If you've been researching your family's history for any significant amount of time, you already know that the government didn't require the reporting of births or deaths until 1885, so finding vital records beyond a few generations ago can be challenging. For these, we rely on church records, family Bibles, cemetery records, and other resources.
Tip: Find hundreds of places to learn about Pennsylvania genealogy and history on my Pennsylvania Resources page.
Pennsylvania Birth and Death records reported since 1906 are held by the Commonwealth, and indexed on their website, as time restrictions allow. These indices are used to obtain the record number for use in ordering copies, but can also be very useful for general research even if you don't order copies. Try a search to confirm the vital records you have recorded for ancestors and relatives who were born after 1885 in Pennsylvania.
Tip: If you need to find out which county a town was in, use my County Search Tool, here.
Birth records for individuals born in Pennsylvania from 1906-1915 are currently available, as of January 2021.
Tip: For instructions on how to order copies of birth records, see here.
Death records for individuals who died in Pennsylvania from 1906-1970 are currently available, as of January 2021.
Tip: For instructions on how to order copies of death records, see here.
Tip: A great deal of other information is also held at the State Archives. Visit their website at pastatearchives.org.
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