Thank you for registering for the online course, Pennsylvania Research: Four Centuries of History and Genealogy!
From colony to statehood, Pennsylvania has always played an important role in the formation and development of our nation: a haven for Quakers, the birthplace of American independence, the site of defining Civil War battles, a leader in industry, a port of entry for many immigrants. Whether your ancestors arrived in Pennsylvania during the colonial period or the twentieth century, this four-week online seminar will provide a century-by-century look at the records, resources, repositories, and research strategies that are essential to exploring your Pennsylvania roots. We will also discuss the historical context of the changes and events that transformed the state and influenced the lives of your ancestors.
This course includes access to four 90-minute classes and handouts. These course materials will be available for the foreseeable future.
COURSE TOPICS
Class 1: 17th-Century Pennsylvania: Colonial Beginnings
Presented by Hallie Kirchner
This first class explores the history, people, and resources for 17th-century Pennsylvania genealogical research. From Pennsylvania’s Native population to the earliest European settlers (the Swedes and Dutch) to William Penn’s settlement of the royal colony as a haven for Quakers, you will learn about published resources, where to find primary record sources, and strategies for overcoming early research challenges.
Class 2: 18th-Century Pennsylvania: Birthplace of America
Presented by Kim Mannisto
Pennsylvania played a critical role in the formation of America and its principles of government. While the colony was at the center of a nation-making movement in the 18th century, it was also during this period that Pennsylvania saw several localized changes: the start of passenger lists and city directories; boundary shifts; westward expansion; greater record keeping around land, probate, court, military, taxes; and more. In this second class we will look at tracing your ancestors during this pivotal period.
Class 3: 19th-Century Pennsylvania: Boom Town
Presented by Ann G. Lawthers
Pennsylvania experienced even more transformation in the 19th century. Westward expansion and settlement continued across the Allegany Mountains, aided by growth in transportation systems such as canals and railways. Steel, coal mining, and oil made Pennsylvania an industrial powerhouse, fueled by a labor force of millions of newly arrived immigrants. This class will explore several records that emerge during this period, including federal passenger lists, Civil War pension files, published genealogies and local histories, employment records, and other less commonly used records.
Class 4: 20th-Century Pennsylvania: Growth and Decline
Presented by Kyle Hurst
Continued urbanization characterized much of 20th-century Pennsylvania. This final session will look at records that emerge in the 20th century—including state-wide vital records—as well as changes in records and record keeping that persisted since the 17th century. We will also discuss the topic of “access” and a review of key research repositories.
COURSE HANDOUTS
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
Class 1: 17th-century Pennsylvania
Class 2: 18th-century Pennsylvania
Class 3: 19th-century Pennsylvania
Class 4: 20th-century Pennsylvania
OTHER RESOURCES
Research Guide: Pennsylvania Genealogy
Research Guide: Pennsylvania German
Archived Webinar: Pennsylvania Genealogy, Go-To Published Resources
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Kyle Hurst, Senior Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press, holds a B.A. in both History and Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and a Master’s certificate in Museum Studies from Tufts University. After two years as a volunteer, Kyle joined the American Ancestors staff in 2008. She focuses on research in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, and various European countries. She is the author of several genealogies including Ancestors and Descendants of Charles Le Caron and Victoire Sprague, which won the 2020 National Genealogical Society Award for Excellence in Genealogy and Family History.
Hallie Kirchner, Genealogist has a B.A. in History with minors in Art History and German Language and an M.A. in Historic Preservation. She joined American Ancestors in 2019 after several years of working in architectural restoration and preservation in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her previous work experience includes the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, the West Virginia Railroad Museum, and Bender Library at American University. While at the NYG&B, she was part of the research team who compiled the popular New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer. She is also a long-time volunteer for Unclaimed-Persons.org, assisting coroners in locating next-of-kin of deceased individuals. Her areas of expertise include, 19th-century America, Germany, New York, New York City, Norway, Italy, westward migration, immigration history, and descendancy research.
Ann Lawthers, Genealogist, lectures regularly on behalf of American Ancestors at conferences, workshops, and meetings. At American Ancestors she collaborates with other expert staff to develop multi-week online and in-person seminars and lectures. Ann focuses on New England and Mid-Atlantic research, and migration patterns. Secondary interests include the Southern Colonies and Atlantic Canada. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and the Harvard School of Public Health with degrees in Health Policy.
Kim Mannisto, Researcher, earned her B.A. in English with an emphasis in creative writing from Western Michigan University. She joined American Ancestors as a Researcher in the Researcher and Library Services department and is a certificate holder from the Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate program. She was introduced to genealogy at a young age and has over 30 years of experience in research and report writing. Areas of expertise: Early Pennsylvania Settlers, Colonial New Jersey, Quaker records, Midwest (Michigan and Ohio), Finnish, DNA, Descendancy research, Scottish and English hereditary peerage titles, and Scottish genealogy with a particular interest in genetic markers and male clan descendancy.