Reference Guidelines
Rowan Public Library staff is unable to perform more than cursory research. We are able to investigate specific sources that have been cited in other works or check specifically requested titles, if they have been indexed. Please e-mail or call us with your query and we will be happy to find what information we can within our collection. If we are able to locate any materials for you, we will mail up to 20 pages of photocopied materials. History Room staff is unable to do extensive or intensive research; this type of research and requests exceeding 20 pages should be submitted to a private researcher.
Photocopies will be sent by mail after payment has been received. Please include with your payment a self-addressed, stamped envelope – envelopes should be appropriately sized for the number of pages. The charge for providing copies of materials is $4.00 for up to ten pages and $6.00 for 11-20 pages. Checks should be made payable to Rowan Public Library.
Send Email To: Edith M. Clark History Room
Phone: 704-216-8253 or 216-8232
Mailing Address:
Edith M. Clark History Room
Rowan Public Library
P.O. Box 4039
Salisbury, NC 28145-4039
Examples of answerable queries
Please send copies of the will or estate papers for Johann Miller who died in Rowan County ca. 1810.
I would like copies of the 1870 North Carolina census index for all Millers.
I would like copies of pages 50-57 of the book, Carolina Cradle.
Do you have information about the Millers and Caubles in your collection? [We will answer this and try to give an idea of how much there is.]
Do you have a marriage bond for Johann Miller and Elizabeth ? between 1785 and 1800? [We would consult our marriage bonds and send copies.]
Examples of too broad or general queries
We are unable to provide much help for broad or general questions such as:
Give me everything you have on the Cauble family.
My grandfather, J. Smith, was born in Rowan County in the 1870s, can you provide my family history?
I am researching the Dorf line. Please send background information on the Dorf’s of Rowan County.
Examples of too intensive queries
We are equally unable to perform research of an intensive nature, for example:
My ancestor, John Smith, was involved in a court dispute in the fall of 1891. Please check the newspapers for any mention of the case.
My family left Maryland in 1795 and appears in the 1810 census in Rowan. Please check the Rowan Deed books for when they might have purchased land.
Research Contacts
For assistance with more extensive research or copying than the History Room staff can handle, contact one of the following researchers. The appearance of the names on this list does not constitute an endorsement by Rowan Public Library.
The following membership organizations will answer and/or publish one query a year per member. Please contact them for more information.
The sources below will respond to brief queries. Your local library will have addresses of libraries, historical and genealogical societies throughout North America.