Pennsylvania Genealogy is being developed as a genealogical and historical resource for your personal use. It contains information and records for Pennsylvania ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Specifically, it provides sources for birth records, death records, marriage records, census records, tax records, court records, and military records. It also provides some historical details about different times and people in Pennsylvania history.
The search on the right side will search all of the Pennsylvania Genealogy website but will not search the data linked to from our offsite data pages.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Records
The Zion Evangelical Lutheran is found in Old Zionsville, Upper Milford Twp, Lehigh County, PA. This series of records includes the burial records of the church as copied from the official church records.
- Burial Records of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, 1758-1902
- Burial Records of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, 1900-1921
- Burial Records of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, 1921-1948
- Burial Records of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, 1949-1976
Genealogy by County
- Allegheny County Pennsylvania Genealogy
- Bucks County Pennsylvania Genealogy
- Chester County Pennsylvania Genealogy
Genealogy by Topic
- Ancestry Articles, Databases and Products
- Pennsylvania Archives and Libraries
- Pennsylvania Cemetery Records
- Pennsylvania Census Records
- Pennsylvania Historical and Genealogical Societies
- Pennsylvania Immigration
- Pennsylvania Land and Maps
- Pennsylvania Military Records
- Pennsylvania Obituaries
- Pennsylvania Vital Records
New Pennsylvania Genealogy
The Potter Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This article traces the Potter family from John Potter, an early English immigrant to New England, through successive generations in Connecticut and beyond, with detailed notes on marriages, children, occupations, and dates. It follows the line down to Eleazer Potter and his son George Hubbell Potter, who settled in Bradford, Pennsylvania, after military service and a career in the oil industry. Along the way, the narrative highlights physicians, sailors, merchants, and civic leaders, showing how the family moved from colonial Connecticut roots into nineteenth-century life in Illinois and western Pennsylvania.
The Melvin Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogical sketch traces the Melvin line from early Massachusetts and New Hampshire roots to the family’s prominence in Bradford, Pennsylvania. It follows several generations, beginning with Patrick Melvin in Chester, New Hampshire, and highlighting Benjamin, John, and John F. Melvin, who became an important pioneer merchant and lumber dealer in McKean County. The article then focuses on Thomas Jefferson Melvin and John Parker Melvin, noting their roles in business, banking, law, and civic life. It also includes detailed family connections, marriages, children, and the related Laney family, placing the Melvins within the broader development of Bradford’s early community.
Lancaster County Pennsylvania History
Lancaster County, established in 1729 from Chester County, has a rich history marked by its geographical evolution and economic development. Originally encompassing a vast area, it has shrunk as new counties were formed. The county features diverse landscapes, including limestone lands and various natural resources. Historically, it thrived due to ironworks, turnpikes, and agriculture, with a significant German-descendant population contributing to its prosperity. By 1840, Lancaster County boasted numerous mills, manufacturing establishments, and an increasing focus on education, as the community began shifting from German to English in schools.
Town Histories of Lancaster County
The history of Lancaster County is intricately tied to its significant towns, including Lancaster City, Columbia, Smoketown, Marietta, Bainbridge, Mount Joy, Litiz, Manheim, Strasburg, Paradise, New Holland, and Ephrata. These areas, founded by various settlers and showcasing diverse cultural backgrounds, reflect the social and economic conditions of their times. Notable events include the defense during the 1755 Braddock defeat and the evolution of towns like Marietta and Litiz, emphasizing communal harmony and distinct identities marked by institutions like churches and schools.
The Society of Ephrata
The Society of Ephrata, originally known as Kloster or Dunkerstown, emerged from a group of Christians seeking to understand the New Testament’s obligations in 1708. Led by Conrad Beissel, they adopted the Sabbath on the seventh day in 1728, establishing a monastic community by 1732. Their unique practices included communal living, celibacy emphasized but not mandated, and distinctive worship customs. Despite misrepresentations, they were noted for their kindness and musical talent. The society thrived until its decline in the late 18th century, adapting over time, yet preserving its rich heritage and contributing to the German Baptist tradition in Pennsylvania.
Columbia Pennsylvania History
Columbia, Pennsylvania, located along the Susquehanna River, was incorporated in 1814 and has a rich historical backdrop. Initially settled in the early 1700s by individuals like Robert Barber and John Wright, it developed into a vibrant borough with a diverse population and various churches, public buildings, and warehouses. The town is notable for its stunning scenery, a significant bridge across the river, and a busy transportation network, including railroads.
Genealogy in Neighboring States
The following states neighbor Pennsylvania and are not part of the Great Lakes Genealogy below.