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.

Manual of the Second Presbyterian Church of Altoona, PA (1877, 30 pages)

This is brief a history of this church, including a list of early members and a current (1877) directory of members.

History of the City of Altoona and Blair County

(Jas. H. Ewing and Harry Selp, 1880, 278 pages)

This is a dual history of Blair County and Altoona, the county's largest city, written for its centennial.  It presents an overview history of the county, setting the context for the history of Altoona which follows.  The remainder of the publication relates the history of Altoona covering various aspects of the city, such as businesses and industry, schools, churches, etc.  Particular focus is given to the main industry of the area, Railroads.  At the end, there are also sections covering smaller towns of Blair County, including Arch Spring, Bellwood, Bennington Furnace, Duncansville, Gaysport, Hollidaysburg, Kittaning Point, Martinsburg, Newry, Roaring Spring, Tipton, Tyrone and Williamsburg.   Along with the historical information, there are numerous ads for local businesses.

Penn'a R. R. Car Shops, Altoona Pennsylvania [Bird's-Eye Town View]

(T. M. Fowler & James B. Moyer, 1895)

This is a birds-eye perspective of the Railroad Car repair shops in Altoona, Blair County, PA in the year 1895.  It shops the workshops and railroad buildings with part of the town of Altoona in the background.  This file is not text-searchable.

Illustrated Altoona (Charles B. Clark, 1896, 186 pages)

This publication presents Altoona as a prominent and desirable city.  It covers the city of Altoona and the suburbs of Millville, Westmont, Fairview, Oakton, Millertown, Newburg, Collinsville, Juniata, East End, and Llyswen.  It proceeds to give a thorough history of the city and its development which highlighting its desireable features and prospects for the future.  Along with the information are numerous photographs of the city, its surroundings and prominent citizens.  Additionally, there are numerous ads for local businesses throughout.

1888-1908 Twentieth Anniversary of the Trinity Reformed Church

(Anonymous, 1908, 58 pages)

This is a history of the first 20 years of this church.  It also includes a list of the Sunday Schools and students, as well as a directory of church members.

Pen Pictures of Friends and Reminiscent Sketches

(J. N. Tillard, 1911, 353 pages)

Originally published in limited run of 500 copies, this book was written by a former policeman about the people he knew in the course of his work in Altoona.  According to the foreword, these are men from "all walks of life, who had impressed their personality upon their time."   The main portion of this publication is composed of these sketches, and a small remainder contains several articles published by the same author focusing on a few varying historical topics from the area of Altoona and Blair County, PA.  Most of the biographical sketches are also accompanies by a portrait of the sketch subject.

Sketches:

Adams, Bankert, Black, Blake, Boles, Boyles, Brennecke, Brown, Carpenter, Clifford, Coleman, Davis, Duany, Fraser, Gable, Gailey, Garden, Griffith, Hamilton, Hamor, Hausser, Hesser, Hinman, Hughes, Kantner, Keith, Kerr, Knepley, Kipple, Lafferty, Law, Levan, Mackey, McBurney, McCartney, McCormick, McGuire, Meek, Mervine, Metz, Osbornes, Rohrer, Scheeline, Schwartz, Sellers, Steel, Stein, Travis, White

Altoona – Keystone City of the Great Keystone State (Charles M. Schwab, 1925, 76 pages)

This publication was produced in connection with the Chamber of Commerce to feature the growth prospects of the City of Altoona.  It includes a number of photographs of locations and buildings of the city.  It highlights information on the current (1925) state of the area with emphasis on its future growth.

Historical Sketches of Collinsville (Anonymous, 1935, 18 pages)

This booklet is a brief history of Collinsville, (now known as Pleasant Valley), located in Blair County, PA as well as a program of the events for Memorial Day 1935.

Altoona 1849-1949 - Centennial Booklet (Richard E. Beeler, 1949, 98 pages)

From the Foreword:  "This Altoona Centennial Souvenir Booklet aims to give the story of the city of today with glances backward that form interesting and instructive links in coupling Altoona's present with the past."  The publication includes a brief history of the City, a number of photographs of various places in and around the city, as well as a program of the events of the Centennial Celebration.