« Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol 50
PGM Vol 50 No. 1 Births Before 1860
INDEX FOR AFFIDAVITS OF BIRTH REGISTRATIONS PRIOR TO JULY 1860
The registration of births in Philadelphia City and County began on 1 July 1860 under the provisions of an act of the Pennsylvania Assembly. Prior to that time, researchers generally rely on church and baptism records, but there are some helpful records at the Philadelphia City Archives; the list below was extracted from their collection of affidavits taken at City Hall for proof of births before July 1, mostly for passports