Denys Allen

I create history+genealogy content so you can discover your Pennsylvania ancestors • On a mission to re-construct our ancestors lives and powerfully share them

Podcast

How to Get the Most Out of RootsTech

It's time for RootsTech - the largest genealogy conference in the world! This year people are attending both in person and virtually. Here's how to get the most out of RootsTech so you don't miss out.

one minute history

The Mysterious History of the Wide Awakes

The Wide Awakes marched through cities and towns across America in 1860. Who were they and why did they march?

Resources

Using U.S. Census Records To Boost Your Pennsylvania Genealogy Research

Census records are a common starting point for family history research in Pennsylvania. In this post, I will guide you through the process of using US Census Records to both start your Pennsylvania genealogy research and enhance your Pennsylvania genealogy research.

Podcast

Resistance to the Draft of 1863

Little has been recorded about the resistance to the 1863 Draft even though it happened everywhere

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Deep Dive on NARA Research in Person

Resources

The Deadliest Days in U.S. History

The Battle of Gettysburg July 1st-3rd, 1863 is one of the most studied military events in U.S. history. Perhaps you can picture your ancestors for a moment in that place. The impact of that day is still felt today in Pennsylvania.

Resources

Peek Inside a Union Soldier Pension File, Part 1

Here's a peak at some of the documents in Union Army pension file and what it can prove to build out a family tree. In Part 1, I'm showing some of the more typical papers you'll find.

Resources

Life in Southern Pennsylvania in June 1863

PA History in One Minute: Imagine life in southern Pennsylvania in June 1863, just before the great battle in Gettysburg and the battles that happened just before.

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Find Your PA Family History in Military Records at the National Archives

The most useful records for genealogists is military pension files. These files name spouses, children, and occasionally siblings and parents of the soldier. For many Pennsylvania researchers, the military pensions files prior to World War 1 are the most sought after.

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Deep Dive National Archives Research: Popular Records for Pennsylvania Genealogy

Podcast

One Minute PA History: The Origin of Groundhogs Day

Pennsylvania's most unique holiday celebrated by your ancestors 0:00/1×

Resources

The Easy Way to Find Deeds in PA

Whether you call it land, property, or real estate, deeds are the documents that shows of ownership of land. In Pennsylvania, all deeds are found at the county Recorder of Deeds office. Here's the easy way to find deed records in PA counties.

Resources

How a Deed Can Build Your Family Tree

If you’re tracing your ancestors or the history of a home In Pennsylvania, particularly in the 18th century, you’ll want to find and transcribe the real estate deeds you find. Here's how to do it.

Podcast

The Most Forgotten War in American History

Pennsylvania,and Philadelphia in particular, were very involved in America's War with Mexico, 1846–1848. It rarely get mentioned in current times. Here's the impact it had then summarized in one minute:

Podcast

One Minute PA History: The Most Forgotten War

The largest war in the Western hemisphere happened just before the U.S. Civil War and Pennsylvania was very involved. 0:00/1×

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Deep Dive on Pittsburgh Research

Resources

The Tragedy of the Boyertown Opera House Fire

The Boyertown Opera House Fire was a devastating historical event that took place in Boyertown, Berks County on January 13, 1908. The Rhodes Opera House was destroyed by a fire started by a kerosene lantern. Almost half the audience died in the inferno, 176 people.

Paid-members only

Members Only

Deep Dive on Philadelphia Research

Podcast

Podcast Episode 74: Unique & Rare Pennsylvania Birth Records That Few Know About

What if I told you that in the 1700’s and 1800’s in Pennsylvania, there were unique and beautiful birth records created? These are not official government records and not church records. It is what we call fraktur and I explain what it is and where to find it

Podcast

Podcast Episode 73: 10 Ways to Get Birth and Death Information for Your Ancestors

Sometimes we can't find birth certificates, death certificates, or marriage licenses on our ancestors. These are the 10 records I look for as a substitute for vital records for my ancestors. Watch and Subscribe to PA Ancestors on YouTube Listen to this Your Pennsylvania Ancestors Podcast Episode Your Pennsylvania Ancestors

Podcast

Podcast Episode 72: Search Strategies for Vital Records

If you've tried and tried to find a vital record in Pennsylvania, and keep running into a brick wall, this episode is for  you. Here's 4 search strategies you can use to find birth, death, and marriage records - or really any record - in PA. Ancestry's tips to use

Podcast

Podcast Episode 71: 3 Times When Vital Records Went Wrong

Pennsylvania had a few attempts at birth records and death records that didn't work out as expected. Some failed, and some.....well, I explain what happened in this episode. Genealogists can use these record attempts to find their ancestors in PA. Colonial period vital records in the Pennsylvania Archives series

Podcast

Podcast Episode 70: My Favorite Pennsylvania Genealogy Record

Genealogists get to research in a variety of records. But I have one absolute favorite record, and its a hard-to-find vital record. Listen in to what it is and where to find it. Watch and Subscribe to PA Ancestors on YouTube Listen to this Your Pennsylvania Ancestors Podcast Episode Your

Podcast

Podcast Episode 69: All About 19th Century Vital Records in Pennsylvania

The 19th Century was a time of change and vital records were tried, failed, and tried again in various ways. It's confusing and and I'll clear it up in this episode. Watch and Subscribe to PA Ancestors YouTube Listen to this Your Pennsylvania Ancestors Podcast Episode Your Pennsylvania Ancestors is

Podcast

Podcast Episode 68: How to Get Free Vital Records in Pennsylvania

Genealogists don't need to order certified copies or pay monthly subscription fees to get the records they want. Here are three ways to get birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses for free. Watch and Subscribe to PA Ancestors on YouTube Listen to this Your Pennsylvania Ancestors Podcast Episode Your