Local History & Genealogy
How Do I Access Local History Materials?
Local History Collection (LHC)
The Local History Collection (LHC), including Quincy Local Authors and the Genealogy Collection, is available to browse for in-library use only in the Aiken Ell of the Richardson Building. This is currently accessible via Floor One of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
Guidelines For Use
Local History Collection
- LHC materials are for in-library use only.
- LHC materials are available for use while the Richardson Building is open:
- Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Holidays and Events might affect availability.
Please contact qulocalhistory@ocln.org or call 617-376-1436 to make an appointment ahead of your visit to ensure access to materials.
Archives & Special Collections (ASC)
Archives and Special Collections (ASC) are housed in our closed stacks and available by appointment only. Closed stacks repositories are located in the Quincy Room and the Quincy Corridor on Floor Two of the Thomas Crane Public Library. These areas are accessible by Staff Only.
Guidelines For Use
Archives & Special Collections
- ASC materials are available by appointment only.
- ASC materials are for in-library use only.
- Researchers must comply with rules outlined by Archives Staff to use materials.
- A photo ID will be held while materials are being used.
- Researchers must use a table designated for Local History research.
- Photocopying of materials is allowed at the discretion of Archives and Special Collections Staff.
- Researchers may take photographs of materials with respect to copyright and permissions. Please check with Archives and Special Collections staff.
- Additional research assistance must be scheduled in advance of visit.
To schedule an appointment or request materials, contact an archivist at qulocalhistory@ocln.org or call 617-376-1436.
How do I donate Materials to the Archives & Special Collections Department?
The Archives & Special Collections Department at Thomas Crane Public Library collects materials that serve to support the Scope and Mission of the Collection Development Policy approved by the Library Board of Trustees (2023). See our Collection Development Policy in the ASC Policies tab for a more detailed explanation of what we collect.
- Materials of and related to the history of Quincy, MA and its inhabitants
- Materials of and related to the history of the Thomas Crane Public Library system
- Materials of and about local institutions, past and present.
- Materials of and related to Quincy’s presidential history, including the Adams family
The Department takes all formats into consideration including digital and physical, photograph, glass, objects and ephemera. Please contact qulocalhistory@ocln.org with any questions to see if the Archives at TCPL is the right fit for your donation.
The Archives and Special Collections Department may reserve the right to deny the acquisition of materials that require a more appropriate space, preservation need, or staffing that we cannot provide.
Need Help? Ask an Archivist!
Request a Death Notice or an Obituary
For help finding a death notice or an obituary in the Patriot Ledger or the Quincy Sun, please submit a request using our Obituary Request form.
For a Boston obituary that might appear in the Boston Evening Transcript (BET), Boston Globe (BG), and the Boston Herald/Herald American (BH) from 1932–1941 and 1953–2010, please use the Boston Public Library Obituary Database.
Research Assistance
Have a research question? Need help finding an obituary or death notice outside of the publications and dates listed above? Please submit your request through our Local History & Genealogy Research Request form.
For assistance from the Archives & Special Collections Department you can also call 1-617-376-1436 or email your questions to qulocalhistory@ocln.org.
About the Archives & Special Collections Department
Mission
The Archives and Special Collections at Thomas Crane Public Library is committed to the collection and preservation of documents, objects, artifacts, and archival and ephemeral materials of or related to the rich history of the City of Quincy and its inhabitants, and the Thomas Crane Public Library system, and in providing access to patrons and researchers.