United States Archives and Libraries
The following record repositories have major collections and services helpful for genealogical research. The Family History Library has copies of many of the records at these archives, but most will have additional sources.
Before you visit an archive or a library, contact the organization and ask for information on the collection, hours, services, and fees.
Family History Library
35 N. West Temple Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3400
Telephone: 801-240-2331
Fax: 801-240-1584
Internet address: www.familysearch.org
Email: familyhistory@support.familysearch.org
National Archives
Pennsylvania Avenue at 8th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20408
Telephone: 202-501-5415
Fax: 301-713-6740
Internet address: www.nara.gov
The National Archives has a vast collection of documents created by the federal government. The records most often used by genealogists are census, military, land, and immigration records.
Microfilm copies of many of the records at the National Archives are available at the Family History Library, other major archives and libraries, and at regional branches of the National Archives. You may purchase microfilms from the National Archives or request photocopies of the records by using forms obtained from the Archives.
National Archives—Regional Branches
Regional branches of the National Archives collect records of federal government offices and courts within the area they serve. These branches are located in or near Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Fort Worth, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York (closing soon), Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Library of Congress
Genealogy and Local History Section
101 Independence Ave. at First Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20504
Telephone: 202-707-5000
Fax: 202-707-5844
Internet address: www.loc.gov/rr/genealogy/
The Genealogical and Local History Section of the Library of Congress has a very large collection of published genealogies, manuscripts, histories, directories, maps, and newspapers.
National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution
1776 “D” Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006-5392
Telephone: 202-879-3229
Fax: 202-879-3227
Internet address: www.dar.org
New England Historic Genealogical Society
101 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116-3087
Telephone: 617-536-5740
Fax: 617-536-7307
Internet address: www.newenglandancestors.org
The society's collections of New England family and local histories and manuscripts are especially helpful. Members can borrow printed resources from their lending library.
New York Public Library
Local History and Genealogy Division
Fifth Avenue & 42nd Street
New York, NY 10018
Telephone: 212-930-0828
Fax: 212-921-2546
Internet address: www.nypl.org
The New York Public Library has collected many published sources, such as local histories, city directories, maps, newspapers, and genealogies.
Newberry Library
60 West Walton Street
Chicago, IL 60610-3394
Telephone: 312-943-9090
Fax: 312-255-3513
Internet address: www.newberry.org
The Local History and Genealogy Collection of the Newberry Library has an extensive collection of manuscripts and published sources.
Allen County Public Library
P.O. Box 2270
Fort Wayne, IN 48801
Telephone: 219-424-7241
Fax: 219-422-9688
Internet address: www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/index.html
The Allen County Public Library has a very large collection of sources for all states, including U.S. census records, periodicals, and local histories.
Other United States Libraries
The following libraries also have exceptional genealogical collections. These libraries collect major national sources as well as records of the states they serve.
- American Antiquarian Society (Worcester, Massachusetts) http://www.americanantiquarian.org/
- Harold B. Lee Library (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah) http://www.lib.byu.edu/
- Dallas Public Library http://dallaslibrary.org/
- Detroit Public Library http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/
- Historical Society of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) http://www.hsp.org/
- Los Angeles Public Library http://www.lapl.org/
- Mid-Continent Public Library (Independence, Missouri) http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/
- State Historical Society of Wisconsin (Madison, Wisconsin) http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/
- Sutro Library (San Francisco State University) http://www.onelibrary.com/Library/calslsut.htm
- Western Reserve Historical Society (Cleveland, Ohio) http://www.wrhs.org/
Your local public library can help you locate these and other archives and libraries. Directories include:
American Library Directory. 49th Edition. New York, New York: R. R. Bowker, 1996-1997. (FHL book 973 J54a 1996-1997.) Alphabetical by state and town. Lists addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and describes each library's holdings and special interests.
Bentley, Elizabeth Petty. The Genealogist's Address Book. Third Edition. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1995. (FHL book 973 D24ben 1995.) Includes about 7,000 national, state, ethnic, religious, historical, adoption, computer interest group, and vendor addresses with telephone numbers, E-mail addresses, supervisors, and repository hours.
A directory of many repositories and manuscript collections is:
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Directory of Archives and Manuscript Repositories in the United States. Second Edition. Phoenix, Arizona: Oryx Press, 1988. (FHL book 973 J54u 1988; 1978 Edition on fiche 6010080-89.)
State Archives and State Libraries
Each state has a state archive or a state library. Many states have both. These serve as the repositories for state and county government records. They often have some federal records as well, such as the U.S. census schedules for the state. Addresses are available in the state research outlines and at your public library.
County and Town Courthouses
Many of the key records essential for genealogical research were created by local county or town governments. These include court, land and property, naturalization and citizenship, probate, taxation, and vital records. The county and town courthouses are the primary repositories of these valuable records. (However, some courthouse records have been destroyed or transferred to state archives.) The Family History Library has copies of many of these important records on microfilm.
The individual counties have organized their records and offices in many different ways. The state research outlines provide further information on how to obtain these records.
Easy-to-use sources that list the various county offices in each state and the types of records at each office are:
Bentley, Elizabeth Petty. County Courthouse Book. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1990. (FHL book 973 D24bena.)
The Handy Book for Genealogists, Eighth Edition. Logan, Utah: Everton Publishing, 1991. (FHL book 973 D27e; Sixth Edition on fiche 6010044-47.) The Handy Book also lists the county seat and zip code.
Historical and Genealogical Societies
Historical and genealogical societies have been organized in each state, most counties, and some towns. These societies collect many valuable records and offer various helpful services to researchers. Addresses of local societies are listed in:
Smith, Betty P. Directory of Historical Societies and Agencies in the United States and Canada. 14th Edition. Nashville, Tennessee: American Association for State and Local History, 1990. (FHL book 970 H24d.)
Federal Repository Libraries
The federal government has designated at least one library in each state (generally a major university library) to receive a copy of published federal records. These include a wide variety of information, such as pension lists, private land claims, veterans' burial lists, and individuals' petitions to Congress.
Inventories, Registers, Catalogs
Most archives have catalogs, inventories, guides, or periodicals that describe their records and how to use them. If possible, study these guides before you visit an archive so that you can use your time more effectively. Many of these are available at the Family History Library, at your public or university library, or through interlibrary loan.
An example of a helpful guide is:
Schaefer, Christina K. The Center: Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Capital Area. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1996. (FHL book 975.3 A3sc.) This describes the records and services of the National Archives, Library of Congress, Daughters of the American Revolution Library, and other repositories in the Washington, DC area.