About the WPGS Library Collection

The WPGS Library is a non-circulating collection of materials made available to its members and the general public to aid in the research of general genealogy, but particularly Western Pennsylvania ancestors. WPGS has standard reference volumes and indexes on immigration and emigration records, military history, and genealogy research methods. Several hundred volumes of published family histories are cataloged by the primary surname(s) covered. A few resources such as vertical family files are not in the card catalog. Many family genealogies not found elsewhere, research materials, microforms, vertical files of family research, church histories, cemetery histories, and locality research, as well as the First Families of Western Pennsylvania ancestors. A few resources, such as vertical family files, are not in the card catalog but are available upon request.

The WPGS Library is housed in the  Local History & Genealogy Department on the Third Floor of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), Main Branch, in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Our thousands of volumes focus on Western Pennsylvania records, yet extend to nearby areas in Ohio, West Virginia, and beyond.

The Local History & Genealogy Department’s (formerly the Pennsylvania Department) collections are now available on a limited basis to visitors. Researchers are encouraged to contact CLP at 412-622-3114, email padept@carnegielibrary.org, or use the Chat feature on the home page of the library’s website at www.carnegielibrary.org to learn more about requesting materials.

Access to WPGS’s Collections

Now that the Carnegie Library can accommodate researchers on the 2nd floor, WPGS is also inviting our members who wish to visit to make appointments 7 days in advance through the library research email account at research@wpgs.org.

We currently have some availability on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 AM-2 PM. Other days/times may be arranged based on volunteer availability.

WPGS volunteers will need to physically transport requested materials down the elevator to the 2nd-floor reference area for use by our members. Members requesting an appointment will need to provide a list of the materials they wish to use when they make an appointment.

Check back for updates.

Library Donations

Did you know that WPGS is NOT an archive and we do not have the resources to accept your entire collection?

We do have a non-circulating library within the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main Branch, and we accept printed and sourced family histories that reference individuals and families that have resided in the 26 counties of Western Pennsylvania. However, we do not have the capacity to accept all of the related resources and documents used to compile these histories. Although our library accepts book donations relating to Western Pennsylvania research, whether individual books or entire collections, we ask that an inventory of your donation be submitted beforehand so that we can review that list and compare it with our needs and guidelines. We do accept books to be dispensed through the Used Book Store, but they need to be pre-approved as well.

Please refer to the WPGS Library Donation Policy and Library Donations Form and contact librarian@wpgs.org for additional information