This is a guide to researching free genealogy records in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania is one of the original 13 states. It is located in the American Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions and is the sixth most populous state. It was admitted into the U.S. in 1787. Its capital is Harrisburg; its most populous city is Philadelphia. Residents of Pennsylvania have ancestry from a wide variety of heritage groups: German, African, Irish, British, Polish, Italian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, French Canadian, and Dominican, among others.
Family history resources listed here include searchable databases of obituary records, regional library collections, state government records, county government records, local genealogy societies, and more.
Pennsylvania Obituary Records
- Legacy.com’s up-to-date listing of Pennsylvania obituaries extends back two decades, collecting records placed by families and funeral homes in 86 newspapers around the state. Search the records: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/local/pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Libraries with Genealogical Resources
- The State Library of Pennsylvania is the home for a large collection of indexes, county records, passenger lists, family histories, and city directories, along with church and cemetery records. These collections can be found at the library, located at the Forum Building, 607 South Drive, Harrisburg. Learn more: http://www.statelibrary.pa.gov/GeneralPublic/Learn/Genealogy-and-Local-History/Pages/default.aspx
- The New Castle Public Library hosts a collection of local family histories, census records, and county histories. The library is known for their family history records. Learn more: http://www.ncdlc.org/genealogy-researchers
- The Weir Genealogical Room located at the Butler Library holds numerous resources for searching family histories. Learn more: http://www.butlerlibrary.info/genealogy
- The Washington County Library system gives access to family history records along with obituaries and birth and marriage records. Learn more: http://www.washlibs.org/citizens/genealogy/
- The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main (Oakland) location boasts a specialized staff in genealogy to help in your search. Along with historical records, the library hosts the Pittsburgh Photographic Library, a collection with more than 100,000 negatives and prints. Learn more: http://www.carnegielibrary.org/research-overview/genealogy/
- The Free Library of Philadelphia nurtures an enlightened community devoted to lifelong learning. The library hosts how-to genealogy books, fire insurance maps, local newspaper history, census records, and Gazetteers for all countries. Learn more: https://libwww.freelibrary.org/explore/guide/genealogical-resources-at-the-free-library
- The Allentown Public Library offers numerous resources for your genealogy research. They feature a local history room, obituaries for the Morning Call newspaper, along with access to ancestry.com. Learn more: http://www.allentownpl.org/genealogy/
Pennsylvania State Genealogical Records
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains a large database of birth and death records. Request records here: http://www.health.pa.gov/MyRecords/Certificates/Pages/11596.aspx#.WYOdyFFOmM8
- The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) gives access to many official government records that can assist amateur genealogists. You may access birth and death records online at http://www.phmc.pa.gov/Archives/Research-Online/Pages/default.aspx. Other records available include census records, ships passenger lists, and naturalization lists, which can be found at the museum. The address for the state archive is 350 North Street, Harrisburg, PA.
Pennsylvania County Genealogical Records
- Adams County – The Adams County Historical Society is the repository for the archival records of Adams County. They hold court records, tax records, wills, deeds, family photographs and more. Learn more: https://www.achs-pa.org/genealogy
- The Alleghany County Department of Court Records has an online searchable database for marriage records. Learn more: https://dcr.alleghenycounty.us/Marriage/Search/MarriageLicenseSearch.aspx?Welcome=true
- Armstrong County – The Armstrong County Courthouse contains deeds and wills. http://www.co.armstrong.pa.us/departments/elected-officials/reg-rec
- Beaver County – The Beaver County government offices contain birth and death records. Learn more: http://www.beavercountypa.gov/Pages/Resources.aspx
- Bedford County – The Bedford County Historical Society holds divorce records, cemetery records, civil war exemption records, military records, obituaries, and photos. They also host events and exhibits. http://www.bedfordpahistory.com/genealogy/services.html
- Berks County – The Berks County Genealogical Society allows online research and maintains a library in Reading. The Society features church and cemetery records, along with military and government records. Learn more: http://berksgenes.org/index.html
- Blair County – The Blair County Genealogical Society promotes the study of and exchange of information regarding genealogy in the county. You can search birth records, obituaries, birth records, death records, and land records. http://www.bcgslibrary.org/index.php
- Bradford County – The Bradford County Historical Society was founded in 1870. The society has a library containing many records. These include census records, church records, deeds, marriage records, school records, probate records, and newspapers. http://www.bradfordhistory.com/default.asp
- Bucks County – The Bucks County Genealogical Society is a group of genealogy enthusiasts sharing their passion for researching family history. The society hosts an online searchable database with birth records, death records, cemetery records, and church records. They also host monthly meetings. http://www.bucksgen.org/
- Butler County – Butler County Historical Society has a physical research library for genealogy research containing records and photographs. They also have an online searchable database containing records, including employee records for Standard Steel, birth records, death records, and wills. Additionally, the Society hosts events and exhibits. http://www.butlerhistory.com/
- Cambria County – The Cambria County Courthouse has access to marriage records, divorce records, and deeds. https://www.cambriacountypa.gov/open-records.aspx
- Cameron County – The Cameron County Recorder of Deeds and Wills maintains a variety of records. http://www.cameroncountypa.com/government/recorder_of_deeds_register_of_wills___clerk_of_orphans_court_office.php
- Carbon County – The County Archives of Carbon County contain birth records, death records, naturalization records, wills, marriage records, and deeds. http://www.carboncourts.com/archives.htm
- Centre County – The Centre County Genealogical Society holds meetings and workshops and collects county records. https://centrecountygenealogy.org/
- Chester County – The Chester County Genealogy Project has links to birth records, death records, marriage records, census records, cemetery records, church records, wills, and biographies. https://www.chester.pa-roots.com/
- Clarion County – The Clarion County Historical Society has a library containing birth records, death records, cemetery lists, obituaries, and family histories. They hold a genealogy roundtable the first Thursday of each month from April through October. http://www.clarioncountyhistoricalsociety.org/library
- Clearfield County – The Clearfield County Historical Society offers self-guided or assisted research through records and publications at their museum. http://www.clearfieldcountyhistoricalsociety.net/genealogy-research/
- Clinton County – The Clinton County Historical Society offers research assistance into birth records, marriage records, and obituaries. They host many events as well. http://www.clintonpahistory.org/research.html
- Columbia County – The Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society had a library and museum on the second floor of the Bloomsburg Public Library. You may also search their records online including birth, death, land, marriage, and WWI draft registrations. They also host events. Learn more: http://colcohist-gensoc.org/
- Crawford County – The Crawford County Historical Society contains documents on-site including birth records, marriage records, and wills along with photos. They also host many events. http://www.crawfordhistorical.org/chs/research/
- Cumberland County – The Cumberland County Historical Society has an archive and library on-site. The collection includes genealogical files, family histories, church records, cemetery records, and photos. The society also hosts events. https://www.historicalsociety.com/events/
- Dauphin County – The Historical Society of Dauphin County hosts the Alexander Family Research Library which contains church records, birth records, civil war records, newpaper clippings and more. http://dauphincountyhistory.org/alexander-family-library-and-archives-research/alexander-family-library/ Dauphin County Public Library has many resources for genealogy research including historic newspaper archives, and access to My Heritage, one of the largest genealogy databases in the world. Learn more: https://www.dcls.org/genealogy
- Delaware County – The Delaware County Archives gives access to birth records, death records, veterans grave registrations, naturalization records, and wills. http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/depts/archives.html
- Elk County – The Elk County Historical Society features a genealogy room containing cemetery records, census records, obituaries, newspapers, family histories, and school yearbooks. http://www.elkcountyhistoricalsociety.org/gene.html
- Erie County – The Erie County Clerk of Records has birth records, death records, marriage records, and probate records. Search assistance is available. https://eriecountypa.gov/departments/clerk-of-records/register-of-wills-estate-records/record-information/
- Fayette County – The Fayette County Genealogy Society of Pennsylvania offers resources for finding vital records. https://fcgspa.org/resources/vital-records/#
- Forest County – The Forest County Prothonotary’s Office has records including wills and marriage licenses. http://www.co.forest.pa.us/departments/prothonotary.php
- Franklin County – The Franklin County Archives offers access to birth records, death records, marriage records, tax assessments, and more useful documents. https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_genealogy
- Fulton County – The Fulton County Historical Society has information on accessing vital records, including an online list of all readable tombstones in county cemeteries. https://www.fultonhistory.org/generalgenealogyhowto.html
- Greene County – The Greene County Clerk of Courts has birth records, death records, and marriage records. https://www.co.greene.pa.us/department-clerk-of-courts
- Huntingdon County – The Huntingdon County Register & Recorders Office has birth and death records. https://huntingdoncountycourt.net/register-and-recorder/
- Indiana County – The Indiana County Register of Wills & Recorder of Deeds & Clerk of Orphans Court has various records on file. https://www.indianacountypa.gov/departments/register-and-recorder/
- Jefferson County – The Jefferson County History Center has a variety of records, including courthouse records, local newspaper obituaries, census records, and family genealogies. Research assistance is also available. https://jchconline.org/research/
- Juniata County – The Junaita County Clerk of Orphans’ Court offers records, including an option to search online. https://www.juniataco.org/elected-officials/clerk-orphans-court/
- Lackawanna County – The Lackawanna County Library system is your home for birth and death certificates, vital records, local history collections and newspapers on microfilm. Learn more: http://lclshome.org/genealogy/
- Lancaster County – The Lancaster County Archives Division offers a page with access to resources including birth and death records, historical indexes, marriage licenses, and much more. They also provide tips on searching these records. https://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/193/Genealogy-Research-Historical-Indexes
- Lawrence County – The Lawrence County Prothonotary’s Office maintains local records and provides information on requesting a genealogical search. https://co.lawrence.pa.us/gov/prothonotary-lawrence_county/genealogical-searches/
- Lebanon County – The Lebanon County Register of Wills Office provides information on accessing birth records, death records, marriage licenses, and estates. http://www.lebcounty.org/depts/Register_of_Wills/Pages/InformationAvailable.aspx
- Lehigh County – The Lehigh County Clerk of Orphans’ Court Office provides information on accessing birth and death records. https://www.lccpa.org/orphans/birthdeath.nex
- Luzerne County – The Luzerne County Register of Wills Office provides information on accessing records including births and deaths as well as wills. https://www.luzernecounty.org/614/Register-of-Wills
- Lycoming County – The Lycoming County Register & Recorder Office offers information on accessing records including wills and marriage certificates. http://www.lyco.org/Elected-Officials/Register-and-Recorders-Office
- McKean County – The McKean County Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphan’s Court Office provides information on accessing records and indicates that they will assist with genealogy research. https://www.mckeancountypa.org/other_elected_officials/register_of_wills_and_clerk_of_orphans_court/index.php
- Mercer County – The Mercer County Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphan’s Court Office provides information on accessing records. https://www.mcc.co.mercer.pa.us/RegisterOfWills/
- Mifflin County – The Mifflin County Clerk of Orphans’ Court offers information on accessing birth and death records. http://www.co.mifflin.pa.us/dept/RegRec/Pages/Clerk-of-Orphans-Court.aspx
- Monroe County – The Eastern Monroe Public Library has a Local History and Genealogy Room that offers resources including church records, cemetery indexes, family histories, and more. https://monroepl.org/?page_id=190
- Montgomery County – The Montgomery County Archives Department has birth, death, and probate records available. https://montcopa.org/287/Genealogy-Information
- Montour County – The Montour County Genealogical Society has information on families past and present of Montour County. This link has multiple resources for local genealogical information: http://www.montourgensoc.com/research.php#MCGS%20Genealogy%20Room
- Northampton County – Northampton County Genealogy provides a list of resources where records are available in person. Online documents will be redirected to the Pennsylvania state website. http://www.northampton.pa-roots.com/resource.html
- Northumberland County – The Northumberland County Historical Society has a genealogical library available. https://www.northumberlandcountyhistoricalsociety.org/genealogy-and-research/genealogical-library-research
- Perry County – The Perry Historians have a library available that includes biographies and obituaries on the families in the county’s history. https://www.theperryhistorians.org/our-collection
- Philadelphia County – The Philadelphia City Archives hosts birth records, death records, marriage records naturalization records, and deeds. Learn more: http://www.phila.gov/phils/docs/inventor/genealgy.htm
- Pike County – The Pike County Historical Society has a collection of local genealogy resources that can be accessed in person or via an online request form. https://pikehistorical.org/research-genealogy/
- Potter County – The Potter County Historical Society has a link to their Facebook page on the Potter County website that provides information on the in-person museum and records. All genealogical online resources are directed to the Pennsylvania statewide genealogical archives. https://pottercountypa.net/post.php?pid=7
- Schuylkill County – The Schuylkill County Archives has specific resources and links to historical documents in the county as well as reference links to the Historical Society. https://www.co.schuylkill.pa.us/Offices/Archives/archives.asp#History
- Snyder County – The Snyder County Historical Society offers links to state genealogy websites as well as information about the full genealogical library. Learn more: http://www.snydercounty.org/Depts/Historical_Society/Pages/HistoricalSociety.aspx
- Somerset County – The Somerset Historical Center has genealogical resources available including birth, death, and estate records. See all the resources they provide at this link. https://www.somersethistoricalcenter.org/what-we-do/genealogy-research/genealogy.html
- Sullivan County – The Sullivan County Historical Society maintains a genealogical library that includes a list of names and historical resources. https://www.scpahistory.com/resources/genealogies
- Susquehanna County – The Susquehanna County Courthouse contains birth, death, and estate records. Contact them here: http://www.susqco.com/Dept/Records/Pages/default.aspx
- Tioga County – The Tioga County Historical Society provides names, birth records, and some legal documents here: https://www.joycetice.com/document/tcdocket.htm
- Union County – The County of Union can provide census records, as well as research tools and a county archive. https://www.unioncountypa.org/departments/historical-society/genealology-local-history-research/page.aspx?id=2453
- Venango County – The Venango County Historical Society has archives including family history, death records, and censuses. https://www.venangocountyhistory.org/genealogical-research-library
- Warren County – The Warren County Historical Society maintains resources including census records, cemetery records, marriage and death records, and more. Their website includes information on search various collections. https://www.warrenhistory.org/genealogy.html
- Washington County – The Washington County Courts website has a page with information on genealogical research, including resources for birth and death records and more. They can also connect researchers with local genealogists for assistance. http://www.washingtoncourts.us/191/Genealogy-Resources
- Wayne County – The Wayne County Historical Society offers a research library that includes census records, births and deaths, marriage records, and more. http://www.waynehistorypa.org/page/vital-records
- Westmoreland County – The Westmoreland Historical Society maintains the Calvin E. Pollins Memorial Library, offering a variety of genealogical records. See their site for information on visiting, submitting a research request, or scheduling a personal consultation: https://westmorelandhistory.org/library-and-genealogy
- Wyoming County – The Wyoming County Historical Society has a research library that includes birth and death records, cemetery listings, obituaries, and more. Research assistance is available. https://pawchs.org/genealogy/research-library/
- York County – The York County Archives provides online access to a wide variety of records including birth and death records, estate files, marriage records, and more. https://www.yorkcountyarchives.org/records.asp
Pennsylvania Funeral Homes
- Close to 1,900 funeral homes in communities around Pennsylvania are indexed at Legacy.com’s funeral home directory. Search the database here: http://www.legacy.com/funeral-homes/directory/pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Genealogical Societies
Locally-based genealogy groups offer not only information resources, but a community of fellow family history researchers who can often support one another in their endeavors.
- The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania is a non-profit educational institution located in Philadelphia. GPS preserves and publishes sources for genealogy research. Admission to GSP is free for members and $5.00 for non-members. The institution offers in-person consultations for a small fee. https://genpa.org/
- The Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society is a non-profit organization of amateur and professional family historians and genealogists devoted to the research and preservation of family history. WPGS has a library located in the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh. The library hold family histories, immigration records, and military history. They also host monthly events. Learn more: https://wpgs.org/
- The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is the largest in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Society collects genealogical materials from Pennsylvania and every other state east of the Mississippi River. The society collects family histories including diaries and family trees. They also collect wills and deeds. You can search online or visit the library in Philadelphia. They also offer courses and workshops. Learn more: https://hsp.org/
- The Berks County Genealogical Society allows online research and maintains a library in Reading. The Society features church and cemetery records, along with military and government records. Learn more: http://berksgenes.org/index.html
- The Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society is located in Hanover Township. The NPGS is only open on Thursdays from 10 AM until 3 PM. They hold family histories, church records, city records, cemetery records and archived newspapers. Learn More: http://nepgs.com/wordpress/
- The Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society had a library and museum on the second floor of the Bloomsburg Public Library. You may also search their records online including birth, death, land, marriage, and WWI draft registrations. They also host events. Learn more: http://colcohist-gensoc.org/
- The Lackawanna Historical Society contains genealogy records about many area families. The files include newspaper clippings, letters, and some family charts. Learn more: http://www.lackawannahistory.org/genealogy.html
- The Beaver County Genealogy and History Center is an archival site for documents and books. The center contains birth records, death records, cemetery records, and more. They hold classes and a staff that can assist with genealogy research. http://beavercountyhistory.org/#top
Pennsylvania Cultural Heritage Resources
- The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Philadelphia collects and preserves Jewish genealogical information, hosts a library with works on Jewish Genealogy, publishes a newsletter and holds monthly meetings that feature presentations. Learn more: http://www.jgsgp.org/index.html
- The Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, Pittsburgh Chapter is an affiliate Chapter of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society. The group promotes networking and sharing of genealogical information. They encourage the preservation of important records on African-American history. The society also presents events and holds regular meetings. Learn more: http://www.aahgspgh.org/home
- Taller Puertorriqueño is known as The Cultural Heart of Latino Philadelphia. Using the arts and cultural events, the organization preserves Puerto Rican and Latino culture. They host art exhibits and offer art education programs. Learn more: http://tallerpr.org/
- The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center is an folklife museum and research center dedicated to preserving and promoting Pennsylvania German folk culture. The center is located within Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Learn more: https://www.kutztown.edu/about-ku/administrative-offices/pennsylvania-german-cultural-heritage-center.htm
- The Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum is a living history village and farm, that collects, preserves and interprets the history and culture of the Pennsylvania German rural community from 1740 to 1940. The museum collects historical records and offers educational programs. Learn more: http://landisvalleymuseum.org/
- The Polish Heritage Society of Pennsylvania promotes an interest in Polish culture through book promotions, an annual Chopin concert, and an annual art exhibit among other events. Learn more: http://www.polishcultureacpc.org/orgs/PHSP.html
- The Polish Cultural Council of Pittsburgh sponsors and produces various Polish cultural events, programs, lectures and exhibitions. The council hosts an annual Polish Day. Learn more: http://www.polishculturalcouncil.org/