Be advised that the state archives building is closed on Mondays. If I have research to do in both places, I usually plan to spend Monday in the state library. The state library, by the way, has a fantastic genealogy room and a wonderful newspaper room, both equipped with microform readers. There are additional readers in the main library reading room, as well. The microfilm readers are manually operated (hand crank), with no printing ability. There are printing readers available, but only a few and the routine is to research and locate information using the manual readers and then take the film to the printers to make copies. Most staff members in both the archives and library are extremely helpful and knowledgeable, but there are also a few who are not. I think they've gotten better over the years (or maybe I've just learned which ones to approach for help). Arrive early and bring lots of quarters if you plan to make copies. The last time I was in the archives, the machines required tokens that were only available in the museum shop, next door. Ask for details when you check in. Don't take more than a notebook, pencils (no pens) and very brief notes into the archives--they won't allow much else. The library is more relaxed in their rules. Time saver tip: Have a few very specific things in mind that you want to find. If you arrive with a vague plan to research the Smith family tree, the staff will point you to general sources that won't help much. If, on the other hand, you tell them you need to find the birthdate of your great grandfather, who you think was born in Carbon County circa 1903, they will be able to get you started with very specific sources that will be of much more help. They have so much in these repositories that it is easy to become overwhelmed. Also, there is a Dauphin Historical Society and a Historical Society of Dauphin County. The latter is probably the one you want. Their research room opens at 1 p.m. and is only open four days per week (closed either Monday or Friday, I forget which). The librarian is Warren Wirebach, an extremely knowledgeable man who can be of immense help if you've done some groundwork first. Parking is a little tough and depends upon how far you want to walk. There are parking garages and surface lots downtown, very close to the capitol complex. However I usually park on City Island and walk across the bridge into the downtown area. It costs three or four dollars for the day and I can enjoy the view of the river, riverfront park and the water gap. I'll let someone else handle the Mechanicsburg-Harrisburg route. Beware of the highway construction and rush hour. Need more details? George F. Nagle Editor, Afrolumens Project http://www.afrolumens.org/ -----Original Message----- From: Susan J Fevola [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2004 1:06 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [PADAUPHI] TRIP TO HARRISBURG I will be going to do research in the Harrisburg area, staying in Mechanicsburg. I only have a couple of days so I want to make the most of my time. Would it be best to go to the State Library or the Archives first? Is there adequate parking? Is there a "best route" from Mechanicsburg to get to these places? Hoping to also get to the Dauphin Historical Society. Thanks for any local info that you can provide. Susan [email protected] ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ==== PADAUPHI Mailing List ==== List admin can be reached at [email protected]