Contact Information

The Library of Congress encourages researchers to use local library resources first. Your local library will often be able to respond to your query more quickly than the Library of Congress, and is better able to identify and respond to your specific and ongoing needs. In many cases, you will find that the information you need is available at your local library. Once you have exhausted local and regional resources, you may direct specific enquiries to the Library of Congress by writing a letter or sending an email to one of the addresses given below. Your enquiry should explain what resources you have already consulted. The Library refers telephone reference questions to local libraries, which in most cases will have the resources to answer those questions. Due to time and staff constraints, the Library of Congress is not able to undertake extensive genealogy and heraldry research projects; a list of certified genealogists who will do such projects for a fee is available from the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

Ask a Librarian
Genealogical reference queries sent to this address are forwarded to the Local History and Genealogy Section and will be answered in turn with other postal and electronic queries. Please include your name, postal address, and electronic mail address in any queries, so that we may respond in the manner that is most appropriate.

Humanities and Social Sciences Division
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, D.C. 20540-4660

Reading Room: (202) 707-5537
Fax: (202) 707-1957