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.

Historical Exercises of Middle Spring Presbyterian Church
(D. K. & J. C. Wagner, 1876, 112 pages)
This is an extensive history of an early Central PA church of the Cumberland valley. It covers the beginnings of the church and its progression through the years. In doing so, the information also related details of the lives of its members, many of whom were early settlers of the area.

History of the United Presbyterian Church of Big Spring 1764-1878
(S. B. Scouller, 1878, 46 pages)

History of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church, Newville, PA 1737-1898
(Gilbert Ernest Swope, 1898, 217 pages)
This is an extensive history and account of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church of Newville, Cumberland County, PA. The information was collected from published sources as well as family accounts, and represents a thorough recollection of the churches history.

The church records include:
A list of new members from 1791-1828, by Samuel Wilson: marriages from 1787-1798, by Rev. Joshua Williams: marriages from 1802-1828, baptisms from 1821-1827, , a list of member of the Bible classes for 1817, by Rev. Robert M'Cachran: marriages from 1831-1874, baptisms from 1831-1851, a list of pew occupants from 1790, transcriptions from the graveyard of persons born prior to 1800, and a list of soldiers buried in the graveyard.

Biographical information on:
James Graham, Alexander Williamson, McKnight Williamson, Moses Williamson, J. Davidson Randolph, William McCandlish, Samuel Davidson, Williamson Nevin Geddes, John Hood Laughlin, Thomas Craighead, John Blair, George Duffield, William Linn, Samuel Wilson, Joshua Williams, Robert M'Cachran, James S. H. Henderson, Philip B. Mowry, Ebenezer Erskine

Descendants of Archibald McAllister of West Pennsboro Township,
Cumberland County, PA. 1730 - 1898 (Mary Catherine Archibald, 1898, 193 pages)
This is an account of the genealogy of Archibald McAllister, one of the early settlers of Cumberland County, PA. An index is included.

History of the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church 1738-1900
(Belle McKinney Hays Swope, 1900, 239 pages)
This is a history of the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church, Middle Spring, Cumberland Co., PA. It covers the formation and growth of this early Pennsylvania Church, as well as the ministries of its various pastors. It also includes biographies of its ministers, and several sets of church records including baptisms, marriages, tombstone inscriptions, etc.

Biographies: Blair, Cooper, Craighead, Hays, Moody, Richardson, Wylie

History of Newville (Publication Committee, 1940, 73 pages)
This is a brief history of the beginning and growth of Newville, as well as some account of its early settlers and influential persons.

150th Anniversary of Zion Lutheran Church, Newville, PA (W. E. Waybright, 1945, 13 pages)
This is a brief account of the history of Zion Lutheran Church of Newville. It also contains a list of its past pastors, and a list of the events of the anniversary celebration.