History & Genealogy

 

Albany Township Historical Society

The Historical Society's mission is to collect historical artifacts and documents, to preserve historical landmarks, to provide opportunities for education and research and to preserve the PA German language and other local dialects and finally, to preserve the culture of the past, present and future.

404 Old Philly Pike, Kempton, PA 19529

 

Berks County Genealogical Society

The Berks County Genealogical Society contains exhaustive church and cemetery records for Berks County, as well as histories of many local families. Fee-based researchers are available through the society as well. The library is now open 7 days a week at GoggleWorks.

201 Washington St., Room 413, Reading, PA 19601-0404
610-921-4970

 

Berks County PAGenWeb

This site is part of the USGenWeb Project, and provides transcriptions of historical documents.

 

Berks County Register of Wills

The Register of Wills has a repository of Berks County birth, death, and marriage records (all of which pre-date 1905); their database is searchable online for free.

Services Center, 2nd Floor, 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601
610-478-6600
fax:610-478-6251

 

Boyertown Area Historical Society

The Boyertown Area Historical Society was established in 1972 to preserve the history of the Boyertown area. The area served by the Historical Society comprises the boroughs of Boyertown, Bally, and Bechtelsville, and the townships of Colebrookdale, Douglass Berks, Douglass Montgomery, Earl, New Hanover, Upper Frederick, and Washington. Phone hours: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and walk-in hours Thursdays 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Some of the items available are the Berks Census for the period 1790-1850, and The Boyertown Times for the period 1869-1920. A microfilm reader is available.

43 S. Chestnut Street, Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-5255
boyertownhistory@windstream.net

 

Earl Township Historical Society

The Earl Township Historical Society was started in 2008, by local residents interested in gathering historical information, photos, and memorabilia in an effort to preserve the history of Earl Township.

 

Fleetwood Historical Society

The Fleetwood Historical Society was established in 1991 as a non-profit organization by a group of volunteers dedicated to preserving the rich historic heritage of the Fleetwood area.

110 Arch Street, Fleetwood, PA

 

Hamburg Area Historical Society

The purpose of the society is to preserve the historic records of the area encompassing the Hamburg Area School District by collecting historical materials and pertinent artifacts.

102 State Street, Hamburg, PA 19526
610-562-3664

 

HeritageQuest

Explore billions of American and international genealogical records dating back to the 1700s. HeritageQuest is a comprehensive treasury of American and international genealogical records—rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, convenient research guides, interactive census maps, and more. Accessible from within the library and from home. Your library card number will be required to access outside of the library.

Helpful Charts & Forms

  • Ancestral Chart — records the ancestors from whom you directly descend--those for whom you intend to compile a complete and correct family unit.
  • Family Group Sheet — each piece of information concerning a pedigree ancestor and his/her family is placed on a worksheet.
  • Research Calendar — gives an account of every record source you have searched and serves as a reminder of what you have already done and where you have found pertinent information.
  • Research Extract — to summarize information which cannot be photocopied, for which there is no document in your possession, or for things such as deeds which may be time-consuming or difficult to reread quickly

 

Historical Society of Berks County

"The Historical Society boasts numerous family histories as well as extensive church and cemetery records."

940 Centre Avenue, Reading, Pennsylvania 19601
610-375-4375
fax:610-375-4376

 

KindredTrails.com

Worldwide genealogical resources.

 

Kutztown Historical Society

The Kutztown Area Historical Society (KAHS) was formed in 1974-75 as one of the earliest Berks County historical societies. The society collects and preserves material culture artifacts (tools and implements, textiles, photographs, folk art, advertising, etc.) and non-circulating library and archive of books, periodicals, manuscripts, and other materials reflecting the history, culture, and genealogy of the Kutztown area, history and culture of Kutztown and its environs, including the greater northeastern Berks County region.

P.O. Box 307, Normal Avenue and Whiteoak Street, Kutztown, PA 19530
610-683-7697

 

Longswamp Township Historical Society

The Longwamp Township Historical Society (LTHS), a 501(c)3, 509(a)(2) non-profit charitable organization, has been discovering, preserving, sharing the past and historic culture of Longswamp Township area since being incorporated in 2010. The museum and library collections include many artifacts, documents, manuscripts, and photographs from the area. These items have been either generously donated or acquired. These collections serve as a great repository for historians, history buffs, genealogists and anyone who wishes to learn more about the township's past: people, places and things.

Schubert House on the campus of Longswamp United Church of Christ
200 Clay Road, Mertztown, PA 19539

 

Pennsylvania German Society

Founded in 1891, the Pennsylvania German Society is a nonprofit, educational organization devoted to the study of the Pennsylvania German people and their 325+ year history in America. "This society proudly helps preserve the multifaceted aspects of the Pennsylvania German experience, both past and present."

P.O. Box 244, Kutztown, PA 19530
717-597-7940
pgs@innernet.net

 

Tri-County Heritage Society

The society has established a local history reference and genealogy library for Morgantown, Caernarvon Township, upper Conestoga Creek Valley, and the upper French Creek Valley.

PO Box 352, 590 Willow Glenn Road, Morgantown, PA 19543
610-286-7477