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). You will receive an email with the download link after purchasing online. These files can be read using many PDF reader programs (Windows / Mac / Linux), however Adobe Reader or Acrobat are recommended.

J. H. Bryson's Lancaster Directory for 1843 (James H. Bryson, 1843, 101 pages)
According to the title page: "Lancaster Directory for 1843: containing the names of the inhabitants, their occupations, places of business, and residences; Also, a list of the streets, lanes, alleys &c, the City officers, public institutions, and banks, besides other useful information." There are also numerous ads for local businesses throughout.

The Lancaster City Directory 1857 (William H. Boyd, 1857, 229 pages)
This is a resident and business directory of the city of Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA for the year 1857. The directory information is arranged alphabetically listing the resident's name, occupation and street address. Following this is an appendix which lists Federal, State, County and Local public office holders as well as organizations of the city such as post offices, schools, banks, fire departments, societies, etc. As with most directories of the time, there are also numerous ads for local businesses throughout.

Gopsill's Directory of Lancaster, Harrisburg,
Lebanon and York 1863-4 (James Gopsill, 1863, 428 pages)
This is a resident and business directory of the cities of Harrisburg, [Dauphin County], Lancaster [Lancaster County], Lebanon [Lebanon County], and York [York County], PA for the year 1863-64. 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 an appendix for each city listing further useful information such as county and borough officers, schools with teachers' names, banks with employee's names, churches and their clergymen, etc.

Directory of the City of Lancaster 1868-69 (Webb & Fitzgerald, 1868, 149 pages)
This is a resident and business directory of the city of Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA for the year 1868-69. The directory information is arranged alphabetically listing the resident's name, occupation and street address. Following this is an appendix which lists Federal, State, County and Local public office holders as well as organizations of the city such as post offices, schools, banks, fire departments, societies, etc. As with most directories of the time, there are also numerous ads for local businesses throughout.

A. C. Leonard's Directory of Business and Professional Men of Lancaster, PA 1883
(A. C. Leonard, John A. Hiestand printer, 1883, 81 pages)
This is a business directory of the city of Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA for the year 1883.

City Directory of Lancaster Pennsylvania 1907-1908 Edition
(R. L. Polk & Co., 1907, 796 pages)
This is a resident and business directory of Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA for the year 1907-08. The publication begins with lists of government and civil officials followed by lists of other organizations of the city such as banks, churches, clubs, etc. The directory information is arranged two ways: first in a street directory, listing addresses and residents numerically by street, - and secondly, in an alphabetical directory. This includes the name of the primary resident or business, their occupation and street address. Following the directory portion there is also a classified business directory of the city.

Polk's Lancaster City Directory 1931 (R. L. Polk & Co., 1931, 660 pages)
This is a resident and business directory of the city of Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA for the year 1931. The publication starts with a section of classified ads. This is followed by the residential directory, listing residents and businesses from the area, providing the resident's (or business) name, mate's name, occupation, and street address. Next is a numerical street directory listing residents and businesses by street number, followed by a classified business directory local businesses of arranged by trade. The last section is a directory of rural routes listing the residents of outlying areas around Lancaster.

Polk's Lancaster City Directory 1941-42 (R. L. Polk & Co. Inc., 1942, 692 pages)
This is a resident and business directory of the city of Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA for the year 1941-42. The publication starts with the residential directory, listing residents and businesses from the area, providing the resident's (or business) name, mate's name, occupation, and street address. Following this is a numeric street directory listing all addresses numerically by street. Next is a numeric telephone directory listing household with telephones. Last is a classified business directory listing local businesses by trade.

Polk's Lancaster City Directory 1950 (R. L. Polk & Co. Inc., 1950, 976 pages)
This is a resident and business directory of the city of Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA for the year 1950. The publication starts with the residential directory, listing residents and businesses from the area, providing the resident's (or business) name, mate's name, occupation, and street address. Following this is a section of classified ads followed by a classified business directory listing local businesses by trade. Next is a numeric street directory listing all addresses numerically by street, followed by a numeric telephone directory.

Polk's Lancaster City Directory 1955 (R. L. Polk & Co., 1955, 1004 pages)
This is a resident and business directory of the city of Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA for the year 1955. The publication starts with the residential directory, listing residents and businesses from the area, providing the resident's (or business) name, mate's name, occupation, and street address. Following this is a section of ads for local businesses, a classified business directory, a numerical street directory listing residents and businesses by street number, and finally listings of telephone numbers for those households which had them.

Polk's Lancaster City Directory 1956 (R. L. Polk & Co., 1956, 1052 pages)
This is a resident and business directory of the city of Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA for the year 1956. The publication starts with a classified business directory arranged by trade. After this comes the residential directory, listing residents and businesses from the area, providing the resident's (or business) name, mate's name, occupation, and street address. Following this is a numerical street directory listing residents and businesses by street number. This directory also includes telephone numbers for those households which had them.

Polk's Lancaster City Directory 1957 (R. L. Polk & Co., 1957, 1020 pages)
This is a resident and business directory of the city of Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA for the year 1957. The publication starts with ads for local businesses. After this comes the residential directory, listing residents and businesses from the area, providing the resident's (or business) name, mate's name, occupation, and street address. Following this is a classified business directory, a numerical street directory listing residents and businesses by street number, and finally listings of telephone numbers for those households which had them.