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Repositories for Philadelphia Genealogy Researchers are urged to consult the web sites listed for each repository for information about holdings, current hours, and current admission fees.
Free Library of Philadelphia 1901 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. (215) 686-5322. Useful for research are maps, business and city directories, newspapers, government documents, index to ship photographs, ethnic guidebooks, government documents, and collective biographies. Map Collection (215) 686-5396. Newspaper Center (215) 686-5431.
The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania 1300 Locust St., 2nd Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19107-5699. (215) 545-0391. Current non-member day fee: $6. Research library shared with HSP. Church and cemetery records for most Pennsylvania counties, microfilms of early Philadelphia Orphans' Court estate papers, many county records, including deeds and probate on microfilm; CD-ROM collection. Partial catalog on-line plus indices to some collections; staff available to assist.
Historical Society of Pennsylvania 1300 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19107. (215) 732-6200. Current non-member day fee: $6 (Students $3). Library houses the Genealogical Collection that was compiled mainly by GSP volunteers, plus the library of the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies. Four card catalogs serve as a guide to their holdings: published materials catalog, published books prior to 1952, manuscript collections, and microfilm collection. Strong in all areas of genealogical and historical research. Online catalog includes most GSP holdings for churches and cemeteries.
National Archives, Mid-Atlantic Region 900 Market St. (entrance on Chestnut Street between 9th and 10th), Philadelphia, PA 19107. (215) 606-0100 Research center with U.S. census, military – WWI and WWII draft cards, ship passenger lists, federal court records, including naturalizations, 1798 Pennsylvania window tax. Access to Ancestry.com.
Philadelphia City Archives
Philadelphia City Hall, Broad and Market Streets.
Philadelphia Records
GSP - Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania Birth : Begin July 1860 - July 1860–June 1915: PCA - January 1906– present: Bureau of Vital Statistics, P O Box 1528, New Castle, PA, 16103. Web site: www.health.state.pa.us/vitalrecords, provides downloadable request forms
Death : Begin July 1860 - July 1860–June 1915: PCA ; microfilm to 1903 at HSP - January 1906–present: Bureau of Vital Statistics, New Castle (see Births). - WPA Index to Cemetery Returns, 1803–1860: PCA and HSP - Cemetery Returns, 1803–1860: microfilm at PCA (1807–1840 at HSP )
Marriage : Begin 1860 - 1860–1885: PCA ; microfilm at GSP/HSP . - 1885–1915: Index, applications, and returns at PCA . - 1885–1915: Index on microfilm at GSP/ HSP - 1916–present: Orphan's Court, Room 415, City Hall
Divorce : Begin 1800 - Records are sealed, copies of dockets available - Listing of divorces available in Prothonotary's Office, Room 266, City Hall
Probate—Wills and Administrations: - Indexes to Wills and Administrations, 1683–present: Room 185 City Hall - Wills and accompanying papers (inventory, account, etc.) on microfilm: Room 185, City Hall. - Original Probate Packets: PCA (Register of Wills Archives ; to view files , order at City Hall, Room 185 ) - Indexes to Wills and Administrations to 1900, Will Books to 1901: microfilm at GSP and HSP . - Abstracts of Wills to 1825: GSP and HSP - Printed indexes 1683–1850: GSP and HSP
Orphans Court (excluding marriages) - Indexes, estate files, and court dockets, 1878–present: Room 415, City Hall - Indexes 1719–1852, 1852–1878, 1878–1938: microfilm at PCA - Estate files 1719–1856; Court Dockets 1719–October 1880: PCA - Indexes 1719–1852, 1852–1878, 1878–1938; Estate files1719–1856: microfilm at GSP/ HSP - Dockets 1719–1878; estate papers 1719–1856: microfilm at GSP
Land and Property: - Grantee and Grantor indexes and Deed Books, 1683–1951: PCA - Indexes and Deed Books, 1683–1951: microfilm at HSP (several years missing) - Indexes and Deed Books, 1952– present, Room 153 City Hall - Indexes and Mortgage Books, 1749–1952: PCA (recorded in Deed Books before 1749) - Indexes and Mortgage Books, 1952–present: Room 153, City Hall - First land transactions through Proprietors at Pennsylvania State Archives - First land transactions: some microfilm at HSP
Key to Repositories GSP - Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
Reading Room -- Room 154 The Pennsylvania State Archives 350 North Street, Box 1026, Harrisburg, PA 17108. (717) 787-2701 Major Genealogical Resources:
Pennsylvania Department of Vital Records State Department of Health, Central Building, 101 South Mercer St., P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. (412) 656-3100. Downloadable request forms Major Genealogical Resources:
Religious Archives in the Philadelphia Area
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