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County Recorder of Deeds Mary Dysleski said hand-written records dating to 1786 have been catalogued in huge canvas-bound books on shelves in her office suite on the second floor.
For some years, many books were transformed into microfilm files that were easier and smaller to store.
"Prior to his retirement, county archivist Bernie Babonis was in charge of the county's microfilming. Thanks to Bernie's work, we have approximately 2,000 rolls on microfilm," Dysleski said.
She said that several years ago, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormons, offered to microfilm some of the county's documents free of charge.
"The Mormons assumed the cost of microfilming. They made two copies and kept one for their library in Utah. They believe in preserving our country's past and its archives for genealogy purposes," she said.
At one time, Luzerne County, created in 1786, encompassed a large chunk of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Counties sheared off from Luzerne include Susquehanna and Lackawanna.
Despite the fact the large area did not contain many settlers, a volume of documents recording many sales, deeds, maps and boundary lines were filed at the time.
A glance at Deed Book 1 will show a variety of original hand-written documents, many signed by early settler Timothy Pickering.
Pickering wore many hats in the county, including high sheriff and as an elected representative to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He later became a judge.
Other documents were transcribed and several bear the signature of Ben Franklin. Dysleski said it's not his authentic signature, but that of the transcriber.
"I hate to dispel the myth, but it is realistic to assume Ben Franklin really didn't actually sign each document. He couldn't have possibly visited here each time his signature was needed," she said.
Whether the name on the line was signed by Franklin isn't really the issue. The real value lies in the documents themselves.
Due to its important role in Luzerne County history Deed Book 1 is kept in Dysleski's office. It is shown to school groups and others during tours of the courthouse.
"We're fortunate to have these original, beautifully written documents at our fingertips. But, they are falling apart and the books are very heavy. We needed to do something to preserve them and make them more accessible at the same time," Dysleski said.
Newly filed documents are archived in a computer system that will burn a CD when enough information is stored. Contemporary files are automatically documented and stored.
The old microfilm and the old documents are at risk.
Previously microfilmed files were stored for years in filing cabinets in the basement of the county engineering building on Water Street in Wilkes-Barre.
"When we first saw the room where they were stored, the cabinets were standing in water. I was very concerned about their condition," Dysleski said.
She called in Sue Hartman from the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission to review the microfilmed records.
"Sue examined some roles and said she smelled vinegar, which indicated decomposition. It was apparent we had to do something and soon," the recorder of deeds said.
Dysleski was told she could apply for a grant to help with the cost of reviewing the microfilm to determine how much decomposition had taken place.
"I didn't know if we would get the grant, but it was approved for $5,000. We were able to hire a professional archivist who is reviewing each roll," she said.
The archivist has reviewed the first 200 rolls in the archives. There are approximately 2,000 rolls in the collection. The professional receives $2 from the grant for each roll reviewed.
Dysleski said her goal is to have all stored microfilm reviewed and all older documents microfilmed. She said two copies would be made: one for public viewing and an original for archiving with PHMC in Harrisburg.
Some may ask why the county should care about its old documents and to spend money to preserve them.
Dysleski is quick to answer.
"I will tell them because it's important to preserve and protect our real estate history for ourselves as well as our children.
"In addition, these documents protect the rights of property owners. Should we ever have to prove we own what we say we own, these documents will offer that proof," she stressed.
