Please limit lookup requests to 3 per envelope.
The key to success in obtaining useful genealogical information is to be as specific as possible in your request. Please follow the 5 Ws when writing your lookup letter:
WHO - Give the full name of the subject of the lookup. If you're looking for the parents of a particular person, give that person's full name.
WHAT - Specify the exact information you want for this individual, for example - birth, marriage, death, deed, cemetery, will, obituary.
WHAT - List the publication numbers of the BCGS books in which you want lookups, from the publication list on the main page, and/or titles listed on the library holdings page.
WHERE - If you know a location where your family lived within the county, please provide us with that information. If you do not, please indicate that you do not.
WHEN - Please provide the dates you already know, or a time period if you do not have a specific date.
WHY - If you're looking for cousins rather than ancestors, please say so.
Please enclose a donation to BCGS to cover the cost of photocopies, shipping and handling. Requests will be answered in the order in which they are received. Click HERE for a printable lookup request form.
At this time, lookups at BCGS library will be done by snail mail only. Sorry, no email requests will be honored.