As always, I never know if this has been shared before and I do not know how how long this information has been online. The Pennsylvania Dept of Health has some indexes that can be browsed. Deaths from 1906-1961 and Births from 1906. It 's looks like the cost of a copy is pretty cheap at $3 ! That's if I didn't misread the website.

So far I'm not having much luck in narrowing down my search target because of the scant information provided in the index, but you may have better luck. I've been looking for a William Brown who died in Philadelphia between 1930-1940. It seems that at least 3 men William Brown died in Philly each year.

Best of luck !

Ron

http://www.portal.health.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/public_records/20686