Obituary Records in Cameron County
Cameron County obituary and death records are maintained by the Register and Recorder in Emporium, Pennsylvania. This combined office keeps historical death records from 1860 through 1905, along with birth records from 1894 to 1906. Cameron County is one of the smaller counties in Pennsylvania by population, located in the north-central part of the state. Finding death records here means working with a single combined county office that handles vital records, land records, and court records all under one roof. The Pennsylvania Department of Health holds death certificates for Cameron County residents who died after 1906.
Cameron County Quick Facts
Cameron County Register and Recorder
The Cameron County Register and Recorder serves as the Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, and Clerk of Orphans' Court. All three functions operate from one location at the Cameron County Courthouse in Emporium. This combined setup means you can access death records, estate files, land records, and marriage records in a single visit. For Cameron County death research, this office is the starting point for any records dated before 1906.
Death records from 1860 to 1905 and birth records from 1894 to 1906 are stored at this office. The county maintains records from the time it was incorporated in 1860. Estate records are available from that same year forward. Marriage license records go back to 1860 as well. Because Cameron County is small, the office staff can often assist researchers directly and locate records with just a name and approximate date. Call ahead before visiting to confirm current availability of older records.
For more information about office services and county departments, visit the Cameron County Register and Recorder page or the main Cameron County government portal.
| Office |
Cameron County Register and Recorder Cameron County Courthouse 20 East Fifth Street Emporium, PA 15834 Phone: (814) 486-2315 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Records | Death records 1860–1905; Estate records from 1860 |
Cameron County Office and Record Resources
The Cameron County government website provides access to all county departments and elected officials, including the Register and Recorder office that holds historical obituary and death records.
Cameron County maintains records dating to its formation in 1860, including death records, estate files, and historical vital statistics that support genealogical research for families in the Emporium area.
Requesting Cameron County Death Certificates
Death certificates for Cameron County residents are handled by the Pennsylvania Department of Health for deaths that occurred after 1906. The state began collecting death records on January 1, 1906. Certified copies cost $20 each. You can request a copy by mail, in person at a state vital records office, or through an online service.
To request a Cameron County death certificate from the state, you need the full name of the deceased, the approximate date of death, and the county of death. Requesters must show they have a legal interest in the record or are an immediate family member. Visit PA Vital Records to start your request. You may also use VitalChek for expedited online orders. Current processing times are listed at the state vital records website.
For deaths between 1860 and 1905, contact the Cameron County Register and Recorder directly at (814) 486-2315. These older records are not available through the state system.
Note: The state genealogy program offers access to older death records for family history purposes at pa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records/genealogy.
Historical Death Records in Cameron County
Cameron County was incorporated on March 29, 1860, formed from parts of Clinton, Elk, McKean, and Potter Counties. The county is named after Simon Cameron, a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. Emporium serves as the county seat. Because the county was formed relatively late compared to much of Pennsylvania, its formal records begin in 1860. Death records from the county's early years are available at the Register and Recorder's office. These records predate the state system that began in 1906.
Cameron County is one of the fifth-smallest counties in Pennsylvania by population. Fewer people means a smaller volume of records, but it also means the county's historical documents are often well preserved and easier to navigate. Church records, cemetery registers, and local newspaper obituaries from Emporium and surrounding communities fill in many gaps from the pre-1860 period when the area was part of neighboring counties. The Pennsylvania State Archives holds additional resources that may include early vital records for the north-central region of the state where Cameron County sits.
Estate records from 1860 onward at the county courthouse can help confirm death dates and identify family members. Wills name the deceased, often mention the date of death, and list heirs by name. These are often easier to access than formal death records for the county's earliest decades.
Genealogy Research in Cameron County
Cameron County genealogy research relies heavily on the combined Register and Recorder office in Emporium. All vital records, estate files, and land records are housed there. The office maintains marriage records from 1860 to the present. Estate records from 1860 forward name deceased individuals and often include inventory documents listing their personal property at the time of death.
The PA State Archives vital statistics records collection includes some older county-level materials that may cover Cameron County ancestors. The state archives also holds church and cemetery records for many Pennsylvania communities on microfilm. For recent death research, the Pennsylvania death index is searchable online and covers deaths statewide from 1906 forward. Cameron County death records after 1906 appear in this state index.
The county government portal at cameroncountypa.com links to historical and genealogical resources relevant to the county. Online forms and applications for record requests are available for download from the county website. Remote requests for older records can often be handled by phone or mail through the Register and Recorder office.
Related Records Offices in Cameron County
The combined Register and Recorder office in Cameron County handles most record types in one location. Land records, estate files, vital records, and Orphans' Court records are all maintained there. Property transfers that occur after a death require a death certificate as part of the documentation. The Recorder of Deeds function within the combined office handles those land record needs. Military discharge records for Cameron County veterans are also on file.
For civil court records and Prothonotary services, Cameron County has a separate office at the courthouse. Those records include any civil matters that arose from deaths, such as wrongful death claims or civil disputes over estates. The Orphans' Court function of the Register and Recorder handles guardianship cases, adoptions, and estate administration matters. These records can be valuable when tracing family connections following a death in Cameron County.
The Pennsylvania Courts Orphans' Court directory provides statewide contact information if you need to confirm which office handles a specific matter in Cameron County.
Cities in Cameron County
No cities from our directory are currently listed for this county.
Nearby Counties
Cameron County borders several Pennsylvania counties in the north-central part of the state. Death records for people near a county boundary may be in a neighboring county's records.