There is a set of fifteen three-ring binders in the James V. Brown Library in Williamsport, PA, which contain much invaluable genealogical information. They were presented to the library by Mrs. Perry G. Russell and Mrs. Roscoe M. Wolf (date unknown). Most people do not know about these notebooks and so are seldom used. They are called "The Lightfoot Papers" and have mainly (but not all) Quaker information. The information was collected by a member of the Lightfoot family and contains a copy of the journal of Benjamin Lightfoot with some data on Thomas Lightfoot and others.

As far as I know, there are only two sets of these notebooks in existence, the other being the Library of the Pennsylvania Historical Society in Philadelphia.

Some years ago, Elizabeth Potter and Jean Stine noticed that these papers were seldom used and, thinking that it might be because they were not indexed, they decided to compile an index for them. Elizabeth and Jean not only numbered the volumes, but also the pages in each volume. Using this as a basis, they did the index and put it in a separate notebook, then presented it to the library. The set in Philadelphia does not have the index.

This information is given to you in case you are researching in Williamsport (or having research done). You may find your ancestor in one or more of these books.

Written and submitted by our member, Jean Criswell Stine.

Webmaster's note: Recently these papers have been reproduced to replace the deteriorating condition of the old. In doing so, an LCGS volunteer found a gap of many pages missing (most likely stolen). It is discouraging and shameful to find such things. And, in truth, there are many who call themselves genealogists who are nothing more than pirates.
Thankfully these are in a minority. They give genealogy a bad name.
Remember, when you are out there and see such things happening, report these people for who they are.