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The American Ancestors Research Center is Closed for Renovations

Located at 99 Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay, we are a leading research center for genealogists of every skill level.

Our Boston headquarters will be closed to visitors as of Saturday, March 25, 2023, to renovate, improve, and expand our facilities. Our staff will continue to serve our members remotely.

Improvements to our current headquarters, and the launch of our exciting new facility at 97 Newbury Street, will allow us to better serve our members and the public. We’re very excited about these upcoming changes and look forward to opening our new and renovated facilities in 2024! 

American Ancestors Research Center

Contact Us

New England Historic Genealogical Society
99-101 Newbury Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-3007

Please check our Help Center for answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. You can also email Membership@nehgs.org or chat online with us 9 to 5, Monday through Saturday, ET by accessing the chat function on the lower right of the screen.

Toll free: 1-888-296-3447
617-536-5740
Fax: 617-536-7307

For the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center (JHC), please email jhcreference@nehgs.org or visit the JHC website to learn more about the collections.

Visitor Information

Health & Safety Protocols

Proof of Covid-19 vaccination is no longer required for entry to the Research Center and masks are now optional in accordance with the City of Boston's B Together Policy. At-risk populations are still encouraged to mask, as defined by CDC guidance.

Onsite access to the Research Center, as well as the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center (JHC) archive is by confirmed appointment.

 

More information about recent CDC guidance:
When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated | CDC

More information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus):
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC)
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)

Address & Contact

New England Historic Genealogical Society
99-101 Newbury Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116-3007

Toll free: 1-888-296-3447
617-536-5740
Fax: 617-536-7307

Admission

Our Boston headquarters will be closed to visitors as of Saturday, March 25, 2023, to renovate, improve, and expand our facilities. Our staff will continue to serve our members remotely.

Improvements to our current headquarters, and the launch of our exciting new facility at 97 Newbury Street, will allow us to better serve our members and the public. We’re very excited about these upcoming changes and look forward to opening our new and renovated facilities in 2024! 

Hours of Operation

Our Boston headquarters will be closed to visitors as of Saturday, March 25, 2023, to renovate, improve, and expand our facilities. Our staff will continue to serve our members remotely.

Improvements to our current headquarters, and the launch of our exciting new facility at 97 Newbury Street, will allow us to better serve our members and the public. We’re very excited about these upcoming changes and look forward to opening our new and renovated facilities in 2024! 

Holiday Hours

Saturday February 17-Monday February 20, 2023- Closed for Presidents’ Day

Saturday April. 15-Monday April 17, 2023- Closed for Patriots’ Day

Saturday May 27-Monday May 29, 2023- Closed for Memorial Day

Saturday June 17-Monday June 19, 2023- Closed for Juneteenth

Saturday July 1-Tuesday July 4, 2023- Closed for Fourth of July

Saturday September 2-Monday September 4, 2023- Closed for Labor Day

Saturday October 7-Monday October 9, 2023- Closed for Indigenous Peoples' Day

Wednesday November 22, 2023- Closed at 1 p.m. for Thanksgiving

Thursday November 23-Friday November 24, 2023- Closed for Thanksgiving

Saturday December 23-Monday December 25, 2023- Closed for Christmas

Saturday December 30, 2023-Monday January 1, 2024 Closed for New Year's Eve/Day

Accessibility

The 99–101 Newbury Street location is fully wheelchair accessible. Also, a wheelchair is available for use by request.

Photocopying & Image-saving

Photocopies and printouts (from computer and microfilm printers) cost 25 cents per page, except library catalog printouts, which are free. Copies from the photocopiers and microfilm scanners may also be saved to flash drives at no charge. Flash drives are available for purchase at the Research Center.

Manuscript and Rare Book Collections

The Research Center is currently open by appointment only. Schedule your appointment here.

Access to Manuscript and Rare Book Collections is available to American Ancesors/NEHGS members, as well as visiting scholars who have made arrangements with the Research Center and received authorization in advance. These collections may be searched through our library catalog. If you would like to request items ahead of time and have them prepared for your visit, please contact library@nehgs.org.

Research Center Group and School Visits

Discover family history with your students, historical society, genealogical society, or other organization. Our expert staff can provide orientations and tours of the research center, customized presentations, free student programming, and more.

Group in the library stacks

Plan Your Visit

Directions to the Research Center

Parking Near the Research Center

Boston-area Accommodations