Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh City Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection consists of death registrations for the city of Pittsburgh for the years 1870 to 1905. The records are from the Allegheny County Courthouse. The records are arranged in numbered bound volumes and are chronological by month and year. The city of Pittsburgh began registering deaths in 1870. The records were house at the Allegheny county courthouse until 2008 when they were transferred to the state department of vital records. The state of Pennsylvania took over recording deaths in 1906. Deaths were recorded to better serve public health needs. Death records were used in connection with the probate of wills and the administration of estates.

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


 * Name of deceased
 * Race, gender and age of deceased
 * Marital status and occupation
 * Date and place of death
 * Cause of death


 * Names of parents if a minor
 * Birthplace of deceased
 * Residence and length of residence
 * Previous residence
 * Date and place of interment


 * Name and address of attending physician
 * Date of Certificate and number

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

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.

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

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the information to locate funeral home, obituary or cemetery record
 * Use the information to find other vital records such as birth and marriage
 * Use the information to find additional family members in census records
 * Search for 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 research your family in the state of Pennsylvania.
 * Pennsylvania Guided Research
 * Pennsylvania Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Pennsylvania Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Registration of deaths in the city of Pittsburgh, 1870-1905
 * Death register index for the city of Pittsburgh, 1851-1857
 * compiled and published by the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, Index to the registration of deaths Allegheny County, Pennsylvania : 1893-1905 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania : Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, c2006 FS Library 974.885 V22w

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.