Quaker Testimonies, Earlham School of Religion |
Researching Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
If you’ve already uncovered your Quaker connection, you have probably
come to the realization that Religious Society of Friends Church Minutes and
records (what great records they have)
is the best source for beginning Quaker genealogical research. And, like
Valerie Bertinelli, (who had Quaker ancestors - see episode 5 of Season 5, Who
Do You Think You Are? TLC) - you are probably on your way to uncovering
fascinating histories of your ancestors.
But for the
beginner Quaker researcher, you may easily become overwhelmed with the plethora
of sites dedicated to Quaker research.
So the a3Genealogy researchers have chosen to share their favorite
Quaker research websites and links. If
you are beginning your Quaker research, be sure to start with the Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ). This may also help discern myths from facts. Our
favorite client story was explaining that even Missouri (yes, Missouri to my
client’s disbelief) had Quakers! He was convinced they only resided in
Pennsylvania.
15 Favorite Sites
History and Practices
History and Practices
1.
FAQs About Quakers. Our goal is not for you to convert, but
to have some understanding of your ancestor’s practices. Be sure to read the Quaker History
on the Friends General Conference
website.
2. History of Quakers. This Wikipedia site is cited with
References, Readings and Primary Sources, as well as External Links.
3. List of Quakers. This Wikipedia site that“list[s]
notable people associated with the Religious Society of Friends” may
assist the researcher in making a family
connection. With the help of this list,
we have connected clients to colonial ancestors, politicians, and contrary to
traditional practices, soldiers.
Historical U. S. Quaker Sites
4. Quaker Information Center. Although not comprehensive, this site provides a “short list
of historical sites in the U. S.
5. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Genealogical Historical Records. This online Research
Guide holds the location of Quaker records at the Family History Library, and
other Historical Societies and Libraries. But, be sure to visit the Family
History Library (FHL) 2600+ sources of monthly meetings, wills (and
abstracts of wills), books, and microfilmed family histories.
6.
Historical Societies. Be sure to visit the local historical
society. Valerie Bertinelli’s Quaker ancestors lived near Scranton, PA. With
help from the Lackawanna Historical Society researchers she was able to find information at the
Catlin House headquarters.
College Libraries, Archives &
Museums
7.
Swarthmore
College. Quaker
History & Genealogy at the Swarthmore College Friends
Historical Library
8. Haverford
College Quaker
& Special Collections. We particularly appreciate the Digital Archives of the
Haverford College collection (5128 digitized images). But, be sure to also
review the Swarthmore
College Digital Archives of 2894
digitized images. .
9.
Cyndi’s Lists. This compilation of Quaker dedicated
repositories and libraries guides the researcher to special collections and manuscripts
as well as books.
Obituaries
Favorite Book and Diaries
11. Bryn Mawr
Quaker Journals and Diaries. “This collection
consists of Quaker manuscript books of all descriptions - journals, diaries,
commonplace books, scrapbooks, account books, memorandum books, collections of
letters, typewritten copies, and other miscellaneous items.”
Ancestry.com Affiliates
14. The Quaker Corner. This Rootsweb repository of resources
boasts over 1200 subscribers to their Quaker Roots discussion group and mailing
list.
15.
Research Guide to Finding Your Quaker Ancestors. This ancestry.com Research Guide is chocked full of examples.
We particularly like the clarification on “Quaker Dates” and “Abbreviations”
used in Quaker meeting minutes.
African Americans Quakers
Historians are constantly sharing stories of the Quaker’s stand on slavery, Quaker abolitionists and Quaker schools for Black students, but rarely do we trace African-American Quakers. Here are a few sites to peruse on the topic:
Historians are constantly sharing stories of the Quaker’s stand on slavery, Quaker abolitionists and Quaker schools for Black students, but rarely do we trace African-American Quakers. Here are a few sites to peruse on the topic:
18 April 1622 Wirtten Slavery Protest, PA |
- African American Quaker Profiles posted on the Friends General Conference (FGC) website.
- The African
American Experience has shared a timeline of Quaker education for
black students in Philadelphia and the abolitionists.
- Fit for Freedom, Not for Friendship: Quakers, African Americans, and the Myth of Racial Justice published by Quaker Press Publication may shatter your racial beliefs of the Friends and may have direct impact on your ancestral research.
Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy.com
a3Genealogy.com
Accurate, accessible answers
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