Reading Pennsylvania Genealogy
Reading genealogy records span a long history in one of Pennsylvania's oldest settled cities. As the seat of Berks County, Reading holds vital records, land documents, and court files that trace families deep into the 18th century. City-level birth and death records predate statewide registration, giving Reading researchers access to records not available for many other Pennsylvania cities. The Reading Public Library, Berks County courthouse offices, and the Pennsylvania State Archives together serve as the main sources for Reading family history research.
Reading Genealogy Quick Facts
Where to Find Reading Genealogy Records
The Berks County Courthouse at 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601 is the hub for official genealogy records in the city. The Register of Wills holds marriage records from 1885 onward and older birth and death records from 1893 to 1905. The Prothonotary's Office at the same address handles divorce records. Land records in Berks County began in 1752, and the Recorder of Deeds maintains the current property record system while older deed books are available for on-site research.
Reading maintained its own city-level vital records before statewide registration began in 1906. Birth records from 1876 to 1906 were kept at the city level, as were death records from 1873 to 1905. Reading marriage records from 1876 to 1884 are indexed on the Berks County website, with about 9,700 marriages in that collection. After 1884, all Berks County marriage licenses, including those for Reading residents, were recorded by the county. When requesting marriage records from the Berks County Register of Wills, provide the name, year, and file number if known.
For statewide vital records from 1906 forward, the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records at P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103 issues certified birth and death certificates. The phone number is (724) 656-3100. Certified copies cost $20 each under 35 P.S. §450.801.
Reading Vital Records
Reading's pre-statewide vital records make it a city with unusually deep genealogy documentation. Birth records from 1876 to 1906 were maintained at the city level and are now indexed through Berks County. Deaths in Reading from 1873 to 1905 are also available locally. These records predate the 1906 statewide registration and give researchers access to family data going back more than a generation before most Pennsylvania cities began keeping formal civil records.
The Berks County Register of Wills holds marriage applications from 1885 forward. The Reading marriage index from 1876 to 1884 has been digitized and is searchable online through the county. Birth and death records from 1893 to 1905 at the County Orphans' Court supplement what the city-level records captured for the same period. Naturalization records for Reading-area residents are available at the county level and through the Pennsylvania State Archives for the statewide collection.
The Pennsylvania State Archives holds birth certificates from 1906 to 1919 and death certificates from 1906 to 1974 as part of its vital statistics collection. Digital copies of these records are available on Ancestry.com through the Commonwealth's digitization partnership. Researchers can also request uncertified copies directly from the State Archives for genealogical purposes. Certified copies must come from the Division of Vital Records.
Note: Birth records 105 years and older are public in Pennsylvania. Death records become public after 50 years. For Reading genealogy research involving records that span both city and county collections, it helps to check both sources, as coverage can vary.
Historical Resources in Reading
The Reading Public Library Pennsylvania Room is the primary local history and genealogy resource in the city. The Pennsylvania Room holds city directories, local newspapers, county histories, and genealogical reference materials specific to Berks County and the Reading area. Staff can assist researchers in locating records and identifying which sources best fit a specific family line or time period.
The Berks County Genealogical Society at berksgenes.org maintains databases, indexes, and compiled records covering Reading and all of Berks County. Their volunteer-compiled collections include cemetery transcriptions, church record indexes, and obituary files that are not available in official government archives. Membership provides access to additional resources and research assistance.
The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania at genpa.org maintains resources relevant to Reading and Berks County, including access to microfilm at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania and New Jersey Church and Town Records on Ancestry is another key source for Reading-area families, especially those with German Lutheran or Reformed church connections, which were the dominant denominations in this region.
Land and Property Records in Reading
Berks County land records began in 1752 and are maintained at the Recorder of Deeds. Reading property records appear throughout the deed books from the county's earliest period. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds Land Warrant Registers from 1733 to 1957, organized by county, with Berks County records available as digitized images online. These warrant records help trace ownership from the original patent forward through subsequent transfers.
Under the law governing public access to government records in Pennsylvania, 65 P.S. §§ 67.101, older land records held by Berks County offices are accessible to researchers. Photocopies of deed records typically cost a per-page fee. Online land record access is available for more recent Berks County records through the county's official portals.
Searching Reading Records Online
Pennsylvania's partnership with Ancestry.com has made thousands of state-held records searchable from home. Digital copies of Reading-area birth certificates from 1906 to 1919 and death certificates from 1906 to 1972 are available online. Pennsylvania residents access these digitized state records at no cost through the Ancestry Pennsylvania portal. The State Archives ARIAS database also provides free access to military records, including Civil War Veterans' Card files and Revolutionary War abstracts relevant to Berks County families.
FamilySearch has indexed Berks County genealogy resources and provides a free online guide to Reading and county-level records. Their collection includes links to microfilm holdings, online databases, and research guides that cover Reading vital records, land patents, naturalization papers, and probate materials. The State Library of Pennsylvania offers on-site and remote access to HeritageQuest, Ancestry, and Fold3 for Pennsylvania residents with a library card.
The Reading Public Library Pennsylvania Room holds city directories, local newspapers, and regional genealogy materials that support in-depth family history research for Reading and Berks County.
Berks County Genealogy Records
Reading is the county seat of Berks County, and county offices hold the broadest set of genealogy records for the city and region. Marriage licenses, wills, probate files, and land deeds all fall under Berks County administration. For a full overview of Berks County genealogy resources, visit the county records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Family lines often cross city and county lines. Explore genealogy resources in nearby Pennsylvania cities to follow your research.