Denyse Allen

I create history+genealogy content so you can discover your Pennsylvania ancestors • On a mission to re-construct our ancestors lives and powerfully share them

Resources

The Ultimate Guide to RootsTech 2025

Essential tips for attending, whether online or in-person. Plan your days, meet new people, and enjoy everything this genealogy conference offers.

Paid-members only

archives in pa book

Archives in PA: Wrapping Up and Saving Your Research

Paid-members only

archives in pa book

Archives in PA: Religious Organization Archives

The majority of religious records are not online anywhere. The key to finding what is needed is starting at the source of the records combined with maps.

archives in pa book

Archives in PA: Federal and State Historical Sites

Historical sites run by the PHMC or NPS which hold archives useful to genealogy research.

Paid-members only

archives in pa book

Archives in PA: Local Organizational, Historical, and Genealogical Archives

Local archives are offer highly focused collections that bring depth to family history. There are hundreds of these places in Pennsylvania.

Paid-members only

archives in pa book

Archives in PA: Archives and Special Collections at Colleges and Universities

College and university archives are open to the public and offer extensive collections helpful for family history.

archives in pa book

Archives in PA: County Courthouses and Archives

Locations of all the county courthouses and archives in the state, and the records made by each county office useful for genealogy research.

Paid-members only

archives in pa book

Archives in PA: Regional Pennsylvania Archives

All the "must do" archives for researchers, specializing in different geographic areas of the state.

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Archives in PA: State-Wide Archives

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archives in pa book

Archives in PA: Researching in Archives in Person or From Home

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archives in pa book

Archives in PA: Using Catalogs and Finding Aids

How archives are organized and an research approach to using them by developing a research profile.

Paid-members only

archives in pa book

Archives in PA: Creating Your Plan for Archival Research

In this chapter we will cover how archives came to be and how to craft your research approach.

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archives in pa book

Archives in PA: What You Can Find in Archives

Four examples of archival collections you can search in Pennsylvania, and the types of information you can obtain from them

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Membership Now Lasts Forever

Podcast

Podcast Episode 94: Avoid These 3 Mistakes with Your Genealogy Research in Pennsylvania

Avoid common genealogy mistakes in Pennsylvania! Learn to use county records, collaborate with locals, and keep detailed logs. Includes links to resources.

Paid-members only

Members Only

10 Sources of Copyright Free Images for FamilyHistory

Podcast

Podcast Episode 93: Plan and Write Your Family History with the Hybrid Genealogy Method - Interview with Kelly Mahoney

Kelly Mahoney discusses her hybrid genealogy format and tips for writing engaging family history books. Learn how to create your own family genealogy book with expert advice.

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Using AI to Transcribe Records You Already Have

Discover the importance of transcriptions in genealogy research, explore various transcription techniques, and find out how AI tools like ChatGPT can help you.

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Methodology: Using Wildcards in Website Searches

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Methodology: Locate Ancestors and Activities on Maps

Step-by-step directions on how to find and use maps to expand your genealogy research and answer questions about your ancestors. Links to my favorite maps collections included.

Podcast

Podcast Episode 92: Deep Dive on Conscientious Objectors in the Civil War with Jonathan Stayer

Curious about conscientious objection during the Civil War? Jonathan Stayer returns to discuss his favorite subject and its deep roots in Pennsylvania's history.

Paid-members only

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Methodology: Use AncestryDNA's Genetic Communities

Resources

Podcast Episode 91: 25 Records to Research Your Civil War Ancestors

Discover 25 resources for Civil War genealogy research. Uncover your ancestors’ history through online databases, unique archives, and veteran records.

Paid-members only

Members Only

Creating Personal Databases from FamilySearch Records

Extracting a small set of records to examine closely can help you make progress in your genealogy research.

Resources

Immigration to Pennsylvania Prior to 1800: A Timeline of Who Arrived and from Where

Knowing when a specific ethnic group arrived can help target research in records. Usually DNA is your first clue as to where (and when) to look.