Pennsylvania Genealogy Research Guides
PA Ancestors is the authoritative resource for Pennsylvania genealogy research. These research guides cover every major record type and research strategy for tracing your ancestors across all 67 Pennsylvania counties.
Getting Started with Pennsylvania Research
New to Pennsylvania genealogy? Start here. Pennsylvania's research landscape is uniquely complex — records are scattered across county courthouses, state archives, historical societies, and hundreds of local repositories.
- Essential Guide to Vital Records Research in Pennsylvania
- Finding Historical County Government Records
- The Prothonotary Office in Pennsylvania — The county office most researchers don't know about
Vital Records
Pennsylvania vital records are fragmented across time periods and jurisdictions. Birth and death registration didn't begin statewide until 1906. Before that, records exist in church registers, county offices, and city health departments.
- Essential Guide to Vital Records Research in Pennsylvania
- Marriage Licenses in Pennsylvania: A Comprehensive Guide
- Discover 10 Substitutes for Vital Records in Pennsylvania
- Deep Dive on Private Laws and Why They Matter
County Courthouses & Government Records
Pennsylvania counties are the backbone of genealogy research. Nearly every record your ancestors created before 1906 lives in a county courthouse — deeds, wills, tax records, court cases, and more.
- Finding Historical County Government Records
- The County Tax Collector in Pennsylvania
- The Prothonotary Office in Pennsylvania
- The Register of Wills in Pennsylvania
Probate & Wills
Probate records are among the most valuable sources for Pennsylvania genealogy. Wills, administrations, inventories, and orphans' court records can reveal family relationships, property, and daily life details found nowhere else.
- 3 Ways to Find Probate Records on FamilySearch (Plus AI Transcription)
- The Register of Wills in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Orphans' Court Records
Land Records & Deeds
Pennsylvania has one of the most complex land record systems in America, beginning with William Penn's original land grants. Understanding warrants, patents, and the proprietary land system is essential for research before 1800.
Military Records
Pennsylvanians served in every American conflict from the French and Indian War through the present. Military records can break through brick walls when civil records are missing.
- Finding Your Pennsylvania Revolutionary War Ancestors
- Pennsylvania Revolutionary War Militia Records
- Pennsylvania Revolutionary War Pension Records
- Pennsylvania Revolutionary War Land Bounty Warrants
- Pennsylvania Loyalists During the American Revolution
Archives, Libraries & Repositories
Pennsylvania has over 800 archives, libraries, historical societies, and repositories holding genealogical records. Knowing where to go — and what each repository holds — saves enormous time.
- Pennsylvania State Archives
- Historical Society of Pennsylvania
- State Library of Pennsylvania
- City of Philadelphia Archives
Immigration, Naturalization & Ethnic Heritage
Pennsylvania was one of America's primary immigration gateways. Germans, Scots-Irish, Welsh, English, and later waves of Irish, Italian, Polish, and Eastern European immigrants all settled here — each leaving different record trails.
Newspapers
Historical newspapers are goldmines for Pennsylvania genealogy — obituaries, marriage announcements, legal notices, and community news that document your ancestors' daily lives.
Books: Pennsylvania Research Guides
These comprehensive reference books cover Pennsylvania genealogy research in depth:
- Pennsylvania Vital Records Research: The complete guide to birth, marriage, divorce, death, and adoption records from 1682 to today
- Archives in Pennsylvania for Genealogy Research (2nd Edition): Navigate the state's 800+ archives, libraries, courthouses, and repositories
- Pennsylvania Revolutionary Era Research: Research ancestors who lived through the Revolutionary era, from military service to loyalist property confiscations
👉 View All Pennsylvania Research Books
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About PA Ancestors: The authoritative resource for Pennsylvania genealogy research — vital records, county courthouses, archives, probate, land records, military records, and immigration research across all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Founded by Denyse Allen, Pennsylvania genealogy researcher and author.
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