Pennsylvania Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection is an electronic index of marriages for the years 1709 to 1940 taken from the following sources:


 * Indexed church records
 * Civil registrations
 * The Internet indexing project sponsored by the LDS Church

Church records and civil registration were official sources and are some of the most reliable sources of family history information.

This index is not complete for any particular place, region or time period. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Marriage
 * Date and place of marriage
 * Name and age of groom
 * Groom's race and marital status
 * Birthplace and birthdate of groom
 * Names of groom's parents
 * Name and age of bride
 * Bride's race and marital status
 * Birthplace of and birthdate of bride
 * Names of bride's parents
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

Coverage Table
A coverage table for this collection is available in the wiki article Pennsylvania Marriages, Coverage Table (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Coverage Map
To see a coverage map of FamilySearch's holdings of Pennsylvania county marriages, click here.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before using this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate date of marriage

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
Whenever possible, view the original records to verify the information and to find additional information that might not be reported. These pieces of information can lead you to additional records and family members.

Finding the Original Source for an Entry in This Collection

Each entry in this index has a source listed which includes a batch number. You will need to trace the batch number for the individual entry to learn its source. Please see the following wiki articles for more information on batch numbers:


 * IGI
 * IGI Batch Number Descriptions
 * IGI Batch Numbers for the British Isles and North America

If an FHL film number is given in the entry for your ancestor, search for it in the FamilySearch Catalog.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the information to find other vital records such as birth and death
 * Use the information to find additional family members in census records
 * Search church records for additional information
 * Search land and probate records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist. Try variations of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names, or even initials

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Pennsylvania.
 * Pennsylvania Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.