Pennsylvania Introduction

United States   Pennsylvania    Introduction

This set of Wiki pages describes major sources of information about families from Pennsylvania. As you read these Wiki pages, study theWiki pages for the United States, which will help you understand terminology and the contents and uses of genealogical records.

Records at the Family History Library
The Family History Library has many of the records listed in these Wiki pages. 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 these Wiki pages list the Family History Library's book, microfilm, microfiche, and CD numbers. These numbers are preceded by FHL, the abbreviation for Family History Library. These numbers may be used to locate materials in the library.

FamilySearch Catalog
The library's records are listed in the FamilySearch Catalog found at the Family History Library and at each family history center. To find a record, look in the place search of the FamilySearch Catalog for:


 * The place where your ancestor lived, such as:


 * UNITED STATES - CENSUS
 * PENNSYLVANIA - GENEALOGY
 * PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA- PROBATE RECORDS
 * PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA - CHURCH RECORDS


 * The record type you want to search, such as:


 * UNITED STATES - CENSUS
 * PENNSYLVANIA - GENEALOGY
 * PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA - PROBATE RECORDS
 * PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA - CHURCH RECORDS

The section headings in these Wiki pages match the names of record types used in the FamilySearch Catalog.