PAancestors.com

May 2024 Issue

May 2024 PA Happenings

Hello Reader!

Welcome to PA Ancestors Discoveries - where every week we help people get unstuck from 1 of the 10 ways people struggle in their Pennsylvania genealogy research:

Overwhelm
Fuzzy focus
Lack of notes
Disorganization
Struggling alone
Ignoring sources
Fruitless searches
Little known records
No historical knowledge
Not using existing research

(And if a friend forwarded you this newsletter, you can subscribe here.)

This week we are talking about events happening in Pennsylvania, both in-person and virtual, that can help you in your genealogy research.

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Researching Port of Philadelphia records

Often overlooked for Pennsylvania researchers, is the arrival records at the Port of Philadelphia. Most genealogists default to New York believing that the largest port must have been the one their ancestor used. Not necessarily! Philadelphia saw large number of arrivals prior to 1860, many of whom stayed in Pennsylvania.

I detail where to find these Port of Philadelphia records and how to search them in this article.

Research with me in Pittsburgh's records

If you are ready to dive into archival research and see original records of your ancestors, I have two opportunities for you.

First opportunity is an online workshop on how to research in Pittsburgh's archives. I'll walk you through how to make a research plan, use the online catalogs, and then how to do the in-person research. Cost is just $25 and includes a research guide you can customize for yourself. Register here by May 30th.

Second opportunity is assisted in-person research at the Detre Archive at the Heinz History Center on June 20th (the day before the WPGS 50th Anniversary Conference). I will be with you as you research and you'll also get an orientation to the archives to start your day. Cost is $75, and includes the online workshop above ($25 value). Newsletter subscribers can save 33% with code PASUB33 at checkout. Register here by May 30th.

Can't wait to meet you!

New webinar on county courthouse records

My new webinar on The County Courthouse of Your Ancestors will premiere on May 23rd for Cranberry Genealogy Society. County courthouse records are often overlooked and researching these break down many brick walls.

This webinar is based on my upcoming book - Pennsylvania County Courthouse Records Research. The book is an in-depth guide to county records, how to use them and where to find them. PA Ancestors Members will be getting chapters of this book over the summer.

PA Ancestors Member Connections

PA Ancestors Members now receive a premium newsletter each Monday. The newsletter is kicking off with a series on records related to the Civil War.

Not a member and want a preview? Here is a preview of the first two issues:

The next issue will be on researching conscientious objectors, deserters, and substitutes in the Union Army. You can get this issue and all past PA Ancestors Member content when you join as a member.

See all the benefits PA Ancestors Membership.

That's it for this week's newsletter. If you found something useful, please share it with your genealogy friends and in any Facebook groups you are in and say you got it from PA Ancestors.

Keep discovering your ancestors,