Research

The Lebanon County Historical Society is able 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. Each request will be responded to and reviewed by our staff prior to being finalized. LCHS cannot guarantee successful results but will document all sources consulted and, if applicable, direct you toward other sources and repositories that may further assist your research. We endeavor to complete research as quickly as possible, but due to the volume of requests and limited staff time, requests may take up to 8 to 12 weeks to process and conclude.

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

All research is conducted on an hourly rate. The hourly fee will include up to 20 photocopies, but no more than 10 copies per source (books, folders, etc.). Our staff will address your inquiry and suggest additional research hours if necessary.

Questions regarding Research by Mail: Please email archive@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 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the library. However, they are admitted for free.

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Photography and use of personal scanners are subject to the following restrictions and fees: each use cleared first and overseen by the archivist, no scanner permitted that makes contact with the artifact, charge… $2.50/ image

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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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