Closson Press took its roots in June 1976 when Robert M. and Marietta (Fowler) Closson (Bob and Mary) decided they needed to do something to support their habit. The couple both loved doing family research as a hobby and as a religious conviction. They lived in Westmoreland County, PA and most of their personal family research took them into other counties, states, or even countries. It got to be an expensive ordeal.

Bob got the idea that they could start up a cemetery search service from the Westmoreland County records they had in their possession, and that's what they did. They searched 60 cemetery records for $1.00. For that $1.00 they abstracted every individual of one surname interred in any of the 60 records and presented it in a typed report. Those seeking Westmoreland County ancestry enjoyed the service and asked for more. Other researchers asked for other counties. The requests expanded and the Clossons went out on a limb to keep their clients happy.

To make a long story short, they realized that many people needed the same type records. This prompted them to start abstracting records and putting them into book form. Local printers could not handle their requests so they started out with a stencil cutter and mimeograph in their basement and printed their own books. They eventually graduated into the complete offset print shop operation that exists today.

Still a family run business, the Clossons now print and publish books. They have published over 400 books and have managed to keep most of them in print. Now, too busy printing and keeping books in print, they've recruited help and their dedicated compilers to continue to add to that number. They also print family histories and genealogical material for individuals and societies. The family histories are included in their annual book catalog (and included at this site) with sales going directly to the authors. The objective of their business is to preserve as much of history and genealogy as is humanly possible in the number of hours they have on this earth.

Be sure to Bookmark this site as a GENEALOGY HOT SPOT for books so you can re-visit it often. If you're on the net and into genealogy and want spotlighted at the Closson Press spot, let them know. The more people who know about them and you, the better. Let's make it a good trip for everyone. Journey on!