Search Pennsylvania Family History
Pennsylvania genealogy records span more than three centuries of family history. The Pennsylvania State Archives, county courthouses, and local historical societies hold millions of documents that can help you find your ancestors. Birth and death records, marriage licenses, land deeds, wills, and military records are all available through state and county offices. Whether you are just starting your search or tracking down a specific document, Pennsylvania has deep resources for family history research across all 67 counties.
Pennsylvania Genealogy Quick Facts
Pennsylvania State Archives and Genealogy
The Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg is the primary repository for genealogy research in the commonwealth. The archives hold more than 195 million pages of documents, 20,000 reels of microfilm, and one million special collection items. These records span from the earliest days of Penn's colony through the modern era. Researchers can access military records, land warrants, vital records, and county records all in one place. The archives are located at 1681 N. Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and the second Saturday of each month.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) oversees the State Archives and has partnered with Ancestry.com to digitize millions of historical records. Pennsylvania residents can access digitized collections for free through the PHMC website by entering their zip code and linking to the Ancestry.com Pennsylvania portal. Available collections include Pennsylvania death certificates 1906 to 1968, birth certificates 1906 to 1913, county marriages 1845 to 1963, wills and probate records 1683 to 1993, naturalization records, land warrants, and more than 21 other collections. This free access program makes Pennsylvania one of the most accessible states for online genealogy research.
The ARIAS database (Archives Records Information Access System) provides free online access to approximately 1.5 million military records from the State Archives. This includes the Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File, Civil War Veterans Card File, and World War I Service Medal Application Cards. Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, records more than 75 years old held by the State Archives are generally open to public access, making many historical genealogy documents freely available to researchers.
Note: Visitors using original records in the Manuscript Reading Room must fill out a registration form and show a photo ID with current address.
Pennsylvania Vital Records for Genealogy
Birth and death records are among the most important documents in genealogy research. The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains statewide vital records through its Division of Vital Records. The state office has birth and death records from January 1906 forward. Complete statewide registration was achieved by 1915. For records before 1906, researchers must contact the county Register of Wills or Clerk of Orphans Court where the event took place.
Under 35 P.S. § 450.801, birth records in Pennsylvania are restricted for 105 years from the date of birth. Death records are restricted for 50 years from the date of death. This means birth records through 1913 and death records through 1968 are publicly available at the State Archives. The Division of Vital Records issues only certified copies of birth and death records. Requests can be made online through VitalChek, by mail to Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or in person at six branch offices statewide.
Counties also kept birth and death records during two earlier periods: 1852 to 1854 and 1893 to 1906. These local records are not always complete. Many are held at county courthouses in the Register of Wills office. Some have been microfilmed and are accessible through the State Archives or FamilySearch. Marriage records are handled at the county level. The county Clerk of Orphans Court maintains marriage licenses from 1885 to the present. Early marriage bonds from 1743 to 1790 appear in Pennsylvania Archives, Series 2, Volume 2.
The State Library of Pennsylvania provides additional access through the Pennsylvania genealogy research guide. The State Library holds federal census records for Pennsylvania from 1790 to 1930 on microfilm, local and county histories, city directories, warrant maps, church and cemetery records, and family histories. On-site access to Ancestry.com, HeritageQuest, and Fold3 is available at the library.
Land Records and Probate in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania land records date back to 1682, when William Penn established the Land Office. The State Archives holds comprehensive land records including warrant applications, warrants, surveys, and patents documenting land acquisition from 1682 through the 20th century. These records document transfers from the Proprietor or the Commonwealth to the first private owner. The Land Warrant Applications guide at the State Archives walks researchers through these collections in detail.
Probate records are one of the richest sources for genealogy research in Pennsylvania. The Register of Wills in each county maintains estate records including wills, administrations for intestate estates, and inheritance tax records. Many counties have probate records dating back to county formation, which in some cases is the 1700s. These records often name spouses, children, grandchildren, and other relatives, making them essential for building out a family tree. Wills frequently describe family relationships in detail and list property distributed to each heir.
Recorder of Deeds offices at each county courthouse maintain deed books from county formation forward. Land records can reveal migration patterns and family connections. When a family member sold land and moved west, the deed records document that transition. Grantee and grantor indexes help researchers find when ancestors bought and sold land in a given county. Some county deed records have been digitized and are available online through county websites or through the Ancestry partnership with PHMC.
Note: The Warrant Registers from 1733 to 1957 serve as the primary alphabetical index by surname to the warrant, survey, and patent process and are available as digitized images for each county.
Military Records for Pennsylvania Ancestry
Pennsylvania has extensive military records covering conflicts from the French and Indian War through the 20th century. The Revolutionary War records at the State Archives include the Military Association rosters, Pennsylvania Militia records, Pennsylvania Line (Continental troops), and Navy accounts. The Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File contains transcriptions of service data including name, rank, county of residence, and battalion served in. Pennsylvania soldiers who served to the end of the war received grants of Donation Land in western counties.
Civil War records are another major strength of the State Archives. The Civil War Veterans Card File covers 1861 to 1866 and contains soldiers names, military units, ages at enrollment, physical descriptions, residences, birthplaces, and dates of service. Samuel P. Bates compiled a five-volume history of Pennsylvania Volunteers that lists soldiers by regiment and company. These records are digitized and available through the Ancestry.com Pennsylvania partnership. The Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh at 1212 Smallman Street also holds death notices indexed from 1786 to 1912 and census records for Pennsylvania from 1790 to 1930 on microfilm.
Church Records and Cemetery Research
Church records fill many gaps left by civil registration in Pennsylvania. Before statewide vital records began in 1906, churches kept the primary records of baptisms, marriages, and burials for most Pennsylvania families. German Lutheran, Reformed, Mennonite, Moravian, Presbyterian, and Quaker congregations all maintained detailed registers. Many of these records have been microfilmed by the State Archives or FamilySearch. The State Library genealogy collection includes church and cemetery records from across the commonwealth.
County historical societies are often the best local source for church and cemetery records. Many societies have collected transcriptions of gravestones, church registers, and burial records from their counties. These materials may not be available anywhere else. Local libraries with Pennsylvania rooms, such as the Reading Public Library's Pennsylvania Room and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Department, maintain extensive local history collections including family files, directories, and newspapers. Cemetery records can confirm birth years, death dates, and family connections that are hard to verify through official records alone.
The Orphans Court at each county courthouse also holds guardianship records that contain valuable genealogy information. Historical guardianship records from the 18th and 19th centuries often name minor children of deceased parents and provide family relationships. These records can help researchers connect generations when other documents are missing. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101, most court records are presumed to be public unless specifically exempted.
Adoption Records and Genealogy Access
Adoption records present unique challenges for genealogy researchers in Pennsylvania. These records are sealed and filed with the Orphans Court from county formation to the present. They are not open to general public inspection. Adoptees seeking information about biological relatives must petition the court or use the limited access provided by state law. Researchers should contact the Clerk of Orphans Court in the relevant county to learn about current requirements.
Act 127 of 2016 created a pathway for adopted individuals and their lineal descendants to access original birth certificates. Adoptees age 18 or older who have graduated high school may apply to the Department of Health for a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate, which may list biological parents and birth names. Lineal descendants of deceased adoptees may also apply. Birth parents can submit contact preference forms or request name redaction. Processing typically takes about 45 days. This law opened an important door for Pennsylvania adoptees researching their family history.
Administrative regulations under 28 Pa. Code Chapter 1 govern the vital records system statewide. This code sets procedures for birth registration, record corrections, and the Biological Parent Registration system. Researchers who understand these rules can navigate the system more effectively when seeking records for genealogy purposes.
Online Genealogy Resources for Pennsylvania
Multiple digital platforms provide remote access to Pennsylvania genealogy records. The Ancestry.com Pennsylvania partnership with PHMC gives PA residents free access to dozens of digitized collections from the State Archives. FamilySearch offers free access to many Pennsylvania records including census indexes, vital records, and church registers. HeritageQuest is available through many Pennsylvania public libraries with a library card. The Pennsylvania POWER Library provides MyHeritage Library Edition to residents through local libraries or a free e-card.
County courthouse websites vary in the depth of online access they provide. Some counties have digitized deed indexes, will indexes, and marriage license databases going back decades. Others offer only basic contact information. The Barbara Moscato Brown Library and similar regional repositories hold special collections not available elsewhere. The Heinz History Center Detre Library and Archives in Pittsburgh is a Smithsonian affiliate that houses manuscripts, photographs, maps, films, and the Rau Jewish Archives documenting Jewish life in Western Pennsylvania. Researchers should check both state and county-level online resources before making an in-person visit.
The following record types are commonly available online for Pennsylvania genealogy research:
- Death certificates, 1906 to 1968 (State Archives / Ancestry)
- Birth certificates, 1906 to 1913 (State Archives / Ancestry)
- County marriages, 1845 to 1963 (Ancestry)
- Wills and probate records, 1683 to 1993 (Ancestry)
- Land warrants, 1733 to 1987 (Ancestry)
- Military records via ARIAS database (State Archives free)
- Census records, 1790 to 1940 (multiple platforms)
Note: Free access to Ancestry.com Pennsylvania digitized collections requires verification of Pennsylvania residency by entering a valid Pennsylvania zip code on the PHMC website.
Browse Pennsylvania Genealogy Records by County
Each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties maintains its own genealogy records at the local courthouse. Select a county below to find specific offices, addresses, and resources for that area.
Pennsylvania Genealogy Records by City
Residents of major Pennsylvania cities can search for family history records at their county courthouse or through local libraries with genealogy collections.