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A collection of 65 posts

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Ditch Your Car and Rediscover How Your Ancestors Traveled

Most genealogy research involves trying to find people as they moved from one place to another. Rarely are researchers lucky enough to have a family who lived on one property for several generations. Knowing how people traveled from one location to another is central to doing genealogy right.

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Misinformation on FindaGrave Can Ruin Your Family History

Genealogy websites have been flooded with misinformation over the years. What started off as a small problem a decade ago is now a huge one. Anyone with an account can add any information they want to the profiles and family trees they create. This misinformation problem is most evident on FindaGra

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Three Tips for Preparing for a Cemetery Trip

I love visiting the cemeteries where my ancestors are buried. If you are planning a cemetery visit over the holidays, here are my three tips to get the most out of the visit:

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Why You Can’t Find Your Ancestors’ Obituaries

Newspaper obituaries are an essential part of all compiled family histories. Yet there are many researchers who can not find any mention of their ancestors’ deaths in newspapers. Why is that? It’s because they aren’t searching in all the available Pennsylvania newspapers.

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Odd Pennsylvania Events Your Ancestor Could Have Been In

Many people complain their family history is boring. One way to liven it up is including the odd events that happened in the location or occupations of your ancestors. There are hundreds of tales and here are two really odd ones.

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What is the Point of Collecting All This Family History Anyway?

The internet is a hall of mirrors for almost any topic. In genealogy, we all experience this with family trees on the big genealogy sites. Names and dates connected together with no evidence of how that connection was made.

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Unveiling Pennsylvania's 19th Century Vital Record Registrations

We are going back to 1800s and uncovering the vital record registrations, including birth registrations to marriage registrations to death registrations. We'll cover a history of vital record registrations, the types created, and where to find these records today.

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Pennsylvania's Ship Building History

Most people don't think of Pennsylvania as being a center of ship building. Philadelphia and Erie were known as ship building centers of the United States. The United States Navy built vessels in both Pennsylvania cities from the country's early days.

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The 3 "Must Do" Archives in Pennsylvania for Family Historians

October is Archives Month and to kick it off, I'm highlighting the three archives in Pennsylvania that every family historian should visit. Each one has records for genealogy research that you just won't find anywhere else.

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All About Pennsylvania German Fraktur

The word fraktur usually refers to a type of German script. In Pennsylvania, fraktur also refers to a type of folk art produced between 1740 and 1850 by German immigrants. It marked life events such as taufschein (birth and baptism), marriage, and graduation from school.

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October is American Archives Month

October is special to genealogists and family historians for one reason - a celebration of archives and their collections!

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Little Known Facts About Women's Surnames After Marriage

It's possible that the women in your family tree kept their maiden surname in some way after marriage. Traditions brought to America from home countries were not abandoned at the border. Some awareness of our ancestors' practices can help genealogists stay on track with research.

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Why I’m Doubling Down on PA Ancestors and What's Next

I believe PA Ancestors can help you make real progress in finishing your family history through regular posts, YouTube videos, and your continued feedback.

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The Best Way to Get Started in Pennsylvania Genealogy Research

These three resources helped me the most when I started with genealogy research in Pennsylvania.

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What You Can Find in the Pennsylvania Archives Book Series

The Pennsylvania Archives is a multi-volume series of books that contains a wealth of information about the state's early history. In this article, learn about the Pennsylvania Archives series in detail, including its organization, contents, and how to access these valuable records.

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Recording Your Genealogy Research with the Power of Research Logs

Stay on track with your genealogy by using research logs. This comprehensive guide describes how to set one up and why they are the most powerful tool for you to use.

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Pennsylvania Birth Certificates: Key Details for Genealogists

Pennsylvania birth certificates play a vital role in genealogy research. Learn the history, details they contain, and how to access birth certificates, including delayed birth certificates.

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The Crucial Role of County Records in Pennsylvania Genealogy

Using county courthouse records is necessary for Pennsylvania genealogy research. Family historians who skip county research often miss the opportunity to finish their genealogy.

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Pennsylvania's Colonial Government: A Tale of Religion, Democracy, and Progress

Explore the history and achievements of Pennsylvania's colonial government. Learn about the establishment, key figures, challenges, and influence of the PA Colony on the U.S.

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Three Steps in Making a Genealogy Research Plan

In this article, I will discuss how to make a genealogy research plan in just three simple steps. From setting goals to identifying sources and creating a research log, I'll cover all the essential elements of a successful genealogy research plan.

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Records You Can Get at a County Courthouse

The most valued records for genealogy are at Pennsylvania county courthouses. Wills, deeds, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, and more are all in PA county records.

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Ways to Learn What's at the National Archives

How to learn what's at the National Archives for genealogy and family history, both on the NARA website and personal blogs.

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What to Bring for Genealogy Research in an Archive

A look at some essential items to bring with you when researching in an archive, as well as some tips for making the most of your time there. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or a first-timer, these tips will help you get the most out of your archive visit.

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Military Records in Pennsylvania: Unique Archival Sources for Family History

Finding unique military records in Pennsylvania for genealogy and family history at Gettysburg and Valley Forge.

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9 Ways to Use County Histories in Genealogy

How to use Pennsylvania county histories to research family history and genealogy.