Research Requests

The following are microfilm records which can be searched and copied by Pennsylvania Department staff.

Our base non-refundable, prepaid fee to search and copy 1-5 names or pages is $10.00. Additional pages are 50 cents each. Search requests must be limited to no more than 5 names per letter. If you anticipate that your search will result in more than five pages of print, and would like to use a charge card, we can accept either Visa or MasterCard to charge payment costs.

Obituaries

Obituaries from 1786-1913 and 1963-date are indexed and searched by name. From 1914-1962, there is no index, so specific death dates are required for searching. Due to the extensiveness of the searches we cannot search census or estate records.

City Directories

City Directories (1813-1975) and telephone books (1880-2002) will be searched only when specific names and years are provided. Before 1929 the City directories are searchable only by last name.

Marriage Notices

A marriage notice index, searchable by name, is available from 1786-1910. Complete marriage licenses are located in the City/County Building: Department of Court Records. See How to Obtain a Marriage Record.

Pittsburgh Newspapers

The Pittsburgh newspapers are not indexed so searches for newspaper articles will be done only when specific dates are provided.

Naturalization Index

Naturalization Index for Allegheny County, 1790-1906. The Index provides date of Declaration of Intent, country of birth, date of naturalization and sponsor. After 1906 the index files are maintained downtown in the Department of Court Records. See http://www.alleghenycounty.us/wo/.

Birth and Death Records

Information about Allegheny County Birth and Death Register requests can be found on the Pennsylvania Department's Birth and Death Records page.

General Reference Questions

For general reference questions which do not require printing or microfilm searching email: padept@carnegielibrary.org

Microfilm Search Request

To request a microfilm search please print out the attached pdf. form and mail it to the address provided. Due to the volume of letters received turnaround time can be 2-3 weeks.