Local History & Genealogy

The downtown library has a variety of local history resources as well as materials to help you research your family history. Note the Fritz Fuglister mural added to the library in 1941 as a WPA project.

Historical Room

The Historical Room is open during the same hours the downtown library is open. You must sign in with the reference librarian before using the room. This room contains many rare and historical books, useful for genealogical research.

Newspapers

The downtown library keeps the following newspapers on microfilm. Two microfilm reader/printers are available in the Reading Room. Newspapers may be requested at the circulation desk.

We can also send microfilm reels of these newspapers to other public libraries through the interlibrary loan process. Please contact your local library for more information.

• The Enterprise (the Brockton Enterprise until 1982)
  January 1880 - present
  The current 4 months of The Enterprise is available in paper format.
• Brockton Gazette
  May 1874 - December 1876, January 1880 - May 12, 1894
• Brockton Times
  February 1895 - March 24, 1934
• North Bridgewater Gazette
  May 1851  -November 1856, May 1857 - April 1874

Mail Requests

To request photocopies by mail, please write a letter providing as much information as possible about the item you are seeking. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with a check for the appropriate fee made out to the Brockton Public Library Special Account.

Costs

• Pages from the Brockton City Directory, the Brockton Poll Tax Records, or the Brockton Street Directory - $2 per copy
• Obituaries or news items from a Brockton newspaper - $3 per copy

Address

Please mail these requests to the:

Brockton Public Library
304 Main Street
Brockton, MA 02301

We can also send microfilm reels of Brockton newspapers to other public libraries through the interlibrary loan process. Please contact your local library for more information.