>> From plains.NoDak.edu!green Fri Jul 17 00:08:20 1992 >> From: Brad Green This file is as complete and accurate as possible, however if you should find errors, have additions or deletions, send them to me and I will update the file. Bill Green ak385@cleveland.Freenet.Edu/green@plains.nodak.edu * Date of last update: July 16, 1992 *************************************************************** GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF PENNSYLVANIA Version 7 4 March 1989 Robert McLaren 7810 Kincardine Ct. Alexandria, VA 22310-4025 The following file contains a listing of genealogical and historical societies in Pennsylvania. Included in the listing, where known, are telephone numbers and yearly dues. This listing is donated to the public domain and may be freely copied. Under no conditions can this listing be sold or used in any other commercial fashion. If you think this list has any value, then donate that value in helping your local genealogical society (or the National Genealogical Society). If you write to any of the societies on this list for information, remember to include a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE). Many of these societies work with a limited budget, supplemented by volunteers, and can not afford to respond unless a SASE is included in your letter. Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania 1300 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 (see below under Archives) 215-545-0391 Dues: $35.00 per year (single); $45.00 per year (family) Historical Society of Pennsylvania 1300 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19107-5699 (see below under Archives) 215-732-6201 Dues: $35.00 per year (single); $65.00 per year (family) Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1135 State College, PA 16804 Dues: South Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1824 York, PA 17405 Dues: $10.00 per year Pennsylvania German Society Box 397 Birdsboro, PA 19508 Dues: The Huguenot Society of Pennsylvania Hall of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania 1300 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 Dues: Pennsylvania Chapter of Palatines to America P.O. Box 535 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0535 Dues: Genealogical Computing Association of Pennsylvania (GENCAP) c/o Tom Deahl 815 Carpenter Lane Philadelphia, PA 19119 BBS 215-438-2858 Dues: $15.00 per year German Society of Pennsylvania 611 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, PA 19123 215-627-2332 Dues: $40.00 per year (single); $50.00 per year (family) Adams County Adams County Historical Society Drawer A Gettysburg, PA 17325 Dues: Allegheny County Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society 4338 Bigelow Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (412) 681-5533 Dues: $16.00 per year (single); $22.00 per year (family) Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania 4338 Bieglow Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (412) 681-5533 Dues: Tarentum Genealogical Society c/o Community Library of Allegheny Valley 315 East Sixth Avenue Tarentum, PA 15084 Dues: Jewish Genealogical Society of Pittsburgh c/o Julian Falk 2131 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Dues: Armstrong County Armstrong County Historical and Museum Society, Inc. 300 North McKean Street Kittanning, PA 16201 Dues: Beaver County Beaver County Genealogical Society c/o Historical Research Center Carnegie Free Library 1301 Seventh Avenue Beaver Falls, PA 15010 (412) 846-4340 Dues: $7.00 per year Bedford County Pioneer Historical Society of Bedford County Box 421 Bedford, PA 15522 Dues: $8.00 per year Berks County Berks County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 14774 Reading, PA 19612 Dues: $15.00 per year (single); $20.00 per year (family) Historical Society of Berks County 940 Centre Ave. Reading, PA 19601 Dues: $20.00 per year (single); $25.00 per year (family) Tulpehocken Settlement Historical Society Box 53 Womelsdorf, PA 19567 Dues: Blair County Blair County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 855 Altoona, PA 16603 Dues: Blair County Historical Society P.O. Box 1083 Altoona, PA 16603 Dues: Bradford County Bradford County Historical Society 21 Main Street Towanda, PA 18848 Dues: Tuscarora Township Historical Society Bradford County R.D. #2, Box 105-C Laceyville, PA 18623 Dues: Twin Tiers Genealogical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 763 Elmira, NY 14902 Dues: $4.00 per year Bucks County Bucks County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1092 Doylestown, PA 18901 Dues: $12.00 per year Bucks County Historical Society Pine and Ashland Street Doylestown, PA 18901 Dues: Cambria County Cambria County Historical Society 521 West High Street Ebensburg, PA 15931 Dues: $10.00 per year Windber - Johnstown Genealogical Society c/o Elder Kerr 85 Colgate Ave. Johnstown, PA 15905 Dues: Cameron County Cameron County Historical Society c/o Mrs. Merle L. Bowswer RR 2, Box 54 Emporium, PA 15834 Dues: Chester County Chester County Historical Society 225 North High Street West Chester, PA 19380 Dues: Valley Forge Historical Society Box 122 Valley Forge, PA 19481 Dues: Clarion County Clarion County Historical Society Courthouse Clarion, PA 16214 Dues: Clearfield County Clearfield County Historical Society 104 East Pine Street Clearfield, PA 16830 Dues: Clinton County Clinton County Historical Society East Water Street Lock Haven, PA 15370 Dues: Crawford County Crawford County Genealogical Society 848 N. Main St. Meadville, PA 16335 Dues: $15.00 per year (single); $18.00 per year (family) $20.00 per year (sustaining) Crawford County Historical Society 848 N. Main St. Meadville, PA 16335 Dues: $5.00 per year Cochranton Heritage Society P.O. Box 598 Cochranton, PA 16314 Dues: $7.50 per year Cumberland County Cumberland County Historical Society P.O. Box 626 Carlisle, PA 17013 Dues: $5.00 per year Capital Area Genealogical Society P.O. Box 4502 Harrisburg, PA 17111-4502 Dues: Delaware County Delaware County Historical Society Box 1036 Widener College Chester, PA 19013 Dues: Dauphin County Capital Area Genealogical Society P.O. Box 4502 Harrisburg, PA 17111-4502 Dues: Elk County Elk County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 142 Johnsonburg, PA 15845 Dues: $5.00 per year Elk County Historical Society County Courthouse Ridgway, PA 15853 Dues: St. Marys and Benzinger Township Historical Society Genealogical Department 319 Erie Ave. St. Marys, PA 15857 Dues: Erie County Erie County Historical Society 417 State St. Eria, PA 16501 (814) 454-1813 Dues: Fayette County Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society 4338 Bigelow Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (412) 681-5533 Dues: $16.00 per year (single); $22.00 per year (family) Fulton County Fulton County Historical Society Box 115 McConnellsburg, PA 17233 Dues: Greene County Cornerstone Genealogical Society P.O. Box 547 Waynesburg, PA 15370 Dues: Huntingdon County Huntingdon County Historical Society P.O. Box 305 Huntingdon, PA 16652 Dues: Indiana County Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County Silas M. Clark House S. Sixth Street & Wayne Ave. Indiana, PA 15701 (412) 463-9600 Dues: $12.00 per year (single); $15.00 per year (family) Juniata County Juniata County Historical Society c/o Mr. David Shellenberger Star Route Mifflintown, PA 17059 Dues: Lackawanna County Lackawanna County Historical Society 232 Monroe Ave. Scranton, PA 18510 Dues: Lancaster County Lancaster County Historical Society 230 North President Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603 Dues: $20.00 per year Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society 2215 Millstream Road Lancaster, PA 17602-1499 (717) 393-9745 Dues: $20.00 per year Historical Society of Cocalico Valley 249 West Main Street Ephrata, PA 17522 Dues: Lebanon County Lebanon County Historical Society 924 Cumberland Street Lebanon, PA 17042 Dues: Lehigh County Lehigh County Historical Society 414 Walnut Street Allentown, PA 18102 Dues: Luzerne County Wyoming Historical and Genealogical Society 69 South Franklin Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 Dues: Lycoming County Lycoming County Historical Society and Museum 858 West 4th Street Williamsport, PA 17701 Dues: Muncy Historical Society and Museum of History 131 South Main Street Muncy, PA 17756 Dues: McKean County McKean County Historical Society Courthouse Smethport, PA 16749 Dues: Mercer County Mercer County Genealogical Society Box 812 Sharon, PA 16146-0812 Dues: $8.00 per year Mercer County Historical Society 119 South Pitt Street Mercer, PA 16137 Dues: $5.00 per year (single); $8.00 per year (family); $3.00 per year (student, over 65) Mifflin County Mifflin County Historical Society 17 North Main Street Lewistown, PA 17044 Dues: Monroe County Monroe County Historical Society 901 Main Street P.O. Box 488 Stroudsburg, PA 18360 (717) 421-7703 Dues: $10.00 per year Montgomery County The Historical Society of Montgomery County 1654 DeKalb Street Norristown, PA 19401 Dues: Old York Road Genealogical Society 1030 Old York Road Abington, PA 19001 Dues: Northampton County Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 101 South 4th Street Easton, PA 18042 Dues: Northumberland County Northumberland County Historical Society 1150 North Front Street Sunbury, PA 17801 Dues: Perry County Historical Society of Perry County Headquarters and Museum 129 North Second Street Newport, PA 17074 Dues: Philadelphia County Jewish Genealogical Society of Philadelphia c/o Jon E. Stein 332 Harrison Avenue Elking Park, PA 19117-2662 Dues: Potter County Twin Tiers Genealogical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 763 Elmira, NY 14902 Dues: $4.00 per year Schuylkill County Historical Society of Schuylkill County 14 North Third Street Pottsville, PA 17901 Dues: Snyder County Snyder County Historical Society 30 East Market Street P.O. Box 276 Middleburg, PA 17842 Dues: Somerset County Historical and Genealogical Society of Somerset County RD 2, Box 238 Somerset, PA Dues: $10.00 per year Susquehanna County Susquehanna County Historical Society Montrose, PA 18801 Dues: Tioga County Twin Tiers Genealogical Society, Inc. P.O. Box 763 Elmira, NY 14902 Dues: $4.00 per year Union County Union County Historical Society Mrs. Jeanne Sampsell, Secretary Laurelton, PA 17835 Dues: Venango County Venango County Genealogical Club P.O. Box 811 Oil City, PA 16301-0811 Dues: $5.00 per year Venango County Historical Society P.O. Box 101 Franklin, PA 16323 Dues: $5.00 per year (single); $9.00 per year (family) Warren County Warren County Historical Society 210 Fourth Ave. Box 427 Warren, PA 16365 Dues: Washington County Genealogical Society of Southwestern Pennsylvania P.O. Box 894 Washington, PA 15301 (412) 681-5533 Dues: $8.00 per year Washington County Historical Society 49 East Maiden St. Lemoyn House Washington, PA 15302 Dues: Westmoreland County Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society 4338 Bigelow Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (412) 681-5533 Dues: $16.00 per year (single); $22.00 per year (family) Westmoreland County Historical Society 102 North Main Street Greensburg, PA 15601 (412) 836-1800 Dues: Ligonier Valley Historical Society Star Route East Ligonier, PA 15658 Dues: Wyoming County Wyoming County Historical Society P.O. Box 309 Tunkhannock, PA 18657 Dues: York County Historical Society of York County 250 East Market Street York, PA 17403 Dues: ******************************************************************* VITAL RECORDS Statewide Records of Births and Deaths Statewide registration of births and deaths began in January, 1906, and was generally complied with by 1915. You can obtain copies by writing to: Division of Vital Statistics State Department of Health 101 South Mercer St. P.O. Box 1528 New Castle, PA 16103 412-656-3100 State your relationship to the individual you want information about and your reason. Local Records of Births and Deaths The Bureau of Archives and History has records of births and deaths kept by the register of wills in some counties for the years 1852 to 1854. A few of the larger cities also kept vital records. Delayed Birth Records Delayed registrations of births began in the various counties in different years. You can write to the Registrar of Vital Statistics at the county seat. Marriage Records Individual counties or cities have recorded marriages. Some cities began keeping records in the early 1800s. Most counties began keeping marriage records in October, 1885. You can obtain copies from the clerk of the orphans court in the appropriate county. Divorce Records Divorce proceedings are usually kept by the clerk of the court of common pleas (called the prothonotary). (Source: FHC Research Guide) Birth Certificate $ 4.00 (include S.A.S.E.) Subject's full name at birth Date of birth City and County of birth Parents names including mother's maiden name Your relationship to subject Reason for request Death Certificate $ 3.00 (include S.A.S.E.) Subject's full name Date of death City and County of death Your relationship to subject Reason for request Prices as of September 20, 1991. Time: 3 - 8 Weeks Generally 3 - 4 Weeks (September 20, 1991, recorded message) 4 - 6 Weeks (February 5, 1990, recorded message) 6 - 8 Weeks (February 5, 1990, switch board operator) For special help call the following phone numbers: Birth Certificates 412-656-3126 Death Certificates 412-656-3138 >>From: Tom Cunningham ******************************************************************* STATE ARCHIVES Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Bureau of Archives and History P.O. Box 1026 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1026 The Bureau of Archives and History includes two divisions of particular interest to genealogists. The Division of Archives and Manuscripts houses Pennsylvania government records, manuscripts, and other historical materials. The Division of Land Records maintains the Commonwealth land purchase records which begin in 1681. Historical Society of Pennsylvania/ Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania 1300 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania/ Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society 4338 Bigelow Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Library Services Division State Library of Pennsylvania Forum Building P.O. Box 1601 Harrisburg, PA 17105 City Archives of Philadelphia Room 523 City Hall Annex Philadelphia, PA 19107 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh 4400 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (Source: FHC Research Guide) (1) SNYDER County Historical Society (717) - 837-6191 (2) UNION County Historical Society (717) - 524-8666 (3) Historical Soc. of Millersburg and Upper Dauphin County... ( this is Across the river from Snyder Co. and might be helpful ) 717- 837-6191 History and Museum Commission Box 1026, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1026 Commission Information 717-787-3362 FAX 717-783-1073 Bureau of Archives and History General Information 717-783-3281 Land Office, Edward Price 717-783-9884 >>From: Tom Cunningham From: STEINER@MUPPET.DNET.GE.COM (Gary Steiner) Grand Army of the Republic War Museum and Library 4278 Griscom St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 215-289-6484 Philadelphia City Archives 401 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-686-1580 (formerly at City Hall Annex) Free Library of Philadelphia Logan Square Philadelphia, PA 19141 215-686-5322 Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania 1300 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-545-0391 Historical Society of Pennsylvania 1300 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19107-5699 215-732-6201 GSP and HSP are housed in the same building, but are two separate and unique organizations. Their collections cover all of the original 13 colonies, and concentrate heavily on Pennsylvania. ******************************************************************* NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS From: Dorothy Sminkey The "Press and Journal" is a weekly newspaper published at 20 South Union Street Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057. This newspaper serves the southern area of Dauphin County...near the state capital city of Harrisburg. Cost per issue is 45 cents. A yearly subscription, mailed to your out-of-state home, is $25. The newspaper publishes a fine genealogy column titled "Our Keystone Families." It is written by Schuyler Brossman Post Office Box 43 Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania 19550 Mr. Brossman accepts genealogy queries that have a Pennsylvania connection, include at least one date, and are not over 150 words in length. The "Press and Journal" telephone number for subscription information is: 1-717-944-4628. * Origin: ROOT CELLAR, California, MD (301) 862-1241 (1:109/603) -- ***************************************************************************** * Bill Green, Minot, North Dakota * Forget the "Brad", it's really * * Internet green@plains.NoDak.Edu * Bill * * Cleveland Freenet ak385 * We put the wheat in your wheaties * ***************************************************************************** * Researching: BROWN (1579-1905 Eng/Ma/Ks) HOWLAND (1600?-1687 Eng/Ma) * * WILSON (1917-1978 Il) COOK ( 1875-1950 Ks) STANLEY (1870-1950 Ks) * * LAMB (1870-1950 Ks) SMITH (1855 Ia) WILMARTH ( 1730 Ma) * * KOTCHIAN, KOHOUTEK, MARSCHALL, ANHORN (All Eastern Europe-ND) * *****************************************************************************