About Us

Dedicated to the proposition that the historical and genealogical heritage of Columbia County , Pennsylvania , should be preserved and that its citizens should be informed thereof.

The Columbia County Historical Society established in 1914 and the Central Susquehanna Valley Genealogical Society started in 1976 both felt they shared a number of common interests, and that there were many advantages to combining their organizations.  These two organizations merged on April 10, 1999 , to form the Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society (CCHGS).   CCHGS is committed to the collection, preservation, and publication of the history of Columbia County and to develop resources to aid individuals to discover their family history.   It is a charitable and educational organization run entirely by loyal volunteers who collect and index important documents such as church records, cemetery listings, genealogies, manuscripts, photos, pamphlets, clippings, and many others, along with maintaining the Society’s museum and library.   Located on the second floor of the Bloomsburg Public Library, it has a library and limited museum collection that is open to the public.   The Society’s Web site was established in January, 2000, using FrontPage software.  In October, 2005, a new format was adopted using Dreamweaver software.  You can still see the original vs. the new as you click through the site.  There is a variety of resources that can easily be accessed. Its operating expenses are met primarily by membership and user fees, sales of publications and materials, fund-raising events, gifts, grants, and investment income.   The Columbia County Commissioners have recognized the Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society as the official historical society of the county.

Concentrating primarily on Columbia and Montour Counties , Pennsylvania , and its adjoining border communities, the Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society has research materials available to its members and visitors.   In addition to an extensive reference library that goes beyond Columbia and Montour Counties , the Society’s collection includes deed records, censuses, tax lists, cemetery lists, family histories, county newspapers, photo collection, genealogy files, church files, cemetery files, maps, and pamphlet & clippings file.   A comprehensive card catalog is available to the public, both on-line via the Web page at www.colcohist-gensoc.org and in the card file.   CCHGS members can conduct research at the Society library during operating hours free of charge.   Non-member researchers visiting the Society pay a minimal $2.00 per hour fee to use the facility.   There is no charge for academic research by students.

Annually , the Society sponsors public programs, genealogy workshops, and tours to places of historical interest. It also publishes a Newsletter four times a year consisting of multiple pages.   Members are entitled to discounts for trips, purchases, and special programs that have a fee.