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Genealogy
Monthly Genealogy Workshops
Every Second Monday - Where & how to start, 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
Every Fourth Monday - Tips & tools for the researcher, 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
Volunteer Patricia Sopko has offered her services to facilitate several courses in genealogical research at the library. As a ten-year veteran of genealogy research, Pat will offer two genealogy seminars each month. Since many people do not know where to begin, the first seminar will focus on the basics of genealogy research and how to get started. The second class will be for those already performing research but have hit a road block or for people moving on to the actual process of research after attending the first class. We will cover topics such as online databases, internet research groups, and locating specific records. The introductory course will take place on the second Monday of each month while the workshop for practicing researchers will take place on the fourth Monday of each month.
These courses are free to the public from 6:30 – 7:45 but registration is required since space is limited to 10 individuals. Call the library at 570-752-2241 to register
Websites
Find a Family History CenterThe popular database for genealogical and local history research has been restored. The Database includes over 140 million census names, over 24,000 family and local histories, and 1.9 million genealogical and local history periodical citations. Heritage Quest online offers easy searching and makes it easy to download, print, and take notes on information. This program has been restored for patrons of McBride Memorial Library thanks to the generosity of Arndt Insurance Agency and the Arndt Family.
Family History Centers are branch facilities of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Centers provide access to most of the microfilms and microfiche in the Family History Library to help patrons identify their ancestors.
Find-a-gravePennsylvania genealogical and historical societies
Local groups and local chapters of some national organizations, plus links to browse-able archives of several mailing lists.
Pennsylvania Scrap Book NecrologyThe Pennsylvania Scrap Book Necrology began as scrapbooks that were created between 1891 and 1904. They include over 11,500 pages from the 80 volumes of scrapbooks. The obituaries record the deaths of many Civil War veterans, but also include non-veterans and many born after the end of the war. Young soldiers killed in combat or by disease during the Spanish-American War and the Boxer Rebellion are also included.
State Library Genealogy and Local History CollectionThe Genealogy and Local History Collection of the State Library of Pennsylvania consists of a wide variety of indexes, genealogies, state and county histories, atlases, land warranty maps, ship lists, and compilations of church and cemetery records, as well as the Pennsylvania Federal Census records on microfilm.
Vital records, Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaForms and requirements for requesting an official birth or death certificate.
Birth Certificates, Death Certificates, & Obituaries
Pennsylvania Department of Health: Vital RecordsForms and requirements for requesting an official birth or death certificate, marriage and divorce records, genealogy requests and adoption registry.
Where to Write for Vital RecordsLinks to all 50 states and United States territories and protectorates, complete instructions on the site on how to obtain records from the National Center of Health Statistics.
VitalChekExpress Certificate service. Commercial firm that charges for delivery of records. From the web site: VitalChek is your official source for government-issued vital records. With secure online ordering, partnerships throughout the country, and quick turnaround, we're the one to trust. When you need birth certificates or marriage, divorce, or death records, VitalChek is your #1 source.