Tuesday, August 23, 2016

National Genealogical Society Releases Research in Pennsylvania, 3rd Edition

I received this press release from the National Genealogical Society today:

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National Genealogical Society Releases Research in Pennsylvania, 3rd Edition



ARLINGTON, VA, 23 August 2016—The National Genealogical Society (NGS) announces the publication of the newly revised and updated Research in Pennsylvania. This essential guide book introduces family historians to a wealth of historic documentation that can aid their genealogical research. Written by Kay Haviland Freilich, CGSM, CGLSM, FNGS, Research in Pennsylvania, 3rd edition, is part of the NGS Research in the States series and is available for purchase in the NGS online store in both PDF and print versions.

Many American families can trace their roots back to early Pennsylvanian immigrants, including the Dutch, Swedes, Finns, Germans, Scots-Irish, Welsh, and African Americans as well as later immigrants from Asia and Slovak countries. New to this edition is information about the Vital Records Law Senate Bill 361 (Act 110), enacted in 2011, that opened Pennsylvania’s older birth and death records to researchers for the first time. The author reviews the age restrictions that apply to those records, the transfer of the currently open records to the State Archives, online access to those open records, and the special option established for state residents.

After a concise review of the state’s history and settlement, the book delves into the types of genealogical resources that can be found both in major and lesser known archives, libraries, societies, and federal repositories. Changes in repository holdings are itemized and new repositories have been added. Research in Pennsylvania also covers other research categories, including atlases, gazetteers, and maps; business, probate, and court records; colonial enumerations and state and federal censuses; city and county directories; ethnic, religious, and military records; and much more. Additional religious organizations are included, and web sites and contact information have been updated.

Kay Haviland Freilich is a 2012 NGS Fellow and co-author of Genealogy and the Law: A Guide to Legal Sources for the Family Historian. Winner of the 2009 NGS Family History Writing Contest, she is a former president and trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, a former officer and board member of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, and a frequent speaker on Pennsylvania topics.

The Research in the States series editor Barbara Vines Little, CGSM, FNGS, FVGS, is a former NGS president and editor of the Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. Other volumes in the series include Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Research in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County. Additional states guides are planned.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogical education, exemplary standards of research, and the preservation of genealogical records.  The Arlington, Virginia, based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, and guidance in research. It also offers many opportunities to interact with other genealogists.

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I have the previous edition of this publication and have learned a lot from it about Pennsylvania history, historical records, and repositories.

Copyright (c) 2016, Randall J. Seaver

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