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.

Directory of the Borough of Chester for the Years 1859-60 (William Whitehead, 1859, 125 pages)
The first half of this publication is a history of the town of Chester. It discusses its beginnings, and the development of the town through the years, including its various businesses and industries up to 1859. Following this is the resident directory of the town, listing the resident's name, occupation and street address. The final part lists the various institutions of the town such as schools, churches, fraternal societies, etc.

Boyd's Business Directory of the Counties of Adams, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin,
Delaware, Franklin, Lancaster, Montgomery and York, PA. together with a General Directory
of all the Inhabitants of Harrisburg 1860 (William H. Boyd, 1860, 326 pages)
This is an early resident directory of Harrisburg, and business directory of 10 counties in southeastern Pennsylvania. The directory of Harrisburg lists the resident's name, occupation, street address and whether they board or own the home. The business directory is arranged alphabetically by trade and lists the name of the business or business-person, and their location (Town). Along with the directory listings, there are also numerous ads for local businesses.

Chester & Delaware Co., Directory for 1869-70 (J. H. Lant, 1869, 148 pages)
This is a directory of the town of Chester followed by a business directory of the rest of the county. The Chester directory includes the resident's name, occupation and street address, and is arranged alphabetically. The business directory covers the towns of Aston, Birmingham, Concord, Darby, Edgmont, Haverford, Marple, Media, Middletown, Newtown, Providence, Radner, Ridley, Springfield, Thornbury, Upland, Upper Darby, and Upper Providence. The business directory lists the business name, business type, and post office address.

Chester Directory for 1872-73 (J. H. Lant & Co., 1872, 168 pages)
This publication is a resident and business directory for the town of Chester, and a business directory for Delaware County. It begins with the resident listings and includes the resident's name, occupation and street address. Then comes the business directory which is listed by business type and includes the business name and street address. The next part of the publication contains various lists: county and city officers, societies, churches, banks, and newspapers within the city. The final part is a business directory of Delaware County and covers the towns of Aston, Bethel, Birmingham, Concord, Darby, Edgmont, Haverford, Marple, Media, Nether Providence, Newtown, Radner, Ridley, Springfield, Thornbury, Upland, Upper Darby, and Upper Providence. The business directory lists the business name, business type, and post office address.

Boyd's Directory of Lancaster, Columbia, Chester and
West Chester, 1874-5 (Wm. H. Boyd, 1874, 497 pages)
This is a resident and business directory of the cities of Lancaster and Columbia [Lancaster County], Chester, [Delaware County], and West Chester [Chester County], PA for the year 1874-75. The directory lists residents and businesses alphabetically by city, and includes the name of the resident, their occupation and street address. At the end of the publication there is a classified business directory of the principle towns of Chester, Delaware and Lancaster Counties, PA.

Chester Directory for 1879-80 (J. H. Lant & Co., 1879, 147 pages)
This publication is a resident and business directory for the town of Chester. It begins with the business directory which is listed by business type and includes the business name and street address. Then comes the resident listings and includes the resident's name, occupation and street address.

Chester Directory for 1880-81 (J. H. Lant & Co., 1880, 161 pages)
This publication is a resident and business directory for the town of Chester. It begins with the business directory which is listed by business type and includes the business name and street address. Then comes the resident listings and includes the resident's name, occupation and street address.

Chester City Directory, 1882-83 (John Spencer, 1882, 201 pages)
This is a resident directory for the cities of Chester, South Chester and Upland. The listings include the resident's name, occupation and street address.

Chester City Directory, 1883-84 (John Spencer, 1883, 311 pages)
This is a resident and business directory for the cities of Chester, Eddystone, Media, North Chester, South Chester, and Upland. The listings include the resident's name, occupation and street address.

Chester City Directory, 1885-86 (John Spencer, 1885, 314 pages)
This is a resident and business directory for the cities of Chester, Media, North Chester, South Chester, and Upland. The listings include the resident's name, occupation and street address.

Chester City Directory, 1887-88 (John Spencer, 1887, 291 pages)
This is a resident and business directory for the cities of Chester, Eddystone, North Chester, South Chester, and Upland. The listings include the resident's name, occupation and street address.

Chester City Directory, 1889-90 (John Spencer, 1889, 430 pages)
This is a resident and business directory for the cities of Chester, Eddystone, South Chester, and Upland, in Delaware County, PA. The listings include the resident's name, occupation and street address. As with most directories of the time, there are numerous ads for local businesses throughout. Directories of this era are useful as replacements of the Federal Census of 1890, which was destroyed, making this an excellent resource for historical or genealogical research.