Closson Press

Compiler: Retrospect Publishing
This collection of eleven southwestern Pennsylvania genealogy books for Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania is a must for anyone doing nineteenth and early twentieth century genealogical research in Westmoreland County. Using this CD, a genealogical researcher will be able to search all eleven books in seconds for any word and/or combinations of words.

The 1890 history and genealogical sketches of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania provides an interesting glimpse into the lives of the people who resided in Westmoreland County in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Typically, the genealogical sketches provide information on the subject’s parents, wife, and children, along with biographical information about the subject such as their birth date, education, occupation, church and other affiliations. It is not uncommon to find detailed information on the subject’s parents including country or county of origin. Between the Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, PA and the Memoirs of the Bench and Bar of Westmoreland County, PA there are well over 1000 genealogical sketches of Westmoreland County residents.

Interested in learning more about the history and the early days of Ligonier and Irwin, Pennsylvania? The Ligonier Sesqui-Centennial and Irwin’s Commemorative 75th Anniversary Celebration souvenir books are filled with annotates and early stories of the pioneers and their life along with histories of the local churches and societies.

The two directories contained on this CD not only list the residents but also contain town histories and information on the business, social organization and churches of the day. The 1858 Directory of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny Valleys includes Westmoreland county residents living in the Monongahela and Youghiogheny valleys, along with those residents living in the valleys contained in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties. The 1895 Directory of Greensburg and Jeannette, Pennsylvania offers genealogical clues to addresses and occupations for residents of Greensburg, Jeannette and Penn Station, Pennsylvania.

The four church history additions all include information on the history of the churches and lists of early parishioners. The history of Old Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hempfield Township even includes a list of baptismal from 1772-1792, along with a list of communicants from 1791-1862. The baptismal registry lists the date of birth, baptismal date, parents and godparents. The “What the Records Tell” segment provides an account of 3 Fairmont United Presbyterian churches, Fairmont United Presbyterian Church, Fairfield United Presbyterian Church and Ligonier United Presbyterian Church, along with information on the Women’s Missionary Societies and the Young People’s Christian Union.

This CD contains a powerful search tool and images of the original pages from the following books:

• Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County (Gresham & Co.; 1890)
• Memoirs of the Bench and Bar of Westmoreland County, PA (Albert H. Bell; 1924)
• Directory of the Monongahela and Youghiogeny Valleys (George H. Thurston; 1858)
• Directory of Greensburg and Jeannette, 1895-1896 (Pennsylvania Directory Company, 1896)
• The Diamond – Irwin’s 75th Anniversary Celebration 1864-1939; 1939)
• Sesqui-Centennial and Old Home Week, 1758-1908, Ligonier, PA; 1908)
• A History of Old Donegal Church, Ligonier, PA, 1785-1935 (Martha G. Martens; 1935)
• What the Records Tell: An Account of United Presbyterianism at Fairmont, Fairfield and Ligonier; Albert H. Bell; 1924)
• Christ Church, Greensburg an early Episcopal Parish in Western Pennsylvania; 1955)
• History of Old Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Westmoreland County, PA; 1922
• Vandergrift Lots for Sale on the Ground; Apollo Iron and Steel Co.; 1896)

CD Features: Full Text Searchable, simple and advanced, Original Page Images, Bookmark and annotation capability, document viewer software included, extensive help documentation on the CD-ROM.

System Requirements: CD-ROM drive; Windows Operating System. Not compatible with network software.
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Whether you are searching to see if your ancestor was a member of one of the churches listed or interested in learning more about the Westmoreland Coal Company; you are bound to learn more about the people and places that comprised the Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania during this period. Includes 101 illustrations

2009, 2,292 pages, CD
No ISBN assigned