Genealogy

If you would like to do your own genealogical research,  you may access our genealogy databases here.

GENEALOGY RESEARCH POLICY
We only accept genealogy requests via mail.

The Reference Staff will do limited genealogical research for patrons who are unable to visit the Library in person by searching the Jamestown newspapers on microfilm for obituaries. There is no limit to the number of names you may submit to us. We prefer to have an exact date of death; however, month and year are acceptable. Our search will be limited to the newspaper; we will not search the census records on microfilm that the Library owns.

As our staff time is limited, the Library will charge $15.00 for the first hour of research; $7.50 for each hour thereafter. This fee includes photocopying and postage. The minimum fee for any genealogy research will be $15.00. Payment must be made by check from US banks only or by PayPal.

Patrons making genealogy requests must provide the Library with a list of requested names (as full as possible) and death dates, a check for the minimum fee ($15.00 – Payment must be made by check from US banks only or by PayPal.), a return mailing address and an upwards limit of how much they are willing to spend if the research requested takes more than one hour.

No refunds will be issued should we not be able to locate the information requested.

Patrons requesting this service will be asked to consent to this policy prior to our conducting a search.

Please print out the Obituary Request Form and mail it with your check or a copy of your *PayPal receipt to the following address:

James Prendergast Library
Atten: Reference Desk
509 Cherry Street
Jamestown, NY 14701

*If you are making your payment via PayPal, we will start the research after your payment clears.

Please note that the Jamestown Post-Journal does have a website. They have obituaries listed from 2000 to present, click here to view obituaries from The Post-Journal.