Research Request Forms

Archdiocesan baptismal and marriage records prior to the year 1920 are available through FindMyPast. All Records up to 1945 can be obtained through the CHRC. All records after 1945 must be obtained from the individual parishes including those in the city of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery.

CHRC has the admission records for three boys’ orphanages: St. John’s Orphan Asylum (Dec. 1845 through May 1970), St. Joseph’s House for Homeless Boys (July 26, 1904-April 22, 1940),  St. Francis’ Industrial School in Eddington (July 17, 1888-June 15, 1970), The Catholic Protectory (January 1916- February 1947) as well as St Vincent’s Tacony (1892-1994), which housed both boys and girls. We will  conduct research for these records. Only records prior to 1940 can be searched for genealogical purposes. Records after 1940 can only be obtained by the person the record pertains to and requires a photo I.D. to obtain a copy of the record. 

CHRC has some school records, mainly report cards, for a number of parochial schools: Ascension of Our Lord, St. Catharine of Sienna, St. Donato,  St. Frances Cabrini Regional School, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Gertrude, St. Hugh, St. Joan of Arc, St. Madeline Sophie, Mater Dolorosa, St. Michael of the Saints, Most Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Victory,  St. Peter Claver, St. Philip Neri, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Vincent de Paul.

We also have records for schools administered by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Please contact CHRC staff  for more information.

CHRC does not hold the following records: death, burial, funeral, confirmation, and communion. There are two exceptions. CHRC does have some death records for Old St. Mary and Holy Trinity.

Complete the records request form and return with your payment of a $20 check to CHRC.