Library Research Policy

In order to make library resources more accessible to members, CGSI offers library research services for a fee. We will research selected books and reference materials from our library collection. These selected resources are marked with an “S“, in the Library Books & Resources section of this website. The majority of these resources are indexes;names, villages, etc… for example: Leo Baca’s Czech Immigration Passenger Lists, the ZCBJ (Fraternal Herald) Death Index, the Nebraska/Kansas Czech Settlers book, and the telephone directories of the Czech and Slovak Republics. Note that all Maps & Atlases in the Library are marked with an “S“ but due to their varied nature and condition, results may be mixed.

Requests need to be as specific as possible indicating which resources should be searched. We cannot accept open-ended research requests such as “tell me what you have on the Jan Dvorak family of Minnetonka, Minnesota”. Research is conducted by CGSI volunteers who will not be able to interpret any information for you that is found in a foreign language.

When submitting requests the minimum charge of $5.00/member or $10.00/non-member must accompany the initial request for information along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. . Requests should be sent to CGSI , P.O. Box 16225, St. Paul, MN 55116.

Research fees are structured as follows:

• Books/Family Histories/Maps/Microfiche:
  • Members – $5.00 per 1/2 hour of research
  • Non-members – $10.00 per 1/2 hour of research
  • Plus expenses for photocopies and additional postage will be billed.
• Telephone Directories of the Czech and Slovak Republics:
  • Members – $5.00 for each surname per directory plus $.25 for each name/address found
  • Non-members – $10.00 for non-members per surname per directory plus $.25 for each name/address found
• Copies of St Paul Archdiocese Church records from the online database (Up to 1934)
  • The church name, microfilm number, page number and surname are required
  • Members – $5.00 for the first copy and $2.00 for each additional copy on the same roll of microfilm
  • Non-members – $10.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy on the same roll of microfilm
• Copies of St Paul Archdiocese Church records Post-1934
  • The church name, person’s full name, type of record (baptism, marriage, or death), and date or approximate timeframe +/- five years are required
  • Members -$5.00 per 1/2 hour of research
  • Non-members – $10.00 per 1/2 hour of research
• Copies of Leo Baca’s Czech Immigration Passenger Lists from the online database:
  • The volume number and surname are required
  • Members – $5.00 for the first copy and $2.00 for each additional copy
  • Non-members – $10.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy
• Copies of Leo Baca’s Czech Immigration Passenger Lists not from the online database:
  • The full name, port of arrival and an approximate year of arrival +/- five years
  • Members – $5.00 per 1/2 hour of research
  • Non-members – $10.00 per 1/2 hour of research

We will continue to provide at NO CHARGE for members, help on deciphering town names in documents, locating town or villages, providing postal codes, and advising on correspondence to those in the Czech and Slovak Republics.