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#r=0;p=allCollections Canada, USA, and Mexico] - Free
*Wee Monster Links for Pennsylvania [http://www.germanroots.com/vitalrecords.html#Pennsylvania Birth &amp; Marriage]&nbsp;and [http://www.germanroots.com/deathrecords.html Death] Records -&nbsp;Free/$


== Family History Library Pennsylvania Vital Records Collections  ==
== Family History Library Pennsylvania Vital Records Collections  ==
Line 178: Line 178:
=== '''Published records include:'''  ===
=== '''Published records include:'''  ===


*''Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''. <ref>Charles Adam Fisher. ''Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''. Reprint of 1947 edition; Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979 (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;callno=974.8+V2fi book 974.8 V2fi]; [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=282865&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Early+Pennsylvania+births%2C+1675-1875++ fiilm&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;982335].) </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:
*''Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''. <ref>Charles Adam Fisher. ''Early Pennsylvania Births, 1675-1875''. Reprint of 1947 edition; Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979 (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;callno=974.8+V2fi book 974.8 V2fi]; [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=282865&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Early+Pennsylvania+births%2C+1675-1875++ fiilm&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;982335].) </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. <ref>Pennsylvania Vital Records From the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography.3 vols. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. (Family History Library&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;callno=974.8+V2p book 974.8 V2p].) </ref>This contains most records of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths published in those magazines.
*Pennsylvania Vital Records From the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. <ref>Pennsylvania Vital Records From the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography.3 vols. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. (Family History Library&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;callno=974.8+V2p book 974.8 V2p].) </ref>This contains most records of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths published in those magazines.


Newspaper accounts of 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:  
Newspaper accounts of 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:  


*''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. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;callno=974.8+A1 book 974.8 A1] no. 87.) </ref>See the [[Pennsylvania Newspapers|Pennsylvania Newspapers]] page for more information.
*''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. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;callno=974.8+A1 book 974.8 A1] no. 87.) </ref>See the [[Pennsylvania Newspapers|Pennsylvania Newspapers]] page for more information.


=== Inventory of Vital Records  ===
=== Inventory of Vital Records  ===


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. (Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=283700&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Inventory+of+vital+statistics+within+eac%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1016402].) </ref>This inventory also describes many available church records.  
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. (Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=283700&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Inventory+of+vital+statistics+within+eac%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 1016402].) </ref>This inventory also describes many available church records.  


== References  ==
== References  ==
2,900

edits