The Hamilton Library

The Hamilton Library is a closed stack, archival library. It contains an extensive collection of original documents and manuscripts as well as over 30,000 published volumes. Most of the collection can be searched using the PastPerfect computer catalog. Other finding aids are available for parts of the collection that are not currently included in the computer catalog.
Significant components of the collection include family files, family histories, Cumberland County histories and manuscripts, church and cemetery records, newspapers from 1785 to the present, and Carlisle Indian School materials and manuscripts. Another major component of the collection includes Cumberland Country records.
The Library contains a wealth of primary and secondary research information for the genealogist, local historian, scholar and student. Most items are available for perusal by every library patron.
 

Hours

Monday 3:00PM - 9:00PM 
Tuesday - Friday 10:00AM - 4:00PM 
Saturday 10:00AM - 3:00PM 
Fee : $ 5.00 per day per person for non-members 
Members and students with ID - Free 
 

Directions
 
 

Cumberland County Historical Records

A variety of resources are available to enhance research regarding the history of the county, including the following : 

• 19th century histories of Cumberland County 
• Recent histories of the local area including townships, municipalities, and the county 
• Books printed in the county during the 18th and 19th centuries 
• Manuscripts including pamphlets, diaries, letters and other documents relating to county history 
• 19th and 20th century City Directories for many locales in the county 
• Hundreds of maps, atlases, and floor plans
• Historic Resource Survey records (compiled in 1988). Used for the book "Cumberland County: An Architectural Survey" published by the CCHS in 1990. 
• Council Minutes for various boroughs and townships 

The County Commissioners have designated CCHS as the official historical society for Cumberland County. In an effort to preserve early documents dating from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, many of these significant documents have been transferred to the historical society, including the following: 

• Estate Inventories and Estate Vendue Papers with surname index 1750-1937 
• Tax Rate Books - 1750 - 1930 
• The 1978 County Records Project includes many court documents including Tavern License Applications, Slave Papers, and Criminal Court Records 
• Cumberland County Road Papers 1747 - 1900 

• Wills 1750-1905 
• Will Index, 1750-1937 
• Deeds 1750-1866 
• Deed Index, 1750-1950 
• Marriage Licenses 1886 - 1930 
• Marriage License Index 1885-1929 
• Births, Marriages, and Deaths 1852-1855 
• Birth Records 1894-1906 
• Affidavits of Death 1874-1905 
• Administration Dockets 1750-1906 
• Orphans' Court Records 1750-1908 

The manuscript collection includes an extensive array of original documents for the serious researcher. These documents include family records, business records, diaries, church records, school records, personal papers, deeds, tax records and estate papers. 
 
 

Pennsylvania Records

The following Pennsylvania records are among those available to researchers, genealogists and students who are pursing research questions regarding Pennsylvania history: 

• "The Pennsylvania Archives" (the Colonial Records, first through ninth series with indexes)
• "History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861-1865", by Samuel Bates, 1869 vols. 1-5 
• Index to "History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers 1861-1865", Broadfoot Publishing Company, 1994 vols. 1-4 

Federal Records

The following federal records are available to property researchers, genealogists and students: 

• Federal Census Records for Cumberland County and neighboring counties 1790-1930 (microfilm) 
• Federal Census Indexes for the state of Pennsylvania 1790-1880 
• 1798 Direct Tax (Glass Tax) 
• Septennial Tax lists for Cumberland County for the years: 1793, 1800, 1807, 1821, 1828, 1835, 1842, 1849, 1856, 1863, 1870 

Newspapers and Periodicals

The holdings of the Cumberland County Historical Society include many newspapers and periodicals. A small sampling follows: 

• Periodicals: "Cumberland County History" (Journal of the Cumberland County Historical Society), a semiannual publication, 1984 to the present (see membership information)

"The Genealogical Helper" March 1965-present 
"Pennsylvania Magazine" 1877-present 
• Newspapers: "Pennsylvania Gazette" 1749-1787

" The Carlisle Gazette" 1785-1817, 1823-1824 
"Shippensburg News Chronicle" 1852-1935, 1976-1980 
"(Carlisle) Evening Sentinel" 1874-present 

Genealogy

Hundreds of genealogists utilize the holdings of the Hamilton Library annually. The holdings used most often by family researchers include: 

• The thousands of genealogy surname files (see surname list on this web site by clicking here) 
• Hundreds of published and unpublished family histories in book form 
• 18-volume index to over 500 church and cemetery records located at the Cumberland County Historical Society. 
• Family Bibles (including comprehensive finding aid)
• See also Genealogy page for more information regarding Library Research Services 
• See also Photo Archives page for more information regarding the collection of over 60,000 photographs 

Carlisle Indian Industrial School

Researchers frequently come to the Cumberland County Historical Society to learn more about the first U.S. Government off-reservation boarding school for American Indian children. The school, established in 1879, provided an educational setting for more than 12,000 Native American students until the school closed in 1918. Items available to these researchers include: 

• 1900 and 1910 census reports 
• Secondary sources regarding the school 
• Oral histories from school alumni, relatives of former students and local townspeople recorded in the 1980s 
• Over 3,000 photographs (also see Photo Archives information) 
• Newspapers and magazines which were published at the Carlisle Indian Industrial school by students as part of the printing program 
• See also Carlisle Indian Industrial School page 

Photo Archives

The Photo Archives provides a unique source of information regarding Cumberland County. The collection documents the history of the area from the mid-19th century until the present. See the Photo Archives page for more information. 
 

Library Staff

Cara Holtry, Librarian 
Debbie Miller, Assistant Librarian 
Barbara Landis, Library Assistant, Indian Industrial School Biographer 
Rob Schwartz, Assistant Librarian
Barbara Houston, Library Cataloger 
Beverly Bone, Library Assistant
Mary Jane Russelburg, Library Assistant