Research and Records

What We Have

The Historical Society offers a variety of resources to aid the genealogist in their search for their ancestors. While some are SCHS reprints or publications and are available for purchase; others may be viewed in the library such as: maps, microfilms, newspapers, and more.

The well-stocked library of the Society has a wide variety of publications on the history of the county. Subjects covered in the library include: Canals, anthracite coal mining, Civil War, city directories, family histories, town, borough and township histories, military and railroads.

The Society has a rich collection of manuscripts covering many subjects of county history. These materials reveal the history of the early townships and the development of the anthracite coal industry. Many of the manuscripts are original documents and describe many subjects of historical interest in the county.

The Society has a very important collection of genealogical materials. Church records, family records, and genealogical publications by various groups comprise this important segment of the collections.

Numerous county civil court records are also available on microfilm. These include marriage records.

Our extensive collection of church records have been scanned and are searchable on the computers. Some church Records are also sold in the shop here.

In order for us to provide the best quality service, it is required you make an appointment with one of our 3 researchers for extensive onsite research. At times, the research may take several hours and encompass other departments within the Historical Society.

Felicia, Andrew and Joann are here to assist you.

Request for General Research

Request for Genealogy Research

Digitized Newspapers

Minersville/Pottsville Journal

1825 – 1953
Evening Herald of Pottsville

1875 – 1885
Pottsville Standard

1858, 1870, 1872 – 1876
Evening Chronicle

1850 – 1858, 1875 -1885
St. Clair Splinters

1897 – 1903
Shenandoah Herald

1870 – 1900, 1933 – 1940
Ashland Advocate

1889 – 1907
The Call, Schuylkill Haven

1892 – 1897
Pine Grove Herald

1881 – 1937
Press Herald

1937 – 2010
West Schuylkill Press

1877 – 1937 (some issues missing)

Types of Research

Self Research

Self Research is free of charge to members of The Society.

General Public: $25 per day for unassisted research. $20 per hour for assisted research. Members, $10 per hour for assisted.

50 cents per copy, scan, or phone snaps.

General, Genealogical, and Photo Research Service

Each year the Society receives hundreds of inquiries from people seeking assistance on researching records of Schuylkill County families.

If the correspondent clearly identifies the ancestor as having lived in Schuylkill County, a city, town, or township within the geographic confines of Schuylkill County, we will offer to give the following services:

Search our index to the original family names of Schuylkill County and send photocopies of the same.

For Society members, the fee for a search is $22.00 per hour. For non-members, the fee is $35.00 per hour.

Research done in our library is free to members.
Research Requests are processed in the order in which they are received.

Copying and Reproduction Services

For research purposes, visitors can make photocopies or take images of books, newspaper clippings, and manuscripts under fair use law.

www.copyright.gov/fair-use/

Photocopy Fees:

Letter and legal size pages: $0.50
Ledger size pages: $0.75
Color letter and legal size pages: $1.00
Color ledger size pages: $2.00
Photos on quality photo paper, $10 members, $20 for non-members.

Camera Fees:

Researchers may take unlimited number of images with a camera, phone, or tablet. Camera licensing does not apply to the Society’s photo collection.

One-day camera Fee: $5.00
Annual camera Fee (members only): $25.00