On Friday, June 27, 2025, the History Section’s Genealogy & Local History Committee brings a full-day preconference honoring the people and events that shaped a nation. Philadelphia was the birthplace of our democracy, and we are excited to celebrate America at 250 by highlighting the rich records and resources available in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.
Hear as representatives from the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College, The Presbyterian Historical Society, FamilySearch, The Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center and more share their experience and expertise.
Preconference Schedule:
Thursday, June 26, 2025
- Behind-the-Scenes tour of the Philadelphia Athenaeum Library 2:00- 3:00pm. Tour is limited to 20 participants, please contact Tina Beaird tbeaird@papl.info to register.
Friday, June 27, 2025
- 10:00-10:15 A.M. Introduction and housekeeping
- 10:15-11:00 James Beidler- PA Genealogical Society Pennsylvania Land Records
- 11:00-11:10 BREAK
- 11:10-12:00 Jenny Barr Presbyterian Historical Society and Jordan Landes Friends Historical Library (Swarthmore College) Church Records for genealogists
- 12:00-1:15 LUNCH Gift cards sponsored by Clarivate
- 1:15-1:40 Rick Nelson ProQuest Genealogy Product Update
- 1:40-2:25 Josue Hurtado & Casey Babcock Temple University Philadelphia Jewish Archives
- 2:25-2:35 BREAK
- 2:40-3:10 James Leonard Commissioner Department of Records City of Philadelphia
- 3:10-3:50 Lynn Turner FamilySearch Revolutionary War/Colonial records available on Familysearch
- 3:50-3:55 Wrap-up
Click here for speaker bios
The preconference will be held at the City Institute (1905 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA):
Accessibility: The meeting room is on the library’s lower level, accessible via stairs or platform lift (large enough for one mobility device at a time). There are no stairs to get into the building.
Parking: The institute does not have a parking lot. There are paid lots nearby, as well as (very limited) paid parking spots.
Transportation: The institute is very accessible via public transit! Several buses stop within a few blocks of the branch, including the 9, 12, 17, 21,52 and there are trolley and subway stops within a half mile.
This is a ticketed event and must be purchased in additional to your ALA Annual Conference Registration.
Click here to register today or add this and other ticketed events to your ALA Annual Conference Registration by simply clicking the dashboard link in your confirmation email.
The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association, represents librarians and library staff in the fields of reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers’ advisory and resource sharing. RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services, and collection materials they need. Learn more at www.ala.org/rusa