Research
The Lorain Historical Society is proud to support community members, students, and scholars in their research. Our dedicated staff and volunteers work carefully with our collections to help uncover Lorain’s rich past.
Submitting a Request:
Research requests may be submitted using our Research Request Form. A volunteer will review your inquiry and respond as time allows.
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First 15 Minutes Free: Requests that can be completed in under 15 minutes may be answered at no charge, though donations are always appreciated.
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Extended Research: If your request requires more time, professional research services can be arranged and are $25 per hour. However, when you commission research, you are responsible for research fees regardless of results.
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Please note that the time required to process requests varies based on staff and volunteer availability - allow two to four weeks to complete your request. Requests are answered in the order in which they are received.
Conducting Research at the Carnegie Center:
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The Lorain Historical Society welcomes students and scholars who are interested in exploring our library and archives. Our collections provide valuable insight into Lorain’s history, and we are happy to help you access them. Researchers must conduct the research on-site in our Reference Room during regular business hours BY APPOINTMENT.
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Written Requests must be submitted, outlining your research purpose and how materials will be used.
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Materials cannot be checked out, so please plan accordingly.
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.
Resources
The Lorain Historical Society only holds items that have been donated to us, and we might not have what you are looking for.
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.) https://www.lorainpubliclibrary.org/using-the-library/additional-resources/genealogy
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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. https://www.lorainpubliclibrary.org/using-the-library/additional-resources/genealogy
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Property Information: For property-related information, please visit the Lorain County Auditor’s website at https://loraincountyauditor.gov/
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Lorain County Memory: Another valuable resource is Lorain County Memory, which provides access to digital photos, texts, and other materials online at https://lorain.omeka.net/
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If after reading this you feel that your research request is better suited to the Lorain Historical Society’s staff and volunteers, please reach out to us and you'll hear from someone soon!
