Genealogy & Local History
Genealogy Services
The Reference staff is able to look for and copy newspaper articles (weddings, obituaries) for long-distance (out-of-county) patrons. There is a research fee of $10.00 (up to 30 minutes) for any requests made by mail or email. A maximum of 2 hours per request will be provided, for a total of $40.00. Payment is required regardless of outcome, and may be required in advance.
We have Reading Eagle and Reading Times newspapers archived on microfilm dating back to 1858.
We encourage in-county residents to visit the library to conduct research.
PLEASE NOTE: EXACT DATES ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS TYPE OF RESEARCH.
Please contact the Reference Desk at (610) 655-6355 or reference@reading.lib.pa.us for additional details.
The Pennsylvania Room offers additional resources for local history and genealogy research. “PA Room Hours and Information”
Ancestry Library Edition is a genealogy database offering thousands of resources on researching family history, including such items as federal census records, passenger ship manifests, and other documents. The database is restricted to library use only (no at-home access).
Genealogy database offering hundreds of resources on researching one’s family history, including such items as federal census records, passenger ship manifests, and other documents. Ancestry is no longer available for remote access from home.
Access locations:
Main Library and all Reading Public Library Branch Libraries.