Genealogy & Local History Research

Resources in the Library

Collecting, preserving, and sharing the area’s rich local history has been at the core of our mission from the beginning. The collections of artifacts and archives offer an extensive resource for information and study. The Library is another valuable resource available for your exploration of family genealogy and community history.

• Over 2,900 books, on topics from genealogy to folklore, transportation to mills, and other local history topics.
• Surname files with unique research correspondence, articles, and other saved snippets.
• Obituaries, funeral cards, and burned wills.
• Cemetery and undertaker records.
• Church histories and family Bible pages.
• Birth, death, and marriage certificates.
• Newspaper archives
• Maps and atlases
• And much more, plus an expanding collection of resources from other Virginia counties and states including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and North Carolina.

Many historic details have been entered into library databases. As a preview, check out the Surname Search.

Not able to visit? Hire a researcher! Research Request.

Library visitors also have access to these popular online databases:

Local libraries provide additional resources:

• Massanutten Regional Library Genealogy & Local History
• Eastern Mennonite University Menno Simons Historical Library
• Bridgewater College Special Collections
• James Madison University Special Collections