Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection is an index and images of birth registers from the Board of Health in the city of Philadelphia. It includes birth returns filed by physicians, midwives and area hospitals or other facilities. The collection includes records from 1860 to 1906.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

Digital Folder Number List
This collection was published as a DGS browse collection. A table listing each DGS number and its contents can be found at Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Births Digital Folder Number List.

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

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 find other vital records such as marriage and death
 * Search for military records
 * Search for the family in census records
 * Search for land and probate
 * Search church records for additional information

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 while searching the index or browsing through images
 * 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

 * Philadelphia. Board of Health. Birth registers, 1860-1903
 * Philadelphia. Board of Health. Birth returns, 1860-1903, filed by the attending physician, midwife, or hospital for the city of Philadelphia
 * Philadelphia. Board of Health. Birth returns, 1904-1915, filed by the attending physician, midwife, or hospital for the city of Philadelphia ; Birth index cards, 1904-1915
 * Philadelphia. Board of Health. Birth authentications, 1867-1891, for births occurring 1829-1882.
 * Philadelphia. Board of Health. Monthly summaries of births, 1864-1914

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.