Library of Congress

United States of America Library of Congress Local History and Genealogy Reading Room Contact Information E-mail:  Ask a Librarian Address: 101 Independence Ave. SE Thomas Jefferson Building, LJ G42 Washington, D.C. 20540-4660 Telephone:  Reading Room: 202-707-5537 Fax:  202-707-1957 Hours:  Monday-Saturday 9:00 to 4:30 Directions, maps, and public transportation:  {Optional} Internet sites and databases: Repository Internet Site at http://www.repository.net Repository Catalog Online at http://www.repositorycatalog.net Repository Database at http://respositorydatabase.net Library Background Established in 1800, the original small library was destroy during the British invasion of 1814. A month later Thomas Jefferson offered his own personal library of 6,487 books as a replacement. Since becoming the U.S. copyright repository it has grown to the largest library in the world. It serves both houses of Congress, and is open to the public. Family History Resources The Local History and Genealogy Reading Room has one of the world's premier collections of U.S. and foreign genealogical and local historical publications. Collection Description {Please briefly describe the strengths and weaknesses of each collection for genealogists (about two or three sentences for smaller collections). For example, explain the collection size, who (which ethnic, political, or religious groups) are covered, dates covered, jurisdictions covered, record types available, significant indexes, and any noteworthy record loss or gaps.} Tips {Optional} Guides {Optional: Internet or guide books describing this collection for genealogists. } Substitute Repositories { List (link to a Wiki article for) at least one or more other repositories that collect overlapping records, or similar family history material including central repositories, affiliated or branch repositories, higher level jurisdiction repositories, parent or daughter jurisdiction repositories. Also list neighboring repositories with similar records. Please briefly explain how each substitute repository is related.} If you cannot visit or find a record at the Library of Congress, a similar record may be available at one of the following. Overlapping Collections Similar Collections Newberry Library a large Chicago repository with genealogies, local histories, censuses, military, land, indexes, vital records, court, and tax records mostly from the Mississippi Valley, eastern seaboard, Canada, & British Isles. St. Louis County Library, mostly Missouri, but includes St. Louis Genealogical, and National Genealogical Societys' collections, online databases, federal censuses, African American records, & access to LDS microfilms. Mid-Continent Public Library Midwest Genealogy Center, Independence, MO, national censuses/indexes, 80,000 family histories, 100,000 local histories, 565,000 microfilms, 7,000 maps, and extensive newspaper clippings. Library of Congress, Washington, DC, Local History and Genealogy Reading Room is part of the world's largest library including 50,000 genealogies, 100,000 local histories, rich in collections of manuscripts, microfilms, maps, newspapers, photographs, and published material, strong in North American, British Isles, and German sources New York City Public Library international genealogy, heraldry, personal and family names (in Roman alphabets), family papers, Dorot Jewish collection, maps, periodicals, American history at national, state, and local levels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, 450 computers, 3,400 databases, 3.1 million microforms, 4,500 periodicals, 310,000 books of worldwide family and local histories, civil, church, immigration, ethnic, military, Mormon records. Neighboring Collections Sources