How can I locate vital (birth, death, and marriage) records?
Birth and death records exist for limited time periods. Chester County Archives has birth and death records for 1852-1855 and 1893-1906. Birth and death records for 1906 to the present are available from the Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of Health. Note: county government records never existed for other years; other than the listed years the county did not record births and deaths. Church records are the best alternative source for this type of information. CCA has some alternative sources for birth and death information for limited periods. Marriage records exist for limited time periods as well. Chester County Archives has marriage records for 1852-1855 and 1885-1930. Marriage records for 1931 to the present are available from the Chester County Clerk of Orphans Court. Note: county government records never existed for other years; other than the listed years the county did not record marriages. Church records and newspapers are the best alternative sources for this type of inf