Berks County Genealogical Society

12/30/2025

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that the following road work is scheduled for state roads in Berks County.

12/30/2025

CODE BLUE!

The Animal Rescue League of Berks County has enacted the Code Blue Ordinance for the City Of Reading, PA - Government for the following times:

Dec. 29th @ 7pm - Dec. 30th @ 2pm
Dec. 30th @ 4pm - Dec. 31 @ 10am
Jan. 1st @ 3am - Jan. 2nd @ 12pm
Jan. 4th @ 6am - 10am

*Times are subject to change and will be updated here.
Per Bill #22, an amendment added to the City Code, Chapter 141, Part 2 Animals, Section 205 Caring for Animals in 2015, any person who owns, possesses, or has custody of a dog must bring the animal inside their residence for the duration of the code, except for supervised and necessary bathroom breaks and exercise. The temperature threshold for the City of Reading Code is a wind chill temperature of twenty-two degrees Fahrenheit (22° F) or below, or precipitation with temperatures below thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (32° F).

While these codes are enforceable only within the City of Reading, the recommendation applies to all pet owners in Berks County.

Any person witnessing an unsupervised dog left outside in the elements within the City of Reading should call the Animal Rescue League of Berks County at 610-373-8830 from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm or the non-emergency number for the City of Reading Police Department at (610) 655-6116.

For more, visit https://berksarl.org/animal-cruelty-and-humane.../

12/30/2025

The Charles Yanonis Cafe in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania | 1938

This photograph from the fall of 1938 shows the Charles Yanonis Cafe on the 400 Block of West Coal Street in Shenandoah, PA.

Yanonis was a Lithuanian immigrant who had settled in Schuylkill County in the late 1890s or early 1900s and found work in Shenandoah's coal mines.

By 1922, he had opened a cafe at his home on West Coal Street that he would operate through the time of his death in 1963.

(Source: Library of Congress)

12/30/2025

12/30/2025

Then & Now: Glen Alsace Restaurant, along route 222 between Temple and Blandon as it appeared in the 1960s and today. At some point this was also called Gillie's Country Kitchen, but it doesn't appear to have been in operation for some time.

12/30/2025

USB Drive for Sale!
Reading Cemeteries – Charles Evans, Aulenbach, St. Peter’s (Mid 1990s)

This USB contains records from Reading Cemeteries, including Charles Evans, Aulenbach, and St. Peter’s, compiled in the mid-1990s. Files are in PDF format compatible with DOS, MS, and Apple computers, making it a valuable resource for genealogists, historians, and anyone researching Berks County families.

How to purchase:
• Visit berksgenes.org and click Send Email to contact us at info.
• Please include your PayPal email address, and we will send you an invoice through PayPal. Place orders in our store at berksgenes.org
• You may also stop by the BCGS Library to purchase and pick up your USB in person.

A must-have resource for your genealogy or local history collection!

12/30/2025

USB Drive for Sale!
First Church of Reading – First Reformed & Trinity Lutheran (Schwartzwald)

This USB contains records from First Reformed Church and Trinity Lutheran (Schwartzwald) in Berks County, presented in PDF format compatible with DOS, MS, and Apple computers. A valuable resource for genealogists, historians, and anyone researching Berks County families.

Price: $25

How to purchase:
• Visit berksgenes.org and click Send Email to contact us at info.
• Please include your PayPal email address, and we will send you an invoice through PayPal. place an order from our store at berksgenes.org
• You may also stop by the BCGS Library to purchase and pick up your USB in person.

A must-have addition to any genealogy or local history collection!

12/30/2025

New Item

New USB Available!
Berks County Death Collection – Rev. Wm. Boos, Trinity Lutheran Burials, 1st Reformed

This USB contains the Berks County Death Collection, including records from Rev. Wm. Boos, Trinity Lutheran burials, and 1st Reformed Church, presented in PDF format compatible with DOS, MS, and Apple computers. A valuable resource for genealogists, historians, and anyone researching Berks County family history.

How to purchase:
• Visit berksgenes.org and click Send Email to contact us at info.
• Please include your PayPal email address, and we will send you an invoice through PayPal. Place a order at our store berksgenegs.org
• You may also stop by the BCGS Library to purchase and pick up your USB in person.

A must-have addition to any genealogy or local history collection!