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Print Sources

Local History, Sources & Image Archive

Internet Sources

Genealogy questions about our area? email rgembe@fclspa.org to get some answers. Ruth is our Genealogy person and she's very good! Send her an email with a request or call her at (717) 263-1054 and ask for Ruth. Give her as much detail as you can spare and give her a time frame for when you expect an answer (within a week, a month, etc.). Any questions send her an email or give her a call.

Print Sources

Here are some core reference tools in print for Genealogy. Before you come and visit check our OPAC to see which of our libraries owns a copy!

Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920 by William Thorndale and William Dollarhide.

Baltimore :Genealogical Pub. Co.,1997, c1987.
Physical Description 1 atlas (420 p.) :maps ;22 x 28 cm.
Note: Shows U.S. county boundary maps for the census decades superimposed on modern county boundaries. Gives background information on each census, including census availability for each county. Note Originally published, 1987.
Bib Note Includes bibliography (p. 399-410) and index.

Handy Book for Genealogists, edited by George B. Everton, Sr. 5th ed.

Logan, UT:The Everton Pub., Inc.,c1967

Historical Atlas of the United States, National Geographic.

Wash., D.C. :National Geographic Society,c1988
Physical Description 289 p. :ill. (some col.), maps ;48 cm. + magnifying sheet (24 x 16 cm).
Note: Includes index. Maps on lining papers; folded map & scale overlay in pockets.
Bib Note p. 261-273.

Genealogical research on the Web,

New York :Neal-Schuman Publishers,c2002.
Physical Description xix, 194 p. :ill. ;28 cm.
Series Neal-Schuman netguide series
Bib Note Includes bibliographical references (p. 175-178) and index.
Subject Internet - Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Subject Genealogy - Computer network resources - Handbooks, manuals, etc.

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Local History, Sources, and Image Archive

Atlas of Franklin County Pennsylvania, 1868

Local Sources

Here's a couple of items in our collection that we've digitized to both preserve and increase access.

A Sketch of the 126th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (3690k)

A unit history published in 1869 listing the rolls and casualties of all companies involved. Many of the men involved with this unit were from Franklin County.

The Burning of Chambersburg, by Rev. B. S. Schneck (3456k)

Published in 1865, this is the account of the Confederate raid on and destruction of Chambersburg on July 30, 1864.

Excerpt from letter to Dr. Sarah I. Morris (79k)

This fragment relates a story about the Confederate raid on Chambersburg conducted by some of Jubal Early's men during the Civil War.

The History of the Ceremonies Connected with the Deposit made in the Corner Stone of the Central Presbyterian Church of Chambersburg, May 25th, 1869 (531k)

Taken from the Proof Sheet of the Valley Spirit for the 26th of May, 1869.

History of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association from 1901 to 1942, by Fred Gibbs (1588k)

A collection of annual meeting notes from 1902 to 1942 including lists of yearly officers of the organization.

The Home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Bender (66k)

A short and general history of the Bender Home, built in 1790.

The Home of Mr. and Mrs. Herman A. Gilda (99k)

A short and general history of the Gilda Home, built in 1786, located on NW corner of Lincoln Way East and Third Street, Chambersburg.

The Home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Harvie (46k)

A short and general history of the Harvey Home, built in 1858 at 315 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg.

Notes on the Rebel Invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania and the Battle of Gettysburg, by M. Jacobs (1831k)

Brief day by day sketch of the Confederate Invasion of the North cumulating in the Battle of Gettysburg. Published in 1864.

Old Roads of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, by J. D. Hemminger (1913k)

Published in 1909, this book contains a wealth of information about the main roads of Cumberland County and their surrounding lands and buildings.

Old Vance Inn, A Station on the Underground, by Rose Vance (1205k)

An unpublished history written in 1953 describing the Old Vance Inn near Fort Loudon and the role it played in the Underground Railroad.

Retracing of Famous Old Turnpike Between Chambersburg and Pittsburgh, 1st ed., by David Eby (493k)

1908 edition of a wagoner from 1849 - 1853 containing names of old taverns, landlords, and reminiscences.

Retracing of Famous Old Turnpike Between Chambersburg and Pittsburgh, 2nd ed., by David Eby (649k)

1914 edition of a wagoner from 1849 - 1853 containing names of old taverns, landlords, and reminiscences.

Rules for the government of employees, by the Cumberland Valley Railroad (4671k)

1910 edition of a manual of operation for the employees of the Cumberland Valley Railroad. A good source of valuable information for anyone who has an interest in trains.

Image Archive

Robert Hearne Collection

A collection of postcards presented to the Blue Ridge Summit Free Library in 1979 by Robert Hearne (deceased), husband of Margaret Hearne. Margaret Hearne was past president of the Board of Directors for the Blue Ridge Summit Free Library and responsible for Western Maryland Railroads donation of their station to the Blue Ridge Summit community to be used as a public library.

Franklin County Postcard Collection

A collection of postcards of Chambersburg and the surrounding areas, many donated by Mike Marotte III.

Of Stone and Wood, Historic bridges around Franklin County

A photo essay by Bernice Crouse, Executive Director of the Franklin County Library System.

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Internet Sources

A directory of census records with 17,805 links to free census records online.
This is an ongoing census project.

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