WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., recently became a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, which means the library has access to additional genealogy resources to help you search for your family history.
FamilySearch is a popular free-to-use web service that has over 6 billion searchable names and 2 billion images of historical genealogical records. While most of those records can be viewed from anywhere, some can only be viewed at affiliated libraries. Brown is now one of those affiliated libraries, meaning that Brown Library patrons have convenient, expanded access to the wealth of resources hosted by FamilySearch.
Please note that in order to access these expanded records on FamilySearch, you must be physically present in the library to view the images. You will also need to log into FamilySearch using a free personal FamilySearch username and password.
While in the library, visit the library’s website (www.jvbrown.edu) with your own device or by using one of the library’s public access computers and click on the FamilySearch icon on the Online Resources page.
FamilySearch adds more than 300 million free genealogical records and images online yearly from all over the world and manages the famous FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City. It has amassed billions of birth, marriage, death, census, land and court records from more than 130 countries to help you discover and make family connections.
“Libraries are wonderful local gathering places for learning. We are excited to have James V. Brown Library as our newest FamilySearch Affiliate Library. It will help FamilySearch expand opportunities for fun, personal discoveries and family connections to the local community,” said Paul Nauta, FamilySearch Public Relations Manager.
“We’re excited to connect our patrons with more opportunities to explore their family roots at the Library, and becoming a FamilySearch Affiliate Library is an important part of that effort,” said Robbin Degeratu, Public Service, Local History and Archives Director. “The Brown Library is committed to expanding access to genealogical and historical records for the thousands of patrons who walk through the Library’s doors each year.”
“Interest in our ancestral roots continues to grow with the popularity of DNA tests, reality TV shows like Long Lost Family or Who Do You Think You Are?, and the growing access to online genealogy records. Adding James V. Brown Library as our newest FamilySearch Affiliate Library will enable patrons to make many fun, personal discoveries and family connections,” Nauta continued.
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 5,000 FamilySearch centers in 129 countries, including the main FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The James V. Brown Library is open for browsing and holds pick up from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. To place a hold, visit www.jvbrown.edu or call 570-326-0536 during the library’s operating hours. The library also is open for public computer usage and for services such as printing, faxing, copying and scanning. Walk-in passport services are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport, Pa., is the place to go to learn, connect and grow. Founded in June 1907, the library champions the love of reading, opens new doors to lifelong learning, provides a haven to those who seek and ensures the preservation of public library services for future generations. The library has more than 225,000 visitors in a year and circulates a half-million items annually. A member of the Lycoming County Library System, the James V. Brown Library participates in PA Forward, a statewide initiative to promote literacies in our communities to power a better future for everyone.
Is there any preparation I should do prior to visiting your library? I will be coming from Florida and am interested in researching Nicholas Young who lived in Bastress, PA. And any other genealogy that may pertain to his family and Prussian origin.