In order to keep our Staff, Volunteers, and visiting researchers safe, we have put several new library policies in place. The library itself will be closed to the public. Researchers will have individual stations set up in in the Visitor Center. A member of staff will be available to pull materials and assist with research. At the end of each researchers session, the station will be cleaned and sanitized by staff and the materials they used will be placed in quarantine and / or sanitized. Please secure purses and bags in your vehicle, secure lockers will not be available.
Fees:
Regular Admission covers the museum, tour, and use of the research library. Membership in the Historical and Genealogical Society of Somerset County includes free admission. Regular Admission $6:00, Senior $5.50, Children ages 3-11: $3.00, Age 2 and under: FREE
Copies: Standard $0.25, from Microfilm $0.50
Photo license: $5.00 for unlimited pictures
The Historical and Genealogical Society’s Genealogical Library collects and makes available books, records, and materials of historical significance with a particular emphasis on Somerset County genealogies and historical material.
The Historical Society's Library currently features several thousand volumes including the following resources:
- Birth records: on microfilm 1893-1908
- Cemetery Records
- Census Records: indexes on shelf for 1790-1850, 1870-1880; Originals on microfilm 1790-1880, 1890, 1900-1920; 1930 census records for Somerset and Cambria Counties
- Church Histories
- Church Records
- County Histories: Somerset County, and miscellaneous counties in and out of Pennsylvania
- Crafts and trades
- Death Records: on microfilm 1852-1853, 1893-1908.
- Delayed Birth Records: 1941 - 1965
- Diaries, Ledgers, and Journals
- Estate Records: index on shelf, original records on microfilm
- Family Files: information contributed by researchers
- Family Histories: published and unpublished works by other researchers
- Genealogy Newsletters: index and originals of Laurel Messenger 1960 to present; Other societies in and out of county
- Historic Resource Survey: survey of historic buildings in Somerset County
- Immigration and Naturalization Records: on microfilm
- Land Records (Surveys, Warrants & Deeds): index for surveys & warrants on shelf, originals on microfilm
- Local Histories
- Maps: 18th century Harmon Husband's Map c1790, 1760s-1810s Township Surveys & Warrants, 1810, 1816, 1830 and 1860 maps of Somerset County, 1876 Beer's Atlas, "Bird's Eye View" maps of selected towns, Sandborn Fire Insurance Maps of selected towns, 4H plat books
- Marriage Records: on microfilm 1792-1802, 1885-1968
- Microfilm records from Somerset County Courthouse
- Military Records
- Newspapers: originals on microfilm
- Obituaries: approximately 20,000 in the card catalog and computer. More added daily.
- Reference Books
- Subject Files: collected information on topics concerning the county and region
- Surname Search Files: List of surnames other researchers are researching with names and addresses
- Tax Records: on shelf 1798 Direct Tax and miscellaneous years, on microfilm 1796-1879; Tax records from former Bedford County townships that are now part of Somerset County 1775 – 1793
