Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do to have a search conducted?
We offer several different types of searches. After you decide which type you want, please write down as much information as you can (names, dates, places, etc.) to help us identify your person. Please send this, with a check in the appropriate amount, to us. All requests for any type of research must be in writing and must be paid for in advance. Some searches will involve a further charge for copies and postage; this too must be paid in advance before we forward our results. For specific information on what types of searches we do and what we charge, see Research Options and Policies.

I found a book on my family name in your resource list. How do I obtain a copy?
For reasons of copyright, limited staff time, and condition of some books, we do not provide copies of books. In the course of our research we will consult any pertinent to your family and provide copies of relevant information. Also, researchers are welcome to use these books in our reference room.

How can I get a copy of one of your surname files?
Because of staff, time, and copyright limitations, we do not provide copies of entire family files (or family genealogy books), and we cannot provide quick "look ups" to see if someone is mentioned in them. We are only able to consult them for researchers in the course of a full Surname Research. They are, of course, available for anyone to use in our reference room.

Do you have a lending policy for old newspapers and books?
No, we do not. None of our resources circulate. Most of our books and newspapers are "one of a kind" and therefore can only be used in our reference room.

Where can I find the plaque with the names of Revolutionary War Soldiers that was presented to the county by the Montrose Chapter of the DAR?
This plaque is hanging on the wall in the hallway of the first floor of the Courthouse.

Where can I get a birth certificate? death certificate? marriage certificate?
We have no birth, death, or marriage certificates at the Historical Society. These are legal documents and are kept at the Courthouse. They are available for the following years:

Birth	1893 - 1906
Death	1893 - 1906
Marriage	1885 - Present

We have microfilmed copies of the birth and death records and most of the marriage records at the Historical Society.

How do I get information on my house?
Very few homes or buildings have information recorded specifically about them. For most homes, you begin by doing a deed search at the Courthouse to identify the people who have lived there. Trace back as far as you can. At the Historical Society, then, we can help you find more about the people who lived there, perhaps including references to when and by whom the house was built or a map showing its location. Researching a piece of property can be time consuming and often not yield the specific information you are looking for. However, you can still learn a lot about your neighborhood and an earlier time.

Where can I get money to restore my house?
There is a certain amount of grant money available for restoration (not rehabilitation) of a property that has been determined to be historic by a local, state, or federal agency. The first thing to do is to contact your State Historic Preservation Officer (in Pennsylvania, this is Carol Lee. She can be reached by phone at 717-783-8946 or via mail at the State Preservation Office, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, P.O. Box 1026, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1026). The Preservation Officer can tell you one of two things -- whether your property has already been determined to be historic and, if not, how you can go about having it considered for state or national register status.

Can you help me get my house on the National Register?
Sorry, but no, we cannot. It is a very long process, involving a lot of paperwork and research. We can only help by making our resources available to you for your use. Again, the first thing to do is to contact your State Historic Preservation Officer (in Pennsylvania, this is Carol Lee. She can be reached by phone at 717-783-8946 or via mail at the State Preservation Office, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, P.O. Box 1026, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1026). The Preservation Officer can tell you one of two things -- whether your property has already been determined to be historic and, if not, how you can go about having it considered for state or national register status.

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