{"product_id":"researching-in-pennsylvanias-county-courthouses-archives-july-2026","title":"Researching in Pennsylvania's County Courthouses \u0026 Archives - July 2026","description":"\u003ch4\u003eJuly 23, 2026 3:00PM - 6:00PM ET\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eUnlocking Pennsylvania’s Hidden Past\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003eHistory isn't just found in textbooks—it’s tucked away in the dusty basements, old filing cabinets, and local archives of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Many of the state’s most valuable genealogical treasures have never been digitized and can \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"2,1\" data-index-in-node=\"241\"\u003eonly\u003c\/i\u003e be found on-site. In this course, you’ll become a historical detective, learning how to navigate local courthouses to uncover vital records, wills, deeds, naturalizations, and divorce files. Step away from the search engine and discover the boots-on-the-ground strategies needed to break through your brick walls and trace your Pennsylvania ancestors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis live, three-hour session is designed to immerse you in a hands-on learning experience. Led by genealogy expert \u003cstrong\u003eLindsay Harner\u003c\/strong\u003e you’ll benefit from:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExpert Guidance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Learn directly from a renowned genealogy professional.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePractical Handouts\u003c\/strong\u003e: Access downloadable resources to enhance your learning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePLUS - \u003c\/strong\u003eReceive the digital Pennsylvania State Research Guide ($9.99 value) \u003cstrong\u003eFREE!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ\u0026amp;A\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: Get your questions answered during the live session and through our exclusive online forum for one week\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, ensuring all your questions are answered and you receive personalized guidance as you apply what you've learned.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat You’ll Learn\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,0,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"2,0,0\"\u003eThe PA County Timeline:\u003c\/b\u003e Master the shifting borders and formations of Pennsylvania's counties so you always know exactly where and when your ancestors lived.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,1,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"2,1,0\"\u003eCourthouse Matchmaking:\u003c\/b\u003e Learn how to pinpoint the exact courthouse or archive holding the specific records you need.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,2,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"2,2,0\"\u003eThe Repository Survival Guide:\u003c\/b\u003e Discover exactly what to pack—and what to leave at home—to ensure a smooth, professional, and successful on-site research trip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,3,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"2,3,0\"\u003eNavigating the Courthouse Stacks:\u003c\/b\u003e Gain a step-by-step roadmap to locating critical local records, including:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,3,0\"\u003eDeeds, mortgages, and land tracts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,3,0\"\u003eWills, administrations, and estate files\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,3,0\"\u003eHistoric tax lists and assessments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,3,0\"\u003eCriminal court proceedings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,3,0\"\u003eGuardianship and orphanage records\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,3,0\"\u003eBirth, marriage, and death vitals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,4,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"2,4,0\"\u003eDemystifying the Prothonotary:\u003c\/b\u003e Uncover the unique role of this Pennsylvania-specific official and learn how to extract the goldmine of civil records kept in their office.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,5,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"2,5,0\"\u003eCounty Archives vs. Courthouses:\u003c\/b\u003e Identify which PA counties have dedicated archives and how their holdings differ from traditional courthouse basements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,6,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"2,6,0\"\u003eDigital Prep Work:\u003c\/b\u003e Learn how to navigate online indexes and effectively order records from afar before you ever step foot out the door.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,7,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"2,7,0\"\u003eThe Bulletproof Research Plan:\u003c\/b\u003e Build a strategic, time-saving game plan to maximize every hour of your next research trip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"2,8,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"2,8,0\"\u003eReal-World Case Studies:\u003c\/b\u003e See these strategies in action through real examples of breakthrough discoveries made using Pennsylvania's local records.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBy the end of this course you'll be able to:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"1,0,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eGraduate Beyond the Search Engine:\u003c\/b\u003e Confidently transition from basic online databases to rich, offline repositories where your ancestors' true stories are kept.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"1,1,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eBreak Through Genealogical \"Brick Walls\":\u003c\/b\u003e Weaponize hyper-local county records to shatter long-standing research roadblocks that online ancestry sites can't solve.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"1,2,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eResearch Remotely Like a Local:\u003c\/b\u003e Master the art of navigating online county indexes and ordering physical records from afar, eliminating the need for expensive travel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"1,3,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eConquer Pennsylvania's Unique Landscape:\u003c\/b\u003e Trace ancestral migrations through the Keystone State with confidence, whether you live in Pennsylvania or are researching your roots from across the country.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"1,4,0\"\u003e\n\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1,4,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eUnearth Deeply Personal History:\u003c\/b\u003e Locate the rare, localized documents that go beyond names and dates to reveal the daily lives, struggles, and triumphs of your family tree.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Interactive Learning with an Expert\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0696\/7682\/6792\/files\/Lindsey_Harner.jpg?v=1778676560\" alt=\"\" width=\"99\" height=\"115\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLindsay Harner\u003c\/strong\u003e is a professional genealogist based in north-central Pennsylvania. Clients from across the country rely on her expertise to uncover and retrieve records hidden away in Pennsylvania’s local courthouses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eA graduate of Boston University's Genealogical Principles Course, Lindsay is a widely recognized voice in the genealogy community. Her work has been published in \u003ci data-index-in-node=\"162\" data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eFamily Tree Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci data-index-in-node=\"187\" data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eNGS Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e, and she frequently presents on a variety of research topics for prestigious organizations, including the Allen County Public Library's Genealogy Center. She is also the author of the Amazon e-book, \u003ci data-index-in-node=\"399\" data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eFind Your Ancestors in the U.S. Federal Census: A 4-Step Process for Finding Elusive Ancestors in the Census\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eDon’t let your family history stop where the internet ends. Join us today, and turn your Pennsylvania \"brick walls\" into the breakthrough stories your ancestors have been waiting for you to tell.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\" data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eReady to dig in? 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