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.

This department is a partner of the Foundation Center’s Funding Information Network. The Funding Information Network is composed of libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit resource centers that provide free access to the Foundation Directory Online, Foundation Grants to Individuals Online, and other materials useful to grant-seekers.