Sandra Shenk, archivist of the Schoolroom Museum at Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Church, 1188 Valley Road, Quarryville, will gift her extensive genealogy collection to the Schoolroom Museum. Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Church is known as the oldest Covenanter Presbyterian church in North America, with a history dating back to 1754. Its attached one-room school currently houses archives pertaining to the histories of Scottish immigrants and Bart Township schools.

Shenk has been researching her family background for more than 50 years. Computers were not yet in widespread use when she began her work, so she made numerous trips to libraries, courthouses, and churches. Whenever she came across a unique finding, she made a hard copy. Her primary documentation includes birth and death certificates, land grants, wills, and more.

As a result of her extensive research, Shenk published two books in the early 2000s: one on Eckman family history and the other on Pickle family history. Shenk estimates that roughly 75% of current Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Church members are connected to her genealogy collection. J. Barry Girvin, curator of the Schoolroom Museum, accepted Shenk's genealogy collection into the archives.

The genealogy collection will have a bookcase of its own, which is currently being made specifically for the collection.

"I think this is a worthwhile collection for the museum," stated Shenk. "I hope a lot of people will be interested in this collection because of their family history."

In addition to Shenk's contribution, J. Barry; his wife, Shirley; and their son, John, will donate their own genealogy collections to the museum. They will gift two large books containing extensive histories of the Welks and Girvins.

J. Barry said he hopes to open the Schoolroom Museum in September for one day a week. Currently, the museum is open for visitors, but only by appointment.

For more information about Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Church or the Schoolroom Museum, visit http://www.oldcovchurch.com.