Finding Erie County, PA Vital Records on FamilySearch.org

Finding Erie County, PA Vital Records on FamilySearch.org

This guide will help you navigate FamilySearch.org to locate vital records specifically for Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Step 1: Access FamilySearch.org and Sign In

• Open your web browser and go to FamilySearch.org.
• Click Sign In in the top right corner. Enter your username and password. Signing in ensures full access to all available records and features.

Step 2: Navigate to the Records Search Page

• Once signed in, hover over Search in the top navigation bar.
• From the dropdown menu, click Records. This will take you to the main search page for historical records.

Step 3: Search by Place

• On the Records Search page, locate the Place field on the left sidebar.
• In the Place field, begin typing Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. As you type, a suggestion list will appear. Click on the correct suggestion to select it.
• Click the blue Search button (it might be labeled Search by Place or simply Search below the place field).

Step 4: Review Search Results for Relevant Collections

• The results page will display a list of record collections associated with Erie, Pennsylvania. Look for collections that contain vital records (births, marriages, deaths).
• Common collections you might find include:
• Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1845-1963
• Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1967
• Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709-1950
• You may also see collections specifically titled "Erie County" for certain record types, or general Pennsylvania collections that cover Erie County.

Step 5: Access and Search Within a Collection

• Click on the title of the collection you wish to explore (e.g., "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1845-1963").
• Inside the collection, you will usually find two main options:
• Search: If the records are indexed, you can enter names, dates, and other search terms to find specific individuals.
• Browse all images: If the records are not fully indexed, you will need to manually browse through digitized microfilm images. This often involves selecting a County (select Erie), then a Record Type (e.g., Marriages), and a Year Range.
• Follow the prompts within the collection to narrow down your search or browse through the images until you find the desired records.

Step 6: Explore the FamilySearch Catalog if Records are Not Found

• If you don't find the specific vital record collection you're looking for via the Records search, return to the Search menu and select Catalog.
• In the Place field, type Erie, Pennsylvania, United States and click Search.
• This catalog lists all materials (including microfilms that may not be digitized or indexed online) available for Erie County, categorized by topic like "Vital Records," "Births," "Marriages," and "Deaths." Click on a category to see available resources.
• Remember, not all vital records for all time periods are available online, and some may require further research through local archives or historical societies.