Your research journey is unique. We’re pleased to offer this deep array of online resources to assist you. Note that some databases are open to the general public, while those marked with a lock icon are available to Mennonite Life members only. Click on “Become a Member” in the page footer to gain access to all these resources. Our on-site archives and library hold many additional resources for you to discover.
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Anabaptist Statistics
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Documents numbers of Anabaptists living in Lancaster County and certain other geographic areas on different dates.
Many different types of Anabaptists make their home in Lancaster County. They represent the….
Archival Finding Aids
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Click Here to Search: Search Archival Catalog
Perform a keyword search across multiple fields within the Archives catalog. Keyword searches use OR as the default connector between words (e.g. a search for….
Family Bibles
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Images and information from family bibles in our collection. Bibles or other books containing family records may appear elsewhere in the collections too and can be found by searching the online catalog. Surname….
Genealogy
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Genealogical data compiled from various sources by Mennonite Life staff and volunteers, for example, from articles published in Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage and from the organization’s genealogical card file.
Maps Inventory List
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This is an inventory of flat and rolled maps in the Mennonite Life collections. Many of these are warrantee, township, county, and quadrangle maps of Pennsylvania. Other maps show the distribution or location of….
Mennonite Research Journal
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Predecessor of Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage, the Mennonite Research Journal was a quarterly periodical published by Mennonite Life from 1960-1977.
It evidenced the colorful editorial style, personality,….
Obituaries & Death Records
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A treasure trove for genealogists, our obituaries and death records may help you find that bit of information you’ve been seeking. Several scrap books here include engagements and weddings as well.
Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage
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Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage, our quarterly magazine, focuses on the historical background (Europe and America), religious thought and expression, culture, and family history of Mennonite and Amish-related….
Periodical Index
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This is a primary tool for locating content in the large periodical collection at the Mennonite Life library. This 25,500 card index is an alphabetical listing of topics with references to relevant articles in a….
Periodicals by Title
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Distinct from the periodical index, the following is a list of titles of individual periodicals collected by Mennonite Life, including magazines, yearbooks and other school publications, serials, and other….
Photo Catalog
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Perform a keyword search across multiple fields within the Photos catalog. Keyword searches use OR as the default connector between words (e.g. a search for Carolyn Wenger will return photographs associated….
School Clippings (from Newspapers)
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Mennonite Life owns a wonderful collection of more than 1,700 newspaper clippings related to the schools of Lancaster County. They are primarily photographs of pupils and teachers posing in front of one-room….
Surnames
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Alphabetically by surname, these files consist of newspaper announcements of anniversaries, marriages, and obituaries*; correspondence between researchers and staff; family Bible records; family history notes; and….
Swiss Surname Finding Aid
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Surname Finding Aid for Canton Bern, Alsace, Germany, and Pennsylvania, 1549-1777, compiled by Bruce Fosnocht.
Originating out of research into the Binkley (Binggeli, Binckli, et al) family, this project grew to….
Title Search Collection
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In 2012, Mennonite Life received three four-drawer filing cabinets, containing nearly 3,000 title search documents compiled by three Lancaster law firms. Thanks to the diligent work of Mennonite Life volunteers,….
Topical Files List
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Mennonite Life’s topical file collection includes materials related to various topics of Mennonite and Amish history and culture, as well as local history. Materials may include brochures, articles, pamphlets,….
Words of Cheer
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Words of Cheer was a Mennonite periodical published for children. Dr. Henry A. Mumaw began publishing it in April 1876. Mumaw sold it to the Mennonite Publishing Company, Elkhart, Indiana, in 1878. In 1908 the….