Are you just beginning your genealogy research? Are you wondering where to start? Begin by documenting your generation and then work backwards to your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on. Remember to cite the sources of your information and use as many primary sources as possible. For example, birth and/or baptismal records are considered primary sources for information such as birth dates and places (however, death certificates are not considered primary sources for birth dates and places) while death certificates and obituaries may be considered primary sources for information such as death dates, places, and burials. Other sources of information include the federal census, military records (i.e. draft registrations, enlistments, etc.), church records, naturalization records, and passenger lists. And don’t forget to talk to your parents and grandparents about their experiences when they were young and their memories of their own parents and grandparents. This information can be documented via taped interview or written record.

The Historical Room

The library houses an exceptional collection of local materials with special emphasis on Lebanon, Berks, Lancaster and Dauphin Counties. There is also a fine collection of Pennsylvania German culture materials for use within the facility. This is a non-circulating collection. However, photocopies may be made if the condition of the original material allows.

To make an appointment to use the Historical Room please call the library at 717-866-2800.

The Historical Room is open Monday through Friday, 10am – 3pm, unless otherwise noted. Library programming takes precedence.

Databases

Try these free resources to start (or continue) your research; while most of these databases

are searchable, some are not indexed and must be browsed to find specific records.

Resources

These websites, including maps, photographs, and cemeteries, may provide

further assistance in research.

Historical Pamphlets

These digitized booklets, most of which are papers that were read before the

Lebanon County Historical Society, can be read online or downloaded and saved to the device

of your choice. The year in parentheses after the booklet title reflects the year of publication.