It is wise to acquaint yourself with any repository in Pennsylvania which you might visit by writing to the appropriate archive or library in advance.
Most, if not all, Pennsylvania repositories have published materials that introduce its collections and research policy.
Pennsylvania archives and historical agencies also have Internet sites that provide the same information. Some even have downloadable databases for some or parts of their collections.
Pennsylvania Archives
- The Pennsylvania Archives Online – As one of the original 13 colonies, Pennsylvania played an important part in our nation’s early history. Many significant records were created and kept by Pennsylvania, as Philadelphia was both the site of the Continental Congress and the largest port of the time. Many of those early documents, and others through the 1800s, were transcribed into the published Pennsylvania Archives. These volumes should not be confused with the repository in Harrisburg where official colonial and state records are kept. The images here are pages from the 138-volume, 10-series set of the well-known collection of early government records transcribed and printed by the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Archives has been relied upon by scholars, genealogists, and historians for valuable historical information for over a century. The only online availability of virtually all of the Pennsylvania Archives is here, with free access, on Footnote.com.
- Pennsylvania State Archives, 350 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120; Phone:(717) 783-3281
- Pennsylvania, Published Archives Series, 1664–1902 (search.ancestry.com)
- Pennsylvania archives, eighth series, index of Votes of Pennsylvania Assembly (search.ancestry.com)
- Chester Co Archives and Records Service, 117 West Gray Str., West Chester, PA 19380
- Delaware County Archives, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063
- Franklin County Archives, 717.709.7218
- Lancaster Co. Office of Records and Archives Services, 50 N. Duke St, P.O. Box 83480; Lancaster, Pa. 17608-3480; (717)299-8319
- Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119
- Montgomery County Archives, 2000 Old Arch Road, Norristown, PA 19401; 610-278-3441
- Northampton County Archives, 684 Washington Street, 1st floor, Easton, PA 18042; (610) 559-2687
- The Philadelphia City Archives , 3101 Market Street 1st. Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (215) 686-1581 prior to 1915, (215) 560-3054 after 1915
- Schuylkill County Archives, 401 N. 2nd St., Pottsville, PA 17901-2528; (570) 628-1145
- York County Archives, 150 Pleasant Acres Road, York, PA 17402; 717-840-7222
Pennsylvania Museums
- Bureau of Archives and History, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission – William Penn Memorial Museum and Archives Building, 3rd Avenue and Forster Street, P.O. Box 1026, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1026. Referred to as the Pennsylvania State Archives, the bureau holds various source materials, including vital records, censuses, maps, and tax lists
- American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145
- National Canal Museum, 30 Centre Square, Easton, PA 18042
Pennsylvania Libraries
- State Library of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Avenue and Walnut Street, P.O. Box 1601, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1601; Genealogies, local histories, maps, censuses, newspapers, periodicals, and city directories are at the state library.
- Lutherans Abdel Ross Wentz Library Gettysburg, PA 17325
Pennsylvania Historical & Genealogical Societies
For almost every state there is a state genealogical society, a state genealogical council, or both. In addition to their own work, state-level groups sometimes help coordinate the efforts of local societies within the state. Their publications, newsletters and quarterlies, supplement those produced by the local societies.
- Directory of Pennsylvania Genealogical, Historical and Preservation Societies
- Historical Society Of Pennsylvania. 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Phone: 215-732-6200, Fax: 215-732-2680. Founded in 1824, the historical society has published the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography since 1877
- South Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, Address: PO Box 1824, York, PA 17405, Phone: 717-843-6169. This society has distinguished itself through the publication of many source records, including Bible records, tax lists, private vital records, cemetery inscriptions, and naturalizations.
- Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, 1212 Smallman Street | Pittsburgh, PA 15222; PH: 412-454-6000
- Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh 15213. Covering the western half of the commonwealth, the historical society has published The Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine (now Pittsburgh History) since 1918, with cumulative indexes for volumes 1-43 and 44-53. The genealogical society, which has no formal office or library, publishes Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Quarterly
- Genealogical Society Of Pennsylvania, 215 S. Broad St., 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107-5325; Phone: (215) 545-0391, Fax: (215) 545-0936. Beginning in 1895 the society produced Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, renamed Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine in 1948. The society charges a research fee for mail inquiries.
- Southeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society,
- Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, 689 Main Road, Hanover Township, PA 18706
- Descendants of Signers of the Declaration of Independence, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
County Societies and Groups
- Adams County Historical Society, Box 4325, Gettysburg, PA 17325; 717/334-4723
- Allegheny Foothills Historical Society, 675 Old Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15239
- Allegheny-Kiski Valley Historical Society, 224 E. 7th Avenue, Tarentum, PA 15084
- Allegheny Regional Family Historical Society, P. O. Box 1804, Elkins, WV 26241
- Alburtis-lockridge Historical Society, 407 Franklin Street, Alburtis, PA 18011; 1 484.366.9987
- Armstrong County Historical Society & Museum , 300 N. McKean St., PO Box 735, Kittanning, PA 16201-1345; 724/548-5707
- Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society, 316-318 Centre Street, Ashland 17921-1311
- Beaver County Genealogy and History Center, 1301 7th Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010
- Beaver County Historical Research & Landmarks, 1235 3rd Avenue, Freedom, PA 15042
- Berks County Historical Society, 940 Centre Avenue, Reading 19601
- Berks County Genealogical Society, 3618 Kutztown Road, Laureldale 19605
- Bedford County Historical Society, 6441 Lincoln Highway, Bedford, PA 15522
- Blair County Historical Society, 3419 Oak Lane, Altoona 16602
- Blair Co Genealogical Society, Inc., 431 Scotch Valley Road, Altoona 16648
- Bradford County Historical Society, 21 Main St., Towanda, PA 18848; (570) 265-2240
- Bradford Landmark Society, 45 E. Corydon Street, Bradford, PA 16701
- Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation, 321 Cedar St., Bristol 19007-5001
- Brownsville Historical Society, P.O. Box 24, Brownsville 15417
- Bucks County Historical Society, 84 South Pine Street, Doylestown 18901-4999
- Bucks County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1092, Doylestown 18901
- Butler County Historical Society, 123 West Diamond Street, Butler, PA 16001. Mailing: P O Box 414, Butler, PA 16003-0414
- Butler County Genealogical Society, P O Box 662 – Butler, PA 16002
- Capital Area Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 4502, Harrisburg, PA 17111-0502; 717-545-2622
- Cambria County Historical Society, 615 N. Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931-1122
- Cameron County Historical Society, PO Box 433, Emporium, PA 15834; (814) 486-6355
- Camp Curtin Historical Society, 2221 N. Sixth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110
- Centre County Historical Society, 1001 E. College Avenue, State College, PA 16801
- Centre County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1135, State College 16804-1135
- Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Pioneers, 1150 N. Front Street, Sunbury, PA 17801
- Chadds Ford Historical Society, P.O. Box 27, Chadds Ford 19317
- Chester County Historical Society, 225 North High Street, West Chester 19380.
- Chestnut Hill Historical Society, 8708 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
- Clarion County Historical Society, 17 S. Fifth Avenue, Clarion, PA 16214-1501
- Clearfield County Historical Society and Museum , 104 East Pine Street, Clearfield, PA 16830-2517; (814) 765-6125
- Clinton County Historical Society, 362 East Water St., Lock Haven, PA 17745; (717) 748-7254
- Clinton County Genealogical Society, Box 393, Lock Haven, PA 17745-0393
- Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society, 225 Market Street, P.O. Box 360, Bloomsburg, PA 17815-0360 (570)784-1600
- Cornerstone Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 547, Waynesburg 15370
- Conestoga Area Historical Society, Conestoga
- Corry Area Historical Society, 945 Mead Ave, Corry 16407
- Crawford County Historical Society, 411 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335
- Cumberland County Historical Society, 21 N. Pitt St., Carlisle, PA 17013-1945; (717) 249-7610
- Historical Society of Dauphin County , 219 South Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104, (717) 233-3462
- Delaware County Historical Society, 408 Ave. of the States, Chester, PA 19013; (610) 359-0826
- Derry Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 176, Loyalhanna 15661
- Derry Township Historical Society, 40 Northeast Drive, Hershey 17033
- Elk County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 142, Johnsonburg, PA 15845
- Elk County Historical Society, P. O. Box 361, Ridgway, PA 15853-0361
- Erie County Historical Society, 419 State Street, Erie, PA 16501; 814-454-1813
- Erie Society for Genealogical Research, P. O. Box 1403, Erie, PA 16512-1403
- Emmaus Historical Society, 563 Chestnut St.,
- Enchanted Mountains Genealogical Society,
- Fayette County Genealogical Society, 24 Jefferson Street, Uniontown 15401-3699
- Fayette County Historical Society, P. O. Box 193, Uniontown, PA 15401-0193
- Forest County Historical Society, 131 Elm Street, Tionesta, PA 16353
- Franklin County Historical Society, 175 East King Street, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201; call (717)264-1667
- Fulton County Historical Society, P.O. Box 115, McConnellsburg, PA 17233
- Genealogical Research Society Of Northeast Pennsylvania, P.O. Box 1, Olyphant 18447-0001
- Genealogical Society Of Pennsylvania, 1305 Locust Street, Philadelphia 19107
- Germantown Historical Society, 5501 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia 19144
- Greater Hazleton Historical Society, wyoming street, Hazleton 18201
- Greene County Historical Society and Museum, P.O. Box 127, Waynesburg, PA 15370; (724) 627-3204
- Hermitage Historical Society, 800 N. Hermitage Rd, Hermitage 16148
- Hist. Soc. Of The Blairsville Area, Pennsylvania, Blairsville
- Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association, 8 Race St.,
- Historic Harrisburg Association, P.O. Box 1843, 1230 North 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1843; Phone: (717) 233-4646
- Historical Society Of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St., Philadelphia 19107
- Homestead & Mifflin Township Historical Society, 510 Tenth Avenue, Homestead 15120
- Horsham Preservation And Historical Association, Horsham
- Huntingdon County Historical Society, 100 4th St., Huntingdon, PA 16652-1418; (814) 643-5449
- Historical & Genealogical Society of Indiana County, 200 S. Sixth Street, Indiana, Pennsylvania 15701; 724-463-9600
- Jefferson County Historical and Genealogical Society, 232 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 51, Brookville, PA 15825; (814) 849-0077
- Juniata County Historical Society, 498 B Jefferson Street, Miffintown, PA 17059; (717) 436-5152
- Kittochtinny Historical Society, 175 East King Street, Chambersburg 17201
- Lackawanna Historical Society, 232 Monroe Ave., Scranton, PA 18510; (717) 344-3841
- Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society 2215 Millstream Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602-1499; Phone:(717) 393-9745. has a handout entitled Genealogical Resources at the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. A research fee is charged for mail inquiries. The society also publishes a quarterly, Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage.
- Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster 17602-1499
- Lancaster Co Historical Society , 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603; Phone: (717) 392-4633
- Lawrence County Historical Society, P.O. Box 1745, 408 N. Jefferson Street, New Castle, PA 16101; Phone/Fax: (724) 658-4022
- Lebanon County Historical Society, 924 Cumberland Street, Lebanon, PA 17042
- Legion Ville Historical Society, Rd 4, 10 Pine Court, Sewickley 15143
- Lehigh County Historical Society, P.O. Box 1548, Attn: Library Reference, Allentown, PA 18105; (610) 435-9601
- Lenni Lenape Historical Society, 2825 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown 18103-9801
- Levittown Historical Society, P.O. Box 1641, Levittown 19058-1641
- Lower Macungie Township Historical Society, PO Box 3722,
- Lower Paxton Historical Society, 429 Prince Street, Harrisburg, PA 17109
- Luzerne County Historical Society, 49 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701; (570) 823-6244
- Lycoming County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 3625, Williamsport, PA 17701-3625
- Lycoming County Historical Society, 858 W. Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
- Lynn-heidelberg Township Historical Society, 6751 Madison St.,
- McKean County Genealogical Society, Box 207A Derrick City, PA 16727
- McKean County Historical Society, McKean County Old Jail Building, Smethport, PA 16749-1144; 814-887-5142
- Mauch Chunk Historical Society, P.O. Box 273, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229; (570) 325-4439
- Mercer County Historical Society , 119 South Pitt Str, Mercer, Pennsylvamia 16137
- Mercer County Genealogical Society, Box 812Sharon, PA 16146-0812
- Mifflin County Historical Society, 1 W. Market St. # 1, Lewistown, PA 17044-2128; (717) 242-1022
- Mifflin County Mennonite Historical Society, Main Street, Belleville 17004
- Minisink Valley Historical Society, 125-133 West Main Street, Port Jervis, New York
- Monroe County Historical Association, 900 Main St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360-1604; (570) 421-7703
- Montour County Genealogical Society, 205 Ferry St., Danville, PA 17821 (570) 275-6177
- Montour County Historical Society, P. O. Box 8, Danville, PA 17821
- Historical Society of Montgomery County, 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA 19401
- National Historical Society, 6405 Flank Dr., Harrisburg, PA 17112-2750; 717-657-9555; Publishes”American History Illustrated”
- New Hope Historical Society, S. Main, New Hope 18938
- Newtown Historic Association, P.O. Box 303, Newtown 18940
- North Hills Genealogists, PO Box 169, Wexford, PA 15090
- Northampton Historical & Genealogical Society, 107 South Fourth St., Easton, PA 18042; (610) 283-1222
- Northhampton Township Historical Society, P.O. Box 732, Richboro 18954-0732
- Northumberland County Historical Society , 1150 North Front St., Sunbury, PA 17801-1126; (717) 286-4083
- Old York Road Genealogical Society, Abington Public Library, 1030 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001
- Perry County Historical Society, 129 North Second St. , Newport, PA 17074
- Perry Historians, P. O. Box 73, New Bloomfield, PA 17074-0073
- Penns Valley Area Historical Museum, 244 West Aaron Square, Aaronsburg 16820
- Pennsylviana Cornish Society, 1835 Troxwell St, Allentown 18103
- Pike County Historical Society , 608 Broad St., Milford, PA 18337-1704; (717) 296-8126
- Pine Grove Historical Society, Pine Grove
- Pioneer Historical Society of Bedford County, 242 E. John St., Bedford, PA 15522; (814) 623-2011
- Potter County Historical Society , 308 North Main St., Coudersport, PA 16915
- Plymouth Historical Society, Plymouth
- Punxsutawney Area Historical And Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 286, Punxsutawney 15767
- Quakertown Historical Society, 26 N. Main St., Quakertown 18951-1114
- Rockwood Area Historical And Genealogical Society, Rockwood
- Richland Historical Society, 130 Richlandtown Pike, Quakertown, PA 18951
- Schuylkill County Historical Society , 305 North Centre Street, Pottsville, Pa. 17901; 570-622-7450
- Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, 105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg 18073
- Senator John Heinz Regional History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh 15222-4200
- Shippensburg Historical Society, Shippensburg
- Skippack Historical Society, P.O. Box 9, Skippack 19474
- Snyder County Historical Society Museum and Library, 30 East Market St., P.O.Box 276, Middleburg, PA 17842; 570-837-6191
- South Bethlehem Historical Society, P.O. Box 5106, Bethlehem 18015
- Somerset County Historical and Genealogical Society , R.D. 2, Box 238, Somerset, PA 15501-9802; (814) 445-6077
- Sullivan County Historical Society, Court House Square, Laporte, PA 18626
- Susquehanna County Historical Society, 2 Monument Square, Montrose, PA 18801; (570) 278-1881
- Susquehanna Trails Genealogy Club,
- Susquehanna Depot Historical Society, Inc., P. O. Box 161, Susquehanna, PA 18847
- Tioga County Historical Society, Box 724, Wellsboro, PA 16901 – Phone – 570-724-6116
- Union County Historical Society, S. 2nd & St. Louis Streets, Lewisburg, Pa. 17837; (570) 524-8666
- Vallerchamp Council #25 Royal Arch, Sunbury 17801
- Valley Forge Historical Society, P.O. Box 122, Valley Forge 19481-0122
- Venango County Genealogical Club, P.O. Box 811, Oil City, PA 16301-0811; (814) 678-3077
- Venango County Historical Society, 301 S. Park St. Franklin, PA 16323-1238; (814) 437-2275
- Warren County Historical Society, P.O. Box 427, Warren 16365
- Washington County Historical Society, 49 East Maiden Street, Washington, PA 15301; Ph 724-225-6740
- Wayne County Historical Society , 810 Main St., P.O. Box 446, Honesdale, PA 18431-1847; (570) 253-3240
- Weisenberg/lowhill Township Historical Society, Werley’s Corner Hotel, PO Box 91,
- West Hanover Township Historical Society, 7171 Allentown Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17112
- Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh 15213
- Westmoreland County Historical Society , 951 Old Salem Rd., Greensburg, PA 15601; (412) 836-1800
- Whitehall Historical Preservation Society, PO Box 39,
- Windber-johnstown Area Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 5048, Johnstown 15904-5048
- Wyoming County Historical Society , P.O. Box 309, Harrison & Bridge St., Tunkhannock, PA 18657; (717) 836-5303
- Yardley Historical Association, 46 W. Afton Ave., Yardley 19067-1420
Religious Societies and Groups
- Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society of the United Church of Christ 555 West James Street Lancaster, PA 17603. loans microfilm of church records, covering German churches in Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Columbia, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, and York counties, as well as a few for Maryland and Virginia. Many German church records, particularly for the German Reformed and Evangelical church, have been published in books and periodicals.
- Presbyterian Historical Society 425 Lombard Street Philadelphia, PA 19147. has records of over 20,000 churches and has published the Journal of Presbyterian History since 1901.
- Historical Society of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center at the Balch Institute 18 South 7th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106.has a microfilm collection of Jewish synagogue and cemetery records; other related material. Other important archives are kept by: The Moravians 66 West Church Street Bethlehem, PA 18018
Ethnic Societies and Groups
- African-american Genealogy Group, P.O. Box 1798, Philadelphia 19105-1798
- Swedish Colonial Society, 371 Devon Way, West Chester, PA 19380
- German Society of Pennsylvania, 611 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
- Jewish Genealogical Society Of Philadelphia, 1279 June Road, Huntingdon Valley 19006-8405
