I just returned from a 3-day trip to Allegheny Co. to do yet more research in that area on my ancestors. My previous 5 trips these last few months were confined to the courthouses and libraries in Allegheny, Washington, and Beaver Counties. However, this time, since I have an ancestor who lived and raised a family in McKeesport in the 1850-1890 era, I thought that I should "check out" the McKeesport Heritage Center first and then go on to the courthouses from there. Well I NEVER MADE IT to the courthouses! At first I grumbled to myself over the $25 yearly membership, wondering if someone is just trying to get rich.....I'm now ashamed of myself for having those thoughts. I spent all 3 days there, from 9 til 5, just trying to go through the material that I felt may give me some good leads. I still didn't get thru all of what they have available. I came away with so much material, it will take me a WEEK just to digest it all. So if you have ancestors from not just McKeesport, but Allegheny Co. in general, you need to seriously consider them. The ladies there are extremely helpful and PASSIONATE about the service they are providing for us! The membership fee merely helps to allow them to keep the doors open, since they aren't subsidized with grants, endowments, or state funds. Anthony Coyan Jackson, Ohio