The Mennonite Historical Collections include a number of resources to assist family history researchers with genealogy efforts. Genealogy materials are available for use by appointment. For questions or to make an appointment, please contact:
Carrie Phillips
Archives and Special Collections Librarian
Musselman Library
1 University Drive
Bluffton, OH 45817
419-358-3275
phillipsc@bluffton.edu
Read on for some highlights from our genealogy collections.
Books
The Mennonite Historical Collections include over 3,000 volumes of family histories and supporting texts. All are available by searching the library's catalog. One strategy is to search a surname using both keyword and subject searches. A member of the library staff can assist you in these searches. If you are planning a visit to the library for research, it may be helpful for you to search the catalog prior to your visit. The staff would be happy to pull and set aside for you any books which you find via a catalog search and would like to see in person.
Periodicals
Musselman Library subscribes to several genealogy research publications, including several for Mennonite family history research.
Click here to see genealogy research periodicals and serial publications in the library catalog (opens in a new window).
Local newspapers: The collection also includes the following:
Bluffton News: 1875 - 1895, May 28, 1896 - May 4, 1933 (microfilm); 1922-present (paper)
Pandora Times: January 10, 1902 - November 17, 1988 (microfilm)
Please ask for any microfilm at the Circulation Desk. The Bluffton News paper backfiles are kept on the Archives and Special Collections floor; please make arrangements with Carrie (see contact information at the top of the page) to use this material, or ask for assistance at the Research and Information Desk.
Other materials
The library's collections include selected census microfilm from 1790-1930. Some of this microfilm content may also be available online from the US Census Bureau. Our census microfilm is stored in a cabinet on the main floor of the library, near the microform reader printer. Please ask for assistance at the Research and Information Desk if you would like to use this material.
Websites
Family history researchers may be aware of the vast amount of information available for genealogy work on the World Wide Web. This page gives several sites for getting started with genealogy research using the Internet.
Subject Category Resources: Genealogy
Other institutions and organizations
These other institutions and organizations may be helpful for continuing your family history research. Their mention here does not imply endorsement by Musselman Library or Bluffton University. These institutions may have their own research policies, and you should contact each institution for more information on those policies.
Allen County Public Library: Genealogy Center (Fort Wayne, IN)
Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH)
Ohio Genealogical Society Library (Mansfield, OH)
