The Bedford County Historical Society, originally known as the Pioneer Historical Society, was formed on July 4, 1937. The Historical Society operates  the Pioneer Library which houses the county’s most extensive collection of historical and genealogical materials. It serves as a repository for all types of historical information and welcomes donations of materials. Non-members can use the library for a $10 fee for the first hour and $3 for each additional hour or there is a day rate of $20/day. Members have free access to the library.

 

Membership

Membership fees range from $10 and up, depending on the level of membership/sponsorship.

Benefits of membership include:

• Subscription to the informative and educational Pioneer Magazine.
• Unlimited use of the Pioneer Library.
• Discounts on bus trips.
• Discount or free admission to BCHS seminars.
• Opportunity to vote at BCHS meetings.
• A voice in Bedford County preservation efforts.

The Hall at Kinton’s Knob is located above the Pioneer Library in our bank‑barn building and provides a unique venue for meetings, showers, parties, and receptions.

 

Online Collections

You can search these indexes for free. The fee is to purchase a copy of the original record.

 

Onsite Collections

 

Research Requests

If you would like to do genealogical research at the Pioneer Library, for non-members there is a `User Fee` of $10 for the first hour and $3 for each additional hour. We also have a `Day Rate` of $20 (a savings of $5 for a whole day of research.)

If you have questions, please email or phone us for more information. Be sure to include an email address and telephone number on all correspondence.

We offer a variety of genealogy research services. Please watch your email for your ordered items from [email protected]

If you come into possession of things such as marriage certificates or Bible records and can’t get a descendant to claim the item(s), we can archive and indexed them to the surname. They would be placed in an archival (acid free) box for future generations.

  • Bedford County Court House Search – We will go to the Bedford County Court House and search for a Will, marriage, death, birth certeificate, or deed for the charge of $15, plus $2 for copies.Note: The State of Pennsylvania did not require registering births, marriages and deaths until 1885. Beginning in 1906, all Birth/Marriage/Death records were to be sent to Dept of Health, New Castle, PA. Only marriages are kept at the Court House after that date.
    Click here to make a request.
  • Cemetery & Gravestone Information –
    Cemetery Look-ups – $20.00
    Gravestone Inscription – $5.00
    Click here to make a request.
  • Single Person Search – For $80.00, which includes the cost of copies and mailing, we do a search for information on a single surname. You should provide as much information about your ancestor in order that we may isolate the correct line of descent to you. Birth, marriage and death dates are important as is the township in which they lived. Unfortunately, the State of PA did not require registering birth, marriage, and death dates until 1885. Click here for names in our files and to make a request.
  • Tax Records – Please provide us, via phone or email or US mail, the name of the person, the township of residence and the year you want searched. The charge is $5.00 for each record. If you do not know the township of residence and the year, then the charge is $25.00 for each record.
  • Other Research – If you want a search that doesn’t fall into one of the areas above, the charge is $20.00/hr. with minimum of one hour. Copies and postage are extra. You may also limit the time or the amount that you want to spend.

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