Hi, Buickskill
I hope you are still around.
I dropped by the local Radio Shack this morning and picked up one of the cheap Chinese second PNP transistors like you have been using. You can see the results in the accompanying attachments.
The first shows the basic breadboard arrangement: The green LED is attached from negative (ground) through its current-limiting resistor to the collector of the transistor (center pin). The black wire connects the emitter (right most pin in the pic) to positive. The base (left-most pin) is connected through a resistor and switch to negative.
The second shows the switch closed, putting base to ground, since its a PNP transistor. Voila, the LED glows.
Maybe this will help you. If you need further information, ljcox will be glad to assist, I'm sure. >)
Regards,
AllVol