This is a collection of various historical and genealogical reference works on Pennsylvania. These references cover 1000's of individuals, and are an excellent way to start or continue research focused on PA.

This material was scanned from original publications and will be provided as text searchable PDFs (unless noted in description). These files can be read using many PDF reader programs (Windows / Mac / Linux), however Adobe Reader or Acrobat are recommended.

Churches of the Valley, or An Historical Sketch of the Old Presbyterian Congregations of
Cumberland and Franklin Counties in Pennsylvania (Rev. Alfred Nevin, 1852, 340 pages)
From the Preface:
    "The early history of the old Presbyterian Churches of Cumberland Valley is fast growing dim.  Many of those in whose memories interesting facts and incidents were treasured, are now dead; and others, to whom they were trusted by tradition, are rapidly passing away.
    That it is desirable to have embodied in an accessible form, the recollections and records connected with the origin and progress of these venerable congregations, none, it is believed, will question, who appreciate the ties which bind them to the past, or the duty which they owe to the future.  These churches, are almost the only relics of antiquity that are not to be met with in our new country, and for this reason, to say nothing of their deep religious associations besides, an effort should be made to save them from oblivion."

Churches covered: 1) Middle Spring Church, 2) Big Spring Church, 3) Church at Silver's Spring, 4) Church in Mercersburg, 5) Welsh Run Church, 6) Church at Chambersburg, 7) Church at Shippensburg, 8) Greencastle Church, 9) Rocky Spring Church, 10) Path Valley Churches, 11) Dickinson Church, 12) Church at Carlisle, and brief accounts from several others located in surrounding counties.

A Discourse on the History of Donegal and Carlisle Presbyteries
(Conway P. Wing, 1877, 37 pages)
This publication presents a brief history of early Cumberland County Churches.

Industrial and Commercial Resources of Pennsylvania
(Historical Publishing Company, 1886, 122 pages)
This publication is a history and description of the business operations from dozens of towns throughout south eastern Pennsylvania.  Each business is detailed in sketch form, giving, in many cases, a brief history of its existence, management, and a description of its operations.  This information was only published in this publication making this a rare and useful resource for historical or genealogical research in these counties of PA.

Cumberland County
-- From Carlisle: -- J. Donovan, Stephens & Beetem, Saxton & Bixler, Jacob Livingston & Co.

The Thompson Family (Anonymous, 1887, 21 pages)
This is a brief history and genealogy of the Thompson family which settled in various areas of central PA, including Cumberland County.

Sketch of Alexander Alexander (Walter Scott Alexander, 1898, 74 pages)
According to the title page: Alexander Alexander Emigrated from County Down, Ireland in the year 1770, and Settled in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.  This publication includes a genealogical chart and record of his descendants.

Church Directory for Cumberland County - 1899
(C. D. & D. H. Rishel, 1899, 29 pages)
This is a directory of the churches and ministers of Cumberland County for 1899.  It is also a listing of the services offered for each church.

Descendants of Jonathan Kearsley (Elmer L. White, 1900, 81 pages)
This is a history and genealogy of the Kearsley family of Carlisle, Cumberland County, PA.

The Simpsons of Rye Top, Cumberland Valley, PA
(Elizabeth Simpson Bladen, 1905, 32 pages)

Pennsylvania Archives - Fifth Series, Volume 4
(Thomas Lynch Montgomery, 1906, 672 pages)
This volume is a portion of the Pennsylvania Archives series.  The title is "Muster Rolls relating to the Associators and Militia of the County of Cumberland", and includes muster rolls of the Revolutionary War for the various battalions and companies from Cumberland County, PA.

International Magazine of Industry
(Charles M. Nichols Editor, 1913, 76 pages)
This publication was a periodical focusing on various areas and their industrial, commercial and business interests.  This edition focused on the Cumberland Valley of Cumberland and Franklin Counties, PA.  It contains sketches (and sometimes photographs) of businesses and businessmen in several towns of the area, giving a description of the business operations, when the business began, who was involved, etc.

Carlisle:
Goodyear Brothers, M. S. Diehl, Clarence M. Liggett, The Carlisle Deposit Bank, W. N. Reeder, J. T. Smith, Thudium House, S. H. Jackson & Son, Austin B. Hertzler, Anna S. McCommon, Hartzell Bros., The E. J. Garner Axle and Machine Co. Reg., Kost's Poultry and Produce Market, J. E. Einstein, Geo. W. Weitzel, Plough's Millinery Shop, John S. Low, R. Williams, Indian Rug Company, E. A. Lau & Sons, E. E. Lay, J. F. Mulgrew & Son, William W. Herr, Carlisle Commerical College, Sheafer's Housefunishing Store, Benfer's Pharmacy, The Sentinel, Jackson Elevator, Carlisle Evening Herald, R. N. Beetem & Company, Carlisle Optical and Watch Company, Neusbam & Bettilyon

Mechanicsburg:
John K. B. Brandt, The D. Wilcox Manufacturing Company, Happle & Swartz, L. F. Eberly's Son, Miller & Eurich, First National Bank, Mechanicsburg National Bank, A. B. Harnish, D. J. Beitzel, S. S. Deihl, Seidel & Hinkel, The Second National Bank, W. L. Singiser

Mt. Holly Springs:
W. B. Zullinger, United States Hotel, Mrs. Belle C. Kinsel, Snyder's Drug Store

Newville:
First National Bank of Newville, H. Manning & Son, The Farmers National Bank, J. S. Elliott Coffee Co., Andrew McElwain, F. E. Charlton Estate

Shippensburg:
First National Bank, Nickles & Stewart, Heller & Shugars, A. C. Squires, Peerless Furniture Company, Shippensburg Plumbing and Heating Co., D. S. Shulenberger, John E. Blair, Rummel, Himes & Co., Peoples National Bank, The Morris Produce Co., Thrush & Stough, G. W. Wilt, Raum's Drug Store

Five Typical Scotch Irish Families of the Cumberland Valley
(Mary Craig Shoemaker, 1922, 84 pages)
This publication consists of the genealogical and historical data collected by the author, outlining five branches of her family that settled the Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania: Boyd, Craig, Orr, Vance, and Watson.   The information was collected from old records, archives and graveyards, as well as personal contact with many individuals of the older generation.

Cumberland County Pennsylvania Marriages 1761-1800
(The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, 1927, 41 pages)
This is a set of early marriage records of Cumberland County residents.  The information includes details such as the names of the marriage parties, date, Minister, Bondsmen, Witnesses, etc.

On Making One's Mark (Thomas Creigh, 1935, 32 pages)
This booklet is a history of the Creigh family of Cumberland County, PA.  It includes a copy of the family Bible birth records from the late 1700's.

Young American Patriots - The Youth of Pennsylvania in World War II
(National Publishing Company, 1946, 674 pages)
This publication is a memorial to the service men and women of Pennsylvania who served in WWII.  It contains brief sketches of 1,000's of soldiers from across the state.  The sketches provide a variety of information on each soldier: Name, rank, branch of military, engagements, discharge date, military awards, birth date, parents, spouse, address, religion., etc.  The information varies from soldier to soldier but most contain the information above.  Also, nearly every sketch is accompanies by a portrait of the soldier.

This publication is not an exhaustive listing of all the soldiers of Pennsylvania who fought in World War II.  Nearly all counties are represented, but some more extensively than others.  Those given more extensive coverage include:  Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cumberland, Dauphin, Erie, Fayette, Indiana, Lawrence, Northampton, Westmoreland,

Here is a sample listing:
Abbott, William Edward
Cpl., Army. Born Apr. 6, 1925. Entered Serv. June 12, 1943. Ft. Belvoir; N. Guinea; Phil. Is.; Okinawa.  Awarded GCM, As-Pac Rib., BS, Phil. Lib. Rib.  Disch. Mar. 2, 1945.  Attended Clymer HS.  Protestant.  Son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Abbott.  Husband of Margaret Herrington Abbott, 818 Sandusky St., N. S., Pgh, 12, Pa

Flood '72 (A. Keith Zorger & Frank E. Schubert, 1972, 32 pages)
This is a photographic souvenir of the 1972 Flood in Pennsylvania resulting from Hurricane / Tropical storm Agnes. It shows numerous scenes of flood damage primarily in Cumberland, Dauphin and York Counties.

Flood Pennsylvania - 1972 (Timothy E. Euker, David Berner, 1972, 68 pages)
This pictorial souvenir highlights the damge done from Hurricane / Tropical storm Agnes in 1972. It includes some photographs of areas in Cumberland County.

Maps & Atlases (*** Not text searchable ***)
1858 Map of Cumberland County Pennsylvania (F. H. Bridgens, Color)
1872 Atlas of Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania (F. W. Beers & Co., 40 pages, B/W)

Birds-eye Town View (*** Not text searchable ***)
Mechanicsburg, Pa. (1903, T. M. Fowler)
View of Newville, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania (1903, T. M. Fowler)