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Copyright (C) 2000 Jean Suplick Matuson.
Copyright

 

This page discusses the following topics:

Family History
Centers 		 Washington Co.
Libraries 		 Regional Libraries &
Research Centers
Interlibrary Loan  Books for Sale  Rental Libraries 
Antiquarian Booksellers On-line Book Resources   

Also, don't forget to consult the bibliography of Washington Co. sources.  These links were last checked and updated on July 30, 2000.

LDS family history centers

One of the most important resources for any genealogist is the LDS Family History Center.  These centers are scattered all over the country and are dedicated to providing resources for genealogists.  The centers are sponsored and run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or LDS).  The main library where most materials are housed is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and is the most extensive collection of genealogical resources in the world.

All records from the Washington Co. courthouse (deeds, births, deaths, marriages, probate, wills, etc.) were microfilmed within the last 40 years by the LDS and are available for loan from the Salt Lake City library for viewing at any of the LDS Family History Centers around the USA. See! You don't have to travel to Washington, PA just to go through original deeds!

If you want to know more, be sure to read the material at the following link.

In January 1998, a new LDS Family History Center opened in Washington, PA:
LDS- Family History Center
525 Fairway Drive
Washington, PA
Phone: (724)222-9474

Open:

Tues. 10-3pm
Wed. 10-3 & 6:30-8:30pm
Thur. 10-3pm
Sat. 11-2pm

Directions: Located one block off Country Club Road on Enterprise which is the first street South of the Country Club House.

Map  Map to the library

Washington county local libraries - http://washingtoncountylibraries.org/

Local libraries are a most valuable resource to the genealogist. They typically have collections of local history, local newspaper archives, and city directories among their materials.

bullet Citizens Library

Note that the Genealogical Society of SWPA manages the genealogical collection which is housed at Citizens Library, and therefore any requests for assistance with their holdings should be made directly to the society.

However, the reference librarian is able to help in other ways. Microfilm of Washington newspaper archives are available, and given a date of death, the librarians may be able to send photocopies of obituaries. Also, Washington city directories are available from approximately 1905 through the 1940's.

All requests should be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), should be as clear and direct as possible when stating your request, and you should be prepared to remit copying fees upon receipt of your materials.

Map  Map to the library
  On-line database
    Newspapers on microfilm at this library

 

bullet Avella Area Public Library Center
  On-line database
bullet Bentleysville Public Library
  On-line database
bullet Burgettstown Community Library
  On-line database
bullet California Area Public Library
  On-line database
bullet (California) Louis L. Manderino Library
250 University Ave.
California, PA 15149-1341
Phone: (724)938-4096
Borough: California
    Newspapers on microfilm at this library
bullet Greater Canonsburg Library
The Canonsburg library has a collection of history as relates to Canonsburg itself as well as North Strabane township. And they have old city directories for Canonsburg.

  On-line database
    Newspapers on microfilm at this library

bullet Chartiers-Houston Community Library
  On-line database
bullet Donora Public Library

Email: donlibr@sgi.net

The DPL has the Donora Herald-American newspaper on microfilm from 1901 until the early 1970s when the paper was merged with another.

  On-line database
    Newspapers on microfilm at this library

bullet Marianna Community Public Library
  On-line database
bullet Monongahela Area Public Library
  On-line database
bullet Monessen Public Library
326 Donner Ave.
Monessen, PA 15062-1182
Phone: (724)684-4750
bullet Peters Township Public Library

On-line database

bullet Washington and Jefferson College Library

Allen Benson (Director of Library Services)
Phone: (724)223-6071

Library hours are affected by holidays and term breaks.  Hours during regular session are:

Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

 

The College was founded in 1781, the same year the County was formed. This library has a good collection of local historical material.

Regional libraries & research centers

bullet A. D. White Center for Regional and Family History

130 Center Avenue
Burgettstown, PA 15021-1204
(724)947-0925

bullet Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

4400 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412)622-3131 (Information - call for hours)
(412)622-3154 (Pennsylvania Room)
(412)622-3158 (Microfilm Room)

A good resource for Western Pennsylvania, with an on-line catalog. Check their "Pennsylvania Department" for genealogy materials.

bullet The West Virginia and Regional History Collection
P.O. Box 6464
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV 26506-6464
Phone: (304) 293-3536, Fax: (304) 293-3981
Email address: cvenham@wvu.edu
bullet The David Library of the American Revolution
P.O. Box 748
1201 River Road
Washington Crossing, PA 18977
(215) 493-6776; Fax: (215) 493-9276
Email address: dlar@libertynet.org
bullet The Library of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
4338 Bigelow Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Tuesday - Saturday

This library contains over 25,000 volumes including histories, family genealogies, atlases, military rosters, lineage books, compiled records, cemetery readings, research guides, newspapers, historical and genealogical periodicals, county records, and more.

Interlibrary loans

Interlibrary loan may be an option if your local library does not have your desired title on the shelf. The reference librarian at your local library will be able to help you work through the process of acquiring a book through interlibrary loan.

Be aware, however, that most genealogical holdings are designated as reference material and, therefore, are not eligible for interlibrary loan. Original records and manuscripts will fall into this category also.

Rental Libraries

If the title you're seeking is not available via interlibrary loan, there still may be hope. Hoenstine Rental Library most probably has the book if it relates to Pennsylvania genealogy or history, and will rent it to you for a designated period of time. Contact them at:

Hoenstine Rental Library
414 Montgomery St.
P.O. Box 208
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Phone: (814)695-0632
This library has a massive number of works, over 2500 titles. You pay a deposit, and return postage, and Hoenstine's pays the postage to you. For current rates or to purchase a catalog, call the library directly.

The library also has a copying service if you know what you need. They provide several other services as well.

Libraries with On-line Catalogues

Several major libraries have their catalogs available on line.

Library of Congress  Including an on-line catalog search facility. Here is the results of a search for Pennsylvania genealogy books.
National Archives & Records Admin. Library

 

Books for Sale

Some genealogical publishers have their catalogs on line. The list below is in no particular order.
Links last verified as working 15 Oct 1999.

Heritage Books, Inc.  
Closson Press
Picton Press
Hearthstone Bookshop
Boyd Publishing Company Catalog
Willow Bend Books
Frontier Press
Ancestry, Inc.
Publishers and Booksellers List on Stephen A. Wood's Genealogy Home Page

Antiquarian Booksellers

Sometimes you can find out of print books at Antiquarian Booksellers.  Here a list of places where you can find searchable on-line catalogues for antiquarian books.
These links were verified as working 13 Jan 1999.

Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA)
Bibliofind
Advanced Book Exchange, Inc.