Books

Four books on Pennsylvania genealogy and Revolutionary War family history writing. Two are in the permanent collection of the DAR Library in Washington, D.C.

The Revolutionary War Writing Workbook

Turn Your Research Into Your First Family History

Published April 2026 · Written for America's 250th anniversary

You've done the research. You have the records, the names, the pension files. But the story isn't written yet.

This workbook walks you step by step from raw research to a finished family history about someone who lived through the American Revolution. Whether your subject was a Continental soldier, a Loyalist who lost everything, a woman holding a farm together alone, or someone who just tried to survive — this book gives you the structure to tell their story honestly and well.

Covers how to evaluate your evidence and decide what kind of story it supports, research guidance for Revolutionary War records including pension applications and muster rolls, historical context for daily life and social hierarchy, and dedicated chapters for every type of Revolutionary experience: patriots, loyalists, the unaligned majority, women and children, indentured lives, enslaved and free Black lives, and morally complicated stories.

Includes practical writing instruction, AI prompts for building historical context without inventing facts, guidance on probability language to keep your narrative honest, and a path to publishing and sharing your finished work.

No prior writing experience needed. No lineage society membership required. Just evidence, this workbook, and the decision to finish.

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Colonial Pennsylvania Genealogy Research

Communities and Revolutionary Era Records, 1681–1790

Published March 2026 · #1 New Release in Mid-Atlantic History on Amazon

If your ancestors lived in Pennsylvania between 1681 and 1790, the records of their lives are scattered across hundreds of archives, churches, historical societies, and digital collections. This book maps where those records are — and which ones survived.

Community by community, it identifies what records exist, where they are held, and what researchers should know before diving in — from Quaker meeting minutes to German Lutheran church registers to privateer crew lists.

Covers 20 distinct communities — including Welsh, Scots-Irish, German Lutheran, Reformed, Moravian, Jewish, Catholic, African American, and Native American — plus records from the American Revolution (Patriots, Loyalists, and privateers), vital records, tax lists, court records, and the published Pennsylvania Archives series.

29 chapters. Comprehensive index with 228 entries.

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Archives in Pennsylvania for Genealogy Research

A Guide to Records in Archives, Libraries, Colleges, Courthouses, Genealogical Societies, Historic Sites, Historical Societies, and Museums

Published 2023 · Part of the PA State Archives research library

Genealogists researching in Pennsylvania face a unique challenge: historical records are scattered across over 800 different archives. Millions of records are stored at historical sites, museums, libraries, government buildings, universities, historical societies, and genealogical societies.

This book covers how to search archive catalogs and finding aids, what kinds of records are stored in each type of archive, how to work with archive staff and volunteers, what to bring on a research trip, and how to hire a researcher to search for you.

Includes bonus downloads: Research Focus template, Ancestor Profile template, and Common Terms Used in Archives.

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Pennsylvania Vital Records Research

Birth, Adoption, Marriage, Divorce, and Death Records from the Colonial Era to Today

Published 2022 · #1 New Release in Genealogy on Amazon

The complete guide to finding every vital record on Pennsylvania ancestors from 1682 to today.

Covers the history, state laws, and processes for birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, county vital record registrations, adoptions, and divorce — plus how to include DNA results in your research.

Includes research checklists, Pennsylvania archives and repositories listing, common vital records terms, and Pennsylvania state laws.

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All books by Denyse Allen, published by PA Ancestors LLC.