Research Library
Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society
25 Nottingham Court
Buffalo, NY 14216-3199

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Map & Directions to the
Research Library in the
Pan-Am Building

Phone 716.873.9644 x 306
Fax 716.873.8754

Library Hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays 1-5 pm

Library Admission: free for members and Erie County high school students with valid ID; $6 for others

Forms:
Class Visit Request
Image Use Fees
Obituary Request
Permission to Publish


A Service of WNYLibrary Resources Council

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The Library and Archives document the history of the City of Buffalo and the surrounding region. Collections include 20,000 books, 200,000 photographs, 2,000 manuscript collections, plus architectural plans, prints and broadsides, pamphlets and clippings on frequently researched subjects, church and cemetery records, and microfilm of Buffalo newspapers from 1811 to the present.

Collections of special interest inlude:

Of  interest to genealogists:

  • Guide to Genealogical Materials
  • Buffalo address books
  • Buffalo city directories, 1828 to 2001; suburban directories, 1949 to 2001; plus business directories, social registers, and telephone directories
  • Church records on microfilm; mainly from Roman Catholic parishes
  • Cemetery records on microfilm; mainly from small rural burial grounds
  • Census records on microfilm; Federal (1790-1930) and State (1855-1925) for Erie County and the City of Buffalo.  Few indexes.
  • Genealogy in Buffalo & Erie County: A List of Books
  • Card index to obituaries in Buffalo newspapers, 1811-2001
  • Letters, diaries, and other unpublished personal, business, and organizational records and similar material
  • Obituary Request Form
  • Published genealogies & family histories
  • Researchers for Hire

General Policies

  • Appointments are not necessary
  • Children under 10 are not admitted to the library without parental supervision. We encourage children to enjoy museum exhibits instead
  • Researchers are required to check all bags, briefcases, knapsacks, and purses
  • Laptops are welcome. We have free wireless internet access!
  • The library is a no-cell zone. Please turn off your phone and make all calls outside of the library.
  • Cameras and camcorders may not be used in the library.
  • Researchers must use pencils to take notes.  Pens are not permitted.
  • Materials may not be borrowed or removed from the room.
  • Some items, including most large format maps, posters, and drawings, are in off-site storage and require up to 7 business days to retrieve

What Resources Are Available Online?

What Lookups Do You Offer?

  • Librarians can look for death notices/obituaries in Buffalo newspapers if you supply an exact date of death. An exact death date means the month, day, and year. The fee is $10.00 per name with a maximum of 3 names per request. Your death notice may already be online. If not, download the form to request obituaries.
  • Librarians can search for a newspaper article if you have an exact date or citation.  The fee is $10.00 per article with a maximum of 3 articles per request.

What Services Are You Unable to Offer?

  • We are unable to establish the value of your old books, papers, photographs, heirlooms, collectibles, or other artifacts.  Professional appraisers can be found in your yellow pages under "Appraisers."
  • We are not qualified to draw genealogical conclusions and cannot do extensive family history research or identify your ancestors.  Our Researchers for Hire list has names and addresses of researchers for hire.
  • We do not collect vital records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates. These are government records, available from town and city clerks, or from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics. New York State did not require that such records be kept until 1880.
  • We are unable to make or return long distance telephone calls.
  • We do not scan photographs for personal use.

 

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