This is a growing collection of free genealogy books and documents. Read or download the free PDFs.
“Saga of San Juan,” originally published in 1957, is a history of San Juan County Utah, compiled by the San Juan County Daughters of Utah Pioneers. The book provides a comprehensive look at the county’s origins and development. It spans from prehistoric times to the year 1957, offering insights into the diverse communities and challenges faced by early residents of this unique region.
In the heart of the American Midwest, nestled along the scenic banks of the Willow River and the St. Croix, lies Hudson, Wisconsin—a city with a storied past and a vibrant present. The “Hudson Centennial Souvenir Program, 1857-1957,” published by the Hudson Wisconsin Centennial Committee was written to showcase the city’s rich history. This program commemorates the 100th anniversary of Hudson’s charter as a city, celebrating a journey that began in the early 19th century.
This History of Union County, South Dakota was authored by Donald Dean Parker and published in 1959 by South Dakota State College, and it stands as a comprehensive chronicle of the region’s development from its earliest settlements to its role in the broader tapestry of state and national history. This work delves into the intricate narrative of Union County, capturing its transformation from a sparsely populated territory to a flourishing agricultural hub, enriched by a vibrant community and diverse cultural heritage.
“History of Mercer County Ohio,” authored by Bronshart H. Gilberg and published in 1959 by the Mercer County Historical Society, serves as a comprehensive journey through the annals of Mercer County, Ohio. This book emerges from a deeply felt need among the residents of Mercer County for a cohesive and detailed account of their county’s past—a narrative that had been missing from local educational and cultural institutions.
A History of Orange County Virginia” by William Wallace Scott offers a detailed chronicle of this pivotal region from its formation in 1734 to the end of the Reconstruction era in 1870. Published in 1907, this 292-page volume encapsulates the political and social evolution of Orange County.
In the heart of Virginia, amidst the rolling hills and rich history, lies Orange County. Established in 1734, this vast expanse of land, originally stretching from the Rappahannock River to the Blue Ridge and further west to encompass what would become West Virginia and Kentucky, has been a witness to the early stories of America. “Orange County, Virginia, Will Book I, 1735-1743,” meticulously compiled by John Frederick Dorman and published in Washington, D.C., in 1958, serves as a crucial link to this foundational past.
Typescript copied by Gladys C. Mclure, for the Francis Vigo Chapter, D.A.R., Vincennes, Indiana from the original records of J. F. Lemen, a funeral director. who served the Bicknell Indiana area from 1912-1919. give the name, age, place of burial of the deceased, date of death, and the names of parents when listed.
In the heart of Virginia, Louisa County’s rich history is encapsulated within the pages of an invaluable genealogical and historical resource: “Marriages of Louisa County, Virginia, 1766-1815.” Compiled with meticulous care by Kathleen Booth Williams in 1959, this book offers a comprehensive look into the marital unions that played a foundational role in the social fabric of the county during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Stretching over 143 pages, Williams’ work stands as a testament to the marriages that occurred in this period, a tangible link to the past for genealogists, historians, and descendants seeking to trace their roots.
Catherine Lindsay Knorr’s Marriages of Orange County, Virginia, 1747-1810 stands as a pivotal work for genealogists and historians delving into the rich tapestry of Virginia’s past. Published in 1959, this meticulously compiled volume sheds light on the matrimonial alliances formed within Orange County, Virginia, during a period that was crucial to the shaping of both local and national histories. The absence of a contemporary marriage register presented a formidable challenge, yet through exhaustive examination of marriage bonds, ministers’ returns, and ancillary records, Knorr has reconstructed a reliable record of these marriages.
This history of Jefferson South Dakota provides a glimpse into the establishment, growth, and evolution of Jefferson, South Dakota, from its early days in 1859 up to the mid-20th century. Jefferson, strategically nestled between the Big Sioux River and the Missouri River, and bordered by the hills of Iowa and Nebraska, became a beacon for early settlers drawn by its promising land. The narrative begins with the arrival of the first white settlers among indigenous populations, highlighting the foundational role of families like Michael Ryan Sr., A. Christie, and Mr. Matthews.
The “Idaville Community, A Century of Unity, 1860-1960” is a seminal work that offers a comprehensive look into the first century of Idaville and its neighboring townships within White County and Adams Township of Carroll County. Published by the Idaville Centennial Committee in 1960, this volume was crafted to commemorate the centennial celebration of these communities, highlighting a century marked by unity and growth. Through the diligent efforts of the Idaville Centennial Committee, this book was designed to preserve the memory of the pivotal moments that have shaped these areas.
“The Logansport Story” provides an extensive history of Logansport, Indiana, detailing the city from its earliest settlement to its thriving present. It chronicles the arrival of Alexander Chamberlain as the first permanent settler, the establishment of key institutions like the Cass County Circuit Court, and the birth of the first business. The circular touches on the cultural and social progress of the city, with mentions of the YWCA, the VFW, and numerous other clubs and organizations fostering community development. Notable events like the 1916 tornado and the devastating 1913 flood are recounted, alongside tributes to pivotal figures such as public officials, educators, and local heroes. The circular serves as both a comprehensive review of Logansport’s historical milestones and a homage to its influential residents.
The wills in this book come from Book B of the Wills found at the Logan County Court house in Russellville, Kentucky. The information was extracted in 1957 by Mrs. Vick on behalf of the DAR located in Russellville. The text in this book was done with an old manual typewriter and has the usual faint and filled-in type often found with such papers. On top of the difficulty in interpreting the print from the typewriter, the scanning process was also deficient, and led to the creation of a faint digital copy exacerbating the difficult to read text.
This is a list of 870 marriage bonds from McCracken County, Kentucky, covering the years of 1825 to 1854 and extracted from the McCracken County Marriage Bonds Book No. 1. In 1957, Mrs. Briles extracted information about these bonds and compiled them into this self-published book. The text in this book was done with an old manual typewriter and has the usual faint and filled-in type often found with such papers.
Augusta County Virginia Marriages from 1834-1846 were copied from a list of marriages returned and recorded in the County Court of Augusta County, Virginia, “Record Book, 1813-1846”, with the exception of one marriage listed on page 31, which was taken from the Marriage Bond received from the County Clerk, Staunton, Va., the filing of this Marriage Bond is in File Drawer No. 211.
“Pioneers of Oliver County, North Dakota” serves as a significant compilation, marking the 50th anniversary of the pioneering efforts and community spirit that shaped the county from 1906 to 1956. Crafted by the Old Settlers’ 50th Anniversary Historical Committee, this publication stands as a tribute to the resilience, growth, and development of Oliver County, North Dakota. Published by Young’s in Mandan, North Dakota, in 1956, the booklet encapsulates the pioneering history, cultural evolution, and communal bonds that define Oliver County.
The History of Ontario County, New York genealogical section provides an extensive array of surnames, indicating the comprehensive nature of the section in Part 2. These genealogies not only serves as a reference for individuals researching family histories but also reflects the diverse settler and immigrant populations that have contributed to the fabric of Ontario County. Each surname represents a family’s journey, struggles, and contributions to the county’s development over centuries.
“History of Ontario County, New York: With Illustrations and Family Sketches of Some of the Prominent Men and Families” is a comprehensive historical compilation, organized by Lewis Cass Aldrich and meticulously edited by George Stillwell Conover. Published in 1893 by D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, N.Y., this monumental work illuminates the rich tapestry of Ontario County’s past. Recognizing the voluminous nature of the original single volume, it has been thoughtfully divided into two parts for convenience and accessibility. Part 1 encompasses the historical and biographical narrative of Ontario County, laying the foundation for the genealogical treasures contained in Part 2.
This volume is “Abstractions from Huron County Ohio, Will Book A.” These will abstractions cover the years from 1828 to 1852. They have been taken out of order as they appeared in the original volume and sorted by name. This abstraction was done by Henry Timman of Norwalk, Ohio, in 1960.
The committee in charge of preparing the material for this anniversary booklet were instructed by the Congregation to translate the history which was presented in the Swedish Language in 1909. It contained a great deal of detailed description of the early days and the development of the Church work and Community life, it seemed proper that this early history should be preserved for future generations. They sincerely hope that those who read these pages will feel that they have tried to be impartial in selecting the historical events in the history of our dear Salemsborg Church.