Delaware County Pennsylvania Death Records

Delaware County is one of Pennsylvania's most densely populated counties, located just southwest of Philadelphia. The county maintains historical death records from 1893 to 1906, and the Delaware County Archives offers online indexes that allow researchers to search these records before visiting in person. Created from Chester County in 1789, Delaware County has a documentary record spanning more than two centuries. Researchers should know that Chester City maintained separate records and is not included in the county's death record index for this period.

Delaware County Death Records Archive

The Delaware County Archives is the primary repository for historical vital records in the county. Located at 340 North Middletown Road, Building 19, in Lima, the Archives holds indexed death records covering the years 1893 to 1906. These indexes are available online, making Delaware County one of the more accessible counties in Pennsylvania for remote genealogical research. Researchers can search the index from home and then request specific records or plan an in-person visit.

The Archives is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff can assist with record lookups during those hours. Because the county's population has always been substantial, the death records from this period represent a large collection with entries for many different communities across the county. The Archives also holds birth records from 1893 to 1906, marriage records from 1885 to 1940, wills going back to 1789, administrations from 1790 to 1929, and naturalization records from 1795 to 1990.

Note: The online death index covers Delaware County records only and specifically excludes Chester City, which maintained its own separate vital records system during this period.

Searching Delaware County Death Records Online

One of the most convenient features of Delaware County's vital records system is the availability of online indexes through the Delaware County Archives. The death record index from 1893 to 1906 can be searched without a visit to the Archives building. This is a significant advantage for researchers who live outside the area or who want to confirm a record exists before traveling to Lima.

The online indexes include not just deaths but also births, marriages, wills, administrations, and naturalizations. This breadth of coverage makes the Delaware County online system one of the more comprehensive county-level genealogy portals in Pennsylvania. Researchers can often cross-reference multiple record types to build a fuller picture of a family's history in the county.

For deaths after 1906, researchers need to contact the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records rather than the county Archives. Certified copies cost $20 and can be ordered through mycertificates.health.pa.gov or by mail to P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103.

Chester City and Separate Death Records

A critical point for Delaware County researchers is understanding the Chester City exception. Chester City, which lies within Delaware County's geographic boundaries, maintained its own vital records system and is not included in the county's death record index for the 1893 to 1906 period. If you are searching for a death that occurred in Chester City during those years, you will need to consult Chester City records directly rather than the Delaware County Archives index.

This kind of municipal exception was not uncommon in Pennsylvania during the early registration period. Some larger cities had their own health departments and record-keeping systems that operated independently from county-level registration. Researchers who find a gap in the county records for a Chester City ancestor should look to city-level sources, newspaper archives, and church records to fill in missing death information.

Note: Always confirm the exact municipality when searching Delaware County death records, as Chester City deaths will not appear in the county Archives database.

Register of Wills and Probate in Delaware County

The Register of Wills for Delaware County is located at the Government Center, 201 West Front Street in Media. The phone number is 610-891-4400. This office handles probate matters and maintains estate files that can be a valuable secondary source when searching for death information. A probate filing names the deceased, often lists a death date, and identifies surviving heirs. Wills filed in Delaware County date back to 1789, giving researchers access to estate records spanning over two centuries.

Probate records can be especially useful when a death certificate cannot be located. In the period before 1893 when the county had no formal death registration system, the probate record may be the only official document confirming that a person died in Delaware County and approximately when. The Delaware County Courts site provides additional information about accessing court and probate records.

Delaware County History and Genealogy Research

Delaware County was carved from Chester County in 1789, making it one of the older counties in southeastern Pennsylvania. Its proximity to Philadelphia meant that it absorbed significant population growth throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Many families who arrived in Philadelphia eventually settled in Delaware County, bringing with them origins in Ireland, Italy, Germany, and other European countries. Death records from this county often connect to immigrant communities whose documentation may also extend to overseas sources.

For research before 1893, the lack of formal vital records means turning to church registers, cemetery surveys, newspaper obituaries, and census records. Delaware County has a strong tradition of local historical preservation, and researchers should check with the county's historical organizations for additional collections that may not be catalogued online. The Ancestry PA portal also provides access to some digitized Delaware County records through the State Archives partnership.

The FamilySearch Pennsylvania Vital Records wiki is a useful starting point for understanding what collections exist and where they are held. Many Delaware County vital records have been microfilmed and indexed through FamilySearch's volunteer program.

Cities in Delaware County

Delaware County includes several significant municipalities with their own local history and records. Researchers tracing families in specific communities within the county may find city-level resources helpful alongside county Archives records.

• Upper Darby — one of the most populous municipalities in Delaware County, with a diverse community history

Nearby Counties

Delaware County borders several other counties in southeastern Pennsylvania. Family researchers often find connections across these county lines, particularly given the dense population of the greater Philadelphia region.

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