Carnegie Center Reference Room
We are excited to share our archival collection with researchers to help them answer their questions about Lorain history. We have resources that are helpful for those researching their family history, history of buildings or businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, City history, and more!
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Contact us today to set up an appointment to visit the Reference Room.
Do you have a research request?
Before submitting your research request, please review the following information:
Lorain Newspapers: If your request pertains to any Lorain newspapers, please contact the Lorain Public Library System’s Main Branch, which holds microfilm copies of all Lorain newspapers. (A Lorain Public Library card is required for access.) Additionally, all Lorain Morning Journal articles are available online for free. (A Lorain Public Library card is required for access.)
Genealogical Resources: For genealogical research, the Lorain Public Library System’s Main Branch offers various resources. (A Lorain Public Library card is required for access.) Please note that we can only provide materials that are part of our collections and archives, so there is no guarantee that we will have information related to your family history.
Property Information: For property-related information, please visit the Lorain County Auditor’s website.
Lorain County Memory: Another valuable resource is Lorain County Memory, which provides access to digital photos, texts, and other materials online.
Have a Question?
Contact Us Today!
Research requests may be submitted through the form below. Those requests that require under 15 minutes of research time may be answered if volunteer time allows at no charge, although donations are appreciated. A research volunteer will respond to your request with the results found after the first 15 minutes of research.
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Please note that while the first 15 minutes of research is free, if more extensive research requiring more than 15 minutes of staff/volunteer time to answer will require a research fee of $25/hour. This professional research service can be arranged by contacting staff and the research fee of $25 will be charged whether an answer is found or not after the 1 hour of work.
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Please note that the time required to process research requests varies based on staff and volunteer availability, and responses may take up to 30 days.​
Access to and use of archival materials may be subject to copyright and usage restrictions. For requests involving photographs, additional fees may apply based on image resolution and usage requirements.
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Research requests from students, professors, and other professional researchers should be directed to Curator Kaitlyn Donaldson at kdonaldson@lorainhistory.org.