How can I research relatives in Pennsylvania ? (I am in the UK)?

Question:I am currently trying to research the history and descendants of one of my great-great-uncles, who emigrated from England to the US in the 1880s and worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines.

I have already gleaned a few things from ancestry.com. Are there any other resources I can use which are either online or otherwise accessible from the UK?

NB I'm a reasonably experienced amateur genealogist, so I don't need the basic, general advice like "don't believe everything you read on the internet", "always verify with the original documents" etc. But I'm not at all familiar with US sources and I'd be grateful for any reasonably reliable resources that could give me some pointers.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am currently trying to research the history and descendants of one of my great-great-uncles, who emigrated from England to the US in the 1880s and worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines.

I have already gleaned a few things from ancestry.com. Are there any other resources I can use which are either online or otherwise accessible from the UK?

NB I'm a reasonably experienced amateur genealogist, so I don't need the basic, general advice like "don't believe everything you read on the internet", "always verify with the original documents" etc. But I'm not at all familiar with US sources and I'd be grateful for any reasonably reliable resources that could give me some pointers.

PAGenWeb
http://www.rootsweb.com/~pagenweb/

they have links to many county pages on genealogy...
my maternal side is from the area of Mahanoy City, Kistler Valley... and I have found considerable information though pages linked to PAGenWeb.

I was able to get copies of family birth certificates in the USA by phoning the local city hall and paying by credit card. Some places will only give copies if you show up in person, some will only take payment by cheque and some refuse to provide anything.
The address and phone numbers for the local city hall in any town is usually easy to find on the web.

Cyndi's list has much information on what you can access in PA.

http://www.cyndislist.com/pa.htm

Have fun!