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Tips to make Pa. research a little easier Tom Mooney Out on a Limb

Sunday February 14, 2010 | 12:00 AM

Pennsylvania can be a tricky state for genealogical researchers. It has big-city libraries and out-of-the-way resources. Its immigrants filtered in from a variety of ports throughout the Middle Atlantic states. And it has long been a gateway through which Americans passed on their way west.

Still, there are ways of getting your research into your Pennsylvania ancestors under control. Here are some of them.

1. County courthouses: For official documents such as marriage records, wills and property transactions, the county courthouse is the place to go, as all genealogists know, and the names of offices don’t change much from one county to another. To get the exact addresses and phone numbers go to this handy Web site and tack the county name onto the end. You may then ask if the courthouse has a public records office, which will make your search easier. Using Luzerne County as an example, the site is www.findcountyrecords.com/counties/pennsylvania/luzerne-county.

Counties tend to have their own Web sites also. You can use your search engine to find them. Keep in mind, though, that over the years counties have been created from other counties. Typically, a given county will keep records for the areas later split off into another county.

2. The Pennsylvania Archives: You’ll find an immense amount — though a mixed bag — of material here. To find out what the archives can offer you, go to www.portal.state.pa.us, which gets you to the state’s Web site. Then click on Historical and Museum Commission and from there on Archives. You’ll find a “genealogy” button to click on. There’s a facility called archives online as well.

A good introduction to this department is “Guide to Genealogical Sources at the Pennsylvania State Archives,” by Robert M. Dructor. This book is available through the Historical and Museum Commission.

3. Family Tree’s state guide: A few years ago Family Tree magazine published a guide to Pennsylvania genealogical research as part of its state guide series. You can still access this excellent resource by going to www.familytreemagazine.com/backissues and clicking on “state resource guides.” For $3 you can then get a digital download of the Pennsylvania guide.

4. Heritage Books: This company publishes mainly reprints of works of interest to historians and genealogists. Its catalogue offers several pages of books on Pennsylvania topics, though some of them are a bit pricey. For the catalogue, phone Heritage Books at (800) 876-6103 or e-mail orders@HeritageBooks.com. You can also go to www.heritagebooks.com and find their Pennsylvania list.

5. Pennsylvania Genweb: I’ve talked about this wonderful source many, many times. In your search engine just type in the name of the county where you’re doing your research, followed by Genweb, and you’ll get to the right site.

Besides the query boards, you’ll likely find information on local historical and genealogical societies, and sometimes libraries. If no links are offered, use your search engine to find the Web sites of these institutions. Some of them publish guides listing their genealogical holdings and telling how to access them.

6. Cyndi’s List: Here’s another old chestnut, but a very good one. Go to www.cyndislist.com and look for Pennsylvania resources. You’ll find a ton of clickable Web sites for institutions, publications, mailing lists and other facilities. I guarantee it will take you a long time to explore Cyndi’s List and that you’ll find some very good stuff.

So there you have it. With hard work (and a little luck), your Pennsylvania research could be the keystone of your genealogy.