Research

The Lebanon County Historical Society is proud to offer research services for a prepaid fee. Our professional staff and skilled volunteers will conduct thorough research utilizing our library, genealogical and archival collections to best satisfy your inquiry. We endeavor to complete research as quickly as possible, but depending on the volume of requests and limited staff time, requests may take up to 4 to 8 weeks to process and conclude.

Process

Fill out the Research Request Form.

Please be specific in providing the information to assist the research. Family history inquiries should include (when possible) names, dates, locations, religious affiliations, and the resources you have previously consulted.

Mail/email the completed form with your payment. Requests submitted without payment will not be answered.

Once the LCHS staff has completed your request, you will be contacted with the conclusion of your request, via your preferred method.

LCHS cannot guarantee results or answers, as we may not have access to particular information or it may no longer exist. However, the staff will document all sources consulted and, if applicable, direct you toward other sources and repositories that may further assist your research. Research is only completed using the contents and resources of the Hauck Memorial Library and Archives; no off-site research will be completed (going to the court house, visiting family graves, etc.)

Pricing/Payment

Attention: Every method of providing the conclusion to a request (email, posted mail, and phone) is charged the same.

Requests are charged hourly:

Non-members: $25 per hour

Members: $20 per hour

**2 hour minimum per request**

*Pricing includes postage*

Payment can be made via check (made out to LCHS) by mail, online, in person, or over the phone (717-272-1473)

Questions regarding remote research requests: Please email skeenan@lchsociety.org.

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If you are interested in tracking the history of a certain property, we strongly urge you to start by tracing back your deed in the Lebanon County Recorder of Deeds office: http://www.lebcounty.org/depts/Recorder_of_Deeds/Pages/default.aspx

A comprehensive history of homes in Lebanon County does not exist, nor do we have a comprehensive collection of photos on all homes. However, photos of houses and buildings that belonged to prominent individuals or that housed prominent businesses can often be found. We also have a comprehensive collection of Lebanon City cross-reference directories that will often include the names of owners or tenants (not all outlying areas are covered in these books). We provide access to Newspapers.com, which sometimes can provide quick answers on ownership and building history.

LCHS volunteers can conduct in-depth land/property research for a minimum of ten (10) research hours per request (paid in advance) and additional hours will be billed as necessary.

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All researchers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the library.

The archivist will handle all archival materials, including turning pages.

Children under 6 years of age are not permitted in the library.

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Photography and Copies are subject to the following restrictions and fees:

$.50 per copy or image

Copies or photos of materials are permitted at the archivist’s discretion, dependent upon age, fragility, and rarity. Extra fees may apply.

Photocopying must be performed by the archivist and cell phone photography must be overseen by archivist.

Personal/outside scanners that may come into contact with any materials are strictly prohibited.

Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines

The copying of secondary sources (books and papers by named authors) is limited to whichever is greater:

10% or one (1) chapter of any particular work.

Remote Scans

600 dpi resolution scan, subject to above Copyright and Fair Use Restrictions.

$10-$25

Prices may vary depending on material condition and archivist discretion.

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The Hauck Research Archives is not a lending library. The Historical Society does offer some books for sale in person or by mail. See the Publications page to see a list of LCHS publications. See the Gift Shop page for a partial list of other books of local interest. The Society also offers a unique collection of used, de-accessioned historic books and yearbooks for purchase.

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