Publications
In the days before the internet online sharing, WPGS published 42 record indexes, compilations, documents, newspaper data, statistics, etc. that were relevant to the Western Pennsylvania region. However more than half are out of print and no longer available, but 20 of these publications are still available and can be order online, payable by PayPal or by check. If you prefer to pay by check or use mail-in ordering only, please download the blank form below, print and complete it, make your personal check payable to Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society or WPGS, and submit your payment and order form to: WPGS Book Sales, 116 South 19th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. As this is an all-volunteer effort and we are using low-cost USPS Media Mail rates for shipping, please allow at least two (2) weeks for order fulfillment.
Used Books
The WPGS Library is housed in the Local History and Genealogy Department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main Branch, in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The WPGS collection does not circulate. Our thousands of volumes are focused on the records of the 26 counties of Western Pennsylvania. Each year, we sort through our collection and weed out duplicates, older editions of current publications, volumes that are not related to Western Pennsylvania, and items that are outdated. Previously, we offered these volumes for sale at our annual meeting in June. However, the sale excluded many members and non-members who are not able to attend that meeting in person. Our online Used Book Store now makes these books available 24/7, at reasonable prices. They can be ordered by credit card or check. However, mail orders are subject to availability at the time of receipt of the order. Most books will have library identification markings, but they were in a non-circulating library so, other than that, most offerings are in very good condition. It is noted if they are not. Proceeds from this Used Book Sale go to the General Fund to provide additional services to our members.
NEW CHECK PAYMENT PROCEDURE: You can select the books you wish to order and mark your “Payment method” as Check payments, which will immediately remove the items from inventory once your order has been completed. You will need to print out your order form and submit it to the address listed with your check payment. If we have not received your payment wihin 14 days, the item(s) will be returned to the “store.”
If you prefer not to order your selections online, you can download and submit and order form for each publication requested and submit a separate check with each item ordered. This procedure allows us to return your payment immediately if the publication has already been sold, rather than having to issue a refund, which can take up to one month to process. Please check the website to see if the volume you wish to purchase is still available. However, that doesn’t guarantee that it will be available when we receive your order and payment by mail. Again, if you’re in PA and you are mailing in book orders, don’t forget to add the 7% PA tax to your order.
All transactions are FINAL and are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the receipt of payment, then by the postmark date. As this is an all-volunteer effort and we are using USPS Media Mail rates for shipping, please allow at least two (2) weeks for order fulfillment.
Mail your order form(s) and payment(s) to WPGS Book Sales, 116 South 19th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. As this is an all-volunteer effort, and we are using low-cost USPS Media Mail rates for shipping, please allow at least two (2) weeks for order fulfillment.
Most books have some library identification marking and could be stamped, “Withdrawn.” Proceeds from this Used Book Sale go to the General Fund to be used to provide additional services to our members. Please check the website often as new books will be added and removed periodically.
Research Services
Please see our Library Research Services page to find information about ordering by mail for each product.
