Hours:
Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.,
and the First Saturday
of each month
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Open other times by appointment.

Our Research Policy

If you are unable to research here in person, our society will search Bureau County records for a fee, including our collection and vital and probate records at the courthouse. Research fees are $10/hour for members and $15/hour for non-members plus expenses (copies, courthouse fees and postage). (Effective January 1, 2011)

Our experienced researchers are normally able to search many records in a one-to-three hour period. They photocopy actual records wherever possible and cite the source of each record. You will be pleased to see what they find.

Please submit a check with your request for the number of hours of research you are requesting. Cost for copies and postage averages $3 for every hour of research. Include in your request either the sources you would like searched or the information you want us to find. Tell us if you are willing to pay for additional research if more information is available.

Your check will not be cashed until the work is complete, unless you include membership dues in your check. Research of 15 minutes, such as a cemetery search, will cost only the price of copies and postage.

Your permission is needed to purchase vital records. Since they may not exist, you do not have to pay for them until you know they are available. You can order these directly from the courthouse; however, they do charge a non-refundable search fee.

Research money is used to preserve and further index our records, making them available to the public.

Guildelines for Requesting Research

1. Be specific with your research request.
2. Give as much meaningful data as is available about the persons involved. Include approximate dates, locations, names of spouse and children, and any copies of census information you have. This information should be put on a pedigree chart and one or more family group sheets so our researchers can quickly determine relationships.
3. State which sources have already been checked. We do not want to send you information you already have.
4. Include a business-size stamped, self-addressed envelope, unless the request is for two or three hours of research.
5. Include your email address if you have one. This will not only allow us to email some brief information, but may be a way for our researchers to ask questions to clarify information about your request.