Tues – Fri 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Sat 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ontario County
Historical Society

Research

The Ontario County Historical Society is a regional research center and depository for items related to Ontario County history and genealogical research.
If you are planning a research visit, please call or contact us to set up an appointment so that we can better serve you. Research appointments should be scheduled at least one week in advance.

Closeup of a pile of vintage family photos

Independent Research

OCHS is unable to accommodate walk-in research guests. Please contact us to reserve an appointment so our staff may prepare the appropriate materials in advance of your arrival. Research appointments are scheduled per staff availability and OCHS programming. Please schedule your research appointment at least one week in advance. Research details will not be taken over the phone. You will be asked to submit a contact form with those details.

Members of Ontario County Historical Society and of Ontario County Genealogy Society may conduct research without charge. Appointments are required.

Research Requests

Submit Research Request

Quick Lookups

Submit Quick Lookup

Are you unable to come to the Ontario County Historical Society to conduct research? Perhaps you would prefer 1:1 research guidance? We can help! Submit a Research Request using the button. Please contact us should you have any questions about the research process. Research requests will not be taken over the phone.

Quick Lookups

Please use the Quick Lookup button for:

  • death, marriage, birth inquiries
  • obituary lookups
  • newspaper articles with known month and year
  • Revolutionary War pensions and land grants
  • cemetery records

Requests will be completed in the order in which they are received. Please allow two weeks for a response.

Requests For Photographs

In order to protect the integrity of our collections and archives, the Ontario County Historical Society does not share high-resolution images from its photograph collection without pre-authorization and payment. For full details, please see our Request for Photographs Policy.

Surname File Search is currently unavailable online.
Please submit a Quick Lookup request for inquiries. Scope of request may require payment.

Search by Surname

Search Now

Research Room Essentials

  • Our Research Room is available by appointment; fee is $15/day for non-members
  • Staff members are available for general assistance.
  • Wi-fi is available.
  • Personal computers, tablets, and smartphones are welcome.
  • The Research Room is equipped with a desktop computer for guest's use.
  • Photocopies and printing cost $0.25 per page for members and non-members.
  • You may take pictures of manuscripts, publications, and maps;
    taking pictures of photographs in our collection is not permitted.
  • Pencil and paper may be used for taking notes. Please no pens or markers.
  • Food or drinks, including water, are not permitted in the Research Room.
  • Research guest should sign in at the welcome desk and check their bags and coats.
  • Downtown restaurants and businesses are a short walk from the museum.
  • If you would like guided research assistance with a staff member, please complete the Research Request Form.