Photo: Lancaster (Pa.) Mennonite Historical Society’s genealogical card file has gone digital, to provide researchers access to the information outside of the Society’s office hours. Photo provided. 

For years the Lancaster (Pa.) Mennonite Historical Society has been compiling the genealogical card file, an alphabetical card file consisting of names, dates, and other vital statistics on an estimated 800,000 individuals. It draws together genealogical data from many sources, including obituaries, published genealogies, archival collections, wills, individuals, among others.

Thanks to a partnership with Ancestry.com, the card file has been scanned and is searchable through Ancestry’s website. Anyone may search the collection; however, one must either have a subscription to Ancestry or be present in the LMHS library to view the card images.

Up to this point, researchers have needed to be in the library during open hours to make use of the genealogical card file. Now, of course, the collection is available any time to persons around the world. A second, significant benefit of the project is the ability to search for any name on the card rather than just the name that appears at the top of the card. This is especially helpful when searching for a female ancestor. Typically researchers have needed to know the name of a husband or father to locate females in the card file.

To get started searching the online genealogical card file, visit the LMHS website at www.lmhs.org. A new web page has been created to explain the arrangement of data on the cards as well as the source abbreviations you are likely to encounter.

The Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society preserves and interprets the culture and context of Mennonite-related faith communities connected to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.