Preliminary Research Services

The staff will perform preliminary research from the Special Collections department’s resources only. We will do brief genealogy research, “look-ups,” when you can provide us with enough specific information, such as exact names, dates, or events and locations. We will also check other specific resources in our collection (see our online catalog) when you can provide enough basic information. For example:

• Book title, and page numbers when known
• Periodical, article title, volume number and date of issue
• Newspaper name, and date of event (as in death for obituary)

Placing a Request

All requests for research, and correspondence regarding requests, are conducted through the US mail only. Sorry, we cannot accept email, web or phone requests, and provide photocopies only by US mail. Send a brief letter stating the specific requested information, with a self-addressed stamped envelope, to:
Hampton Public Library
ATTN: Special Collections
4207 Victoria Blvd.
Hampton, VA 23669

Our Efforts

There is no set fee for our research help. However, donations earmarked for the Virginiana Collection or for genealogy and Hampton history requests are welcome and greatly appreciated.

When research requests exceed our capability in either man-hours or resources, please download a list of professional researchers that may be helpful from the Library of Virginia website.

The Special Collections Department also houses a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection. We will verify information in our grants materials when you have a specific request; for an example, a foundation’s contact information, or funding deadlines.