Northampton County Death Records

Northampton County holds one of the longer early death record spans in Pennsylvania. The Register of Deaths runs from 1893 to 1913, covering a period that extends well into the state registration era. The county seat is Easton. Additional local records include Easton Vital Records from 1888 to 1907 and South Easton records from 1893 to 1898. The Clerk of Orphans' Court manages early vital records, and the PA State Archives holds microfilm copies. For deaths from 1906 onward, the Division of Vital Records handles certified copy requests.

Northampton County Register of Deaths

The Northampton County Register of Deaths covers a remarkably long span from 1893 to 1913. Most Pennsylvania counties stopped their county-level death registers in 1905 or 1906 when the statewide system took over. Northampton County continued its local register through 1913, creating overlap with the new state system. This overlap can be valuable for researchers, since the two sets of records may contain different details about the same death.

The Clerk of Orphans' Court at the Northampton County Courthouse in Easton maintains the original records from this period. Researchers can request access to the Register of Deaths in person or by mail. The PA State Archives holds microfilm copies of these registers, making them accessible to researchers in Harrisburg or through interlibrary loan arrangements. Northampton County death records from 1893 to 1913 are searchable online through multiple genealogical databases, and death indexes for this period are available to assist with surname searches.

For deaths from 1906 onward, the PA State Archives death index is a free starting point. Visit the PA State Archives death indices page to search Northampton County records online. The index covers 1906 to 1975 and provides the State File Number needed to order a certified copy.

Note: Northampton County's Register of Deaths runs through 1913, providing overlap with the state system that began in 1906. Check both sources for deaths between 1906 and 1913.

Easton Vital Records and South Easton Index

Easton, the county seat of Northampton County, maintained its own vital records from 1888 to 1907. These Easton Vital Records are a separate resource from the county-level Register of Deaths. They cover the same general period but focus specifically on the city of Easton. For anyone with ancestors who lived in Easton during those years, this local record set is a valuable supplement to the county register.

South Easton also maintained its own vital records from 1893 to 1898. This short run of South Easton records reflects the practice of larger boroughs and townships keeping their own registration books during Pennsylvania's early registration era. These local records may include details not found in the county register, such as the specific street address of the deceased or the attending physician's name. Together, the Easton and South Easton records cover much of the population center of Northampton County during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Both the Easton Vital Records and the South Easton records are indexed and searchable through genealogical databases. Researchers should check these local indices alongside the county Register of Deaths and the state index to get the most complete picture of Northampton County deaths during this period.

Note: The Easton Vital Records run from 1888 to 1907, making them one of the earlier city-level vital record sets in the Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley region.

Genealogy Research Resources in Northampton County

The Sigal Museum in Easton is Northampton County's leading institution of local history. It serves as a major research hub for anyone investigating their Northampton County roots. The museum offers Genealogy 101 workshops that teach participants how to use online resources alongside local, county, state, and federal records. These workshops are a great entry point for researchers who are new to the field or unfamiliar with Pennsylvania-specific records.

The Sigal Museum's research resources include wills, census records, military records, immigration documents, and land records. These categories overlap directly with death research, since estate files often document death dates and surviving family members. Census records help establish where a person lived in a given decade, pointing researchers to the right county and township for death record searches. Military records can confirm death dates for veterans. The museum's collection covers Northampton County from its founding through the twentieth century.

Genealogy workshops at the Sigal Museum are held periodically throughout the year. They cover both paper and digital research methods. Participants learn how to access state and county records, how to use the PA State Archives death index, and how to find digitized images on platforms like Ancestry.com. The museum's staff can also assist researchers in person during regular hours. Contact the Sigal Museum directly for current workshop schedules and research appointment availability.

Note: The Sigal Museum focuses on Northampton County history and genealogy. It is a strong complement to courthouse records and the PA State Archives for researchers working in this county.

Northampton County State Death Certificates

Pennsylvania began requiring statewide death registration in 1906. All Northampton County deaths from that year forward required a formal certificate. The Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records in New Castle handles certified copy requests. The fee is $20 per copy. Mail requests to PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16103. Phone contact is available at 724-656-3100 or 844-228-3516. Online orders go through VitalChek at mycertificates.health.pa.gov.

Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at several offices. The Philadelphia and Scranton offices are the closest walk-in sites for Northampton County. The PA State Archives holds original certificates from 1906 to 1974. Digital images from 1906 to 1972 are available on Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania residents can access Ancestry.com free at public libraries statewide. For deaths after 1974, use the PA Department of Health vital records page to place your order. Death certificates are public records 50 years after the date of death.

Cities in Northampton County

Northampton County contains several significant cities. Bethlehem is one of the largest and has a rich industrial history tied to Bethlehem Steel and early Moravian settlement.

Nearby Pennsylvania Counties

Northampton County borders several counties in eastern Pennsylvania. Each has its own death records and local archives. Check neighboring counties if your ancestor lived near a county line.

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