April 2024 Program
Research at the New Pennsylvania State Archives Building
Presented by Aaron McWilliams
The presentation provides a detailed look at the new State Archives building and its search room operations. It covers basic search room policies and procedures and, in general, what researchers can expect when visiting the new facility. The presentation also covers new and proposed changes to onsite and remote reference services and updates on various Archives projects.
Aaron McWilliams is head of the Public Services Section at the Pennsylvania State Archives. He is responsible for handling research inquiries at the Archives and frequently represents the agency at genealogical events. His areas of expertise include Pennsylvania state land records, Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary War militia, and genealogy. He has appeared on WITF’s Radio Smart Talk and contributed to both “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Finding Your Roots.” Prior to joining the Pennsylvania State Archives, Aaron worked as a reference archivist at the Maryland State Archives and as a professional genealogist.Treasures, that’s what I call them. It’s those l
Watch the recorded program here.
Summary of the presentation by Becky Anstine.
For our April 7th meeting, Aaron McWilliams, Head of Public Services at the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg, presented a slide presentation of the physical parts of the new Archives, as well as suggestions of what can be found there and online, and on how to prepare for a visit to the Archives.
Preparation for a visit is an important first step. Doing prep work at home will make the visit much easier and more productive. The prep work starts with visiting the website and exploring the online catalog. The catalog can be searched by starting with Research Guides by keyword and working from the top down in the Collections list. Results can show if digitized microfilm is already available through the online Pennsylvania Power Library. If not, records can be requested ahead of time up (to five days in advance) and pulled by staff through an online form. That means the requested collection will be available for the researcher when they arrive at the Archives. In both of these situations, Aaron said that the best thing to do is spend time learning to use the online catalog.
The website includes directions and hours of the archives. Rules for the “Original Areas” are available, in addition to how to place a Record Request order for information. More in-depth information on Genealogical Resources at the Archives is also provided.
The Visit: free parking is usually available on Sixth Street. There is also free parking in the Archives Parking Lot. Before leaving however, researchers will need to remember to get a code from the Archives in order to exit the parking lot when they are finished.
The Archives building is divided into three separate areas. Visitors will first enter the Lobby where there are lockers, restrooms, a snack area (with refrigerator, tables, and microwave) for researchers to bring their own food, and an exhibit room. Beyond that is the “Self-Service” area with public computers with internet access to ancestry.com, family search, and archive records. For security reasons, personal flash drives are not allowed; however, users can download material to an Archive-purchased flash drive. On return this flash drive will be exchanged for a new clean one while the original Archive flash drive will be cleaned and then reused on the next Archive visit. Printing is also available – the first 23 copies are free; after that there is a $.25 charge per page. Table sitting is provided for researchers to use their own computers. There is also a reference library in this area. The last area is the “Originals Area”. Users of this area, which gives researchers access to original documents, must register at the Lobby desk by signing an agreement and showing ID or updating their information before entering the Originals Area. There are 40 cameras set to carefully monitor this important room.
Last, Aaron discussed what’s new and what future projects are being considered. Among the new records available are the 1960 records for the Pennsylvania National Guard, 1918 birth cards, 1973 death certificates, the Polk Center, and records from other State Hospitals. The Digital Archives Center and Repository would provide open access to the public of more records and the replacement of Azure and Pennsylvania Power Library. Aaron again suggested that the way to get the most out of a research trip to the Archives is to become familiar with the collections through the website.
Aaron McWilliams is head of the Public Services Section at the Pennsylvania State Archives. He is responsible for handling research inquiries at the Archives and frequently represents the agency at genealogical events. His areas of expertise include Pennsylvania state land records, Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary War militia, and genealogy. He has appeared on WITF’s Radio Smart Talk and contributed to both “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Finding Your Roots.” Prior to joining the Pennsylvania State Archives, Aaron worked as a reference archivist at the Maryland State Archives and as a professional genealogist.Treasures, that’s what I call them. It’s those l
Watch the recorded program here.
Summary of the presentation by Becky Anstine.
For our April 7th meeting, Aaron McWilliams, Head of Public Services at the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg, presented a slide presentation of the physical parts of the new Archives, as well as suggestions of what can be found there and online, and on how to prepare for a visit to the Archives.
Preparation for a visit is an important first step. Doing prep work at home will make the visit much easier and more productive. The prep work starts with visiting the website and exploring the online catalog. The catalog can be searched by starting with Research Guides by keyword and working from the top down in the Collections list. Results can show if digitized microfilm is already available through the online Pennsylvania Power Library. If not, records can be requested ahead of time up (to five days in advance) and pulled by staff through an online form. That means the requested collection will be available for the researcher when they arrive at the Archives. In both of these situations, Aaron said that the best thing to do is spend time learning to use the online catalog.
The website includes directions and hours of the archives. Rules for the “Original Areas” are available, in addition to how to place a Record Request order for information. More in-depth information on Genealogical Resources at the Archives is also provided.
The Visit: free parking is usually available on Sixth Street. There is also free parking in the Archives Parking Lot. Before leaving however, researchers will need to remember to get a code from the Archives in order to exit the parking lot when they are finished.
The Archives building is divided into three separate areas. Visitors will first enter the Lobby where there are lockers, restrooms, a snack area (with refrigerator, tables, and microwave) for researchers to bring their own food, and an exhibit room. Beyond that is the “Self-Service” area with public computers with internet access to ancestry.com, family search, and archive records. For security reasons, personal flash drives are not allowed; however, users can download material to an Archive-purchased flash drive. On return this flash drive will be exchanged for a new clean one while the original Archive flash drive will be cleaned and then reused on the next Archive visit. Printing is also available – the first 23 copies are free; after that there is a $.25 charge per page. Table sitting is provided for researchers to use their own computers. There is also a reference library in this area. The last area is the “Originals Area”. Users of this area, which gives researchers access to original documents, must register at the Lobby desk by signing an agreement and showing ID or updating their information before entering the Originals Area. There are 40 cameras set to carefully monitor this important room.
Last, Aaron discussed what’s new and what future projects are being considered. Among the new records available are the 1960 records for the Pennsylvania National Guard, 1918 birth cards, 1973 death certificates, the Polk Center, and records from other State Hospitals. The Digital Archives Center and Repository would provide open access to the public of more records and the replacement of Azure and Pennsylvania Power Library. Aaron again suggested that the way to get the most out of a research trip to the Archives is to become familiar with the collections through the website.