Erie County Death Records and Vital History
Erie County sits in the far northwest corner of Pennsylvania along the shore of Lake Erie. Death records for the county begin in 1893, and the county's records are split between two institutions: the Clerk of Records at the courthouse holds the general county collection, while the Erie County Historical Society holds separate records specifically for the City of Erie. This division is important for researchers to understand before beginning a search. The county seat of Erie is Pennsylvania's fourth-largest city, and its records reflect a long history of immigration, industry, and lakeside commerce.
Erie County Quick Facts
Erie County Death Records at the Clerk of Records
The Clerk of Records office is the main repository for Erie County's historical vital records. Located at 140 West Sixth Street, Room 122, in the Erie County Courthouse, this office holds birth and death records from 1893 to 1905. These records cover the county as a whole but do not include the City of Erie, which maintained its own separate registration system during this period. The Clerk of Records is reachable by phone at 814-451-6258.
Researchers who are unsure whether their ancestor lived inside or outside the City of Erie should plan to check both repositories. Rural and suburban deaths from the county at large will be found with the Clerk of Records, while deaths that occurred within the city limits during the 1893 to 1905 period are held by the Erie County Historical Society. This is one of the most common sources of confusion for Erie County genealogists, and confirming the correct location before requesting records saves significant time.
Note: County-level birth and death records cover 1893 to 1905 only. Records from 1906 onward are held by the Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records.
| Office | Erie County Clerk of Records 140 West Sixth Street, Room 122 Erie, PA 16501 Phone: 814-451-6258 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday–Friday, regular business hours |
| Records | Birth/death records 1893–1905 (county only, excluding City of Erie) |
City of Erie Death Records at the Historical Society
The Erie County Historical Society holds the death records for the City of Erie from 1894 to 1905, as well as birth records for the city from 1888 to 1905. These records are separate from the county courthouse collection and must be accessed directly through the Historical Society. Located at 356 West Sixth Street in Erie, the Historical Society is just a short distance from the courthouse, making it feasible to visit both institutions in the same day.
The Historical Society's holdings for the City of Erie are particularly valuable because the city's large immigrant population during this period means that these records document families from Poland, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and many other countries. The 1888 start date for city birth records is notably earlier than the county's 1893 start for the surrounding area, giving researchers an additional five-year window for city families. Contact the Historical Society at 814-454-1813 for access and research assistance.
The Erie County Historical Society is an important partner for anyone doing serious genealogical research in this county. Beyond the city vital records, the Society holds newspapers, family files, photographs, and other historical materials that can help researchers build context around a death record.
Erie County Register of Wills and Probate
The Register of Wills office shares the courthouse at 140 West Sixth Street and can be reached at 814-451-6260. Probate records for Erie County begin in 1823 and are available through an online case management system. This online access makes it possible to search estate filings and locate probate records without an in-person visit, which is a significant convenience for out-of-area researchers.
Erie County probate records from 1823 onward represent nearly two centuries of estate documentation. These records include wills, letters of administration, guardianship filings, and other Orphans' Court proceedings. Each type of record can provide valuable information about when a person died and who survived them. A will with named beneficiaries and an execution date close to a death date can often confirm or clarify details that are unclear in the death certificate itself.
Note: The online case management system provides an index and basic case information. Full document images may require a request to the courthouse or an in-person visit.
Erie County Coroner and Death Investigations
The Erie County Coroner's office investigates between 400 and 500 cases each year and certifies more than 1,400 cremations annually. These numbers reflect the size and activity of the county's population. Coroner cases generate their own records, including investigation reports, toxicology results, and official cause-of-death determinations. For deaths that involved suspicious circumstances, accidents, or unexplained causes, the coroner's records may provide detail not found in the standard death certificate.
Historical coroner records for Erie County may be held at the courthouse or by the county archives, depending on the period. Researchers looking for older coroner records should contact the Clerk of Records to ask about availability and access procedures.
Statewide Death Records for Erie County
Deaths in Erie County from 1906 onward fall under the statewide registration system managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Certified copies of death certificates from this period cost $20 and can be requested through the online portal at mycertificates.health.pa.gov, through VitalChek, or by mail to the Division of Vital Records at P.O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Phone inquiries can be directed to 724-656-3100.
The Pennsylvania State Archives death indices are searchable online at no cost. These indexes allow researchers to find a death record and obtain the certificate number needed for a formal copy request. The State Archives also holds microfilm of many early statewide registrations that cover the transition period from county-level to state-level record-keeping around 1906.
Cities in Erie County
Erie County is anchored by its largest city, which has its own distinct records and local history. Researchers working on families from within the city should be aware of the separate record-keeping system that applied during the early registration period.
- Erie — Pennsylvania's fourth-largest city, with city-specific death records from 1894 to 1905 held at the Erie County Historical Society
Nearby Counties
Erie County occupies Pennsylvania's northwest corner, bordered by Lake Erie to the north. Its land borders connect it to two other Pennsylvania counties, and its location makes it a crossroads for families with connections to Ohio and New York as well.