How to Navigate the Pennsylvania State Archives’ Online Resources
Presented by Aaron McWilliams, Pennsylvania State Archives.

Our program on August 29, 2021 provides a detailed overview of the Archives’ finding aids, research guides, and online records. It covers how to use the new finding aids and research guides to explore the collections and find specific records, as well as the Archives’ digital collection and how to navigate them.  
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For details and free registration, visit ​www.scpgs.org/meetings.html

Our program on June 13, 2021 is The History of the Henry James Young Award.
Because of the pandemic, this year the program will focus on the backgrounds of Henry James Young and the recipients of the award over the years. 
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For details and free registration, visit ​www.scpgs.org/meetings.html

A new agreement between FamilySearch and the Library & Archives of the York County History Center allows members and visitors to the library greater access to genealogy resources on the FamilySearch.org website. Many of FamilySearch’s digital genealogical collections that are accessible only through a FamilySearch family history center are now available at the York County History Center library. Currently, there are about 400 million original records available in a digital format that affiliate libraries can access.
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Publication #85   
1862 DRAFT ENROLLMENT LISTS, YORK CO, PA, VOLUME 1:  YORK BOROUGH   

In the summer of 1862, the U.S. War Department ordered a draft to fill the ranks of the Union Army through the mobilization of the states' militias.  Free, white males between the ages of 18 and 45 were subject to this draft.  Enrollment of men in York County liable for conscription occurred during the last week of August 1862.  The resulting enrollment books now reside in the York County Archives.  These records have never been microfilmed or published in any way, and for the first time, a complete transcription with a surname index has been made available by the South Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society. 

Presented in a table format, all information from the original books appears in this publication, including the name of the man subject to the draft, his age, occupation, ward or street of residence, remarks regarding military service, and remarks about disabilities or reasons for exemption from the draft.  Military service data provided may include date of mustering in, rank, company and regiment of service, name of commanding officer, notes about type of service, and remarks about wounds, discharge or death.  Other remarks may describe physical or mental disabilities, note naturalization status, report dates of birth or questionable ages, note places of residence outside the municipality, or record other curiosities. 

​Few white men escaped notice of the enrolling officials, so these lists serve almost as a census substitute for the period between the 1860 and 1870 U.S. population census schedules.  This first volume covers the five wards of York Borough.  The SCPGS plans to publish seven additional volumes for the remainder of York County.  

SCPGS members automatically receive a copy of Special Publications.  Non-members may order copies here: Special Publications

Our May meeting, on May 2, 2021, will be a tour of the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad Heritage Village at Muddy Creek Forks followed by a short train ride.  Details here: www.scpgs.org/meetings.html
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​Our next meeting will be held both virtually and in-person (limited seating) on April 11, 2021. "Mother Cumberland: Researching with Cumberland County Records," will be presented by Cara Curtis, the director of the archives and library of the Cumberland County Historical Society.
For details: https://www.scpgs.org/meetings.html

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 • 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Irish genealogy experts Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt from the Ulster Historical Foundation in Belfast are back (virtually!) for the seventh annual Irish Genealogy Workshop.

This program will be presented virtually via Zoom.

Featuring live Question and Answer sessions and interactive virtual networking opportunities, this workshop will foster connections between attendees and expert speakers. Benefitting beginners and seasoned genealogists alike, this in-depth virtual workshop will examine a multitude of historic records and electronic resources that will advance your Irish genealogy research.
 
Live virtual presentations include:

• Irish Genealogical Essentials- the Best Websites for Getting Started with Your Family Research
• Sources for Finding Seventeenth Century Families in Ireland (not just Ulster)
• Census Substitutes for the Eighteenth Century and Early Nineteenth Century

 
Special access to recordings of the lectures will be made available to attendees following the live workshop.
 
Attendees will also be invited to a second live Q&A session with Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt on Tuesday, April 13.
 
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Westmoreland Historical Society, which preserves and interprets the history of Westmoreland County.

For more information and to register, visit:
https://heinzhistorycenter.salsalabs.org/irish-genealogy-workshop-2021/index.html

Our next meeting will be held virtually on March 7, 2021. The program will be
"The Pennsylvania State Archives moves into the future​."
Details here: ​https://www.scpgs.org/meetings.html

Our next meeting will be held virtually on February 7, 2021. The program will be
"A ​History and Introduction of the York County Coroner’s Office."
Details here: ​https://www.scpgs.org/meetings.html

During the 2021 Virtual Pennsylvania Farm Show, January 9-16, 2021, the Pennsylvania State Archives is pleased to bring you free access to a full version of Ancestry.com

Details here:
www.phmc.pa.gov/Archives/Research-Online/Pages/FarmShow_2021.aspx