Repositories-Arkansas History Commission

Arkansas History Commission

Arkansas History Commission
1 Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-682-6900
http://www.ark-ives.com
state.archives@arkansas.gov

For 110 years, the Arkansas History Commission has served as the state’s official history archives, making it one of the oldest archives in the nation. Located in downtown Little Rock behind the State Capitol building, the agency has the largest collection of Arkansas historical and genealogical material in the state and maintains a collection of artifacts as well.   
 
With two regional branches, the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives in Powhatan and the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives in Washington, the Arkansas History Commission is dedicated to collecting, maintaining and preserving Arkansas history. From gubernatorial papers, county records, and photographs to all five of Arkansas’s state constitutions, some of Arkansas’s greatest historical treasures are housed here and are available for research.  

The Arkansas History Commission also participates in community outreach, working with local educators to provide support for curriculum development, providing tours by appointment, and sponsoring seminars and free lectures relevant to Arkansas history and genealogy throughout the year.

The Arkansas History Commission is open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 
The Black History Commission of Arkansas, associated with the Arkansas History Commission, is composed of seven members. Their mission is to encourage research of and to collect materials related to Arkansas’s African American history, and to cooperate with the Arkansas Department of Education in the development of materials supporting the teaching of Arkansas African American history. 

The AHC does not allow the use of cameras or hand-held scanning devices but does have photocopy capabilities, both with and without flash drives, which are sold by the AHC for $5.00 each.  Copies may be made with the use of copy cards at 25 cents a copy. Laptops are allowed and lockers for personal belongings are provided.  Parking is free.

The AHC can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest and maintains a blog, http://arkansasstatearchives.blogspot.com/.

Repositories-Arkansas History Commission

Repositories-National Archives at Kansas City

National Archives at Kansas City
400 W. Pershing Road
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 268-8000
Email: kansascity.archives@nara.gov
Website: http://www.archives.gov/kansas-city/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalarchiveskansascity
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kcarchives

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.*
Closed Sundays, Mondays, and all Federal Holidays
*Hours subject to change. Call ahead.

 Introduction:
Anyone who has cleaned out a family attic knows the importance of keeping family records. You may have military records from relatives who served in one of the World Wars—or even the Civil War. Or pictures of your great-great grandparents on the day they became American citizens. Now imagine the task of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)—record keepers for all historically valuable records created by agencies of your Federal Government. The National Archives at Kansas City is just one of many locations across the country that provides access to these records.

Holdings:
The National Archives at Kansas City has two public research areas available to you—the research room, for use of original documents from our holdings, and the computer search room for use of online and microfilmed materials. In our research room you can see original historical documents, photographs, maps, drawings and much more from nearly 100 Federal agencies located in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Our holdings total nearly 80,000 cubic feet of material. By law, we preserve and provide access to permanently valuable, non-current Federal records with historical, legal, or fiscal value.

For genealogists, records of particular interest include naturalization records, alien case files,  Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary inmate case files, and various records from Bureau of Indian Affairs agencies.

If you wish to view original records, you must call or email ahead to schedule an appointment.

Rules:
All researchers are issued a researcher card. Please bring identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or student ID so that we can issue you a researcher card.

Please plan on leaving your personal belongings in a locker. Laptop computers, digital cameras, and pre-approved flatbed scanners are permitted in the research room. Self-service copying or scanning of original records is dependent upon the condition of the documents. Staff will provide guidance about what is permissible.

A self-service copy machine is available in the research room to make paper copies for a fee. A limited number of camera stands are also available for researcher use.

Please visit our website for a list of rules and to understand what you are permitted and not permitted to bring into our research room at
http://www.archives.gov/research/start/nara-regulations.html.

Amenities:
The National Archives at Kansas City has free parking directly in front of our building. Our facility is within walking distance of numerous other attractions, including the National World War I Museum and Union Station. There are dozens of restaurants and several hotels close by.

Repositories-National Archives at Kansas City

Repositories-Tulsa City County Library

Tulsa City County Library, Hardesty Branch

Genealogy Center,
Tulsa City County Library, Hardesty Branch
8316 E. 93rd St.
Tulsa, OK  74133
www.tulsalibrary.org/genealogy
918-549-7691

The Genealogy Center’s comprehensive research collection includes traditional resources like books and microfilm, as well as online databases and subscriptions like: AncestryLibraryEdition, Fold3.com, American Ancestors, and HistoryGeo.com. 

The center’s print collection contains many out of print books. The books are divided into sections by states, families, and general genealogy research.  Materials within the state sections include county records and histories, along with books highlighting military, church and cemetery records. The center also includes a large Native American collection on microfilm, in book form, and through online access. The collection is non-circulating.

The center’s website contains indexes to map collections, vertical files, and family file collections.  Links to the Tulsa World and Tulsa Tribune death notices, useful websites, program handouts, and an American Indian research tutorial are also included. 

The library has a large parking lot with easy access from Memorial Drive in South Tulsa. There are several restaurants within a mile of the Hardesty Library. The Woodland Hills Mall is less than 5 miles away.  

Repositories-Tulsa City County Library

Repositories-Jefferson County Library

Jefferson County Library

The Jefferson County Library Special Collection at the Northwest Branch supports two major areas of activity: genealogy & local history. The genealogy collection supports genealogical research in Missouri as well as other states and other counties. Local history offers a historical look at Jefferson County and its people. Materials available include genealogical books, maps, genealogical CDs & microfilm. Local history also includes photographs of the area, local cemetery transcriptions, and historical newspapers of Jefferson County.

 The Jefferson County Library website at www.jeffersoncountylibrary.org contains a page on “Genealogy Services” which includes Jefferson County newspaper indexes from 1866 to 1940. This is not an every name index. However, page by page the newspaper has been searched for birth, marriage and death (obituary) announcements, and other important genealogy related articles.

The section also has hundreds of rolls of microfilm on Jefferson County newspapers, probate files, marriage records, circuit court records, land deeds, plus some limited merchant and tax lists. Since the county is just south of St. Louis, they have St. Louis City and County directories. In addition the library has limited microfilm of St. Louis County & City marriages.

Below is just a brief listing of some of the Jefferson County records and their time period:

• Circuit Court 1819–1952 (including naturalizations)
• Naturalization 1910–1937
• Taxes 1857–1884
• Original Land Entry Book I & II
• Index to Deeds 1818–1885
• Deeds 1819–1898
• Marriage Records 1825–1947
• Probate Records, early to l930s
• Myrtle Gunderson Genealogical Collection
• St. Louis City Directories 1863–1955
• St. Lois County Directories 1881–1955
• St. Louis Marriages 1877–1881
• St. Louis County Marriages 1871–1933

The special collection also has a manuscript collection, containing hundreds of photos and documents on Jefferson County. This includes notes, articles, and many items that individuals have donated throughout the years. Della Lang, the local historian, has donated many items to the manuscript collection. In addition, the library is always looking for additional acquisitions. As of current, the list of holdings of the manuscript collection is not online. It is the hope of the department that one day the list will be available on the Web. However, over 300 photographs from the manuscript collection are available online through Flickr. Visit the library home page or
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffersoncountylibrary/sets/.

Staff can perform searches of up to five names in any indexed genealogy materials held by the Northwest Branch for a $10 non-refundable fee. This fee, which must be paid at the time of the request, includes the cost of copies and postage. Make check payable to Jefferson County Library. For staff to conduct research by mail, a specific book or microfilm must be specified.
Submit requests in writing to:
Genealogy Department
Jefferson County Library, Northwest Branch
5680 State Road PP
High Ridge, MO 63049
Researchers are always welcome to visit the library, use our materials, and make their own copies. Black and white copies are 20¢ per page, color copies are 75¢ per page.

Repositories-Jefferson County Library

Repositories-St. Louis County Library

St. Louis County Library History and Genealogy Department—Home of the National Genealogical Society Collection

Founded in 1998, the St. Louis County Library History and Genealogy Department is a major research destination offering access to a growing collection of more than 85,000 print items, 850 periodical titles, 40,000 microfilm items, and a variety of electronic databases.

CONTACTING THE LIBRARY
History and Genealogy Department
St. Louis County Library
1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri 63131-3598
Phone: (314) 994-3300, extension 2070
Email: genealogy@slcl.orggenealogy@slcl.org
Website: http://www.slcl.org. Information about the History and Genealogy Department is located under the “History and Genealogy” tab.

Hours of operation
Use of the History and Genealogy Department is free and open to the public during regular business hours:
Monday–Thursday, 9 am–9 pm
Friday & Saturday, 9 am–5 pm
Sunday, 1–5 pm

The library is closed on legal holidays and other times as announced.

VISITING THE HISTORY AND GENEALOGY DEPARTMENT DURING THE NGS CONFERENCE
The library is making special arrangements to accommodate the large number of researchers expected to visit the History and Genealogy Department during the NGS Conference. Please check for updates at http://www.slcl.org/content/visiting-history-and-genealogy-department-during-ngs-conference.

The library’s website includes online finding aids to microfilm collections, indexes to selected sources in the department’s collection, and other useful information.

Print materials in the History and Genealogy Department can be searched via the library’s online catalog at http://webpac.slcl.org.

COLLECTION EMPHASES
The department’s collections offer unique genealogical and historical sources emphasizing the St. Louis metropolitan area, the state of Missouri, and states and foreign countries that fed migration into Missouri. The department offers substantial holdings for New England states, the original 13 colonies, and a growing collection of sources from foreign countries. Military history and sources for research on various ethnic and national groups are well represented.

MAJOR COLLECTIONS
The St. Louis Genealogical Society Collection offers unique materials for research in the St. Louis area, the state of Missouri, and states east of the Mississippi River, as well as sources for finding European roots.

The National Genealogical Society Collection includes 30,000 items available for checkout or request through interlibrary loan. The collection features state, county, local and family histories, cemetery, church, court, land, marriage, and estate record abstracts.

The Julius K. Hunter and Friends African American Research Collection (JKH) features unique African American genealogical resources in print and on microfilm.

The William C.E. and Bessie K. Becker Collection is comprised of sources for German, Swiss, and Irish research. Featured is a collection of more than 850 microfilm reels of parish records from Canton Bern, Switzerland.

The Mary F. Berthold Collection is a premier collection of rare and heavily used works acquired from the National Genealogical Society’s reference library.

The Jewish Genealogical Society of St. Louis Collection—Originally housed at United Hebrew Temple, this collection offers a unique look at Jewish history, including more than 100 Yizkor books memorializing destroyed Jewish communities and listing residents killed in the Holocaust.

OTHER COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS
St. Louis sources
A large selection of microfilm featuring city directories, vital records, naturalizations, probate records, cemetery records, funeral home records, and other important sources for St. Louis City and County research.

U.S. States
The department offers many print sources, including vital record indexes and abstracts; cemetery and funeral home records; church records; land ownership records and maps; military records, including indexes and abstracts for federal and state records and extensive holdings for the Civil War period; genealogical journals and newsletters; probate court, wills and estate records; and local, regiona,l and state histories.

Church records
Collections include St. Louis-area Lutheran, United Church of Christ, and Catholic records, including those for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois.

Newspapers
The library holds current and historical St. Louis newspapers, including those published for immigrant, ethnic, and local communities.

Published family histories
The department offers more than 13,000 published family histories, many of which are available for checkout and through interlibrary loan.

Sources for national and ethnic research
The department’s collection features unique foreign sources, including German Ortsippenbücher (genealogical registers extracted from parish records), Scottish memorial inscription books, an extensive collection of “Marriage Repertories” for Québec, parish registers of French North America, and church records for Canton Bern, Switzerland.

Periodicals
Holdings include more than 850 periodical titles relating to genealogy and local history.

Electronic databases
The library offers Ancestry Library Edition, Fold3, Heritage Quest, Pro-Quest Historical St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Newspaper Archive, and a variety of other databases for genealogical and historical research. Databases can be accessed via public computers and the wireless network at all St. Louis County Library locations. St. Louis County Library card holders living in the St. Louis metropolitan area can use most databases at home for free.

DEPARTMENT SERVICES
On-site reference help from the knowledgeable staff is available to assist researchers locate and use library materials and equipment.

Lookup services—the department accepts requests for lookups in indexed sources. See http://www.slcl.org/genealogy-and-local-history/services for more information.

PastPorts monthly electronic newsletter—PastPorts offers department news, articles highlighting department sources, and a listing of free classes and events. The newsletter is delivered electronically to subscribers via email for free. Past issues and subscription information are available on the library’s website.

Family History Library microfilm–Microfilm and microfiche ordered from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City may be viewed at St. Louis County Library.

Interlibrary Loan service–interlibrary loan allows St. Louis County Library card holders access to materials from other libraries. Many History and Genealogy Department books are made available to other libraries through the interlibrary loan system.

Classes and events—the department staff offers free classes on genealogy, sponsors monthly meetings of the St. Louis Genealogical, and holds special events as announced.

USING THE COLLECTION
Security procedures
Personal items allowed in the department include:

• Writing paper
• Pens and pencils
• Personal notes
• Laptop computers (without case)
• A small wallet, change purse, or fanny pack
• Three-ring binders (subject to inspection)
• Coats, jackets, and sweaters

Researchers who would like to use a public computer should bring a valid St. Louis County Library card OR a valid state ID or driver’s license.

Items not allowed in the department include:

• Purses
• Bags
• Brief cases and portfolios
• Back packs
• Accordion files
• Laptop computer cases
• Personal books
• Library books from other departments
• Food and drink

Coin-operated lockers are provided on Tier 4 of the library building next to the elevators. Lockers require a quarter, which is automatically refunded when the key is returned.

Repositories-St. Louis County Library

Repositories-St. Louis Public Library Genealogy Room

Genealogy Room, St. Louis Public Library, 1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
Contact: 314-539-0385 or webref@slpl.org.

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 10 AM-9 PM; Fri-Sat: 10 AM-6 PM; Closed Sunday.

The Genealogy Room, St. Louis Room, History & Geography Room, the Rare Books & Special Collections Department are all located on the 3rd Floor of Central Library.

Our collection focuses mainly on Missouri and on those states and countries that furnished large numbers of emigrants to Missouri (that is, most states east and south of Missouri, plus Germany, France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom). 

Holdings
The Genealogy Room’s collection consists of books, periodicals, city directories, and telephone books, microfilm, and vertical file materials (mostly newspaper clippings or family history materials that could not be bound). The book collection includes thousands of family histories in book form plus numerous local, county, and regimental histories. The microfilm collection includes city directories, census records, passenger records, some military records, plus various vital records, cemetery records, and newspapers for the St. Louis City and County area. Most of these materials have been cataloged and can be searched via our online catalog: http://www.slpl.org/.

We also have extensive map and heraldry collections.  The map collection includes topographic maps, Sanborn fire insurance maps, highway maps, land ownership maps, county plat maps, and atlases, Missouri and Illinois county highway maps, St. Louis ward maps, and city maps (domestic and foreign).  There is also a large series of sheet maps of WWII-era Europe, plus there are numerous atlases and gazetteers in our book collection.

Reference computers in the Genealogy Room provide access to Ancestry Library Edition, Fold3.com, HeritageQuest Online, and numerous other reference databases.

The Library also has extensive collections on St. Louis history, including its government, neighborhoods, architecture, artists, and authors.  A huge Local History Card File and the Local History Vertical File are located in the St. Louis Room.  The Special Collections Department has large photograph and postcard collections, plus a large collection of 1904 World’s Fair materials (books, guidebooks, periodicals, photographs, and ephemera).  That department also owns collections of St. Louis imprints, cuneiforms, illuminated manuscripts, miniature books, and several old Bibles, including a King James Bible (1611).

Rules
You do not need a library card to use our materials in-house, and there is no use fee for out-of-town residents. You may use pen or pencil in the Genealogy Room (pencils only in Special Collections). You may bring personal belongings into the Genealogy Room, but we reserve the right to search bags / briefcases as necessary. You can bring bottled water or soda (no cans or other open containers), but may only eat in the café area (see Amenities).

Our photocopier and microfilm machines can be used to make paper copies, or you can bring a flash drive and save to it on either type of machine. You may also use cameras (without flash) to make photographs for personal use (you must obtain prior permission from us to use such images in print or electronic publications). You may bring your laptop or tablet, and free wi-fi is available in the Genealogy Room.

We prefer to be notified in advance if you plan to bring a group of 10 or more persons to the Library (314-539-0385).

Amenities
The library is located in downtown St. Louis at the corner of 13th and Olive Streets.  On weekdays there is parking at meters and on pay-per-day lots. Meters are not checked after 7 PM on weekdays.  We also have limited free parking for customers on a lot we own at 15th and Olive Streets (directly behind the Campbell House Museum). You can pull right onto the lot, but must get a parking token from the Olive or Locust Street Circulation Desks in order to exit from the lot.

Located in the west wing of the Locust Street Atrium (1st Floor), Urban Eats Café features many of the same tasty foods and drinks with an ethnic twist that St. Louisans have come to love at Urban Eats’ south city location. Other places to eat are also available within easy walking distance of the Library.

More information
More about the Library: http://www.slpl.org/

Our blogs: http://www.slpl.org/slpl/library/blogs.asp

Our genealogy newsletter: http://gfh.slpl.org/

Our obit index and other indexes: http://indexes.slpl.org/

More on our parking lot: http://www.slpl.org/slpl/library/central_parking.asp

More about Urban Eats: http://hgdept.blogspot.com/2014/08/urban-eats.html

Find Places Downtown: http://www.downtownstl.org/places/

Explore St. Louis: http://explorestlouis.com/

Repositories-St. Louis Public Library Genealogy Room