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A collection of 43 posts

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Methodology: Use AncestryDNA's Genetic Communities

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Creating Personal Databases from FamilySearch Records

Extracting a small set of records to examine closely can help you make progress in your genealogy research.

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Methodology: Research All the Siblings and Cousins of Your Direct Line Ancestors

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Methodology: Create and Use Spelling Variations in Your Genealogy Searches

Knowing how to work with all the ways an ancestor's surname could be spelled, improves search results and reveals previously hidden genealogy records.

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The Turning Point in 1917 of Pennsylvania Probate Law

Five laws passed in 1917 modernized estate inheritance and probate procedures in Pennsylvania. These laws were the turning point between colonial tradition and modern practices.

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Probate Laws and Customs in Pennsylvania’s Colonial Period

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Key Documents in Pennsylvania Probate Files

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Using the Russell Index for County Courthouse Records

Knowing how to use the Russell Index system is essential for county records research, whether you research at the county courthouse or in the FamilySearch Catalog.

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3 Ways to Find Probate Records on FamilySearch (Plus AI Transcription)

Probate records remain one of the un-indexed and easily searchable records in most counties. Here's a variety of ways to find what is online and transcribe it.

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Finding Historical County Government Records

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Getting Started in Pennsylvania Genealogy Research

Following a research method and recording results helps prevent brick walls and assures that no record is missed. Here's four steps I follow for genealogy research.

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Records of Pennsylvania Civilians During the Civil War Era

Both federal tax listing and war damage claims provide a vivid picture of civilian life during the Civil War in Pennsylvania.

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Did Your Pennsylvania Ancestor Serve in the Military?

It’s easy to get overwhelmed doing military research if you start with a big website such as Fold3 or Ancestry. Use this simple two step process instead.

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Who Were the Draft Resisters of the Civil War?

Little has been written of opposition to the military drafts of 1863. As genealogists, we could encounter it in our research. Here is how to research it.

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Records of Conscientious Objectors, Deserters, and Substitutes During the Civil War

Pennsylvania had the largest number enroll in the Union Army and the largest number oppose service.. Here's how to find out if your ancestor was in opposition to military service.

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Four Valuable Genealogical Records Created During the Civil War Era

The US Civil War (1861-1865) produced more records of genealogical interest than probably any other event in American history. Here are four record sets that were created or increased during the war.

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Discover Your Ancestors Pilot Workshop Slides

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Creating Your Own Data Sets from FamilySearch

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Collected Resources for Surnames, Nicknames, and Name Spelling Variations

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My Favorite Genealogy Research Logs with Links

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Deep Dive on Private Laws and Why They Matter

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The County Tax Collector in Pennsylvania

Probably the least favorite office for our ancestors - the tax collector! Taxes were collected for various things over the decades, and you can learn all about it in these videos.

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Introduction to County Courthouse Research

Pennsylvania's county courthouses hold the majority of the records of your ancestors. Learn how county courthouses are organized and why these records matter for genealogy research.

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The Recorder of Deeds Office in Pennsylvania

An overview of the Recorder of Deeds office in Pennsylvania and the records helpful for genealogy research.

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The Orphans Court in Pennsylvania

Explore historical estate records, probate files, minute books, marriage licenses, and guardianships at the Orphans Court.