Pennsylvania, Church Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of an index and images to selected marriage records for the years 1682 to 1976 from various churches in Pennsylvania. The records may also contain other types of records as well as marriages. Some of the records are in German. For help reading them, see the following wiki articles:
 * German Word List
 * German Language and Languages

Image Visibility
Whenever possible, FamilySearch makes images available for all users. However, rights to view images on our website are granted by the record custodians. These images can be viewed online by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at a Family History Center near you, or the Family History Library.

For additional information about image restrictions, please see the Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections page.

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

Marriage
 * Name of bride and groom
 * Marriage place and date
 * Birth places and dates of the bride and groom
 * Residences of the bride and groom
 * Previous spouse, if any
 * Ages
 * Race
 * Parents’ names
 * Name of the officiator
 * Names of witnesses

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

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching 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.

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.


 * Collection Citation: "Pennsylvania, Church Marriages, 1682-1976." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2019. Various churches and archives, Pennsylvania.

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