Find Allegheny County Ancestors

Allegheny County genealogy records go back to 1788, when the county was formed from parts of Washington and Westmoreland Counties. Pittsburgh, the county seat, became a major industrial and immigration center in the 19th and early 20th centuries, drawing waves of settlers from across Europe. The Department of Court Records, Recorder of Deeds, Carnegie Library, Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, and the Heinz History Center all hold materials that support family history research in Allegheny County.

Allegheny County Genealogy Records

Allegheny County was formed on September 24, 1788, making it one of the older western Pennsylvania counties with records dating back to the late 18th century. The county has experienced significant population growth due to industrialization, immigration, and its position at the confluence of major rivers. This history is reflected in the depth and variety of genealogy records available for Allegheny County. Civil court records include cases from 1788 forward, and the Register of Wills maintains estate records from that same date.

Marriage license records at the Allegheny County Department of Court Records go back to 1885. Online indexes are available for marriage records and some estate records through the county. The county seat of Pittsburgh saw large waves of immigrants arrive in the late 1800s and early 1900s, so naturalization records are especially valuable for Allegheny County genealogy. The Prothonotary holds naturalization records from the 19th and early 20th centuries at the City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Contact the Prothonotary at (412) 350-4226.

The PHMC Ancestry.com partnership provides Pennsylvania residents free access to digitized collections that include Allegheny County records. Birth certificates through 1913, death certificates through 1968, and county marriages 1845 to 1963 are all accessible through this free program.

Allegheny County Department of Court Records

The Department of Court Records manages the Register of Wills, Marriage License Bureau, and related records for Allegheny County. The Marriage License Bureau issues marriage licenses and maintains records from 1885 forward. Marriage license applications require both parties to appear with photo ID, and the standard license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. The Register of Wills within this department maintains estate records and probate files going back to county formation in 1788.

The Recorder of Deeds for Allegheny County maintains deeds from 1788 to the present. Land records include deeds, mortgages, assignments, satisfactions, and other real estate documents. An online land records search is available through the county website. Some historical records are available on microfilm. Research assistance is available from staff during business hours. The Recorder of Deeds office is located at the County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Contact that office at (412) 350-4223.

Genealogy Archives in Allegheny County

The Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society (WPGS) is headquartered at 4117 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. The society's library contains cemetery records, census indexes, church records, and family histories. Special collections include Pittsburgh naturalization records indexes and city cemetery records. The society publishes "The Pittsburgh Genealogical Quarterly" and holds monthly meetings. Research services are available for both members and non-members, with fees applying to non-members. Contact WPGS at info@wpgs.org for current research hours.

The Senator John Heinz History Center Detre Library and Archives is located at 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. This Smithsonian affiliate holds manuscripts, photographs, maps, films, and oral histories documenting Western Pennsylvania history. The Rau Jewish Archives documents Jewish life in the region. Death notices are indexed from 1786 to 1912. Federal census records for Pennsylvania from 1790 to 1930 are on microfilm here. Contact the library at 412-454-6000 for research hours.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Department, located at the Main Library in Oakland at 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, houses census records, city directories, Sanborn fire insurance maps, and family histories. Pittsburgh city directories go back to 1819. Free access to Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest is available on-site. Call 412-622-3114 for current hours.

Note: The Heinz History Center holds Pittsburgh city directories from the 1800s that can trace ancestors through specific addresses across generations, a useful tool for immigrant research in Allegheny County.

Vital Records in Allegheny County

For births and deaths in Allegheny County after 1906, the Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains statewide records. Under 35 P.S. § 450.801, birth records are restricted for 105 years from the date of birth and death records for 50 years from the date of death. This means birth records through 1913 and death records through 1968 are currently public. Requests can be submitted to the Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103, or ordered online through VitalChek.

Before 1906, birth and death records for Allegheny County were kept at the county level. The county has records covering portions of the 1893 to 1906 period. Gaps in early vital registration are common. Church records fill many of these gaps. Allegheny County had a large number of ethnic churches serving immigrant communities, and their registers often recorded births and deaths in addition to baptisms and marriages. The WPGS and Carnegie Library have collected many of these church records for genealogy use.

Pennsylvania Archives and Online Research

The Pennsylvania State Archives holds records related to Allegheny County going back to its 1788 formation. Land Warrant Registers from 1733 to 1957 are indexed by county and available as digitized images. Military records at the Archives document Allegheny County soldiers in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and later conflicts. The Civil War Veterans Card File covers soldiers from Allegheny County regiments. Under 37 Pa.C.S. § 305.3, records over 75 years old at the State Archives are generally open to researchers, giving access to a broad range of historical Allegheny County documents.

FamilySearch offers free access to many Allegheny County records including census indexes, vital records, and church registers. The State Library of Pennsylvania genealogy collection includes county histories and family records for the Pittsburgh region. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.101, government records are presumed public, supporting open access to most Allegheny County genealogy records. Act 127 of 2016 also gives Allegheny County adoptees access to original birth certificate information through the Department of Health.

Cities in Allegheny County

Pittsburgh is the county seat of Allegheny County and the largest city in the region. Genealogy records for Pittsburgh residents are filed at the Allegheny County courthouse offices in Pittsburgh.

Nearby Counties

Allegheny County is surrounded by several western Pennsylvania counties. Ancestors may have lived in neighboring counties before settling in Allegheny County, so checking nearby records can expand your search.

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