Lancaster City Genealogy Records
Lancaster city genealogy records are among the oldest and most diverse in Pennsylvania, reflecting the city's role as a major center of Pennsylvania German, Mennonite, Amish, and Scots-Irish settlement since the early 18th century. The Lancaster County Archives at 150 North Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 holds birth registers from 1852 to 1855 and from 1881 to 1906 for the city, marriage license registers from 1852 to 1855 and from 1885 to 1998, death affidavits from 1874 to 1978, and land deeds from 1729 to the present through lancasterdeeds.com. Researchers searching Lancaster family history can also consult the Lancaster County Historical Society and the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society for religious community records that predate formal civil registration by several generations.
Lancaster Genealogy Quick Facts
Lancaster County Archives — Records and Access
The Lancaster County Archives at 150 North Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 (phone: 717.299.8319, email: archives@lancastercountypa.gov) is the primary repository for Lancaster city genealogy records. The archives holds birth registers from two distinct periods: city birth registers from 1881 to 1906 and county birth registers from 1852 to 1855 and from 1893 to 1907. Delayed birth certificates covering approximately 1870 to 1906 are also on file. Marriage License Registers and Applications cover 1852 to 1855 and 1885 to 1998. Death records include affidavits from 1874 to 1978 and death registrations from 1852 to 1855 and 1894 to 1907. Land deeds from 1729 are searchable at lancasterdeeds.com.
To request records from the Lancaster County Archives, search the historical indexes on the county website and submit requests by email to archives@lancastercountypa.gov or by US Mail. All record requests should be submitted at the same time to avoid separate payment transactions. Electronic images and copies cost $5.00 for up to 20 images or pages, plus postage, with additional images at $0.50 each. Credit card payment is available after receiving an invoice. Archives staff allow 48 business hours for response and cannot perform research for requesters, but staff can identify what records exist for a given time period, name, and record type.
The Lancaster County Historical Society at 230 N President Avenue maintains research library and archive services for Lancaster city and county family history.
Lancaster County Historical Society and Mennonite Records
The Lancaster County Historical Society at 230 N President Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603 (email: info@lancasterhistory.org) maintains a research library and archives serving Lancaster city family history researchers. The society holds museum exhibits on county history, a research library with local histories and genealogies, and research services for those unable to visit in person.
The Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society at 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster, PA 17602 provides specialized genealogy resources for Lancaster's large Mennonite and Amish communities. Church records, family histories, and a dedicated research library support researchers tracing Pennsylvania German religious community ancestors whose vital events were recorded by congregations rather than civil authorities. Lancaster County has one of the largest Amish and Mennonite populations in the world, and religious community records extend the genealogy record base back well before Lancaster County's formation in 1729.
Note: For Lancaster families in Mennonite, Amish, or other Pennsylvania German religious communities, church congregation records at the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society often document births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths decades before any civil registration system existed, and must be checked alongside courthouse records for complete family reconstruction.
Pennsylvania Vital Records and Lancaster City Research
For births and deaths after 1906, the Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains statewide vital records. Under 35 P.S. § 450.801, birth records more than 105 years old and death records more than 50 years old are publicly accessible. Many early 20th-century Lancaster vital records are now available through the State Archives. Marriage licenses in Lancaster County remain permanently at the county courthouse, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health does not hold marriage records.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds statewide collections supplementing Lancaster city records. Military records in the ARIAS database cover Lancaster residents in Pennsylvania units from the Revolutionary War through World War II. Land Warrant Registers from 1733 document early grants in Lancaster County territory. Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, records more than 75 years old at the State Archives are open for public research. The State Library of Pennsylvania holds census records for Lancaster County from 1790 through 1940, county histories, and family genealogies. FamilySearch offers free online access to many Lancaster County records. Act 127 of 2016 expanded access to adoption records in Pennsylvania. The Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.101 governs public access to Lancaster County government records.
Lancaster County Genealogy Records
Lancaster city is the county seat of Lancaster County, and the county archives holds the official genealogy records for the city and surrounding townships dating to 1729. For a full overview of county-level resources available to Lancaster city researchers, including the complete range of deed books, estate files, and naturalization records, visit the Lancaster County genealogy records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Researchers tracing families across central and southeastern Pennsylvania can explore genealogy resources in nearby cities.