Reference Inquiries

Our reference staff are available to help facilitate your research in the Society's collections and will work with you to identify collection materials that may be relevant to your research.

We encourage you to consult our online catalogs and databases, Calvin, Sheppard, and Pearl, and Guides to Archival Collections as a first step. For inquiries about family history research, the Genealogy FAQ may be helpful. 

Portions of our holdings are not described in electronic format and must be searched onsite in our Reading Room. Please note that our holdings do not circulate, except for select microfilm available through Interlibrary Loan. Consult the Information for Researchers page to learn about conducting research onsite and review our Access Policy.

The Society invites applications for Research Fellowships. These $2500 grants are open to scholars, students, and independent researchers in all fields of study and cover travel, lodging, and other research expenses.

Ready to submit a question? Use the webform below or email us at refdesk@history.pcusa.org. To contact us by phone, please call (215) 627-1852.