Erie Family History Records
Erie genealogy records cover one of Pennsylvania's oldest port cities, where families settled from the late 1700s onward. As the county seat of Erie County, the city holds birth, death, marriage, naturalization, and land records through the Clerk of Records and related county offices. The Erie History Center and the Erie Society for Genealogical Research add local depth to what official archives provide. Whether you are tracing immigrant ancestors who arrived through Lake Erie or researching a family line rooted in northwestern Pennsylvania, Erie offers organized and accessible genealogy collections.
Erie Genealogy Quick Facts
Where to Find Erie Genealogy Records
The Erie County Clerk of Records at 140 West Sixth Street, Room 122, Erie, PA 16501, phone 814-451-6264, is the primary office for official genealogy records in Erie. This office maintains naturalization records, marriage licenses, deed records, and pre-1906 birth and death records. The Erie County records information page provides guidance on what records are available and how to submit requests.
The Erie County Register of Wills handles probate records, wills, and estate files for Erie County. This office is also located at the Erie County Courthouse and works closely with the Clerk of Records on older genealogy requests. For marriage licenses, the Erie County marriage license page lists current procedures and fees. Erie County marriages have been recorded from 1885 onward through the county system.
For vital records from 1906 forward, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records operates a walk-in office in Erie at 1910 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16508. Birth and death certificates from 1906 to the present are available through this location. Records may also be requested by mail through the main Division of Vital Records office in New Castle under 35 P.S. §450.801.
Erie Vital Records
City of Erie birth records from 1888 to 1905 are held at the Erie County Historical Society, formerly at 356 West Sixth Street, Erie, PA 16501, phone 814-454-1813. Erie County births from 1893 to 1905 are at the Clerk of Records, Erie County Courthouse, 140 West Sixth Street, Room 122. The cost for records from 1893 to 1905 is $10.00 per certified copy. After 1906, birth and death records fall under state registration and must be obtained from the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records.
Death records for the city of Erie are available from July 5, 1875. Erie County deaths are recorded from 1893. The Clerk of Records holds both city and county pre-1906 death records. Death records more than 50 years old are public records under Pennsylvania law. Records less than 50 years old are restricted to legal representatives, immediate family, or those with Power of Attorney. Divorce records for Erie are held at the Prothonotary's office.
Naturalization records at the Erie County Clerk of Records run from 1827 to 1929 for Supreme, Superior, and County Courts. Records before 1900 list name, date of naturalization, country of allegiance, and witness names. Some records include age, date and place of birth, physical description, spouse, and children. Prior to 1922, wives and children of a naturalizing man became citizens automatically through him. Supreme Court naturalization records are now searchable by computer at the Clerk's office.
Note: Researchers tracing Erie ancestors who arrived through ports between 1891 and 1897 should check arrival records at the Port of New York or other ports of entry. Records prior to 1891 can be requested from the Central Reference Section at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
Historical Resources in Erie
The Erie History Center is the primary historical society for Erie and the surrounding region. The center holds manuscripts, photographs, maps, and local history collections that support deep genealogy research. Their archives include materials covering Erie's growth as a lake port, its industrial development, and the immigrant communities that shaped the city through the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Erie Society for Genealogical Research at genealogyerie.org maintains databases, indexes, and compiled records specifically for Erie County. The society connects researchers with local resources and volunteer expertise. Their website lists Erie-area historical societies and points to collections not always found in official government archives. Membership supports ongoing research and indexing projects.
The Erie County Public Library at erielibrary.org holds obituary listings and local newspaper archives that are valuable for genealogy research. The Erie Times-News, The Daily Record, and other local papers are available in various formats and date ranges. Newspaper announcements of births, deaths, and marriages can fill gaps left by official vital records, especially for periods before statewide registration or for events not formally reported to the county.
Land and Property Records in Erie
Erie County land records are maintained at the Recorder of Deeds office within the Erie County court system. Deeds for Erie County are available from the early 1800s. Researchers must come in person to search by grantor or grantee name, as no remote search service is available for older deed books. The office provides copies at a per-page fee, and staff can assist with locating specific instruments by book and page reference.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds Land Warrant Registers from 1733 to 1957, organized by county. Erie County land warrant records are available as digitized images, making it possible to trace early property ownership from the original patent. These state-level records complement what the county Recorder holds and are particularly useful for pre-1800 research in the Erie area.
Searching Erie Records Online
Pennsylvania's digitization partnership with Ancestry.com covers Erie County birth and death certificates held at the State Archives. Digital copies of birth records from 1906 to 1919 and death records from 1906 to 1972 are searchable online. Pennsylvania residents access these records free through the state's Ancestry arrangement. The State Archives ARIAS database provides free online access to military records including Civil War Veterans' Card files, Revolutionary War abstract cards, and World War I service medal applications for Erie County families.
Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, Pennsylvania has established rules for the preservation and access of certain historical records held by public bodies. This statute supports ongoing digitization and access efforts for genealogically valuable Erie County records. Researchers can also submit Right-to-Know requests under 65 P.S. §§ 67.101 when standard request methods do not meet their needs.
The Erie History Center holds local manuscripts, photographs, and genealogy materials that bring depth to what official county records provide for Erie family history research.
Erie County Genealogy Records
Erie is the county seat of Erie County, and all major genealogy record series for the city pass through county offices. Marriage licenses, naturalization papers, wills, deeds, and court files all fall under Erie County administration. For a complete overview of Erie County genealogy resources, visit the county records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Pennsylvania families often moved between cities and regions. Explore genealogy records in nearby cities to follow your family line across the state.