The Stewart Bell Jr. Archives is a local history and genealogy center jointly operated by the Handley Regional Library and the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society. Our holdings include a variety of materials documenting the history of the Lower Shenandoah Valley from 1732 to the present, with an emphasis on the City of Winchester and Frederick County, Virginia.
Archives News & Events
Finding your Ancestors in the U.S. Federal Census
A key source of information while researching your family history is the U.S. Census. It can provide you with information about where your ancestors lived, when they were born, what they did for employment, and where their families came from. However, the records are not perfect and require some basic understanding of how to read the documents.
Using County Court Records in Your Research with Victor Dunn
Could your ancestor be a witness in a criminal case? Could your ancestor be involved in a civil lawsuit? Could your ancestor’s testimony be found in a division of assets complaint? County court records are extensive and cover a wide range of topics. Using them in your genealogical research may help break through brick walls in your search and offer insight into the lives of your ancestors and the community in which they lived. So how do you find and use these documents? Well, come to the Handley Library Robinson Auditorium on Saturday, March 15 @ 10:30 am
Hooray for the Return of Archives After Hours! A Closer Look at our World War I Veterans
Come to our first Archives After Hours event of the year on Thursday, January 30 at 5:30 pm. This event’s focus will be on our local World War I veterans and the Handley Plaques.