In order to improve our research request system, the Pennsylvania Department will temporarily suspend its research program starting on November 17. Any requests currently in the research queue will be completed. Please check this page for updates regarding our new system.
During this brief time, we encourage patrons to consult FamilySearch.org, which has digitized copies of many vital records. This video has instructions to help you find Allegheny County records if you’re not familiar with the site.
We appreciate your patience while we streamline our process.
City Directories, Marriage Records and Naturalizations
Microfilm records for City Directories, Marriage Records and Naturalizations from the locations and time periods listed below can be requested with this form:
City Directories
- City Directories 1813-1975 are searched when specific names and years are provided. Pre-1929 the directories are searchable only by last name.
- Telephone Books: Pittsburgh/Allegheny County 1880-2010
Recommended online resources:
Marriage Notices
- Marriage Notice Index, Pittsburgh Newspapers: 1786-1910
- Ministers Returns City of Pittsburgh only: February, 1875-June, 1886
- Marriage Returns City of Pittsburgh 1870-75
- Marriages in Allegheny City 1877-1882
- Allegheny County Records:
- Marriage Notice Index: Pittsburgh Newspapers: 1786-1910
- Marriage License Index: 1885-1925; vol. 1-14, by Bride or Groom surname
- Marriage License Docket: 1885-1906; vol. 1-70
Recommended online resources:
- Allegheny County Marriage License Dockets: 1906-present are available through Allegheny County Wills/ Orphan’s Court
- PA Marriage licenses 1885-1950 are available on FamilySearch.
Naturalization Index
Allegheny County: 1790-1906; U.S. District Court, 1820-1930; Circuit Court, 1820-1911
Obituaries
Microfilm records for obituaries from the locations and time periods listed below can be requested with this form:
- 1786-1913 ; 1963-1998; 2001- present
- 1914-1962: Indexed on: Pennsylvania State birth/death indices
Pittsburgh Newspapers
Microfilm records for Pittsburgh newspapers (article search, not obituaries) can be requested by emailing padept@carnegielibrary.org. Please provide the date, or a date range of no more than seven days, the name of the paper, and details about the article you need.
General Reference Questions
For general reference questions which do not require printing or microfilm searching email padept@carnegielibrary.org.