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Tri-County Heritage Society local history collection, 1735-1990s

Extent:
75.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The region of southeastern Pennsylvania where southern Berks, northern Chester, and eastern Lancaster counties meet is known locally as the "Tri-County" area. The Tri-County area was first settled by Welsh immigrants, and later by German, Irish, and Scottish immigrants. While the area was largely agricultural, it also developed into an important early industrial corridor. In the early twenty-first century, the Tri-County area is a mix of farmland, industry, and suburban real estate development. Tri-County Heritage Society local history collection, 1735-1990s, consists of manuscripts and other original materials, photographs and audiovisual materials, secondary-source materials, printed matter and ephemera, and other documents relating to the history, residents, organizations, and businesses of Berks, Chester, and Lancaster counties. There is also some material relating to Delaware, Montgomery, and other nearby counties in Pennsylvania.

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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Brower family papers, circa 1750-1950s

Extent:
12.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Mennonites Hubert and Anna Brower left Germany and emigrated to Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1726. They settled in Coventry (now, East Coventry Township). Hubert and Anna's son, Henry Brower (1720-1784) purchased land and established a family farm in the Parker Ford area of Coventry. His descendents, many of who were farmers, doctors, and ministers, resided in this area of Chester County for several generations. The Brower family papers, circa 1750-1950s, consist of financial, legal, and property documents; letters; family records and genealogy research; school records and teacher certificates; photographs and scrapbooks; newspaper clippings, printed matter, and ephemera; and other materials. There are small amounts of materials from other families that are connected to the Brower family. Individuals well-represented in the collection include M. Bertha Brower (1900-2000), Dr. William Brower (1842-1919), Abraham Brower, and David Stiteler Taylor (1832-1925) and his second wife,...(see more)

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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Plank family papers, circa 1820s-1980s

Extent:
30.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Plank family of Oley and Morgantown, Berks County, Pennsylvania is descended from French Huguenot and physician, Jacques De La Planche, or Jacob Plank (circa 1680-1760). Plank came to Pennsylvania around 1710 and settled in Oley about ten years later. His children and their descendents married into several influential families in Berks County and were actively involved in the communities of Oley and Morgantown. Plank family papers, circa 1820s-1980s, consist of materials that document the professional and personal lives of various members of the Plank family and their relations. Individuals well-represented in the collection include Dr. D. Heber Plank, William Bertolet Plank and others. Materials in the collection include diaries, correspondence, financial records, property documents, legal papers, scrapbooks, photographs and negatives, family records and genealogical research, records from organizations connected to the family, architectural and other technical drawings,...(see more)

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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Mauger family papers, 1841-1937, 1991

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Mauger family has been in the funeral home business in Chester County, Pennsylvania since Daniel B. Mauger (1815-1890) started offering undertaker services in Warwick, Pennsylvania in 1842. Daniel's grandson, W. Frank Mauger (1898-1987) began working at G. Birdsall Passmore's funeral home in nearby Malvern, PA in 1921, buying Passmore out of the business in 1931 and relocating it to Monument Avenue. As of 2016, the Mauger-Givnish Funeral Home continues to serve Chester County from its location on Monument Avenue in Malvern. Mauger family papers, 1841-1937, 1991, consist of materials from the Mauger family and their relations, including records from U. Grant Mauger's undertaking business, vital records, a family bible, property records and legal papers, diaries, address books, receipt books, and a couple of letters. The Dampman and Rock families are also represented in the collection.

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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Bard and McCord families papers, circa 1880s-1970s

Extent:
13.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Bard family of Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania is descended from German immigrant Jacob Bard (1813-circa 1887). The Bards are perhaps best known for Jacob's five grandsons who were renowned acrobats in the circus and vaudeville circuit in the early 20th century. The McCord family is descended from Scottish immigrants who settled in Berks County and Chester County, Pennsylvania in the 18th century. Bard and McCord families papers, circa 1880s-1970s, consist primarily of materials from and relating to the McCord and Bard families. A small amount of materials are from other families associated with the McCords and Bards, including the Clingaman, Haas, Mast, and Fisher families. Materials include subject and genealogical files, journals, scrapbooks, several photographs and slides, lantern slides and glass plate negatives, film reels, printed matter and ephemera, and other materials.

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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Birdsboro Steel Foundry and Machine Company employee records, circa 1897-1960s

Extent:
2.75 linear feet
Abstract:
While it was open, Birdsboro Steel Foundry and Machine Company in Birdsboro, Berks County, Pennsylvania (later known as Birdsboro Corp.) was known as the oldest foundry in the United States, tracing its roots back to William Bird's New Pine Forge, founded in 1740. Birdsboro Steel provided products to the United States military for every major conflict through the Korean War. The company closed down in 1988 after a lengthy strike and the inability to compete with increasing foreign steel imports. Birdsboro Steel Foundry and Machine Company employee records, 1897-1960s, consist primarily of medical and salary records. There are also some patent records relating to the Camden Iron Works in Camden, New Jersey.

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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Caernarvon Township tax records, 1913-1977 (inclusive)

Extent:
13.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Members of the Welsh community in what is now Delaware County, Pennsylvania settled in the area that is now Caernarvon Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1718. Caernarvon Township was originally established in 1729 as part of Lancaster County, but the Township was split in two when Berks County was created in 1752. Morgantown, a village within Berks County's Caernarvon Township, developed in 1770 out of land owned by the Morgan family. Morgantown and the surrounding Caernarvon Township grew to support various industries, farms, and local businesses. In 1950, the construction of the Pennsylvania Turnpike transformed the area into a more commercial and industrial center. The Caernarvon Township tax records, 1913-1977, consist primarily of various tax reports for Caernarvon Township and includes tax reports, school tax reports, delinquent tax reports, and tax collector reports. There is a small amount of material from the Township, including materials from the Berks County...(see more)

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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Grace Mine records, 1935-1978 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Grace Mine was an iron ore mine located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, part of Caernarvon Township in Berks County. The mine was owned by Bethlehem Steel and opened in 1958. Operations continued until the mine was shut down in 1977. Grace Mine records, 1935-1978, include property files, time-keeping ledgers, drilling maps, a weather diary, and other materials. There are also monthly reports from Grace Mine's parent company, Bethlehem Steel.

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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McElroy family collection on Tri-County (Pa.) history, 19th century-1960s

Extent:
5.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Walter (1903-1993) and Esther (Kline) (1903-1992) McElroy were school teachers and longtime residents of the Tri-County Pennsylvania area, where northwestern Chester, southeastern Berks, and northeastern Lancaster counties converge. The McElroys were interested in the local history and families of the this area and they collected materials throughout their lifetimes pertaining to the Tri-County area and its prominent individuals and families, including the Ames and Plank families. McElroy family collection on Tri-County (Pa.) history, circa 19th century-1960s, consists of materials related to the history, people, businesses (and other topics) of Berks, Chester, and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania. The materials include subject files, newspaper clippings, printed matter, original artworks, photographs, and other materials.

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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Tri-County Heritage Society vertical files, circa 1970s-2016

Extent:
100.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The region of southeastern Pennsylvania where southern Berks, northern Chester, and eastern Lancaster counties meet is known locally as the "Tri-County" area. The Tri-County area was first settled by Welsh immigrants, and later by German, Irish, and Scottish immigrants. While the area was largely agricultural, it also developed into an important early industrial corridor. In the early twenty-first century, the Tri-County area is a mix of farmland, industry, and suburban real estate development. The Tri-County Heritage Society vertical files, circa 1970s-2016, consist of vertical files on families, churches, cemeteries, and other topics relating to Chester, Berks, Lancaster, and other Pennsylvania counties. The collection is organized into seven series: Series I. Family histories, Series II. Chester County cemetery and church records, Series III. Berks County cemetery records, Series IV. Lancaster County cemeteries, Series V. Other county cemetery and church records, Series VI....(see more)

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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