Although we are better equipped to serve researchers who do research on-site, we are able to research ABHS collections and make photocopies or scans, for a fee.  We require that the first hour’s research be paid in advance.  Refer to our fee chart for more information.

Be aware that such research is time-consuming and can easily take 3-5 hours.

In order to request such research, please complete the Research-by-Mail Form (below) and submit payment online for the first hour’s research.
We advise that you search our online catalog before contracting for this service, to see what materials may be available.  We will make our best assessment regarding the possibility of locating desired information; however, we cannot guarantee results and we cannot return research fees if no information is located.  Please make your research requests specific, and provide whatever information you may have regarding the person, local church, or the Baptist agency or mission society involved.

Research-by-mail policies and procedures

1. Our Research-by-Mail service is designed to assist distance researchers with focused, fact-based queries.  Research is conducted by ABHS staff.  Fee: $50/hour of research (effective 01-01-2022)
2. To request this service, complete and submit the form below.
3. Research fees may be paid online or a check sent to:
   ABHS
   3001 Mercer University Drive
   Atlanta,  GA   30341
   Note:  requests will not be processed until the fee is received.
4. The initial fee covers one hour of research.  Users of the research-by-mail service will receive a written response to their query, including a list of all resources searched.  If photocopying/scanning or additional hours are needed and approved by the patron, these additional services will be invoiced.
5. If extensive research is required, ABHS can provide a list of local independent researchers who may be contracted with on their terms.  Such researchers are independent of ABHS, and are not governed by nor vouched for by ABHS.

Inquiries are handled as they arrive (first come, first served). Responses usually take 6 – 8 weeks, sometimes more, depending on available staff time.

			
			
Research-by-Mail request
This service costs $50 per hour.  You will save money by searching our online catalog yourself, and identifying collections or folders of interest.
Please note that the Research-by-Mail service is not intended as a substitute for a research visit to the ABHS archives.  The service does not handle broad topical queries requiring in-depth research; nor will requests to photocopy entire collections, files, books, or original manuscripts be considered legitimate research-by-mail queries.  However, a researcher may request an hour of research to determine the types and amounts of materials on a broad research topic in order to: 1) determine whether or not a research visit is warranted; or 2) construct a clearly focused question for a second hour of research-by-mail services.
Name*
Email*
Phone number
Institutional Affiliation
Research query:*
Nature of research:*ArticleBookCongregational HistoryCourse paperDissertationGenealogyMasters' ThesisStaff AssignmentOther
Please supply the following information about your research subject (where applicable):
Name of individual, agency, or congregation, and location (city, state)
Has the congregation changed its name or merged with another church?  Please supply old and new names.
If this is a rural church, it may help to name nearby towns or the county:
Name of church association, if known:
Time period for search:*
Mission field or other pertinent locations:
If you have located relevant materials in the online catalog, please list them here.
I agree to pay the research fee of $50.  If copies can be made, the maximum cost I agree to pay in addition to the $50 research fee is:
Thank you!  Our archivist will be in touch via the email address you have supplied.
I agree for my personal data, provided via form submission, to be processed by American Baptist Historical Society, for the purpose of responding to my inquiry, for the time of 30 days as per the GDPR.