The BCGS features a knowledgeable all-volunteer staff, who like yourself, is interested in the family history of our hometown residents. Berks County, erected in 1752, features a rich history and diverse culture. It is the ancestral home of Abraham Lincoln and the birthplace of Daniel Boone, the famous Kentucky pioneer. The county seat, Reading, was founded in 1748 by sons of William Penn, Richard and Thomas, along with Conrad Weiser.
Notable Berks County Residents
Swift
Updike
Constantine
Spaatz
Moore
King
Furillo
Messersmith
Upcoming Events
Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., BCGS will be manning a table at the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead for Berks History Day, Admission is Free. The event will feature displays of unique historic artifacts, participatory activities appropriate for all ages, merchandise available for purchase, a scavenger hunt, food vendors, prizes, and a bounce house. Additionally, knowledgeable guides will be offering tours of the Nicholas Stoltzfus house.
Saturday, October 17 @ 6:30am | Guest speaker, a representative from the Berks County Recorder of Deeds, will speak on Genealogical Research with their records. More »
Don’t forget to sign up for Society June Luncheon Meeting, Saturday June 22, at 11:30AM. Just $20 per head. A hot buffet featuring roast beef and baked flounder stuffed with crab. Surf & Turf. Guest speaker, member John Grimes, talking about first 15 families to Tulpehocken from Schohaarie. Meeting and food on 4th floor of the Goggleworks.
OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, December 10, 12 - 4 | Our Librarian will be providing an introduction to our upgraded library and online catalog. A Beginners class for genealogy will be conducted 3 to 4 pm. Hot drinks and Christmas cookies while they last. Stop in for a cookie and/or bring a plate of your own cookies to share.
Saturday, February 17 @ 1pm | For members only. Our annual Brick Wall Session. More »
Genealogy 101: Beginner Series at BCGS
BCGS is offering a series of four classes for the beginning genealogist. Classes will meet in the society's library, Room 413 at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts from 1:00 - 3:00pm.
Dates: Saturday, Mar 2, Mar 9, Mar 16, and Mar 23.
Cost: $40 for 4 classes. More »
EVERY Sunday in March @ 3-4pm | Open House featuring a FREE beginner’s class about family history research. More »
BCGS is planning a return to a dinner meeting this fall. Watch here for details.
BCGS LIBRARY NOW ONLINE!
Our library has now been upgraded to a barcode system with a searchable index. Just click on the link below to access our catalog, which is searchable by title, author or keyword. You do not have to login, just start typing in the search box to pull up a list of items in our library matching your search. You can then print the list and visit the library to consult the items found, or submit a research request form listing the items you would like searched. Of course the catalog is also searchable on the public computer in the library. Search Catalog Online
NOW AVAILABLE: 40 Years of Journals (scanned files with index) on a USB flash drive. List price: $36 | Members: $29. Pick one up at the Library or call us and we will drop it in the mail for an additional $1. More »
Reading Eagle Digitizing Project Update - We have digitized approximately 500 rolls out of 1,049 rolls. As we raise more funds, another batch will be sent. Thank you for your donations! More »
BCGS on BCTV
Sites & Sounds of Historic Berks - 3/23/2015
BCGS In The News
BCGS Holding Open House - Reading Eagle (3/15/2014)
BCGS Tracing Roots - Reading Eagle (6/23/2013)
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
At the BCGS library we are very proud of the fact that we are open every day of the week to meet the needs of both local and out-of-town researchers. However, in order to maintain those welcoming hours, we are in need of a few extra volunteers, especially during the summer vacation months. Whether you are able to help once a week, once or twice a month, or just as an “on-call substitute,” your help would be much appreciate. We could especially use help right now on Wednesdays, Saturdays or Sundays—either every week or on alternating weeks. We could also use volunteers living nearby who would be willing to be “on-call” to substitute on an afternoon when a scheduled volunteer becomes unavailable at the last minute.
One benefit of volunteering in the library is that you will have time to do your own research when the library is not busy. Anyone willing to volunteer weekly monthly or on-call, please email the librarian, Laurel Miller, or call the library at 484-509-4806 during open hours, 12-4 p.m. Thanks for considering volunteering so that we can continue to maintain our daily opening hours.
About Genealogy
Many people express a natural curiosity about their ancestors. They listen to stories told by parents, grandparents, or other older folks. The stories may be about the good old days, serving our country, or arriving as immigrants.
The science of genealogy allows researchers to act as detectives as they piece together bits of information about their ancestors. They may want to find out when their ancestors first arrived in the United States, if any fought in the Revolutionary War or Civil War, or if anyone famous is a member of their tree. The pathway to the past however, is not paved with gold, though some may be discovered along the way. It’s often a rough and rocky journey through twists and turns and sometimes road blocks.
Regardless of the initial purpose for the research, discovering one's family history yields many enlightening and enriching rewards.
Obtaining Information
A wealth of documentation exists about Berks County families including census records (1790-1930), back issues of the local daily newspaper, church records, cemetery records, naturalization records, minister journals, family indexes, deeds, wills, warrantee maps, and more.
The BCGS Library, open 7 days a week, offers a multitude of organized material to assist researchers in piecing together family histories.
Where to Start
If you’re new to genealogy or overwhelmed by all the information, check out our Helpful Tips page. It includes research strategies, interpretations of the census forms, reviews of the top genealogy software packages, and a list of common genealogical terms and abbreviations. It also explains the value of information found in obituaries and cemeteries.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
