The most difficult part of anything is getting started. It will be easier in the beginning to start with yourself and work back through the generations.

Keep in mind that you are interested in four key items: names, relationships, dates and places (birth, marriage, death).

We suggest that you use the sample GSMD Preliminary Review Form.

DO NOT FORWARD THAT FORM TO THIS STATE SOCIETY as we have no sources to verify claims beyond the first four or five generations. The best way to find if there are any further generations on file with the Mayflower Society beyond the first four or five that they have published in their Five Generation project, is to send the Preliminary Review Form listing your lineage down to you with a check for $20.00 payable to "GSMD" to: Historian General, GSMD, P.O. Box 3297, Plymouth, MA 02361-3297. The Five Generations Project publications (including the "in-progress" four generation booklets) are recognized as a source and no further proof is required for those generations if the publications are listed as the source.

Once you have submitted your application form you will be sent a package of instructions, a lineage worksheet and various materials containing helpful hints to get you on your way.

Access to birth and death certificates is limited to next of kin. Submit a readable copy of applicant's driver's license or other picture ID with your request. Make check or money order payable to Division of Vital Records. Click here for more details.

Search Pennsylvania Databases online for birth, marriage, census, death, immigration, naturalization, military records and more at Ancestry.

RECORD COST DATES ORDERING

Birth $10.00 (by mail) $17.00 (by fax) since Jan 1906 Order Online | Mail Order

Death $9.00 (by mail) $16.00 (by fax) since Jan 1906 Order Online | Mail Order

Birth & Death   before 1906   Write to: Register of Wills, Orphans Court, in county seat of county where event occurred.

Birth   1870 to 1905 Order Online Persons born in Pittsburgh or in Allegheny City, now part of Pittsburgh, from 1882 to 1905 Registrar of Wills City-County Building Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Marriage Fees vary     Marriage records are not available from the Division of Vital Records. They are usually obtained from the courthouse in the county where the marriage license was issued

Divorce Fees vary     Divorce records are not available from the Division of Vital Records. They are usually obtained from the courthouse in the county where the divorce decree was granted.

The home to SMDPA Past Lending Library Books is:

State Library of PA
PO Box 1601
Harrisburg PA 17105

Libraries to which the Pennsylvania Society has given and maintains complete collections of the General Mayflower Society’s Mayflower Families Through Five Generations books:

Historical Society of PA 1300 Locust St Philadelphia PA 19107	The Free Library of Philadelphia Social Science and History Dept 1901 Vine St Philadelphia PA 19103
The Ludington Library Bryn Mawr & Lancaster Ave Bryn Mawr PA 19010	The Chester County Historical Society 225 N High St West Chester PA 19380
State Library of PA PO Box 1601 Harrisburg PA 17105	The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh 4400 Forbes Ave Pittsburgh PA 15213-4080
The Butler Area Public Library 218 N McKean St Butler PA 16001	The Westmoreland County Historical Society 362 Sand Hill Road Greensburg, PA 15601
Erie County Public Library 160 E Front St Erie PA 16507	The York County Heritage Trust 250 E Market St York PA 17401
Citizens Library & District Center 55 S College St Washington PA 15301	Allentown Public Library 1210 Hamilton St Allentown PA 18102
Lancaster County Historical Society 230 North President Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603-3125	Easton Public Library Marx Room 515 Church St Easton, PA 18042
Wyoming Historical & Genealogical Society 49 S Franklin St Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701	Cornerstone Genealogical Society* 144 E. Greene Street Waynesburg, PA 15370
Albright Memorial Library 500 Vine Street Scranton, PA 18509	*The series of books and future editions at this site were donated by the Alden-descended Breese family as a memorial to, and in honor of, the Breese family and with the intent of promoting the greater good of SMDPA.
Lycoming County John V. Brown Library 19 East 4th St Williamsport PA 17701	Mengle Memorial Library 324 Main Street Brockway, PA 15824