Crawford County, Pennsylvania
Research Facilities
Crawford County Historical Society library - check website for times when open (Wednesday through Saturday 9 to 3 starting September 2022)
Note: The Historical Society library has reopened at its new facility in the Tarr Mansion (townhouse) on Diamond Park, next to the Crawford County Judicial Center; use the side entrance along Walnut Street. Handicapped (only) parking is available in the rear. Two hour metered parking is available around Diamond Park and on North Main Street (free on Saturdays); some non-metered parking is available along Walnut and Liberty Streets.
Admission fee: $5 to non-members, free to members; membership fees start at $20 annually
The Historial Society library also houses the collection of the former Crawford County Genealogical Society.
A surname index to genealogies fills two drawers of the card catalogue.
Photocopies [except from microfilm] must be made by staff, and cost 25 cents/page (letter size).
For holdings, see “Resources for CCHS” prepared by CCHS staff.
Note: The most notable feature of the Historical Society’s collection is an extensive card catalog indexing notices of marriages, deaths, and births (to 1950) in Meadville and (for certain years) Linesville and Conneautville newspapers. There are also indexes to more recent obituaries appearing in the Meadville Tribune. Most of the indexed papers have been microfilmed and are available on two readers in the library; photocopies (available on the newest machine only) cost 25 cents per page (pay at the desk); use of smartphone cameras is permitted. (The Titusville Herald is available on microfilm from 1865 to about 1890, but has not been indexed.)
Crawford County Courthouse, Meadville - open; social distancing may be required
Location: on Diamond Park (between North and South Main Streets)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
closed holidays
Parking: around Diamond Park (25 cents/hour); some free parking on side streets
alleys on both sides the Courthouse (two hour limit)
Note: Handicapped access is available on the north side, along John Holt Way.
For holdings, see Courthouse
Office of the Register and Recorder is located in the southwest corner of the first floor.
Veterans’ Affairs Office moved in January 2014 to the Downtown Mall.
Crawford County Judicial Center, Meadville
Location: on Diamond Park (between North and South Main Streets), beside the Crawford County Courthouse
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
closed holidays
Parking: around Diamond Park (25 cents/hour); some free parking on side streets
alleys on both sides the Courthouse (two hour limit)
For holdings, see Courthouse
Office of the Clerk of Courts (including Orphans’ Court) is to located on the ground floor (Level B), to the right of the main entrance.
Prothonotary’s Office is located on the ground floor (Level B), to the left of Sheriff’s Office.
Law Library is located on the ground floor (Level B), along the central corridor.
A public snack area, with vending machines and microwave oven, is located on Level A (below ground level).
Meadville City Hall
Location: former Armory building on west side of Diamond Park (first floor; handicapped accessible)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30
Parking: around Diamond Park (metered, two hour limit)
Meadville Public Library, 848 North Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335
Location: north side of Diamond Park, across from the former high school
(corner of North Main and Walnut Streets)
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., EXCEPT 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day
Parking: on North Main St., in front of the library and around Diamond Park
(metered, two hour limit [currently 25 cents/hour; free after 6 p.m. and on weekends])
Note: Use side (north) entrance for elevator access.
Pelletier Library, Allegheny College
Location: 555 North Main Street, Meadville
Parking: adjacent side streets (free)
Note: Although Pelletier Library is a federal depository, and has certain census compilations, it does not have any census schedules.
Card catalog
Family History Center, Meadville branch
Location: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon), 597 N. Park Avenue Extension, Meadville
[The Center was closed in 2016.]
Benson Memorial Library, Titusville [i.e., Titusville public library]
Location: 213 North Franklin Street, Titusville PA 16354
Telephone: (814) 827-2913.
Hours:
Note: has Titusville newspapers on microfilm
(The Crawford County Historical Society library also has the Titusville Herald from 1865 to the 1890s)
