Erie County, Pennsylvania Genealogy
Guide to Erie County, Pennsylvania ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Tax Records
- 2.27 Vital Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Lake Erie. The county is located in the northwest corner of the state.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Erie County Courthouse
140 West 6th Street
Erie, PA 16501
Phone: 814-451-6000 or 814-451-6237
Clerk of Courts Phone: 814-451-6250 or 814-451-6237
Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court Phone: 814-451-6260
Erie County Prothonotary, 814–451-6250 or 814-451-6237 Email: prothonatary@eriecountypa.gov
Erie County Website
Courthouse burned in 1823; all records destroyed
County Clerk has birth and death records 1893-1906, and marriage records from 1885
Prothonotary Office has divorce and court records from 1823
Register of Wills has probate records from 1823
County Recorder has land records from 1823[3]
Erie County, Pennsylvania Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1893 | 1885 | 1893 | 1823 | 1823 | 1823 | 1790 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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1823 Fire burned the Courthouse on March 23, 1823. The building and all books, papers, and records were destroyed.[5] For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[8]
| Cities | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- ca.1700-ca.1950 - Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, ca. 1700-ca. 1950 at FamilySearch — index and images
Census Records[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1800 | 1,468 | — |
| 1810 | 3,758 | 156.0% |
| 1820 | 8,553 | 127.6% |
| 1830 | 17,041 | 99.2% |
| 1840 | 31,344 | 83.9% |
| 1850 | 38,742 | 23.6% |
| 1860 | 49,432 | 27.6% |
| 1870 | 65,973 | 33.5% |
| 1880 | 74,688 | 13.2% |
| 1890 | 86,074 | 15.2% |
| 1900 | 98,473 | 14.4% |
| 1910 | 115,517 | 17.3% |
| 1920 | 153,536 | 32.9% |
| 1930 | 175,277 | 14.2% |
| 1940 | 180,889 | 3.2% |
| 1950 | 219,388 | 21.3% |
| 1960 | 250,682 | 14.3% |
| 1970 | 263,654 | 5.2% |
| 1980 | 279,780 | 6.1% |
| 1990 | 275,572 | −1.5% |
| 2000 | 280,845 | 1.9% |
| 2010 | 280,566 | −0.1% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. For members, they may contain: age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage date and maiden name; death/burial date. For general information about Pennsylvania denominations, see Pennsylvania Church Records.
County-wide Database - Multi-denominational
- 1708-1985 - Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 at Historical Society of Pennsylvania – $, to members of the society; Also available at Ancestry $
Catholic
- "100 years of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese 1843 -1943," Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 17, No. 1. FHL Book 974.8 B2wg. Chronology, map, county-by-county information.
- Baptism Register - St John’s Catholic Church, December 1869 -1908, Erie County (PA) Genealogy
- Catholic Church Records & Directory, Erie County (PA) Genealogy
Methodist
- Marriage Records of Rev. George Stuntz Methodist Circuit Rider, Erie County (PA) Genealogy
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Record of Members, 1929-1942 (Erie District), – FHL film 1980
- Rediscovering History: Mormons in Erie County, Pennsylvania, 1832-1833 FHL book 974.899 K2b
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
For information about records kept in the Orphan's court, Prothonotary Court, Court of Common Pleas, and other courts in counties of Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Court Records Wiki page.
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
For online resources, passenger lists, and specific groups coming to Pennsylvania, see Pennsylvania Emigration and Immigration.
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
For groups that came, see People section of the Pennsylvania Emigration page.
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
The Orphan's Court ensures the best interests of those not capable of handling their own affairs: minors, incapacitated persons, decedents' estates, and more.[9]
- 1822–1868 Court Dockets FHL Film 863929–863932
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a specific location and reveal family relationships. Records include: deeds, abstracts, indexes, mortgages, leases, grants, sheriff sales, land patents, maps and more. For more information, see Pennsylvania Land and Property.
Land records in Erie County began in 1823. These records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds office in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1815-1919 Mortgages, 1815-1836; Mortgage Index, 1823-1919. FHL films 870450–870461 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images; Earlier records are for what would later become Erie County that fell within the boundaries of the parent counties.
- 1823-1946 Deed Books, 1823-1886; Deed Index, 1823-1946. FHL film 863933 (first of 76 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1976–present Erie County offers online access to records. Fees apply.
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- History of Erie County, Pennsylvania. 2 volumes. 1925. By John Elmer Reed. Topeka, Indiana : Historical Pub. Co. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 1 - Internet Archive, Vol. 2 - Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- The History of Erie County, Pennsylvania. 1862. By Laura G. Sanford. [S.l.] : J. B. Lippincott. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Google Books; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- The History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, From its First Settlement. 1894. By Laura G. Sanford. [Erie, Pennsylvania] : L.G. Sanford. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($); At various libraries (WorldCat). Revised edition of 1862 version.
- History of Erie County, Pennsylvania. 1884. By Samuel P. Bates, et al. Chicago, Illinois : Warner, Beers. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- A Twentieth Century History of Erie County, Pennsylvania. 1909. By John Miller. Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Vol. 1 - Internet Archive, Vol. 2 - Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Erie County 1843 from GenealogyTrails.
- Internet Archive Erie County, from An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1876.
- Nelson's Biographical Dictionary & Historical Reference Book of Erie County, 1896. Internet Archive
- Popular History of Erie County, Pennsylvania by D. P. Robbins. Internet Archive
- Images of America: Erie County, PA by Erie Yesterday. Limited preview at GoogleBooks
- Souvenir of Erie, Penna. 1888, Illustrated. Also called: The City of Erie, PA, 1888.
- Lost Erie: The Vanished Heritage of City and County, 1991, by John R. Claridge
- Historic Erie County: An Illustrated History, 2004, by Edward T. Wellejus
- Erie: a Guide to the City and County, 1938. Internet Archive
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Maps
Ancestor Tracks has posted downloadable images from the Map of Erie County, Pennsylvania from Actual Surveys by under Supervision of J. Chace Jr. (Troy, NY: McLeran & Morris Publishers, 1855). This wall map located in the Library of Congress shows major landowners and geographic sites at the date of publishing. While the physical maps are in the public domain, the images we have taken of the maps belong to us and are not to be used commercially. We hereby give permission to use them strictly for personal use; please attribute to Ancestor Tracks.
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Migration routes for early European settlers to and from Erie County included:[10]
- Catskill Road 1750s from Springfield, Massachusetts to Catskill, New York[11] [12] [13] [14] [15]
- Catskill Turnpike(aka Susquehannah Turnpike ) from Catskill, NY to Unadilla, NY; route travelled by Europeans by the 1750s; toll booths opened by 1804.[16] [13] [17] [18]
- Forbidden Path, 1767 from Athens, Pennsylvania to Salamanca, New York[19]
- Lake Shore Path 1792 from Buffalo, New York to Sandusky (OH)[20]
- Lehigh and Lackawanna Paths 1766 from Unadilla, New York to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that is, from the Catskill Turnpiketo the Great Valley Road.[21]
- Ulster and Delaware Turnpike 1802 from Salisbury, Connecticut to Bainbridge, New York
Military Records[edit | edit source]
- 1861-1865 - Pennsylvania, Register of Military Volunteers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Naturalization records can contain information about immigration and nativity. Prior to 1906, it is rare to find the town of origin in naturalization records. For more information, see Pennsylvania Naturalization
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Newspapers may contain obituaries, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries, family gatherings, family travel, achievements, business notices, engagement information, and probate court proceedings. Newspapers are often found in local or university libraries, historical or genealogical societies, or state archives in the area where the newspaper was published. See Pennsylvania Newspapers for more information.
Newspapers of Erie County
- Pennsylvania Newspapers
- Chronicling America US Newspaper Directory
Newspapers Available on Microfilm
- Several different newspapers are available on microfilm in the Heritage Room at the Blasco Memorial Library in Erie, PA. Some of the titles include the Erie Gazette, the Erie Observer, the Erie Dispatch, Erie Dispatch-Herald, the Erie Daily Times, the Erie Morning News and the Erie Times-News. Some of the Erie County newspapers that are available on microfilm include the Cosmopolite (Girard, PA), the Corry Evening Journal and the Edinboro Independent. The library also has one German language newspaper on microfilm.
Newspaper Indexes and Abstracts
- USGenWeb Erie County Newspaper and Obituary Index
- PA-Roots Newspaper Articles for Erie County.
- 1947-2010 Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947-2010 at FamilySearch
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Obituaries are generally found in local newspapers where the person died or where family members lived. Local libraries or societies may have indexes or other sources.
Online Obituary Index and Extracts
- The Erie County Library has compiled and maintains an paper and online obituary index for Erie County from 1822 to the present. The index comes from Erie newspapers and covers 1822 to the present. Microfilmed copies of the newspapers are located in the Heritage Room of the Blasco Memorial Library. The Information Services staff of the Library will do limited genealogical research or requests for obituaries by mail. There is a fee for this service.
- PA-Roots Obituaries for Erie County.
- USGenWeb Erie County Newspaper and Obituary Index
- Smith, Gary V. and Corry Weekly Herald (Corry, Pennsylvania) 3000 Death Notices Covering Northwestern Pennsylvania and Southwestern New York Extracted from the Corry Weekly Herald (Corry, Pennsylvania) (Montgomery, Alabama:G.V. Smith, c1992) FHL film 1697903 items 1-2; book 974.899/C1 V4s
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate matters in Erie County are handled by the Orphans' Court and start when the county was created.
In addition to wills and administrations, the Orphans' Court also handles: audits of accounts of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians; distribution of estates; appointments of guardians; adoptions; appeals from the Register of Wills; inheritance tax appeals, and various petitions and motions.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1683-1993 Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records 1683-1993 at Ancestry $
- 1822-1971 Erie County Probate Records at FamilySearch - images only
- 1822-1868 Court Dockets FHL films 863929–863932 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1823-1916 Will Books FHL film 863927 (first of 15 films) - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1823-1958 Proceedings Index FHL films 894222–894232 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1823-1971 Estate Index FHL films 863919–863926 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1839-1864 Registers Dockets FHL film 863933 Item 1 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- Erie County Estate Indexes at PAGenWeb for surnames M, N, O, S, T
- Erie County Wills and Estate Records at Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives
School Records[edit | edit source]
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital records are handled by the County Orphans' Court. Between the years 1852-1855 Pennsylvania made a failed attempt to record birth, marriage and death events at the county level. County marriage records were kept in earnest in 1885. Births and deaths, at the county level, were begun in 1893 and kept through 1905. For the most complete set of records, contact the County Orphans' Court.
Birth records for Erie County began in 1893. The Erie County Clerk of Records maintains birth records through 1905. Erie County marriages are maintained by the Clerk of Records. Erie County began recording marriages in 1885.
Death records for the city of Erie exist beginning July 5, 1875. Erie County began recording deaths in 1893. Records from 1893-1905 are available at the Clerk of Records office in Erie City. You may request a death record from the Clerk of Records.
Death certificates become public records after 50 years. Records less than 50 years old are kept by the Division of Vital Records and are not public certificates. Only certain people can request a non-public death certificate. To order a non-public representative you must be:
- Legal representative of decedent's estate
- Immediate family member
- Extended family member who indicates a direct relationship to the decedent
- Power of Attorney (Please note that a Power of Attorney document is no longer valid upon the death of the individual)
See the Pennsylvania Department of Health website to obtain a copy of a non-public death certificate.
Birth[edit | edit source]
Early births 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For more information, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
- 1893-1906 Birth Records FHL films 894207–08 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
Marriage[edit | edit source]
Pennsylvania marriages were created by county officials. Contact Erie County Courthouse
- 1626-2016 Pennsylvania, United States Marriages at FindMyPast
- 1677-1950 Pennsylvania Civil Marriages, 1677-1950 at FamilySearch
- 1700-1821 Pennsylvania Marriage Records Ancestry $
- 1725-1976 Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1709-1940 index. Not complete for all years. This index is not necessarily intended to index any specific set of records. This index is not complete for any particular place or region. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index or Vital Records Index collections.
- Pre-1810 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1852-1854 Pennsylvania Marriages Ancestry $
- 1885 Erie County Marriage Index 1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch; Batch M524621[22]
- 1885-1950 Pennsylvania County Marriage, 1885-1950 at FamilySearch - Extracted marriage records; This database is incomplete for all counties. May also contain marriage records earlier than 1885.
- 1885-1968 Marriage License Dockets (Erie County, Pennsylvania), 1885-1950; index, 1885-1968 FHL film first film # 2208792
Death[edit | edit source]
Early deaths 1893–1905 are located at the County Orphans' Court. For indexes and records, 1906 and later, see Pennsylvania Vital Records.
- 1720-1999 Pennsylvania Deaths and Burials, 1720-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1850-1880 Pennsylvania Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1892-1906 Death Records FHL films 894209–10 - images only; click on the camera icon to view images
- 1893-1906 Erie County Death Index 1893-1906 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
- 1906-1968 Death Indexes at the Pennsylvania State Archives - rolling date as records after 50 years become available to the public
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Divorce records are available through the office of the Prothonotary.
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
National Archives at Philadelphia
14700 Townsend Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154-1096
Phone: 215-305-2044
Fax: 215-305-2052
Website
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes.
- For current information about a center near you, go to the Family History Center Map
Libraries[edit | edit source]
The Erie County Public Library System
Phone:814-451-6900
Website
- The Erie County Public Library system is made up of five library locations and a Bookmobile.The Erie County Public Library maintains a large collection of genealogical materials. The majority of this collection is housed in the Heritage Room on the second floor of the Blasco Memorial Library. The focus of this collection is Northwestern Pennsylvania and the tri-state area. An important part of their holdings are the obituary indexes that cover 1822 to the present. The Heritage Room has microfilm copies of the Erie newspapers, going back to 1820. They also have microfilm copies of the 1800 to 1930 censuses for Erie County and selected censuses for other Pennsylvania counties. Additionally the library has city directories for Erie beginning in 1853 and suburban directories beginning in 1957. The library subscribes to Ancestry.com Library Edition and to HeritageQuest Online.
- The Erie County Public Library system is made up of five library locations and a Bookmobile.The Erie County Public Library maintains a large collection of genealogical materials. The majority of this collection is housed in the Heritage Room on the second floor of the Blasco Memorial Library. The focus of this collection is Northwestern Pennsylvania and the tri-state area. An important part of their holdings are the obituary indexes that cover 1822 to the present. The Heritage Room has microfilm copies of the Erie newspapers, going back to 1820. They also have microfilm copies of the 1800 to 1930 censuses for Erie County and selected censuses for other Pennsylvania counties. Additionally the library has city directories for Erie beginning in 1853 and suburban directories beginning in 1957. The library subscribes to Ancestry.com Library Edition and to HeritageQuest Online.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Erie Maritime Museum
150 East Front Street
Erie, PA 16507
Phone: 814-452-2744
Website
Museum of Erie County History
419 State St.
Erie, PA 16501
Phone: 814-454-1813
- The museum explores the history of Erie County from pre-settlement to today. The museum is housed in the Erie County History Center.
- The museum explores the history of Erie County from pre-settlement to today. The museum is housed in the Erie County History Center.
Societies[edit | edit source]
Erie Society for Genealogical Research
P.O. Box 1403
Erie, PA 16512-1403
Website
- The ESGR through their volunteer research committee will perform some research requests.
- A valuable tool that the ESGR provides on their website is a name index to the Keystone Kuzzins publication.
- The ESGR through their volunteer research committee will perform some research requests.
Erie County Historical Society
419 State St.
Erie, PA 16501
Phone: 814-454-1813 Ext. 0
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Erie County PAGenWeb site maps, history and other information.
- Erie County Old Photos
- Erie County PA Genealogy
- Linkpendium
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_County,_Pennsylvania accessed 2/2/2017
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists : United States of America, 10th ed., (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002) Erie County, Pennsylvania, p.590
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, (Chicago: Warner, Beers and Co., 1884, [FHL book 974.899 H2h]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pennsylvania.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Erie County, Pennsylvania," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_County%2C_Pennsylvania, accessed 21 January 2020.
- ↑ The Philadelphia Courts at Common Pleas accessed 10 July 2012
- ↑ Handybook, 847-61.
- ↑ List of turnpikes in New York in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 6 November 2014).
- ↑ Turnpike in Routes in the Northeastern United States: Historic Trails, Roads and Migration Routes (accessed 6 November 2014). The Ancram Turnpike went from Springield, MA to Catskill, NY; and was called the Catskill Road.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Almira E Morgan, The Catskill Turnpike: A Wilderness Path (Ithaca, N.Y.: DeWitt Historical Society of Thompkins County, 1971), 5. Online digital copy.
- ↑ Catskill Turnpike in Routes in the Northeastern United States: Historic Trails, Roads and Migration Routes (accessed 6 November 2014). The Catskill Turnpike went west from Catskill, NY to Bath, NY; the east part was called the Susquehanna Turnpike.
- ↑ Huntting, 97-99.
- ↑ List of turnpikes in New York in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 1 November 2014).
- ↑ Anastassia Zinke, The Susquehanna Turnpike and America's Frontier History in Catskill Mountain Foundation (accessed 1 November 2014).
- ↑ Joan Odess, The Susquehanna Turnpike (pdf accessed 1 November 2014).
- ↑ Paul A. W. Wallace, Indian Paths of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg, Pa.: PA Historical and Museum Commission, 1971), 46-48. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 974.8 H2wp.
- ↑ Handybook, 850.
- ↑ Handybook, 850-51.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/2/23/Igipennsylvaniac.pdf.
