Thanks for details of location oldohiohome .
It’s a good idea to look elsewhere for information of his origins. Would there have been naturalisation at this time which might give details of place of birth? Would the father’s place of birth be recorded on his children’s bmds or in his own d/c? Or his immigration or arrival in the USA?
the record being discussed:
married October 26, 1887, St Michel's and Zion Church, Philadelphia
John Michel, a shoemaker, born in ??. his parents: Emma Schmidt, Sulo? Michel
marriage to Anna K Brown, born in Philadelphia, her parents: John Brown and ?? Lutz
[the father's name is as hard to read as the birthplace]
The marriage record was in 1887, with him obviously in Philadelphia by this time. The arrivals and naturalization records for that time period would probably not say any more than the country. Later they would include a town or city, but not that early.
The children's birth records would be the best hope for a detailed place of birth since he was alive to fill out the record. His death record would not be as good. It would depend on the memory of his survivors and how much detail the person recording the information wanted to put down.
All vital records would be held by the state and county in Pennsylvania.