Research
The Hauck Research Archives
The Hauck Research Archives is a non-circulating repository for Lebanon County history and genealogy. Archivist & Librarian and knowledgeable volunteers are available to assist with brief informational requests. They can also provide more extensive research assistance on genealogy and local history; please use our our Research Request Form.
Did you know?
The Hauck Research Archives is named in honor of Mrs. Sarah Embich Hauck (1842 – 1934), who so graciously provided posthumously our Historical Society with its first wholly-owned facility at Sixth and Walnut Streets.
Resources
- Church histories, records, and cemetery surveys
- Federal census records
- Newspapers and publications on microfilm
- Historical maps and city business directories
- County marriage records on microfilm from 1886 through 1949
- Several hundred compiled family histories
- High school yearbooks
- Historical publications from the surrounding counties
- A library of Pennsylvania history books
- A variety of manuscripts, documents, photographs, and postcards
- Audio recordings of interviews, sermons, band and chorus concerts
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
Staff or volunteers are always on duty to assist with genealogy research. The following genealogy websites may also be helpful for local research. The links are provided as a public service. The Society makes no claim to the validity of the information they contain, nor should inclusion on this list be interpreted as an endorsement by the Society. The GenWeb sites contain a variety of data submitted by users, as well as instructional documents and links to related sites. The largest collection of user-submitted genealogy data is RootsWeb’s World Connect Project, so you might want to jump-start your research with their Global Search tool.
Lebanon County Genealogy
- USGenWeb: Lebanon County, hosted by Joe Patterson
- Linea Miller’s Annville History and Genealogy
- North Annville Genealogy, history, and cemetery surveys
Pennsylvania Genealogy
- Pennsylvania GenWeb Project
- PAGenWeb: Dauphin County
- USGenWeb: Dauphin County
- USGenWeb: Lancaster County
- PAGenWeb: Berks County
- PAGenWeb: Schuylkill County
- PA-Roots
Family Genealogies
All researchers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the library. However, they are admitted for free.
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
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.
Sites of Local Interest
- Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, official county website
- Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Visit Lebanon Valley, official tourism website for Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
- Lebanon Valley Expo Center and Fairgrounds
- Historic Preservation Trust of Lebanon County, organized in 1967 to prevent the destruction of significant historic structures.
- CLA, Community of Lebanon Association – check out their events calendar for upcoming events in downtown Lebanon such as Holiday Events and their annual Music Fest.
- Friends of Old Annville
- Historic Schaefferstown
- Mount Gretna Area Historical Society
- Welcome to Palmyra, PA
- Cornwall Iron Furnace
- Lebanon Valley Conservancy
- Lebanon County Conservation District
- Lebanon Daily News, all the latest news in the Lebanon Valley and beyond.
Our Friends and Neighbors
- Historical Sociey of Berks County
- Historical Society of Dauphin County
- Lancaster County Historical Society
- Historical Society of Schuylkill County
- Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
- Pennsylvania Heritage Society
Local Genealogy
The following genealogy websites may be helpful for local research. The links are provided as a public service. The Society makes no claim to the validity of the information they contain, nor should inclusion on this list be interpreted as an endorsement by the Society. The GenWeb sites contain a variey of data submitted by users, as well as instructional documents and links to related sites. The largest collection of user-submitted genealogy data is RootsWeb’s World Connect Project, so you might want to jump-start your research with their Global Search tool.
Lebanon County Genealogy
- USGenWeb: Lebanon County, hosted by Joe Patterson
- Linea Miller’s Annville History and Genealogy
Pennsylvania Genealogy
- Pennsylvania GenWeb Project
- PAGenWeb: Dauphin County
- USGenWeb: Dauphin County
- USGenWeb: Lancaster County
- PAGenWeb: Berks County
- PAGenWeb: Schuylkill County
- PA-Roots
Family Genealogies
Research Hours
Tuesday 10am-5pm
Wednesday 10am-5pm
Thursday 10am-5pm
Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 10am-2pm
Hours of operation are subject to change. Unfortunately, we cannot admit new researchers less than 60 minutes before closing.
Related Fees
Research Requests: $25/h, Members $20/h Please submit a Research Request Form
Floor Research: $8/day, College Students $5/day, Members Free
Copies (10-page limit per book, article, or folder): $.50 each
Microfilm Copies: $.50 each
Scans, 600 dpi resolution, 5-page limit per item: $20 each
Cellphone Photography /Personal Scanners with archivist approval: $2.50/original manuscript image, $.50/non-original manuscript image
(If paying via check, please make payable to Lebanon County Historical Society)
Donations
We appreciate donations in any amount. The Lebanon County Historical Society Incorporated is registered as a charitable organization with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania, 800-732-0999.
Monetary Donations: visit our Donation Page
Artifacts (clothing, tools, etc.): email office@lchsociety.org
Archives (paper and pictures): email archive@lchsociety.org