R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Pennsylvania
Research Outline
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Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
Historical Geography
History
Land And Property
Law And Legislation
Maps
Military Records
Minorities
Native Races
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Periodicals
Probate Records
Societies
Taxation
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

This outline describes major sources of information about families from Pennsylvania. Before reading this outline, study the United States Research Outline (30972), which will help you understand terminology and the contents and uses of genealogical records.


RECORDS OF THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY

The Family History Library has many of the records described in this outline. The major holdings include genealogies, histories, and cemetery, census, church, immigration, land, military, naturalization, probate, tax, and vital records.

Some of the sources described in this outline list the Family History Library's book, microfilm, microfiche, and computer numbers. These numbers are preceded by FHL, the abbreviation for Family History LibraryLook this term up in the glossary.. These numbers may be used to locate materials in the library and to order microfilm and microfiche at Family History CentersLook this term up in the glossary..

The computer number can be used if you have access to the Family History Library Catalog™ on computer. The “Computer Number SearchLook this term up in the glossary.” is the fastest way to find a source in the catalog.


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FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG

The library's records are listed in the Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary. found at the library and at each Family History Center. To find a record, look in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog for:

  • The place where your ancestor lived, such as:
UNITED STATES - CENSUSPENNSYLVANIA - GENEALOGYPENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA - PROBATE RECORDSPENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA - CHURCH RECORDS

  • The record type you want to search, such as:
UNITED STATES - CENSUSPENNSYLVANIA - GENEALOGYPENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA - PROBATE RECORDSPENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA - CHURCH RECORDS

The record types described in this outline are the record types used in the Family History Library Catalog.

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Version of Data: 4/3/2006]