Links to ESGR pages

ESGR Membership Application

Officers & Committee Chairs for 2008

Types of Research

City of Erie Vital Records

Publications for Sale

KEYSTONE KUZZINS DATABASE

Related Off-Site Links

Erie County (Blasco) Public Library Homepage

The Erie Society for Genealogical Research (ESGR) a non-profit organization run by volunteer officers elected by the membership. A listing of the current officers may be viewed by clicking on the link to the left. ESGR is an independent society affiliated with the Erie County Historical Society located at 417-419 State Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. Our meetings are held every second Tuesday of each month [except August] at 7:00 p.m. EST/EDT at the Erie County Historical Society History Center. [Doors open at 6:40 and close at 7:10].

Membership:

Anyone interested in genealogy as it pertains to Erie County, Pennsylvania, may join ESGR. The membership fee is $15.00 per person per year, and covers the Society's fiscal year, April 1st through March 31st. Membership includes a copy of the quarterly bulletin, KEYSTONE KUZZINS, as well as free queries in that bulletin. A membership application may be obtained by clicking on the Membership Application link to the left, and printing the page to your personal computer printer.

What's New at ESGR: (Updated 6-23-2009) July 14, 2009, Tuesday, 7:00 pm, Membership meeting at Erie History Center, 419 State St., Program to be announced. August 11, 2009, Tuesday evening, ESGR Family Picnic at Glenwood Picnic Grove, 6:00 pm. (Same as last year), bring dish to share and table service. September 8, 2009, Tuesday, 7:00 pm, Membership meeting at Erie History Center, 419 State St., Program - "Erie County Courthouse Prothonotary Office" presented by Ken Gambill, Head of the Erie Co. Courthouse Prothonotary. October 13, 2009, Tuesday, 7:00 pm, Membership meeting at Erie History Center, 419 State St., Program - "Ghost Stories in Erie County", presented by Stephanie Wincik, Erie County Author of ghost stories. November 10, 2009, Tuesday, 7:00 pm, Membership meeting at Erie History Center, 419 State St., Program - "History of Agricultural Fairs in Erie County", by Tina Curtis, local author and historian. December 8, 2009, Tuesday evening, ESGR Holiday Party, (time, place, and details to be announced.) ESGR's Featured Publication The Society is happy to announce the printing of our latest publication designed to help with genealogy of Erie County ancestors. This book is titled Burials in Grahamville Cemetery, North East, Pa.. It has been compiled by Lois and Leon McCormack and is 50 pages, softbound. It is from a gravestone reading done in 2007 with verification from cemetery records. The cost is only $8.00 with a $3.00 shipping and handling charge. And, there is still time to get Dick Tefft's publication, A Guide to Burial Sites and Cemeteries of Erie County, PA. It is a softcover book of ninety seven pages of helpful information to find those elusive burial places in the County. It is only $14.00 plus $3.00 shipping and handling. Erie County Historical Society (ECHS) We invite you to visit the ECHS web page for a listing of current activities and a schedule of events. Click on the appropriate link on the left side of this page.

Research Policies:

Our Research Committee consists of volunteer members. Requests for genealogical research are forwarded to us by the Erie County Historical Society and directly via our post office box. All of the research is done by the Society's Research Committee and the Research Committee Chair. First-time inquiries are answered within one to two weeks of receipt. The first-time correspondent will receive a "Search Authorization" form. This form will authorize the Erie Society for Genealogical Research to perform a genealogical search. The types of research that we are able to undertake, and the fees involved, are outlined and may be obtained by clicking on the Types of Research link to the left.

The City of Erie has sent certain vital records covering 1875 to 1922 to the Erie County History Center for proper preservation. The City has stipulated, however, that these records can not be viewed by the general public. The records can be searched by ESGR and the information abstracted for individuals. Details on these records and the form needed to request this research, may be found by clicking on the link City of Erie Vital Records link to the left.

Publications:

In addition to KEYSTONE KUZZINS, the quarterly publication of ESGR, many publications pertaining to the history and genealogy of the area are available for purchase. The current listing of these publications, and the cost involved, may be found by clicking on the Publications for Sale link to the left.

Activities:

A beginners' workshop will be held in October;
Cemetery Readings are done during the summer in Erie County;
Field Trips are sponsored to various libraries such as the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, PA, Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, OH; the Erie County Historical Society and the Public Library in Buffalo, NY; the Library on the campus of the SUNY in Fredonia, NY; and other small libraries.

Links to other Sources:

To the left, are some links to other related web sites that may be of interest to those visiting the Erie Society of Genealogical Research site. It should also be noted that other libraries and/or historical societies within the county may contain particular local or family histories and special collections pertaining to their area.