Library and Archives
Resources
- Genealogical Record of Schwenkfelder Families
- Church and Cemetery Records
- Newspapers
- Family Genealogies
- Published and Non-Published Local and County Histories
- Family Files
- Deed and Land Drafts
- Archival Resources
- Periodicals
- Genealogical Record of Schwenkfelder Families
The single most significant resource for Schwenkfelder genealogical research is the Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelder Families, compiled by Samuel K. Brecht and published in 1923. Descendants of the Schwenkfelder immigrants are recorded in this book. The Society for the Descendants of the Schwenkfeldian Exiles maintains the updated records for the Genealogical Record. All descendants of Schwenkfelder immigrants are invited to submit their family information for inclusion in the update. Contact the Exile Society at exile@schwenkfelder.com for more information and update forms.
Church and Cemetery RecordsThe Schwenkfelder Library has over 200 unpublished records from churches in Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh and Bucks County, from the Schwenkfelder, Reformed, Lutheran, Mennonite, Brethren, and Roman Catholic congregations.
NewspapersTown & Country, published in Pennsburg since April 1899. The Library presently has the years 1899 through the late 1990s as original newspapers and 1899 through 1992 on microfilm.
- Der Bauern Freund, Sumneytown, PA (1828–1858) and Pennsburg, PA (1858–1905) (incomplete) (German language)
- Der Neutralist, Skippack, PA, 1845–1898 (complete) (German language)
- The Montgomery Transcript, Skippack, PA 1888–1952 (incomplete)
- The Schwenksville Item, Schwenksville, PA 1881–1989 (incomplete)
Local histories from the greater Upper Perkiomen Valley and county histories from Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh, and Bucks counties often are sources of genealogical information for local families. Bean’s History of Montgomery County has been indexed for surnames and is an excellent resource for many researchers. The Perkiomen Region, a publication affiliated with the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is a compilation of historical and genealogical articles from the local region.
Family FilesThe Library has an extensive collection of vertical file material that is indexed by surnames. These files contain largely unpublished genealogical data from local families, and the collection continues to grow as the Library acquires new information from researchers. Family historians are encouraged to share copies of their findings with the Library.
Deed and Land DraftThough deeds are on record at county courthouses, a selection of original manuscripts is available at the Library. Researchers must know the township or borough where their subjects were located.
Archival ResourcesThe Schwenkfelder Archives has numerous possibilities for genealogical research. Unpublished records, account books, diaries, printed fraktur certificates and photographs are just a few of the possible sources available. Many of these special collections are indexed according to surname. Research in some archival collections may require an appointment; check with the Heritage Center’s archivist before your visit.