Genealogy Resources

Shake your family tree!
Meet your ancestors and discover your heritage.

We have a good collection of 'how-to' books to help the beginner get started with genealogy research. But, if your family hails from Butler County, you are really in luck. We have southern Butler County cemetery books; a Cranberry cemetery book and histories of local families - many written and compiled by a family member and donated to the library. We also have a collection of resources published by the Cranberry Township Historical Society.

Consider joining the Cranberry Genealogy Club, offering both virtual and in-person meetings and special interest groups. More info at CranberryGenealogy.org.

Opens a New Windo

Cranberry Genealogy Club
Based in Cranberry Township, with members across the world - the club typically meets on the 4th Wednesday. Some meetings may be held via Zoom. Visit the club website for dates and program information.

The CranGenClub is moving for the remaining months in 2023 and most likely, all of 2024, due to major renovations to the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, that also affect the library. Thanks to the church leaders, we are able to use the meeting room adjacent to the Family Search Center, located in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2771 Rochester Road (intersection of Rochester & Powell) Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania.

The club is committed to offering in-person and virtual options for meetings whenever possible. A plus for our members - the Family Search Center is open on Wednesday evenings for researchers until 8:30 P.M so stick around and research. NOTE: Please do not bring snacks or beverages into the Cranberry FamilySearch facility. Thank you!

Heritage Quest® Online

Opens a New Window. This is a comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources, rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, convenient research guides, interactive census maps, and more.

Have your library card barcode handy, then click here to start your journey into the past.

U.S. Federal Censuses feature the original images of every extant federal census in the United States, from 1790 through 1950, with every-name indexes for all years.
Genealogy and local history books and directories deliver more than 40,000 family histories, local histories, city directories, and other books.
Revolutionary War records contains original images from pension and bounty land warrant application files help to identify more than 80,000 American Army, Navy, and Marine officers and enlisted men from the Revolutionary War era.
Freedman’s Bank Records, with more than 480,000 names of bank applicants, their dependents and heirs from 1865–1874, and full-page register views, offers valuable data that can provide important clues to tracing African American ancestors prior to and immediately after the U.S. Civil War. It is considered one of the most important resources for African-American genealogical research.
U.S. Serial Set records the memorials, petitions, and private relief actions made to the U.S. Congress back to 1789, with a total of more than 480,000 pages of information.
Periodical Source Index (PERSI) Archive (1800-2009), published by the Allen County Public Library, contains more than 2.3 million records covering both English and French periodicals published around the world since 1800.

Family Search

Family Search is a free, nonprofit family history organization, provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated to connecting families across generations. Family Search believes that families bring joy and meaning to life.
Visit the Family Search website.

A FamilySearch Center is located in Cranberry Township and center volunteers are available to assist visitors. Visit the Family History Center WIKI page for center hours. Many databases and subscription sites, such as Ancestry, are available for free at the Center. Additionally, the Cranberry Public Library is a FamilySearch library affiliate and additional content is available to those accessing Family Search from a library computer.

Cranberry Township FamilySearch Center
Ph: 724-742-0922
Email: CranberryFHC@gmail.com
Location: 2771 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Township, PA 16066

Butler Area Public Library
218 N. McKean St., Butler, PA 16001
Contact the Weir Genealogy Room
Ph: 724-287-1715
Email the Special Collections Librarian: baplgenealogy@bcfls.org
Webpage: Weir Genealogy Room

In 1987, the Edgar Weir family provided for the creation of a resource room where family and local history could be researched. Located on the second floor of the Butler Area Public Library, the room is available by elevator or stairs. Here you will find the largest genealogical collection in Butler County.

We have back issues of the Butler Eagle on microfilm, dating back to 2007. A popular online resource is the Butler County Obituary Database - an index to 350,000 newspaper articles published in Butler County Newspapers from 1818 to 2012.

The Weir Room follows the same hours as the Butler Area Public Library. If you desire a genealogist's guidance during your visit, please call 724-287-1715 to verify an appointment.

Historical Societies and Local Genealogy Clubs

Beaver County Genealogy and History Center
Our mission is to provide an archival site for study, reference, research and preservation of Beaver County documents and books, both historical and genealogical; to provide aid and encouragement to the public in their historical research and genealogical pursuits; to encourage the preservation of public and private records, genealogical data, and cemetery data pertaining to Beaver County, PA.

Butler County Historical Society
The Butler Society has extensive historical, genealogical, and photographic collections as well as thousands of artifacts that provide opportunities for historical enthusiasts to get involved.

Cranberry Township Historical Society
Founded in 1989, the CTHS is a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to identifying, preserving, and promoting public awareness of historical sites, landmarks, place names and traditions.

Cranberry Genealogy Club
Based in Cranberry Township, the club typically meets on the 4th Wednesday in the Cranberry Public Library at 6:30 PM. Some meetings may be held via Zoom. Visit the club website for program information.

North Hills Genealogists
NHG is a group of people interested in genealogy and in researching their family histories. Located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, members have common interests in the geographic areas north of the city.

Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society
The Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society (WPGS) is a non-profit organization of amateur and professional family historians and genealogists dedicated to the study and preservation of family history. Since 1974, members of WPGS have helped trace family roots in Western Pennsylvania while preserving important local and regional records. WPGS maintains its library and offices in the Pennsylvania Department of the Carnegie Library in Oakland.

Zelienople Historical Society
The Society was incorporated in 1975 to preserve and share the history of Zelienople. In 1978, the Society purchased and restored Passavant House, creating a museum featuring artifacts and memorabilia of the Passavant family and of the town's historic past. A research library is available with a large collection of primary source materials, as well as genealogical records of many early immigrant families.

The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (GSP) is a non-profit educational institution located at 2100 Byberry Road, Suite 111, Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19116. Founded in 1892, GSP is one of the oldest genealogical societies in the United States. Check their website for operating hours...

Pennsylvania State Library

Pennsylvania State Library & Genealogy The Genealogy and Local History Collection of the State Library of Pennsylvania consists of a wide variety of indexes, genealogies, state and county histories, atlases, land warranty maps, ship lists, and compilations of church and cemetery records, as well as the Pennsylvania Federal Census records on microfilm. Of interest to genealogists and historians alike are such items as the Published Pennsylvania Archives series, the many regimental histories in the collection, research guides for ethnic and minority groups, and guides to genealogical research in foreign countries.

The state library is open to the public, in the Forum Building, Commonwealth Ave.& Walnut St., Harrisburg, PA. Visit their website for hours and directions.

Genealogy Resources

Shake your family tree!
Meet your ancestors and discover your heritage.