Berks County Genealogical Society

12/01/2025

On this small Business Saturday, skip the stuff and share something that actually matters—local food.

Every edible gift supports our farmers, strengthens our community, and leaves nothing behind but tasty memories.

Savor local. Support local. Spread the love.

Each curated box features a vibrant assortment from Berks County’s finest small and micro food businesses, including proud B.A.R.N. members. Whether you ship across the U.S. via Priority Mail, or deliver locally, or pick up at a local Berks site to save on shipping, every box arrives beautifully wrapped and ready to be enjoyed.
When you choose to give a Give Back Box, you’re not just gifting treats...You’re honoring farmers, strengthening the community, & boosting the local economy.
Spread the love of local food near and far — order your B.A.R.N. Holiday Give Back Box today!

Visit berksag.org/barngivebackboxes

12/01/2025

12/01/2025

Great news for people that use Family Search

FamilySearch New and Updated Collections – November 1-30. 2025

287 new/updated free collections from FamilySearch are available from now on for searching. These free records are from all over the world, including the U.S.

Check them out at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/familysearch-new-and-updated-collections-november-1-30-2025/

12/01/2025

🎶☕️🎵We are excited to have the Homestead Carolers joining us again this year for A Homestead Holiday. Caroling and wassailing were often used interchangeably before caroling became a holiday tradition. The history of caroling goes back thousands of years and began in the oral tradition. At first, caroling was not a Christmas tradition, and did not even include singing. In its early days, caroling, or wassailing, involved people going house to house giving out well wishes during the colder months. It is thought that wassailing included a festive holiday drink, also called wassail, and was a predecessor to traditional Christmas caroling as we know it today.

The Homestead Carolers will be strolling from 1-3pm throughout the Historic Area and between the Wayside Lodge and the Visitor Center. Plus, we will be serving our very own hot wassail throughout the afternoon. This delicious, cider-based drink includes a variety of fruit juices and spices like cinnamon and cloves. Don’t miss this chance to learn more about the colonial holiday traditions, enjoy the Homestead Carolers, and have a cup of tasty wassail. We hope to see you on December 7th!

12/01/2025

12/01/2025

The SAR is a historical, educational, and patriotic non-profit, United States 501(c)3 corporation.

12/01/2025

The Importance of Marriage Records in Genealogical Research.

12/01/2025

Great tip: Many older death certificates list causes of death using outdated medical terminology. This reference guide provides the historical terms alongside their current medical names. Thanks to our friends The Ancestor Hunt