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Images of appointments and commissions issued for civil officers. Information given is name of appointee, name of Governor or commission making the appointment, the position to more which appointed, date of appointment, and the term of the appointment. Microfilm covers the period through 1944. For names of applicants who applied for positions for the period 1775-1790 see "Guide to the Microfilm of the Records of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments, 1775-1790," by Roland M. Baumann. Related records will be found in the following series in Record Group 27, Records of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments: Appointment Book, 1777-1790 series 27.19; Appointments File, Military, 1775-1790 series 27.20; and Appointments File, Political, 1775-1790 series 27.21. For more related and duplicate records, see also, Commission Books, 1775-1842 series 26.46. See internal links below. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of gubernatorial appointments and commissions. Information usually provided is name of appointee, name of Governor or Commission making the appointment, the title of the position more to which applicant was appointed, the date of appointment, term of the appointment, Gubernatorial certificate signed by the Governor and Secretary of the Commonwealth, and Senate confirmation letter. Correspondence was generally sent on behalf of applicants and may sometimes provide more detailed information about an applicant. The microfilm covers the period through 1808. For names of applicants who applied for positions during the period 1775-1790 see "Guide to the Microfilm of the Records of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments, 1775-1790," by Roland M. Bauman. Related records are in the following series of Records Group 27, Records of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments: Appointment Book, 1777-1790 series 27.19; Appointments File, Military, 1775-1790 series 27.20; and Appointments File, Political, 1775-1790 series 27.21. Also see, MG-001, Appointments and Commissions Collection. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of the earliest surviving records of the Commonwealth including William Penn's charter from King Charles II, the earliest frames of government for the province, the more deeds by which Pennsylvania lands were purchased from the American Indian tribes, copies of all of the state constitutions and Pennsylvania's copy of the federal constitution. less

Transcripts of bonds posted by office holders with the sitting Governors as surety for their carrying out of their responsibilities. Information provided is name of person more posting bond, office for which bond was posted, date of bond, amount of bond, name of Governor, conditions specified by bond, and names of witnesses. Records are arranged chronologically by date of entry. Indexed internally, alphabetically by name of office holder. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation which is responsible for issuing commissions to all state appointed and elected officials, maintaining election returns, and recording and filing legislation enacted by the General Assembly.  less

Bonds, assignments, contracts, acts, titles and similar types of records relating to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, General State Authority, State Highway and Bridge Authority, and State more Treasurer. Also included are 12 deeds for the Capitol grounds and certified copies of joint resolutions proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution concerning the terms of office of the president, womens suffrage, and the prohibition of the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The records include a copy of legislation passed by the General Assembly between September 30, 1775 and the American Revolution, copies of legislation passed at by the United States Congress meeting at New York on March 4, 1789, a contract between the Commonwealth and Francis Shunk Brown dated July 5, 1929 concerning a refund of taxes paid 1866-1868, an assignment of copyrights by James Thurman Pearson, Jr., Daniel Garber, Alice Kent Stoddard, and George Harding, and the General State Authority bond issue for 1949. Records are unarranged. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation which is responsible for issuing commissions to all state appointed and elected officials, maintaining election returns, and recording and filing legislation enacted by the General Assembly.  less

Transcripts of Articles of Incorporation filed with the Department of State. Information provided is date of incorporation, name of corporation, location of corporation, text of the more articles of incorporation, names of the incorporators, date certified, and name of Secretary of Commonwealth. Records are arranged chronologically by date of charter. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Corporation Bureau which monitors and maintains records on both profit and non-profit corporations and on ancillary transactions relating to such corporations. less

Images of primarily petitions for clemency addressed to the President of the Supreme Executive Council, the Governor, or the Board of Pardons and pardon proclamations issued more by the Governor, but also remissions of forfeitures, extracts of pardons and remissions, copies of death warrants, court transcripts, newspaper notices, and related trial records. Information found varies with each dossier and time period. While for some cases only the name of the person seeking clemency, a description of the nature of the offense, and the sentence or fine imposed is provided, others may give the persons occupation and particulars about his or her personal life and family. Information given in the pardon proclamations is the name of the person pardoned, the name of the court where convicted, a description of the crime, the name of the presiding judge, sentence imposed, name of the institution where incarcerated, the grounds upon which a pardon was sought, the names of those who supported the petition, and the date the pardon was granted. In a few instances, photographs of the prisoners are also present. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

Records of commissions issued for associate county judges, prothonotaries, registers and recorders, sheriffs, coroners, notaries public, deputy surveyors, justices of the peace and clerks of the more orphans court. Information given is name of county, district number, name of person commissioned, date commissioned, and office to which commissioned. Records are arranged chronologically by year and thereunder alphabetically by county. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation which is responsible for issuing commissions to all state appointed and elected officials, maintaining election returns, and recording and filing legislation enacted by the General Assembly. less

Records of names of persons commissioned as justices of the peace and aldermen. Information given is county, name of community, name of person commissioned, office for more which commissioned, date of commission, and date from which term commenced. Records are grouped alphabetically by county and arranged thereunder chronologically by date commissioned. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Disclaimer: Not all records in this series are digitized. Please visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Record of Executive Commissions granted by Governors to fill various public offices across the state. Information given is name of person commissioned, position to which commissioned, more date of commission, term of commission, date from which commission was computed, name of the Governor, and name of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Records are arranged chronologically by date of commission. Indexed internally, alphabetically by surname of person commissioned. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation which is responsible for issuing commissions to all state appointed and elected officials, maintaining election returns, and recording and filing legislation enacted by the General Assembly. less

Record of names of persons commissioned to boards in local communities to administer the Mothers Fund and Old Age Assistance Fund. Information given is name and more address of person commissioned, date commissioned, date from which commission was effective, term of commission, date oath filed, and date re-commissioned where applicable. Records are grouped alphabetically by county. Indexed internally, alphabetically by name of county seat. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation which is responsible for issuing commissions to all state appointed and elected officials, maintaining election returns, and recording and filing legislation enacted by the General Assembly. less

Petitions for nomination of Communist Party candidates for state and federal political office and as presidential electors. Information given is name of candidate, occupation, place of more nomination, and office for which nominated. Also present are names of committee members authorized to fill any vacancies and the signatures, addresses, occupations, and dates of signing for all electors. Records are arranged chronologically by year. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation which is responsible for issuing commissions to all state appointed and elected officials, maintaining election returns, and recording and filing legislation enacted by the General Assembly. less

Nomination petitions and accompanying affidavits in support of nominations of communist party candidates for election to state offices. Information given includes date of petition, names of more candidates, their occupations, places of residence, and offices for which they were candidates. Also present are names of committee members authorized to fill any vacancies and the signatures, addresses, occupations, and dates of signing for all electors. Records are grouped alphabetically by county. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation which is responsible for issuing commissions to all state appointed and elected officials, maintaining election returns, and recording and filing legislation enacted by the General Assembly. less

Records of names of persons appointed to state and county offices. Information given is name of person appointed to office, office to which appointed, and date more appointed. These include appointments for Secretary of Commonwealth, Deputy Secretary of Commonwealth, Dedimus Potestatem (a person who is not a judge empowered by a writ to act as a judge), Auditor General, Secretary of the Land Office, Surveyor General, Attorney General, Justice of the Supreme Court, Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas, Interpreter of Foreign Languages, Warden of the Port of Philadelphia, Quarantine Master, Health Officer, State Geologist, Clerks of Quarter Sessions and Oyer and Terminer, Road Commissioners, members of the Board of Appraisors, and Auctioneers. Records are grouped by county and office. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation which is responsible for issuing commissions to all state appointed and elected officials, maintaining election returns, and recording and filing legislation enacted by the General Assembly. less

Images of certified returns for election of candidates to federal, state, and local offices. Information given is date of election, name of each candidate, the total more number of votes each polled, office to which elected, and signatures of county officers who certified the results. less

Images of death warrants signed by the Governor. Information given is condemned prisoners name, nature of the crime, location of trial, and execution date. In most more cases the name of the official charged with carrying out the sentence is also recorded, and occasionally clemency petitions and trial transcripts are found. Also present are lists of the names of convicted persons and correspondence acknowledging receipt of death warrants. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

Vote tallies of votes cast by electorate in presidential primary election on April 23, 1968 on proposals for constitutional amendments. Information given is the numbers of more yes votes and no votes on the Constitutional Referendum, Declaration of Right, The Legislature, Legislation, The Executive, Elections, Future Constitutional Amendment, Repeal of Railroads and Canals as Unnecessary Provisions, and a 500 dollar Million Bond Issue for Conservation of Natural Resources. Records are arranged alphabetically by name of county seat. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation which is responsible for issuing commissions to all state appointed and elected officials, maintaining election returns, and recording and filing legislation enacted by the General Assembly. less

This collection contains summary of examinations given by the Bureau of Medical Education and Licensure to be a certified medical practitioner in Pennsylvania. Information includes: place more of examination, date of examination, name of participant, official number, residence of participant, exam scores for types of medical disciplines, general average of exam scores, results, college attended or hospital internship, and examiners signatures and is arranged in reverse chronological order by date and thereunder grouped by medical practice. Some records are arranged alphabetically by surname. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include authorizing the issuance of licenses. less

This collection contains summary of examinations given by the Bureau of Medical Education and Licensure to be a certified medical practitioner in Pennsylvania. Information includes: place more of examination, date of examination, name of participant, official number, residence of participant, exam scores for types of medical disciplines, general average of exam scores, results, college attended or hospital internship, and examiners signatures and is arranged in reverse chronological order by date and thereunder grouped by medical practice. Some records are arranged alphabetically by surname. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include authorizing the issuance of licenses. less

This collection contains summary of examinations given by the Bureau of Medical Education and Licensure to be a certified medical practitioner in Pennsylvania. Information includes: place more of examination, date of examination, name of participant, official number, residence of participant, exam scores for types of medical disciplines, general average of exam scores, results, college attended or hospital internship, and examiners signatures and is arranged in reverse chronological order by date and thereunder grouped by medical practice. Some records are arranged alphabetically by surname. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include authorizing the issuance of licenses. less

Images of executive correspondence of the governors of Pennsylvania maintained by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Subject matter is wide ranging and covers all aspects of more official gubernatorial activity. In addition to the loose documents, the correspondence covering 1861-1866 includes the Curtin Letterbooks, two volumes of gubernatorial correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, focusing on military matters. Correspondents include Simon Cameron, Edwin Stanton, and Abraham Lincoln. An unpublished descriptive inventory and index for the Curtin Letterbooks are available in the Pennsylvania State Archives Search Room. Disclaimer: The Pennsylvania State Archives provides digital access to a wide variety of historical documents, some of which may be considered offensive by current standards. The Archives does not endorse views expressed in these historical collections, but presents these collections to aid in scholarly research. less

This collection contains record of requisitions sent by the Governor of Pennsylvania to the Governors of other states for the extradition of persons indicted of committing more crimes in Pennsylvania. Information given is name of Governor and state to which directed, name of person indicted, nature of the crime for which indicted, where crime was committed, name of person to whom prisoner was to be delivered, date of requisition, and signature of the Governor of Pennsylvania. Records are arranged chronologically by date of requisition. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation which is responsible for issuing commissions to all state appointed and elected officials, maintaining election returns, and recording and filing legislation enacted by the General Assembly. less

This collection contains warrants issued by Governor of Pennsylvania to judges, justices of the peace, or aldermen for the delivery of prisoners requisitioned for extradition by more Governors of other states. Information given is name of judge, justice of the peace or aldermen to whom warrant was directed, name of Governor asking to have the prisoner extradited, name of person to be extradited, name of person into whose custody prisoner was to be delivered, date of warrant, and signature of Governor of Pennsylvania. Records are arranged chronologically by date of warrant. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation which is responsible for issuing commissions to all state appointed and elected officials, maintaining election returns, and recording and filing legislation enacted by the General Assembly. less

This collection contains daily record of business conducted by the governors office concerns the issuing of appointments and commissions of office, general gubernatorial proclamations, pardons for more prisoners, warrants and requisitions for extradition of prisoners. Records are arranged chronologically by date of entry. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. less

This collection contains proclamations issued by Pennsylvania Governors. Records are arranged chronologically by date of proclamation. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of more the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

This collection contains index to physicians licensed to practice medicine in Pennsylvania. Information given is name of physician, date licensed, license number, school of medicine where more trained, year of graduation, source from which the information was transferred, and sometimes the date of death. Records are arranged alphabetically by surname of physician. For related records visit the PA State Archives.  The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include authorizing the issuance of licenses. less

Images of a record book containing the transcripts of royal charters and Indian deeds. The Indian deed entries give the date, the names of the Indian more grantors, a description of the boundaries of the tract, the amount and nature of payment, and the pictograms used by the grantors as their signature, and sometimes letters from witnesses attesting that whey were present at the signing. Also present is a transcript of a document concerning laying out the Mason-Dixon Line and several maps. All of the above Indian deeds, together with other Pennsylvania and Delaware Indian treaties, that were completed through 1756 have been published in Early American Indian Documents, Treaties and Laws, Pennsylvania and Delaware Treaties, 1607-1789 edited by Alden T. Vaughan and Donald H. Kent (2 volumes, Washington, D.C., 1979, 1984). less

Registers of policemen hired to protect private industrial plants and railroad facilities. Information provided is name of company served, name and place of residence of policeman, more date commissioned, and occasional remarks. For related materials please visit the PA State Archives for Industrial Police Files, 1976-1977 series 26.62 and Volunteer Police Register, 1941-1946 series 26.87 (this series is also digitized).Records are arranged chronologically by date of entry. Indexed internally, alphabetically by name of company. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. less

Images of records relating to the construction of bridges, canals, river improvements, roads and turnpikes, public buildings and their grounds. Records cover the following date spans more for each category, bridge companies, 1790-1902, canal and navigation companies, 1792-1873, river improvement papers, 1790-1871, public buildings and grounds, 1790-1897, and road and turnpike records, 1790-1902. Among the earliest records is A General Statement of the Contracts for Opening and Improving Roads and Clearing River, 1797 and appropriation records for internal improvements funded by the Commonwealth, 1790-1814. Buildings documented by the records include Congress Hall (1790-1801), the Presidents House (1791-1802), and the State House (1790-1816). The microfilm covers the period through 1816. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Images of letter books and rough copies of executive correspondence sent either by the Governor or his Secretary. Information given is date of correspondence, name of more person to whom addressed, and the body of the text of the letter. less

This collection contains letters patent granted by the Governor for the creation of private corporations. Information given is the date letter patent was granted, name of more the company, where company was located, and signature of the Governor. Records are arranged chronologically by date letter patent granted. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include oversight of the Corporation Bureau which monitors and maintains records on both profit and non-profit corporations and on ancillary transactions relating to such corporations. less

This collection contains register of licenses issued by the State Board of Medical Education and Licensure on the basis of the applicant having already been accepted more as a qualified physician in another state. Information given is name of practitioner, date licensed, the licensing board that approved the applicant, and the name of the agency or person who approved the license. Records are arranged chronologically by date of license, and thereunder numerically by license number. For related records visit the PA State Archives. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include authorizing the issuance of licenses. less

This collection contains list of drugless therapists licensed to practice in Pennsylvania. The ledger contains official number, name of practitioner, post office address, county of residence, more and date of issue. Records are grouped by surname. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include authorizing the issuance of licenses. less

Images of the Index to Military Commission Books, 1800-1944 (series 26.65) for the period through 1861. The index gives the names of officers commissioned in both more voluntary and compulsory militia organizations for the period 1800-1849 and for officers commissioned under voluntary service only for the period 1849-1864. Information provided is name and rank of commissioned officer and the volume and page number in the militia books where the entry will be found. This collection is part of the Pennsylvania Department of State which was created in 1776. less

Images of military commissions issued for officers. Information given is name, county of residence, rank, date of taking rank, military unit, regiment, company, and date of more commission. Notations also reveal information concerning discharges, transfers, and deaths during service. This collection is part of the Pennsylvania Department of State which was created in 1776. less

Images of registration cards listing expired trademarks for businesses, logos for fraternal orders, labels for unions, and a bottle index. These show name and address of more registrant, name and type of organization, date of registration, and description of logo, label, trademark, or bottle, sometimes accompanied by a drawing. These records are cross-referenced to specific ledger volumes and page numbers held by the Department of State. This collection is part of the Pennsylvania Department of State which was created in 1776. less

Registers of commissions issued for Notaries Public. Information given is name of person commissioned, place commissioned, address of office, date commissioned, date from which commission was more computed, and term of commission. Records are grouped alphabetically by county. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. less

Card index of Notaries Public commissioned to serve in local communities across Pennsylvania. Information given is name of person commissioned, name of county, office address, date more commissioned, date from which commission was computed, term of commission, and date the first bond was filed. Records are arranged alphabetically by surname of Notary Public. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. less

Legal opinions sent to the Governor by the Attorney General concerning such topics as the charter or re-charter of corporations, issuance of letters patent, and issuance more of capital stock, requisition of prisoners for extradition to other states, the pardoning of prisoners, or other matters pertaining to the activities of state government. Information given is date of opinion, title of opinion, and the detailed legal argument supporting the opinion. Records are arranged chronologically by date opinion was sent. Indexed internally, by subject of opinion. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. less

Images of pardons granted to persons convicted of crimes. Information generally provided is a brief case history, date of pardon, and the amount and date of more remission of any fine. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

This collection contains recorded copies of dental licenses issued by the State Dental Council and Examining Board. Information given is name of dentist, date license was more issued, and names of the examiners who certified that the applicant passed the examination. Records are arranged chronologically by date of license, and thereunder by license number. For related records visit the PA State Archives. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include authorizing the issuance of licenses. less

This collection contains copies of medical licenses issued by the State Board of Medical Education and Licensure. Information given is name of physician, date licensed, license more number, agency conferring the license, and the signatures of physicians composing the Board. Records are arranged chronologically by date of licensing, and thereunder numerically by license number. For related records visit the PA State Archives. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include authorizing the issuance of licenses. less

Images of a record book of articles of agreement made by Governor Thomas Mifflin with various private armament suppliers under the terms of the Act to more Provide Arms to the Commonwealth passed March 28, 1797 for purchasing 10,000 stands of arms for field service. Information given is date of article of agreement, name of armaments supplier, where supplier was located, quantity ordered, a description of the type of armaments, and amount to be paid. less

Account record for fees collected by county Recorders of Deeds for the Department of State. Information given is name of recorder collecting fee, name of county, more date fee was collected, a very brief description of purpose of fee, and amount of fee. Records are grouped alphabetically by county and arranged thereunder chronologically by date of collection. Indexed internally, by subject of opinion. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. less

This collection contains register of applications submitted to, and licenses issued by, the State Board of Chiropody Examiners. Information given is name and address of applicant, more name of school attended, date of graduation, general average score, license number, date issued, amount of fee, date paid, and occasional remarks. Records are arranged numerically by application or license number. For related records visit the PA State Archives. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Duties of the Department of State include authorizing the issuance of licenses. less

Tables providing breakdowns by age and gender of party registration of certified voters in each county. Information provided is the number of male and female voters more 21 years of age and over and between the ages of 18 and 20 for each political party. The party affiliation categories are usually given as Democratic, Republican, Constitutional, Non-partisan or Independent, and Other Parties (which would include Socialists and Prohibitionist, etc.). Records are arranged chronologically by date prepared and thereunder alphabetically by name of county. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776 less

Text of the tentative regulations issued by the Department of Revenue on July 16, 1956 pursuant to Section 580 of the Selective Sales and Use Tax more Act passed on March 6, 1956. Information given is detailed account of regulations for implementing and enforcing the new laws for collecting sales and use taxes in Pennsylvania. Records are arranged numerically by section number. Indexed internally, alphabetically by subject. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. less

Images of official records of the arrival of foreign passengers at the port of Philadelphia that were required to be kept by captains of ships importing more strangers into the province beginning in 1727. Originally, the captains were intended by the Provincial Council to record the names, occupations, and places of residence of all such passengers. Most of the so-called A Lists, however, give the names of adult male passengers only, though twenty-five captains also recorded the names of women, and children. Three captains gave the names of both men and women while omitting children and sixty-four captains also provided the ages of passengers, though this information was not required. The B Lists consist of the signatures required of the passengers to the oath of allegiance to the British Crown and a declaration of fidelity to the proprietor of the province. These were supposed to include the names of all adult male passengers but actually contain only the names of adult male passengers who were well enough on the day of the signing to appear at the courthouse. After 1739, the Clerk of Council signed the names of absent passengers. The C Lists contain the signatures of passengers who signed the Declaration of Fidelity and Abjuration that was required by the Act of May 10, 1729. This Act required all male passengers who were at least sixteen years of age to, within forty-eight hours after their arrival, take both an oath of allegiance that acknowledged the supremacy of the King and an oath of abjuration of the authority of the Pope. The abjuration declared impious and heretical that wicked Doctrine and Position that Princes Excommunicated or deprived by the Pope, or any Authority of the See of Rome, may be deposed or murthered (sic) by their Subjects . . . (and) that no Foreign Prince, Person, Prelate, State or Potentate hath, or ought to have, any Power, Jurisdiction, Superiority, Preeminence or Authority, Ecclesiastical or Spiritual, within the Realm of Great Britain or Dominions thereunto belonging. less

Images of returns for primary and general elections certified by the county boards of elections. Information provided is name of county, election date, certification date, date more return was received by the Department of State, names of offices to be filled, names of candidates and their party affiliations, vote totals for each candidate, and dated certification of the County Board of Election. Offices covered include Judge of the Superior Court, Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge of the Commonwealth Court, President and Vice-President of the United States, United States Senator, United States Representative, Auditor General, State Treasurer, Senator in the General Assembly, Representative in the General Assembly, Delegate to Party Conventions, State Committee, Governor, and Lieutenant Governor. Records from 1991 forward contain voter registration material. Please refer to General Election Statistical Files, 1960-1984 series 26.60 and Registration Figures, 1950, 1960, 1964, 1966, 1967-1972 series 26.81 for similar records. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

This collection contains date from which term was computed, and the date commission ended. Records are indexed by court and arranged thereunder by district number. The more Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. Disclaimer: Not all records in this collection are digitized. Visit the PA State Archives to see the rest of the collection. less

Register of the names of policemen commissioned to protect private industrial firms and railroad facilities. Information provided is name and address of the company served, commission more number, name and address of the policeman, county of residence, date commissioned, date commission terminated, and the name of the directing authority, municipality and county. For related materials please visit the PA State Archives for Industrial Police Files, 1976-1977 series 26.62 and Industrial and Railroad Police Register, 1889-1912 series 26.76 (this series is also digitized).Records are arranged numerically by commission number. The Department of State is headed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, whose office was established under the Constitution of 1776. less