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The Archives maintains five types of sacramental records: baptismal, First Communion, Confirmation, marriage and death registers.

 The information contained in these registers varies from parish to parish. Before 1917, the Church did not have exact requirements as to how the records were to be completed. Some registers have very complete information about the individuals listed. Others, however, have only the bare minimum of information needed to record the event. The information that follows summarizes what may be in a specific record. We cannot guarantee that it will be in the record.

 Baptismal Register

 At a minimum, the baptismal register will contain the child's name, date of baptism, the father's first and last name, the mother's first name and the name of the godparents. Most entries will also include the date of birth. Other information that may be included are the mother's maiden name, the city (if outside Pittsburgh) or the neighborhood (if inside Pittsburgh) where the child was born, and the country and, in some instances, the town of origin of one or both parents.

 First Communion and Confirmation Register

 These registers are of minimal value to researchers and usually the information gained from searching them is not worth the cost of the search. Most registers only consist of the date of First Communion or Confirmation and a list of the children who were Confirmed or celebrated their First Communion.

 Marriage Register

 At a minimum, the marriage register will include the marriage date, the couple's names and the names of the witnesses. Other information that may exist includes the couple's age, the town or country of their birth, the names of their parents and the town or country of origin of the parents.

 Death Registers

 The only information in all death registers is the name of the deceased and the date of burial. Other information that may be in the register is the deceased's date of death, age, place of birth, residence (usually a town or City of Pittsburgh neighborhood, but can occasionally be a street address), cause of death and the cemetery where the deceased was buried. If the deceased was a child, the entry may also include the name of the child's father.

Orphanage Records

We have orphanage records from St. Paul's Orphanage, St. Joseph's Orphanage, and Holy Family Institute.  Information in these records consists of the child's name, date of admission, and date of departure.  Other information that may be included are father's and mother's first and last names; correspondence; grades; medical records; whether Baptism, First Communion, or Confirmation were administered and when and where; and reason for placement.

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