Research Fees

All research requests will be classified into one of the following categories. Photocopies and postage are not included in the fees below.

On this page:

  • Information Requests - No Fee
  • We know we cannot provide the information requested or
  • We know the answer and can provide it without research.
  • If day, month, and year of death are provided: $10 each.
  • If only month and year of death are provided: $20 each.
  • If the month of death is not known, we cannot do a search.
  • Society Staff Basic Research Service - $30
  • We know this information is available and easily obtained, and minimal research is required. For instance, we know what book or Manuscript Group to consult.
  • This includes archival queries where the customer knows the Manuscript Group location and specifies dates.
  • Society Staff Full Research Service - $50
  • For requests that require extensive research or considerable time. We may not know if we have the information or where it is located if we do have it.
  • Includes most genealogical queries requiring the Librarian to search through church records, cemetery records, etc.
  • Inquiries that involve the Librarian conducting off-site research automatically fall under this category.
  • The Librarian will do off-site microfilm newspaper copying only if the full date of the desired article can be provided.
  • Self-directed Research for Members - No Fee
  • Society members who wish to conduct their own research in the Library and/or most of the Archives.
  • An additional fee may apply for certain collections.
  • Self-directed Research for Non-Members - $10 per day
  • Those who are not members of the Society but desire to do their own research in the Library and/or most of the Archives.
  • An additional fee may apply for certain collections.
  • Student Self-directed Research for Non-Members - $5 per day
  • All students doing their own research in the Library or Archives if not covered under an agreement between the Society and Penn State or another institution.
  • An additional fee may apply for certain collections.
  • Special Collections Fee - $20 per hour
  • Applies to all situations (members and non-members) where it is necessary for a staff member to sit with the researcher in order to monitor handling of archival materials.

These Special Collections currently include:

MG 061 - Rutherford Family Collection
MG 062 - Rawn Collection
MG 070 - Elder Collection
MG 198 - John Harris Family Collection
MG 220 - Christian Kunkel Family Collection
MG 405 - Kelker Family Collection
MG 466 - McCormick Family Collection
MG 500 - Cameron Family Collection