Genealogy – Trace family tree with library help

Located in the History Department on the fourth floor of the Central Library at 3030 Poplar, the Genealogy Collection is one of the library’s most frequently used resources.

The collection’s strongest area is in microfilmed and indexed Memphis and Shelby County records. There are also United States census records for 1790-1920 on microfilm with indexes or Soundex, as well as genealogical source books, published family histories and magazines with an emphasis on 18th- and 19th-century Southern United States, especially Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas.

Assistance in using sources and equipment is available at the genealogy desk in the History Department.

Instructional workshops are held in May and October. They cover different aspects of genealogy including an introduction to family research, African-American research, using military records, United States census, immigration/ naturalization records, vital records and research on the Internet.

The History Department actively maintains and improves the genealogy collection. The library welcomes contributions of genealogical works or money to purchase new materials. Each year the department selects a special project for the genealogy collection and sets aside gifts for that purpose. Ask at the genealogy desk if you would like information on the current project.