Genealogy and Memory Lab

Prendergast Library > Genealogy and Memory Lab

Genealogy and Memory Lab

The library offers programs and provides resources to support genealogical research and digital preservation.

MEMORY LAB: By Appointment

Thanks to grant funding from the Holmberg Foundation, the library now has a VHS to DVD converter and equipment to digitize slides and film negatives.

One-on-one help with Memory Lab equipment is available by appointment: call the library’s Information Desk at (716) 484-7135 ext. 226.

Please note: Individuals using equipment are responsible for ensuring use is in accordance with U.S. copyright law. 

GENEALOGY RESEARCH: 2nd Friday from 2:00-4:00

Drop-in Genealogy lab workshops are held on the 2nd Friday of the month from 2:00-4:00pm in the library’s Public Computer Center. One-on-one help with genealogy research is also available by appointment: call the library’s Information Desk at (716) 484-7135 ext. 226.

The library also offers extensive online resources, including resources that can be accessed from home. Visit our Genealogy Resources page for more information.

Genealogy Research Requests

Genealogical research is also available for those who cannot come into the library. If a research request requires fewer than 15 minutes of staff time, there is no charge. For extended searches, we charge per hour. 

Payment: 

We charge $15.00 for the first hour of research; $7.50 for each hour thereafter. Additional time after the first hour will be billed after the project is complete. You may request a maximum time to be spent on the project.

Patrons making genealogy requests should provide library staff with a list of requested names (as full as possible) and death dates.

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

To make a request: 

Fill out our Online Obituary Request Form or email or a list of names and death dates to info@prendergastlibrary.org.

Our research process: 

Reference staff conduct genealogical research 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 if possible. 

Our search will be limited to the newspaper; due to time constraints we cannot search the census records on microfilm that the Library owns. Census records are available through HeritageQuest® online.

The Jamestown Post-Journal has recent obituaries listed on their website. Click here to view obituaries from The Post-Journal.  If the obituary is from the last five years and is not in their Obituary section, you may be able to find it using the Post-Journal website’s search function.