Pennsylvania Periodicals

Pennsylvania Wiki Topics

Beginning Research

Guided Research Research Strategies Record Finder

Record Types

Adoption Bible Records Cemeteries Census Church Records Colonial Records Correctional Institutions Court Records Crime and Punishment Directories Divorce Records Emigration & Immigration Genealogies Institutional Records Land & Property Military Records Naturalization & Citizenship Newspapers Obituaries Occupation & Business Records Online Collections Periodicals Probate Records Slavery Substitute Records Taxation Vital Records Voter Records

Pennsylvania Background

Biography Further Reading Gazetteers Historical Geography History Law & Legislation Maps Migration

Cultural Groups

African Americans Indigenous Peoples Cultural Groups Swedish American

Local Research Resources

Archives & Libraries Societies Find a FamilySearch center

United States

U.S. Periodicals

Pennsylvania

Periodicals

Online Resources

• Link to Online Versions of the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine

Overview

A periodical is a regularly published magazine, newsletter, or journal. Several valuable periodicals concerning Pennsylvania genealogical research exist. Many genealogical and historical societies publish magazines and newsletters. The articles in these periodicals often include the following:

• Family genealogies and pedigrees
• Helpful articles on research methodology
• Transcripts or indexes of biographical sketches, censuses, church records, migration lists, military records, obituaries, wills, vital records, and more
• Historical background
• Current and historical maps
• Information about local and national records, archives, and services
• Interesting articles about social life and customs
• Book advertisements and book reviews
• Advertisements of professional researchers
• Queries or requests for information about specific ancestors that can help you contact other interested researchers

Periodicals

The major genealogical periodicals and magazines helpful for Pennsylvania research are:

• Keystone Kuzzins 1972-. Published by the Erie Society for Genealogical Research, P.O. Box 1403, Erie, Pennsylvania 16512-1403. FS Catalog book 974.899 B2k. This has a cumulative index to 1981.

• Mennonite Family History 1982-. Published by Mennonite Family History, 10 W. Main Street, P. O. Box 171, Elverson, Pennsylvania. 19520-0171. FS Catalog book 970 F25m.

• The Pennsylvania Dutchman 1949-1957. 8 vols. This was continued by Pennsylvania Folklife 1958-. Published by Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center, P. O. Box 92, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426. FS Catalog book 974.8 B2pf. A partial index to these is Judith E. Fryer, 25 Year Index to Pennsylvania Folklife (Including The Pennsylvania Dutchman and The Dutchman), volumes 1-25, 1949-1976. Collegeville, Pennsylvania.: Pennsylvania Folklife Society, 1980. FS Catalog book 974.8 B2pf index.

• The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, by Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, 1895-. FS Catalog book 974.8 B2p; Also at: American Ancestors ($); Other Online Versions ($)
• Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, by Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, vols. 1-15. FS Library film 1698098 item 2; Also at: American Ancestors ($); Other Online Versions ($)

• The Pennsylvania-German 1900-1911. 12 vols. Published by the Pennsylvania-German Society. FS Library book 974.8 B2pg and FS Library film 1697727. The FamilySearch Library has vols. 1-8, 11-12.

• Pennsylvania German Society Proceedings and Addresses 1890-1966. 63 vols. Proceedings are continued in Publications of the Pennsylvania German Society 1968-. Published by the Pennsylvania German Society, P.O. 397, Birdsboro, Pennsylvania 19508. All issues are found under the same call number, FS Catalog book 974.8 B4pg; also on film, FS Library film 924110 (first of 16 films) and FS Library fiche 6051507-9.

• The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 1877-. Published by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. FS Catalog book 974.8 B2pm, (includes index to vols. 1-75); and FS Library film 1597675 (first of 24 films), with the index to vols. 1-75 on FS Library film 924847 item 1. For online access, see WeRelate.

• The Pennsylvania Traveler-Post 1964-. Formerly Pennsylvania Ancestors and Their Descendants Today. Published by Richard and Mildred Williams, P. O. Box 776, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940. FS Catalog book 974.8 B2pt.

• Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Quarterly 1974-. Published by the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society. 4338 Bigelow Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. FS Catalog book 974.8 B2wg and FS Library films 1697797 items 7-8 and 2024354 items 1-7.

• Your Family Tree 1948-1983. Published by Floyd G. Hoenstine. 414 Montgomery St., P.O. Box 208, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. FS Catalog book 974.8 B2y. This publication emphasizes the genealogy and history of southwestern Pennsylvania.

Obtaining Periodicals

Copies of periodicals are available from the local societies that publish them. Major archives with genealogical collections will have copies of many periodicals, particularly those representing the area they serve. The Periodical Source Index, or PERSI, is the largest subject index to genealogy and local history periodical articles in the world. PERSI is available online and is especially useful because it refers to countless items published in thousands of family history periodicals worldwide. Search PERSI:

• PERiodical Source Index (PERSI) at Allen County Public Library; index; More information: Periodical Source Index (PERSI)
  

Once you locate an article in a periodical, check the FamilySearch Catalog and regional or local libraries for available copies. The FamilySearch Library has collected many periodicals, with some available in digital format and accessible online. Pennsylvania periodicals may be found in the FamilySearch Catalog with a Place and Subject search, as found here: Pennsylvania-Periodicals. They can also be found by using:

• Place Search of the country, state/province, and county
• Title Search of the periodical
• Keyword Search for the publishing society name.
  

Also find Periodical resources available at other libraries via WorldCat. As with the FamilySearch Catalog search, search WorldCat using society names, locality names, and periodical title names. Learn more about how to search WorldCat and the FamilySearch Catalog on our Wiki pages.