How to Find New Castle, PA Vital Records on FamilySearch

How to Find New Castle, PA Vital Records on FamilySearch

This guide will show you how to locate and access vital records for New Castle, Pennsylvania, using the FamilySearch.org website.

Step 1: Go to FamilySearch.org and Sign In

• Open your web browser and navigate to FamilySearch.org.
• Click the "Sign In" button located in the top right corner of the page.
• Enter your FamilySearch username and password. If you do not have an account, you can create a free one by clicking "Create Account".

Step 2: Access the FamilySearch Catalog

• Once you are signed in, hover your mouse cursor over the "Search" menu item in the main navigation bar at the top of the page.
• From the dropdown menu that appears, click on "Catalog". The Catalog is a powerful tool for finding records by location, title, author, or subject.

Step 3: Search by Place for New Castle, Pennsylvania

• On the Catalog search page, ensure that the "Search by" option is set to "Place" (it's usually the default).
• In the "Place" search field, type "New Castle, Pennsylvania". As you type, FamilySearch may offer suggestions; you can select the correct one or type the full name.
• Click the blue "Search" button (or press Enter on your keyboard) to retrieve the results for New Castle.

Step 4: Browse the Catalog Results for Vital Records

• The search results will display a list of all record categories available for New Castle, PA, and often for Lawrence County (where New Castle is located), as many vital records were kept at the county level.
• Scroll through the list and look for categories that typically contain vital records. These often include:
  • "Pennsylvania, Lawrence, New Castle - Vital records"
  • "Pennsylvania, Lawrence - Vital records"
  • "Pennsylvania, Lawrence, New Castle - Church records" (early births, marriages, and deaths were frequently recorded by churches)
  • "Pennsylvania, Lawrence, New Castle - Cemetery records" (for burial and death information)
  • "Pennsylvania, Lawrence - Civil registration" (government-issued birth, marriage, and death certificates)
• Click on the title of any relevant category to expand it and view the specific record collections or microfilm publications within that category.

Step 5: Access Digital Images of Records

• Within an expanded category, you will see a list of individual record sets or microfilms.
• To view records online, look for a small camera icon (it looks like a traditional film camera) next to a film number or collection title. This icon signifies that the records are available digitally and can be viewed directly on FamilySearch.org.
• Click on the camera icon to open the image viewer, allowing you to browse through the digital images of the records.
• Important Note: Some records may have a camera icon with a key symbol over it, indicating restricted access (these records might only be viewable at a FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library). Others may only show a microfilm reel icon, meaning they are only available on physical microfilm.
• Carefully browse the images to locate the specific birth, marriage, or death records for your New Castle, PA ancestors.

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively navigate the FamilySearch Catalog and uncover valuable vital records for individuals from New Castle, Pennsylvania.