Reference Requests

The Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors welcomes reference questions about our collections. Please see our Finding Aids and Subject Guides to learn more about the materials located at our archive. If you have a specific reference question, you may contact us at jhcreference@jewishheritagecenter.org or 617-226-1245 and we will be happy to assist you. Please read below for information about visiting us to conduct research, photocopy fees, and more.

Scheduling an appointment 

Beginning Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center will be open:

• Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Many of our archival materials are stored in an offsite facility. In order to ensure that we have the materials you need onsite and that our archivists can best serve you, all research visits must be scheduled in advance. We ask that you please reach out at least a week in advance of your potential visit.

Please email jhcreference@jewishheritagecenter.org for more information or to schedule an appointment.  

Please note that many of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center’s collections are digitized, searchable, and available for access through our Digital Library & Archives. To learn more about our digitized collections and how to access them, please click here. 

Fees

The staff is available to help researchers with their photocopying, research, photography and genealogy requests. Due to the additional time involved in satisfying these requests, we must charge fees for certain services.

Photocopy & Digital Archive Services

American Ancestors members receive 25 free copies per calendar year.

For requests from non-members or from members who have exceeded their 25 free copies:

• PDFs and JPEG images (suitable for research, classroom, presentations): $0.40 per image
• TIFFs (publishing quality): $12.00 per image
• Paper copies: $0.60 per copy
• Plus $10.00 service fee per every 50 copies. Maximum copies provided = 250

Requests are generally completed within 2-6 weeks from receipt, depending on the nature of the item being copied and the overall volume of requests.

Genealogical Research & Fees

If you are interested scheduling a genealogical consultation, hiring a researcher to conduct genealogical research, or more in depth assistance with your own genealogical research, contact American Ancestors. Not sure which service you require? You can review each service, and any fees associated with that service, by visiting their website.