Pennsylvania State Archives

United States Pennsylvania  Archives and Libraries  Pennsylvania State Archives

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Contact Information
Address: General Mailing Address: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission State Museum Building 300 North Street Harrisburg, PA 17120 Physical Address: Pennsylvania State Archives 350 North Street Harrisburg, PA 17120 Phone: (717) 783-3281 Fax: (717) 787-4822 E-Mail: ra-statearchives@pa.gov

Hours
 * Wednesday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m (no original records pulled from 12.00-1.00pm)
 * Saturday ( microfilm use only ), 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
 * Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and State Holidays.

Directions, Maps, and Public Transportation

Internet sites and databases:


 * Pennsylvania State Archives Home Page
 * See other free Pennsylvania Genealogy Online Databases from the PA State Archives.

Collection Description
The Pennsylvania State Archives collects, preserves and makes available for study the permanently-valuable public records of the Commonwealth, with particular attention given to the records of state government. The State Archives also collects papers of private citizens and organizations relevant to Pennsylvania history.


 * Collections The Pennsylvania State Archives is the best source for Military Records, Naturalization Records, Vital Records, Ships List, Census Records, Prison Records, Mine Accidents, State Land Records, and Pennsylvania Railroad Voluntary Relief Cards.
 * A finding aid is available for Record Groups, Manuscript Groups, and Historic Site Collections.
 * Land Records which were issued by the proprietors can be found at the archives or on-line. First check the Warrant Registers. The Warrant Registers index the warrant number, patent and survey.

Tips

 * According to recordsbase.com, archived files are available through the Pennsylvania State Archives, which holds a wealth of historic information about the state. This office has original copies of birth and death certificates dating prior to 1961, as well as records from previous wars, land records and census records. *Searches of these files can be initiated in person, by mail or fax or through email. There are charges for the time spent on research, as well as for the copies of the documents you request.

Guides

 * Baumann, Roland M., and Whipkey, Harry E. Guide to the microfilm of the records of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary governments, 1775-1790. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1978. ;
 * Fortna, Nancy L.P. Guide to county and municipal records on microfilm in the Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1982 ;
 * Guide to the microfilm of the records of the Provincial Council, 1682-1776, in the Pennsylvania State Archives. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1966. ;
 * Suran, Frank M. Guide to the Record Groups in the Pennsylvania State Archives. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, c1980 ;
 * Whipkey, Harry E. Guide to the manuscript groups in the Pennsylvania State Archives. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1976 ;