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.

Bird's-Eye View of the Borough of Bellwood, Blair County, Pennsylvania

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

This is a detailed image from birds-eye perspective of the city of Bellwood, Blair County, PA in the year 1895.  It details streets, homes, businesses, churches, etc., providing a unique view of the town and wider area.  It also includes an inset of the public school building.  This file is not text-searchable.

Tyrone, Blair County, Pennsylvania 1895 (T. M. Fowler & James B. Moyer, 1895)

This is a detailed image from birds-eye perspective of the city of Tyrone, Blair County, PA in the year 1895.  It details streets, homes, businesses, churches, etc., providing a unique view of the town and wider area.  This file is not text-searchable.

Tyrone of To-Day - The Gateway of the Alleghenies

(Rev. W. H. Wilson, 1897, 194 pages)

This is an early history of Tyrone, Blair County, PA published in 1897.  It offers a wealth of information on the town and its vicinity, including its history and growth, its present (1897) status, as well as information on its citizens.  A nice feature of this publication is a business directory of the town as well as a section  containing sketches of dozens of Tyrone's businesses.  There are also a number of photographs includes featuring prominent citizens of or scenes around Tyrone.

Businesses Sketched:

The Tyrone Iron Company, The Pennsylvania Railroad, Morris' Quarries, Keystone Lime & Stone Company, The North Star Tannery, The Morrison & Cass Co., Paper Mill, A. G. Morris & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop,  Tyrone Boiler Works, Tyrone Shoe Company, Elkhurst Art School, Solar Print House, Beyer's Mills, Tyrone Planing Mills, Tyrone Milling Company, Tyrone Marble Works, Tyrone Glass Factory, Templeton & Co.'s Department Store, Walton & Acklin Jewelers, Mrs. Ella Black's Millinery Store, G. W. Strong's Bargain Store, J. S. Gillam & Co., Study's Dry Goods Store, William Vogt Clothing House, Tyrone Steam Laundry, H. H. Stratiff Machinist, F. G. Albright (department store), D. G. Owen's Department Store, J. W. Fisher Stoves and Tinware, Port's Furnature Store, Arnold & Miller Florists, A. L. Koons Manufacturing Confectioner, Farran Zerbe (department store), Kirk-Camp Furniture Co., Cosel Oak Hall Clothier and Furnisher, E. D. Mock Grocer, J. J. Wilmore Carriage Works, Hicks & Troutwine Meat Markets, Sprangle Brothers, R. S. Minich & Son, J. Langenbacher & Son, Friedly & Kaup, Wm. M. Snyder, John D. Cox Gunsmith, Mahlon Cryder Clothier, Mock & Buck Grocers, Wilson & Co. Grocers, The Bee Hive Store, W. B. Murdock Grocer, J. C. McConahy's Shoe Store, Jones Furniture Company, W. F. Wise Co. Scenic Artists, Decorators and Theatrical Architects, Architectural Implements and Harnesses - J. A. C. Rider, Bald Eagle Carriage Works, E. P. Irvin & Co. Hardware, Franciscus Hardware Company, The Tyrone Herald, The Tyrone Times, Matt L. Allison Job Printing, Blair County Bank, The First National Bank, A. B. & L. Association

Birds Eye View of Williamsburg, Blair Co., PA 1906 (Fowler & Kelly, 1906)

This is a detailed image from birds-eye perspective of the town of Williamsburg, Blair County, PA in the year 1906.  It details streets, homes, businesses, churches, etc., providing a unique view of the town and wider area.  It also includes insets of several prominent buildings of the town.  This file is not text-searchable.

History of the Early Settling of the Bald Eagle Valley

(William E. Marks, 1939, 19 pages)

From the Foreword: "The writer has spent much time and labor in research, largely from old warrants and deeds, and believes that this booklet will give you valuable information as to the early settling of the Bald Eagle Valley and Centre County, that can not be found in any other publication."  Although most of the information deals with Centre County, some areas of neighboring Blair and Clinton Counties are also covered.  The towns that this publication focuses on are: Bald Eagle, Beech Creek, Bellefonte, Curtin, Eagleville, Fowler, Hannah, Howard, Julian, Lock Haven, Martha, Milesburg, Mill Hall, Philipsburg, Port Matilda, Show Shoe, Snow Shoe Intersection, Tyrone, and Unionville.

History of the First Presbyterian Church of Williamsburg,

Blair County, Pennsylvania (William Ray Metz, 1941, 80 pages)

This publication provides a history of this congregation related through its pastorates over the years.

A Short History of Tyrone Borough (Ralph T. Wolfgang, 1950, 63 pages)

This is a brief history of the borough of Tyrone, Blair County, PA written by a long-time resident.  It builds on the earlier history "Tyrone of To-Day" published in 1897, and although it contains some information from before that date, much of the information relates the Tyrone's history in the early 20th century.

Bellwood’s First 75 Years 1888-1963 (Altoona Printing & Supply Co., 1963, 92 pages)

This is a history of Bellwood, Blair County, PA published for its 75th anniversary.  It covers from aboriginal time through to the time of publication (1963).  A good portion of the publication is dedicated to modern times, and many of the towns businesses and organizations are sketched.  Along with the information are many photographs of the town and its residents.

Tipton-antis 1776 - 1856 - 1976 (Anonymous, 1976, 48 pages)

This is a collection of brief sketches relating to the town of Tipton, Blair County, PA written for the bicentennial in 1976.  It also contains a list of resident patrons and veterans of wars, as well as numerous ads for local businesses.

Tyrone of Today Volume II 1897-1976

(Tyrone Area Bicentennial Committee, 1976, 243 pages)

This book is a history of the Tyrone, Blair County area of Pennsylvania published for the U.S. centennial in 1976.  This publication picks up where the earlier published history of Tyrone left off, covering the period from 1897  to 1976.  The nature of the information is similar to the earlier history, covering the town's growth and development through the years, as well as it's business, civic, religious, governmental and social aspects, etc.  There are dozens of photographs included featuring many of the towns buildings and other scenes.

Williamsburg, PA. 76 (Anonymous, 1976, 204 pages)

This is an extensive history of Williamsburg, Blair County, PA published for the nation's bicentennial in 1976.  Following the general history of the area, much of the coverage is descriptive of its modern state (1976).  It provides sketches of many of the towns businesses and organizations including photographs of the town, surrounding area, and its residents.  Additionally, many of the towns residents and families are given brief sketches as well.

Surnames Sketched:

Anderson, Aluise, Baker, Blyler, Campbell, Cramer, Eastep, England, Evans, Frye, Greaser, Hileman, Lang, Liebegott, Loose, McGarry, Miller, Morelli, Moyer, Potteiger, Saylor, Shultz, Sollenberger, Verbonitz