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Start Over Subject Genealogy Year 1850 to 1899

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Aston Township Historical Society local history collection, circa 1806-2015

Extent:
75.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The area that is known as Aston Township was incorporated as a township of Chester County in 1688 and became a part of Delaware County when the latter county was established in 1789. Today, due to its proximity to both Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, Aston Township is predominantly a residential area with various local organizations and community events. The Aston Township Historical Society local history collection, circa 1806-2015, consists of various materials, including organizational, church, township, and school records; scrapbooks and photographs; subject and vertical files; and other materials that document the history, residents, businesses, and other aspects of Aston Township.

Held at: Aston Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Haverford Township Historical Society photograph collection, 1895-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Haverford Township is a suburb of Philadelphia situated near the wealthy "Main Line" west of the city. It encompasses the community of Havertown and parts of Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Drexel Hill, and Wynnewood in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Haverford Township Historical Society photograph collection, 1895-2014, depicts the people, buildings, and scenery of Haverford Township (Delaware County, Pennsylvania). Buildings, especially historic sites, are particularly well represented, but there are also family photographs and photographs of other subjects.

Held at: Haverford Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Kennett Township Historical Commission subject files, 1980-2014 (bulk) 1847-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The first recorded mention of "Kennett Township" in Chester County, Pennsylvania is from 1705. An abolitionist stronghold, Kennett was popular with freedom-seekers escaping slavery prior to the Civil War due to the presence of progressive Quakers and a community of free blacks that was established as early as 1830. Later, the Kennett area became known for producing more than half of the mushrooms consumed in the United States. The Kennett Township Historical Commission subject files, 1847-2014 (bulk 1980-2014), focus on people, places, organizations, buildings, and events of Kennett Township. The files consist mainly of secondary-source materials, such as clippings, pamphlets/ephemera, and family genealogies, as well as a small amount of primary-source materials.

Held at: Kennett Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Nether Providence Historical Society local history collection, 1995-2014 (bulk) 1825-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Nether Providence Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was incorporated in 1687. Over time, it progressed from a farming economy, to a manufacturing center with over a dozen mills, to a resort destination for wealthy Philadelphians, to a residential community. The Nether Providence Historical Society local history collection, 1825-2014 (bulk 1995-2014), consists of primary- and secondary-source materials relating to the residents, events, organizations, and structures, of Nether Providence Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Most of the collection is organized into subject files, but there are additional materials stored separately, including a sizeable accumulation of 19th and early 20th century papers from the Byer family.

Held at: Nether Providence Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Radnor Historical Society subject files, circa 1860-2014

Extent:
27.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Radnor Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was founded in 1682, shortly after Welsh Quakers arrived on the lands previously home to the original inhabitants, the Lenni Lenape Indians. Development in the area increased when new transportation routes passed through the area, first the Lancaster Turnpike (the first toll road in America) in 1794, and then the Columbia (later Pennsylvania) Railroad in 1832. The township's population doubled between 1880 and 1890 with the birth of one of the country's first planned suburban developments, Wayne. Development and population boomed again in the wake of World War II and has continued to grow in the 21st century. The Radnor Historical Society subject files, circa 1860-2014, contain a general subject file with separate series for Streets, Estates, and Genealogy. Materials are mostly secondary-source, such as newspaper clippings, photocopies, printed materials, and ephemera, but there are also a large number of original photographs,...(see more)

Held at: Radnor Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Sellersville Museum local history collection, 1770-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
15.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Originally settled in 1738, Sellersville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania was incorporated as a borough in 1874. In the second half of the 19th century, cigar, textile, and other industries established companies in Sellersville. As of 2014, Sellersville is mainly a commuter town, although some historic structures, including the Sellersville Theater and the Washington House, have been restored and are local attractions. The Sellersville Museum local history collection, 1770-2014, contains both primary and secondary-source materials, such as business ledgers, deeds, scrapbooks, photograph albums, newspaper clippings, and subject files relating to the people, businesses, organizations, and other aspects of Sellersville.

Held at: Sellersville Museum [Contact Us]

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St. George's United Methodist Church records, 1763-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
45.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Historic St. George's Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is known as the cradle of American Methodism. St. George's is American Methodism's oldest church building in continuous service; people called 'Methodists' have been meeting there since 1769. St. George's United Methodist Church records, 1763-2014, include vital records, administrative materials, financial documents, papers from subgroups of the church, photographs, blueprints, and various other materials.

Held at: Historical Society of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church [Contact Us]

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Plumstead Historical Society local history collection, 1809-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The area of Plumstead Township (Bucks County, Pa.) was originally settled in the early 18th century by English Quakers, but soon grew into a diverse community. The township was officially established in 1725 and was initially an agrarian community, although many businesses and industries were eventually established due to the presence of a nearby highway. The Plumstead Historical Society local history collection, 1809-2014, consists of various primary and secondary-source materials donated to or collected by the Plumstead Historical Society relating to the history and residents of Plumstead Township.

Held at: Plumstead Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Wallace Township local history collection, 1789-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
30.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Although the first official survey of Wallace Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania took place in 1729, the Township was formally created in 1852 and has had multiple changes to its boundaries since. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, farms, mills, and forges dotted the landscape, but the late 19th century brought the railroad and considerable development of the area. A Pennsylvania Turnpike entrance was created near Wallace in 1950, and during the late 20th century, many residential subdivisions were built in the Township resulting in a substantial population increase. The Wallace Township Historical Commission local history collection, 1789-2014, consists of a mix of primary and secondary-source material relating to the history and residents of Wallace Township. Materials include scrapbooks, maps and blueprints, deeds, financial and administrative records, photographs, audio recordings, ephemera, correspondence, posters, and genealogy and other research materials.

Held at: Wallace Township Archives [Contact Us]

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Chadds Ford Historical Society photograph and document collection, circa 1865-2013

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Chadds Ford in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was historically a crossroads, first a fording point across the Brandywine River and later near the intersection of two train lines. It is known for its role in the Revolutionary War--the Battle of the Brandywine was fought here in 1777--and in art history--Howard Pyle's studio and students gave rise to the Brandywine School of Art, fostered by three generations of the Wyeth family. The Chadds Ford Historical Society photograph and document collection, circa 1865-2013, consists of various documents, such as deeds, correspondence, and financial papers; photographs, including daguerreotypes and tintypes; and maps; that document the people, places, and landscape of the Chadds Ford area.

Held at: Chadds Ford Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Historic Carversville Society local history collection, 1970-1990 (bulk) 1793-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.5 linear feet
Abstract:
A prime example of a 19th-century farming community, Carversville in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was one of the first districts to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Historic Carversville Society local history collection, 1793-2013 (bulk 1970-1990), contains various materials, including oral histories, photographs, newspaper clippings, ephemera, and two deeds, that document Carversville local history.

Held at: Historic Carversville Society [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of Bensalem Township local history collection, 1770-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
12.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Settled by the Dutch, Swedes, and English, Bensalem Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was a farming community until the 1950s and 1960s when the area underwent a significant amount of suburban development. Historical Society of Bensalem Township local history collection, 1770-2013, consists of maps, deeds, photographs, ledgers, and other original, primary-source documents relating to the history of Bensalem Township and surrounding areas.

Held at: Historical Society of Bensalem Township [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area subject files, circa 1850-2013

Extent:
53.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Phoenixville, which was incorporated as a borough in 1849 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, evolved from an early 18th century village. The history of the town largely mirrored the history of the Phoenix Iron Company which became hugely successful in the mid-19th century with the advent of the railroad. The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area subject files, circa 1850-2013, consist primarily of photocopied primary-source documents, newspaper clippings, and research articles that relate to numerous aspects of Phoenixville's history. It also contains a fair amount of original documents, principally pamphlets, small printed works, and ephemera, as well as some photographs, deeds, and manuscript pages. The collection is organized into series and subseries by subject; the largest series are Genealogy and Phoenix Iron Company / Phoenix Steel Company.

Held at: Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area [Contact Us]

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Sharon Hill Historical Society local history collection, 1879-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Sharon Hill is a community in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. Largely undeveloped until 1872, the construction of a railroad in the area spurred residential and commercial growth. Sharon Hill separated from Darby Township and incorporated as a borough in 1890. The Sharon Hill Historical Society local history collection, 1879-2013, consists mostly of secondary-source and copied materials with a sizeable amount of photographs and scattered other primary-source documents relating to Sharon Hill and its history.

Held at: Sharon Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Doylestown Historical Society subject files, 1880-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
32.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The area now known as Doylestown (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) was given to Edward Doyle as a land grant from William Penn in 1692. Doylestown became the county seat of Bucks County in 1812, and the area flourished when a railroad line was completed between Doylestown and Philadelphia in 1856. Doylestown's historic downtown began to deteriorate in the early 1960s, but the town was revitalized in part due to an architectural preservation movement. The Doylestown Historical Society subject files, 1880-2013, are organized into the following series: I. Local history; II. Businesses; III. Biographies; and IV. Locations. It consists mostly of newspaper clippings and other secondary-source materials, with some primary-source documents such as ephemera, newsletters, pamphlets, photographs, invoices, deeds, advertisements, and some business records.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Solebury Township Historical Society local history collection, 1980-2013 (bulk) 1847-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Originally part of Buckingham Township, the township of Solebury in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was incorporated circa 1702. Industries, particularly farming, became prevalent in the area by the 19th century; the picturesque landscape also drew many prominent artists to the area. The Solebury Township Historical Society local history collection, 1847-2013 (bulk 1980-2013), consists largely of subject files on local history topics that include newspaper clippings, ephemera, printed materials, Ned Harrington (Hillside Press) publications, and pamphlets, with some original documents. Also included in the collection are some original photographs, and to a lesser extent manuscripts and oral histories. Of special interest are two minute books of the nativist fraternal organization, Order of United Americans, Cuttalossa Temple No. 15 (Solebury, Pa.), 1898-1900 and 1905-1915.

Held at: Solebury Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Upper Darby Historical Society local history collection, 1920-2013 (bulk) 1799-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
40.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Upper Darby in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was one of the earliest settlements west of Philadelphia. It incorporated from Darby Township in 1736. Primarily an area of mills and farms, the township experienced rapid development beginning in 1907 when the Sixty-Ninth Street Terminal, a transportation hub for those going farther west, was built. The Upper Darby Historical Society local history collection, 1799-2013 (bulk 1920-2013), consists of various materials that document Upper Darby families, individuals, organizations, institutions, and events over time. Most materials are secondary-source, such as newspaper clippings, photocopies or photographs of original documents, narrative histories, research notes, and printed or published works. There are also some primary-source documents, including maps, scrapbooks, deeds, photographs, slides, ephemera, correspondence, autograph books, and more.

Held at: Upper Darby Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Newtown Historic Association vertical files, 1960-2013 (bulk) 1850-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
65.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Newtown was the county seat of Bucks County, Pennsylvania from 1726 to 1813. The Newtown Historic Association vertical files, circa 1960-2013, consist primarily of photocopied newspaper clippings, with some copies of primary source documents, ephemera, and other materials. The collection is organized into four series: People, Subjects, Streets, and Obituaries.

Held at: Newtown Historic Association [Contact Us]

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Newtown Historic Association small collections, circa 1700-2013

Extent:
30.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Newtown, the county seat of Bucks County from 1726 to 1813, is one of the most historic areas in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Newtown Historic Association small collections, circa 1700 to 2013, consist of small collections of mostly original archival material from families, businesses, and organizations from Newtown and surrounding areas.

Held at: Newtown Historic Association [Contact Us]

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Newtown Square Historical Society local history collection, 1744-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Established in 1681, Newtown Township (Newtown Square), is the oldest township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania and has over 100 historic structures still standing. Newtown Square Historical Society local history collection, 1744-2013, includes various original manuscripts, secondary-source materials, and digital files that document the individuals, families, organizations, and landscape of the Newtown Square area. Materials in the collection include ledgers, photographs, letters, deeds, pamphlets, ephemera, maps, newspaper clippings, and photocopies and scans of articles and primary source documents.

Held at: Newtown Square Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Old York Road Historical Society vertical files, circa 1890-2013

Extent:
67.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Montgomery County, situated in southeastern Pennsylvania and established in 1784 out of the western portion of Philadelphia County, has played an important role in U.S. history. Since its founding, it has experienced "booming industry and manufacturing, rich farm fields, advanced transportation, artistic endeavors and unique religious beliefs." The Old York Road Historical Society vertical files, circa 1890-2013, consist largely of copy and original newspaper clippings, pamphlets, mailings, ephemera, amateur historian and academic history articles, and a small amount of original manuscripts. It is organized into several series: People, General area, Municipalities (mostly eastern Montgomery County), and Areas outside coverage (such as Bucks County and Philadelphia).

Held at: Old York Road Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Delaware County Historical Society vertical files, circa 1850-2013

Extent:
85.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Delaware County was the first section of Pennsylvania to be settled by Europeans, specifically Swedes in 1643. It was in the city of Chester, the original county seat of Delaware County, that William Penn and the General Assembly of Pennsylvania adopted Penn's "Great Law of Pennsylvania," which granted the right to vote, citizenship, freedom of religion and trial by jury to all settlers. Located adjacent to Philadelphia, Delaware County's suburban population grew rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Delaware County Historical Society vertical files, circa 1850-2013, cover various local topics. Materials are mostly newspaper clippings, photocopies of newspaper articles, pamphlets and ephemera, research notes, narrative histories, transcripts, indexes, printed materials, copies of church and civil records, death and funeral records, and census and tax records, as well as some original documents and oral histories on audiocassette tapes and CDs.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Springfield Township Historical Society genealogy and subject files, 1985-2013 (bulk) 1832-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
14.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Springfield Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania was surveyed and laid out in 1743. The township was primarily a rural farming community for most of its history, although its population increased with suburbanization in the late 20th century. The Springfield Township Historical Society genealogy and subject files, 1832-2013 (bulk 1985-2013), cover numerous local history topics and local families. The collection consists largely of secondary-source materials, principally newspaper clippings, research notes, and narrative histories. A small quantity of original documents is mixed in.

Held at: Springfield Township Historical Society (Bucks County, Pa.) [Contact Us]

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West Caln Township Historical Commission local history collection, 1990-2013 (bulk) 1851-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
West Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, was officially recognized as a Township in 1744. The area developed due to its location along what was known as Kings Highway (now Route 340), the main road between Philadelphia and Lancaster. The West Caln Township Historical Commission local history collection, 1851-2013 (bulk 1990-2013), consists mostly of secondary-source materials such as newspaper clippings, photocopies, and research notes, with some original documents including maps, photographs, letters, oral histories, and deeds. The collection documents various West Caln Township individuals, families, organizations, and properties. It is organized based on document type and subject: "I. Subject files," "II. Obituaries," "III. Genealogy reference," "IV. Census records," "V. Deeds," "VI. Tax records," "VII. House histories," "VIII. Audiovisual materials," "IX. Photographs," "X. Maps," and "XI. Local manuscripts."

Held at: West Caln Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of Hilltown Township local history collection, 1790-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Established in 1721, Hilltown Township (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) remained a farming community up until the end of World War II. Construction of large housing developments started at the end of the 1970s. The Historical Society of Hilltown Township local history collection, 1790-2012, consists of various primary-source materials that document Hilltown Township individuals, families, businesses, and properties. These include deeds, personal papers relating to some of the first families of Hilltown, materials relating to area schools, historic site survey forms, photographs, and records of local businesses and organizations.

Held at: Historical Society of Hilltown Township [Contact Us]

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Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society local history collection, 1838-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
15.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Roxborough and Manayunk are neighborhoods in the northwest section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, adjacent to Wissahickon Valley Park. In the 19th century the Wissahickon Creek was lined with mills and the neighborhoods were industrial and working class, but the Wissahickon was later turned into a public park and Roxborough and Manayunk underwent substantial gentrification during the latter part of the 20th century. The Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society local history collection, 1838-2012, consists primarily of newspaper clippings, articles, unpublished genealogies, copies of primary-source documents, and other secondary-source materials relating to local history. The collection also includes a small amount of original primary-source materials, such as receipts and invoices, correspondence, photographs, meeting minutes, and ephemera.

Held at: Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Spring-Ford Area Historical Society subject files, circa 1880s-2012

Extent:
45.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Previously a sparsely-settled farming area, early development in Spring City (Chester County, Pennsylvania) and adjacent Royersford (Montgomery County, Pennsylvania) coincided with the opening of the Schuylkill Navigation Canal in 1824. Industry in the two towns continued to grow during the 19th century, especially with the construction of major rail lines through both. By the early 20th century, Spring City and Royersford were booming industrial towns with extensive stove factories, glass and bottle works, and embroidery, hosiery, and knitting mills, among other businesses. The Spring-Ford Area Historical Society subject files, circa 1880s-2012, document various topics of local interest. The collection mostly contains photocopies, with some original materials, such as newspaper clippings, photographs, research notes, narrative histories, cemetery records and indexes, obituaries, and family histories. Major categories include: burial records, church histories and sacramental...(see more)

Held at: Spring-Ford Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Dublin Historical Society local history collection, 1885-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.6 linear feet
Abstract:
Dublin Borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is located just northwest of Doylestown, the county seat. Located in a prosperous farming area, Dublin was incorporated as an independent municipality in 1912. The Dublin Historical Society local history collection, 1885-2012, consists of various materials such as ledgers, photographs, papers, and ephemera that document individuals, families, organizations, and businesses of Dublin, Pennsylvania.

Held at: Dublin Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Lansdale Historical Society local history subject files, 1970-2012 (bulk) 1762-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
22.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Lansdale in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania became a boom town during the mid-19th century when a junction of the North Pennsylvania Railroad was established where the center of the town is now located. The Borough of Lansdale was incorporated on August 24, 1872. The Lansdale Historical Society local history subject files, 1762-2012 (bulk 1970-2012), are comprised of newspaper clippings, copies of secondary research materials, some pamphlets and ephemera, and a very small amount of original primary documents. Materials document churches, community histories, people, organizations, businesses and local government agencies.

Held at: Lansdale Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Plymouth Meeting Historical Society subject files, 1950-1990 (bulk) 1787-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
19.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Plymouth Meeting (in Plymouth and Whitemarsh Townships) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was settled during the late 17th century by English and Welsh Quaker and German immigrants. In 1686, the discovery of limestone drew more settlers to the area. Several railroad lines were constructed in the area during the 19th century, which encouraged a growth in industry. Plymouth and Whitemarsh grew significantly after World War II, especially during the latter decades of the 20th century after completion of the Blue Route (Interstate 476) with its major interchange in Plymouth Township. The Plymouth Meeting Historical Society subject files, 1787-2012, document Plymouth and Whitemarsh local history including people, families, buildings and locales, events, and organizations. Most of the materials are secondary-source, such as newspaper clippings, photocopies, research notes, pamphlets, and ephemera with a small amount of original, primary source documents.

Held at: Plymouth Meeting Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Springfield Township Historical Society small collections, 1950-2012 (bulk) 1739-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.67 linear feet
Abstract:
The Springfield Township Historical Society small collections, 1739-2012, consist of small groupings of records gathered from many different sources, relating to various subjects relative to Springfield Township and local history. About half of this collection is comprised of files arranged alphabetically by subject, consisting mostly of secondary materials. The other half is mostly primary-source materials such as minute books, scrapbooks, family papers, and deeds, organized into groupings by donor.

Held at: Springfield Township Historical Society (Montgomery County, Pa.) [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of Montgomery County family files, circa 1880-2012

Extent:
56.25 linear feet
Abstract:
The Historical Society of Montgomery County family files, circa 1880-2012, contain research notes, typescript family histories, newspaper clippings (especially obituaries), and a few photographs. Materials on over 1,800 individual names are filed alphabetically.

Held at: Historical Society of Montgomery County [Contact Us]

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Carl Schultheis local history collection, 1786-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Carl F. Schultheis, Jr. (born 1930) is a pediatrician at the King of Prussia Medical Center in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and known as a local historian in Upper Merion Township, PA. The Carl Schultheis local history collection, 1786-2012, consists of photographs, deeds, marriage certificates, letters, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, and other materials documenting the local history and people of King of Prussia (Montgomery County, PA) and nearby areas.

Held at: King of Prussia Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Lansdale Historical Society small collections and scrapbooks, 1930-2012 (bulk) 1800-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.33 linear feet
Abstract:
Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania became a boom town during the mid-19th century when a junction of the North Pennsylvania Railroad was established where the center of the town is now located. The Borough of Lansdale was incorporated on August 24, 1872. This collection, which documents the history of Lansdale, its organizations, and residents, consists of various scrapbooks, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, photograph albums, deeds, letters, primary source documents relating to particular organizations, and other miscellaneous materials.

Held at: Lansdale Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Downingtown Area Historical Society General Archives collection, 1843-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Borough of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania is located halfway between Philadelphia and Lancaster. Known as Milltown in the 18th century since it was the location of the last mills on the edge of the unsettled western frontier, the village became known as Downingtown after the War of 1812; the borough was incorporated in 1859. Improved transportation, by stagecoach, railroad, and eventually highways, drew increasing population and investment to Downingtown over the 19th and 20th centuries. The Downingtown Area Historical Society General Archives collection, 1843-2012, consists of various small accumulations of records (less than one linear foot) from businesses, clubs, organizations, individuals, and families based in or near Downingtown.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Germantown Historical Society family files, 1864-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
31.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Germantown, a section of northwest Philadelphia, was settled in the late 1600s. It is well known as the site of the first American anti-slavery protest, the Revolutionary War Battle of Germantown, and the seat of the National government during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. The Germantown Historical Society family files, 1864-2012, contains research relating to prominent or long established families in Germantown. It consists primarily of research notes and copies, although there is a small amount of original primary source material in the collection.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Radnor Historical Society manuscript collection, 1702-circa 2010

Extent:
25.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Radnor Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was founded in 1682, shortly after Welsh Quakers arrived on the lands previously home to the original inhabitants, the Lenni Lenape Indians. Development in the area increased when new transportation routes passed through the area, first the Lancaster Turnpike (the first toll road in America) in 1794, and then the Columbia (later Pennsylvania) Railroad in 1832. The township's population doubled between 1880 and 1890 with the birth of one of the country's first planned suburban developments, Wayne. Development and population boomed again in the wake of World War II and has continued to grow in the 21st century. The Radnor Historical Society manuscript collection, 1702-circa 2010, consists of a variety of original manuscript materials relating to the people, businesses, and organizations of Radnor Township and its vicinity. It includes photographs (prints, albums, and glass plate and film negatives), scrapbooks, financial records,...(see more)

Held at: Radnor Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Old York Road Historical Society small collections, circa 1870-circa 2010

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Montgomery County, situated in southeastern Pennsylvania and established in 1784 out of the western portion of Philadelphia County, has played an important role in U.S. history. Since its founding, it has experienced "booming industry and manufacturing, rich farm fields, advanced transportation, artistic endeavors and unique religious beliefs." The history of the area of eastern Montgomery County has been documented significantly through the collecting efforts of the Old York Road Historical Society. Old York Road Historical Society small collections, circa 1870s-circa 2010, document various individuals, families, businesses, and organizations of eastern Montgomery County.

Held at: Old York Road Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Doylestown Historical Society local history collection, 1832-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:
18.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The area now known as Doylestown (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) was given to Edward Doyle as a land grant from William Penn in 1692. Doylestown became the county seat of Bucks County in 1812, and the area flourished when a railroad line was completed between Doylestown and Philadelphia in 1856. Doylestown's historic downtown began to deteriorate in the early 1960s, but the town was revitalized in part due to an architectural preservation movement. The Doylestown Historical Society local history collection, 1832-2009, consists of manuscripts, such as organizational records, ledgers, photographs, ephemera, genealogy records, maps, and blueprints, that document various Doylestown individuals, families, businesses, and organizations.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Ruth Ehrlen Irwin collection, 1890-2008 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Established around the turn of the 18th century, the Langhorne Hotel served the numerous visitors who traveled through the transportation hub of Langhorne (Bucks County, Pa.) on their way between Philadelphia (Pa.) and Trenton (N.J.). Ruth Ehrlen Irwin's father, George G. Ehrlen, owned the Langhorne Hotel from 1905 to 1937. A native of Langhorne, Ruth Ehrlen Irwin worked as a teacher primarily in the Langhorne-Middletown School District. The Ruth Ehrlen Irwin collection, 1890-2008, consists of various materials, including hotel registers, scrapbooks, photographs, and ephemera relating to the Langhorne Hotel, Ruth Ehrlen Irwin, Irwin's family, and the history of Langhorne.

Held at: Historic Langhorne Association [Contact Us]

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Batcheler, Hartshorne, and Sahlin families papers, 1789-2007 (inclusive)

Extent:
40.0 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of the Batcheler, Hartshorne, and Sahlin families, descended from Axel (1826-March 5, 1909) and Axeline Sahlin (1834-1922), a Swedish couple whose children lived in Europe and the United States. Four generations of the family are documented here, with documentation centering around five families. In the United States, the family is represented by Gertrude Chandler (July 17, 1860-1953) and Axel Sahlin (1855-1937); their daughter Ellen Sahlin (February 21, 1895-June 4, 1988) and her husband, Judge Richard Hartshorne (February 29, 1888-September 19,1975); and their daughter, Penelope Hartshorne (1928-2007) and her husband, George Batcheler(1926-2009). The Swedish side of the family is represented by Axel and Axeline Sahlin and the family of their daughter, Essie Sahlin (1859-1950) and her husband, Simon Johannes Boëthius (1850-1924). The contents of this collection are mostly correspondence and other personal papers, including diaries, artwork,...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission local history collection, 1829-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:
17.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Upper Uwchlan Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was established in 1858 when it broke off from Uwchlan Township. Its boundaries include the historic district of Byers Station and the Wheelen House (Fellowship Farm), a Georgian-style farmhouse built in the mid 18th century. Remaining a rural community for most of its existence, Upper Uwchlan experienced large population growth beginning in the 1980s, leading to an increase in area development and the construction of several new subdivisions. The Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission local history collection, 1829-2005, contains a mix of primary- and secondary-source materials relating to the people, buildings, property, organizations, and other aspects of Upper Uwchlan Township. The collection is organized into four series: I. Manuscripts (organized by family/donor), II. Property files (organized by location), III. Subject files (organized into sub-groupings: people, clippings by date, and other), and IV. Subject binders.

Held at: Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission [Contact Us]

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Ritter family papers, circa 1840-2004, undated

Extent:
2.2 linear feet (; 6 boxes)
Abstract:
This family history collection documents the Ritter family and its ancestors beginning in the late 18th century. Diaries, autobiographies, memorandum books, family photos, and legal papers comprise the bulk of the material that spans almost 200 years (1773-1962). The collection focuses heavily on James Hansell Ritter (1859-1912) and his wife, Mary LeBaron Stoddard Ritter (1867-1949), both descendants of William Bradford, the governor of Plymouth Colony from 1622 until 1656. The couple’s lineage is documented in Series 1 which houses genealogical notes including a letter dated 25 December 1872 and an application for membership in the Pennsylvania Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Many of the ancestors appear in original or copied photographs in Series 2. Material related to ancestors and relatives of James Hansell Ritter - including his maternal great-great grandfather, Jacob Ehrenzeller, Sr. (1725-1798); his paternal grandfather, Jacob Ritter, Jr. (1784-1840); his father...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Rex family papers, 1850-1920 (bulk) 1798-2002 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Rex family, descended from German immigrants, settled in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. The Rex family papers, 1798-2002, includes photographs, a scrapbook, a sampler, certificates, published books, and other items created by Rex family members.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Magarie Andrews Smith family papers, 1899-2001 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.83 linear feet
Abstract:
Magarie Edna Green Andrews Smith was born in Elveton, West Virginia in 1911 and relocated to the Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1933, where she married Robert Andrews and worked as a baby nurse. The Magarie Andrews Smith family papers, 1899-2001, consist of funeral programs, photographs, and other materials that relate to Magarie Edwards, her family, and the Frankford section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The bulk of the collection consists of late twentieth-century funeral programs for members of the African American community of Frankford.

Held at: Historical Society of Frankford [Contact Us]

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Marple Historical Society local history collection, 1685-circa 2000

Extent:
5.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Marple Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was settled by English members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1683. It was primarily agrarian for most of its history, until after World War II when improvement to roads, public transportation and the availability of the automobile made Marple Township a suburban community. The Marple Historical Society local history collection, 1685-circa 2000, consists of various primary- and secondary-source materials that document the history of Marple Township and the people, businesses, and organizations in the township and vicinity. Featured in the collection are 17th century deeds, ledgers from the Bonsall Brothers general store (1873-1918), and 1930s military photographs.

Held at: Marple Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Perkasie Historical Society local history collection, 1848-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Perkasie is located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania midway between Philadelphia and Allentown. The site of William Penn's 'Perkasie Manor,' the town was incorporated in 1879 and by the turn of the century had become the third largest station on the North Penn railroad line. The Perkasie Historical Society local history collection, 1848-2000, consists of various materials including scrapbooks, deeds, maps, business and organizational records, personal papers, receipts and invoices, and other documents relating to the people and organizations based in and around Perkasie, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Held at: Perkasie Historical Society [Contact Us]

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