Grundy Archive: Bristol History
Postcard: 4th grade class photograph, unidentified school, 1917.
MISSION
The Grundy Archive contributes to the understanding of our local heritage by preserving and making available materials pertaining to the history of Bristol, Pennsylvania and the surrounding communities, as well as the pursuit of local genealogical research to audiences of all ages and interests. In addition, the Archive preserves and maintains records belonging to the Grundy family (which have traditionally been overseen by the Grundy Museum) and the institutional records of the Grundy Foundation, as well as serves as custodian of the Bristol Borough Municipal Records
To learn more about what we collect and why, please refer to our Grundy Archive Collection Management Policy.
LIBRARY RESOURCES
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
In the local history section, you can find tools to assist with genealogical and local history research, duplicate materials from the archive, and books on Bristol and the surrounding area. These items are identified as the “Local History Collection” in the Bucks County library catalog.
Microfilm
| Bristol Observer | 3/26/1892 – 3/31/1897 |
| Bucks County Independent | 4/29/1921 – 2/5/1932 |
| Bristol Pilot | 3/20/1986 – 3/23/2011 |
| Bristol Borough Council Meeting Minutes | 1730 to 1998 |
| Bucks County Gazette | 8/14/1873 – 12/31/1926 |
| John Black Funeral Home Record Books | 2/28/1894 – 7/21/1930 |
| Quaker Meeting Minutes & Misc. Papers | 1711-1972 |
ONLINE RESOURCES
DIGITIZED COLLECTIONS
Some of our archives are available online. Generous donors have made digitizing our collections an ongoing project. Images from our digital collections are available for research and publication to the public, non-profit, and commercial organizations. Permission to reproduce materials for publication from the Grundy Archive must be secured in writing before publication. For more information on image reproduction rights and policies, please consult our Collection Management Policy.
FINDING AIDS
The Archive gathers original materials connected to Bristol’s history. These materials can be accessed by appointment only. You can explore our archival collection by viewing our finding aids, which offer context, provenance, processing, and biographical information. The processing of our collections is incomplete and ongoing.
RESEARCH SERVICES
IN-PERSON RESEARCH CONSULTATION
We are happy to meet with researchers to discuss the scope of their projects and better assist them in finding relevant materials. To request an in-person research consultation, complete the Research Request Form below and select “In-Person” as your appointment preference.
REMOTE RESEARCH
Archive staff can conduct collection research for patrons unable to come to Grundy Library for an in-person appointment. To request remote research, complete the Research Request Form below and select “Remote” as your appointment preference.
OBITUARY RESEARCH
Our Obituary Index Database has selected years from the Bucks County Courier Times/Bristol Courier and several other regional newspapers. If no index is available for the period of interest, the Archive requires a specific date, and we will search for the obituary/article up to two weeks before and after that date. Requests that can be readily retrieved from the library’s online newspaper databases are free of charge.
Nonrefundable fees apply to all research appointments and requests, including obituary searches requiring microfilm. The fee covers:
- Digital copies of research results.
- Postage and all related activities involved in fulfilling the request.
- Research requests should be limited to three topics or five articles/obituaries.
Additional fees will apply if the request exceeds these limits. For more information, please refer to our Archive Research Procedures.
