The genealogical and historical collections of the Westmoreland County Historical Society’s (WCHS) Calvin E. Pollins Memorial Library and Edward H. Hahn Archives are a significant source of information for researchers on the history of Westmoreland County and that of its citizens.

Researchers are welcome to conduct their own investigation:

• Historical Society Members: No charge for using the library; photocopies are $0.20 per copy.
  
  
• Non-members: $3 per researcher, per day to use the library: photocopies are $0.25 per copy.

WCHS (located in the Stark Building, across from the county courthouse annex)
41 W. Otterman Street, Suite 310
Greensburg, PA 15601

Library Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Closed: Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Research by Mail : Instructions and Fees

• $30 for the first hour and $25 per hour for subsequent hours of research.
  
  
• The fee is structured on a per request basis, not a cumulative total for the year.
  
  
• Exact citation from the Courthouse: $5 for copies of deeds and wills, and $10 to $15 for large format Patent maps (depending on size) in addition to the research fee.
  
  
• Photocopies: Up to 10 complimentary photocopies are included with each research request.
  The fee of $0.25 per copy for non-Member and $0.20 for Members will be charged for 11 or more photocopies.
  
  
• Sustaining and higher level of membership: One complementary hour of genealogical research per year and $25 for each subsequent hour of research.
  

Research Consultation

Researchers may schedule a personal consultation with our researcher, Karen, to receive help with questions related to genealogical research.

• $30 per hour for members and $35 per hour for non-members.
  
  
• Sessions must be scheduled at the WCHS and in advance.
  
  
• Call Joanna at 724-836-1800 x12 to schedule and appointment.

Research by mail, please note the following:

1. Research is conducted on individuals and families who lived within the borders defined as Westmoreland County from 1773 through the present.
   
   
2. All research requests must be received in writing, using the Genealogical Research Request Forms. E-mails should be submitted following the format of the research request form. This form may be downloaded from our web-site.
   
   
3. Unfortunately, we can not accept research inquiries by phone.
   
   
4. Please write a clear, complete, but concise, description of the information you are seeking on the appropriate form. Tell us, briefly, what you know about the individual/surname or topic you are investigating. List the sources of information that have been consulted so we do not duplicate information. Please do not request information for multiple surnames on one form.
   
   
5. Turn around time for research is approximately 6 to 8 weeks, and depends upon the number of requests received prior to your inquiry. We know you are anxious to receive information, but please be patient. Requests for information are researched in the order in which they are received. The written report will be mailed to you as soon as the work is completed.
   
   
6. Please be sure to include your current mailing address and phone number with the request. This is particularly important for those requesting research by e-mail. An e-mail address is helpful as well.
   
   
7. A minimum payment for one hour of research must be included with the request to initiate the process. We recommend an initial payment of two hours, which gives our researcher time to investigate the records and write the report. The WCHS will be happy to invoice you for any additional hours of research beyond the first payment, but please indicate your budget and authorize that amount on the appropriate line of the Genealogical Research Request form.
   
   
8. The research fee is structured on a per request basis, not a cumulative total for the year. Each request is given an identification number. Once the researcher completes the assignment, we mail the results to you and a copy of that report is included in our Genealogical Correspondence File. A request for additional information is assigned a new identification number even if it is related to the same individual or surname.
   
   
9. Hours of research are calculated by whole hours, not by increments of hours, such as 15, 30 or 45 minutes
   
   
10. Research fees are non-refundable for the first hour of work.

Researchers can schedule a personal consultation with our professional researcher Karen to receive specific help and guidance for getting the most out of the resources in the Pollins Library and the courthouse. Karen has worked as a genealogical researcher for the WCHS for over nine years. She has outstanding research skills and knows the records available both at the courthouse and in our library.

The fee is $30/hour for members and $35/hour for nonmembers. All sessions must be scheduled in advance, and the questions must pertain to Westmoreland County. Sessions must take place at the WCHS Library, weekdays only. Please call Joanna at 724-836-1800 x12 for more information or to schedule a session.