Find the best ancestry research libraries in the U.S. West South Central states.
For many historians/genealogists, genealogical and historical societies and university and state libraries are a vast reservoir of information, tools, and experts that will enhance and magnify your research by leaps and bounds. This article will share a comprehensive listing of these resources for the U.S. Mountain States of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
See the companion article entitled: “Effectively Trace Ancestors in Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies.” Learn how to effectively use local, county, state historical societies and libraries to trace, find, and write narratives about ancestors.
Table of Contents
Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Interwoven Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Alabama Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Kentucky Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Mississippi Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Tennessee Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Where can I find lists of genealogical libraries and societies in other states?
The following matrix is a listing of each state. Click on the state and you will be taken to the article that contains the listing of genealogical and historical libraries, societies, and archives for that state.
What does each state’s listing of genealogical libraries and societies include?
As this article was being researched, it became apparent that lists and links to genealogy and historical societies, libraries, and archives are scattered throughout the web. None of the resources are complete, yet all must be reviewed to ensure you have not overlooked a possible source. For each state, I will provide the resources for the following categories:
- Statewide Resources
- University Archives and Collections
- Public Library and Community Resources and Archives
- Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives
- Finding State Digital Resources and Collections
- Digital Library Collections
- Historical and Genealogical Society Online Web Pages
While I have sought to provide you with a detailed compilation, I know I have missed some resources. If you don’t find what you’re seeking, I suggest you contact the library or society nearest your place of interest and see if they can help you locate resources that may not be online but can be contacted via other means.
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Interwoven Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
I would like to share a personal experience. Over many generations, the history of a family lies buried in different sources and places. Like a good detective, the historian and genealogist must search for the pieces of a family’s past in those many sources such as books, documents, and manuscripts. You need to be patient and imaginative, for the search can take years and involve a string of clues that lead to new sources. The facts–names, dates, events–that a historian/genealogist gathers through the years are like pieces of a puzzle. Gradually those pieces can be fitted together to make a picture of a family, its many members, and its unique history. I would like to share a personal experience.
As a researcher and storyteller, I have focused much research on online microfilm records and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Naively, I thought I had reached most of the available resources that pertained to my family. Then my perception changed with a trip to the roots of my family— Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and. Virginia. What started to be a 10-day trip ended up being a month-long discovery of who I am, where I came from and Whose I am.
Before my trip, I thought I had done extensive preparation through online searching at the Library of Virginia, spoken with and made arrangements to visit a few county historical societies, and identified where my family lived. I searched my records to see my information and collaborated with fellow family genealogists.
By the end of my trip, I had traveled 2,500 miles, taken 24,000 digital images, identified 150,000 plus ancestors from direct and collateral lines; visited and researched university archives and special collections; public and regional libraries; state, regional, and local historical, and ethnic societies; and state, county, and local government agencies. I had also spoken and counseled extensively with subject matter experts, walked my family’s land, visited the graves and cemeteries of my family, never found before known records, and met cousins both of Anglo- and African-American descent.
This experience came about because of interwoven historical and genealogical resources dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting artifacts and documents. They included:
- Colleges and universities archives and special collections
- Corporate archives
- Federal, state, and local government
- State, county, local, and ethnic historical societies
- Regional and community public libraries
If I learned one thing, it was a combination of all the resources to effectively help me learn and tell the story of my ancestors. I found that each organization had information shared by more than one organization; furthermore, I found each had unique and precious elements of my past. Finally and probably most importantly, I found a deep appreciation for the resources of individuals who freely gave of their time, expertise, and donations to acquire collections and make them available. I was also grateful to institutions and organizations for their dreams and vision to coordinate, collect, preserve, and manage history.
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Alabama Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Alabama local, county, and state genealogical and historical libraries and societies to assist you in tracing, finding, and writing narratives about ancestors.
What you can expect to find
Many of these libraries and societies have genealogical collections, historical collections, archives, special collections, and digital collections. Digital collections by subject, rare books, oral histories, photography collection, family history, digital projects, genealogical. open collections, virtual resources, electronic, and history text which are departments in the library.
Tip: Copy and paste the name of the listed resource into Google or the search engine of choice to find the web address. Once you find the resource you will be able to explore the type of resources you can find to support your historical and genealogy research.
State-wide Resources (3)
University Archives and Collections (10)
- Auburn University Montgomery
- Auburn University. Special Collections & Archives
- Samford University
- State Black Archives Research Center & Museum
- Troy University, Dothan
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- University of Alabama, Huntsville
- University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
- University of North Alabama
- University of West Alabama
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (6)
- Birmingham–Birmingham Public Library
- Cullman–Cullman County Public Library
- Huntsville–Huntsville Public Library. Heritage Room
- Moulton–Lawrence County Archives
- Jacksonville–Jacksonville (AL) Public Library
- Mobile–Mobile Public Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (1)
- State Black Archives Research Center & Museum
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- Alabama Virtual Library
This online database provides citizens of the State of Alabama with access to library and information resources.
Digital Library Collections (9)
- AlabamaMosaic
- Auburn University Digital Library
- Auburn University Digital Library
- Digital Collections by Subject
- Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
- Alabama Virtual Library
- University of Alabama, Clinical Digital Libraries Project
- University Libraries Digital Collections Production Center
- Historic Postcards of Alabama
State-wide Resources (3)
- Alabama Dept. of Archives & History
- For Genealogists & Historians
- Alabama Historical Commission
- Alabama Public Library Service
University Archives and Collections (10)
- Auburn University Montgomery
- Auburn University. Special Collections & Archives
- Samford University
- State Black Archives Research Center & Museum
- Troy University, Dothan
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- University of Alabama, Huntsville
- University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
- University of North Alabama
- University of West Alabama
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (6)
- Birmingham–Birmingham Public Library
- Cullman–Cullman County Public Library
- Huntsville–Huntsville Public Library. Heritage Room
- Moulton–Lawrence County Archives
- Jacksonville–Jacksonville (AL) Public Library
- Mobile–Mobile Public Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (1)
- State Black Archives Research Center & Museum
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- Alabama Virtual Library
This online database provides citizens of the State of Alabama with access to library and information resources.
Digital Library Collections (9)
- Alabama Mosaic
- Auburn University Digital Library
- Auburn University Digital Library
- Digital Collections by Subject
- Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
Alabama Virtual Library - University of Alabama, Clinical Digital Libraries Project
- University Libraries Digital Collections Production Center
- Historic Postcards of Alabama
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Kentucky Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Kentucky local, county, and state genealogical and historical libraries and societies to assist you in tracing, finding, and writing narratives about ancestors.
What you can expect to find
Many of these libraries and societies have genealogical collections, historical collections, archives, special collections, and digital collections. Digital collections by subject, rare books, oral histories, photography collection, family history, digital projects, genealogical. open collections, virtual resources, electronic, and history text which are departments in the library.
Tip: Copy and paste the name of the listed resource into Google or the search engine of choice to find the web address. Once you find the resource you will be able to explore the type of resources you can find to support your historical and genealogy research.
State-wide Resources (3)
- Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
- Kentucky Genealogical Society
- Kentucky Historical Society
University Archives and Collections (13)
- Bellarmine University. Thomas Merton Center
- Morehead State University
- Murray State University. Pogue Library
- Murray State University. Records Retention Center
- Northern Kentucky University
- Sullivan University
- Transylvania University
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville. Anderson Music Library
- University of Louisville. Kornhauser Health Sciences Library
- University of Louisville. Special Collections
- University of Louisville. University Archives and Records Center
- Western Kentucky University
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (11)
- Ashland–Boyd County Public Library
- Bowling Green–Western Kentucky University Library, Special Collections
- Covington–Kenton County Public Library
- Keeneland–Keeneland Library
- Lexington–Lexington Public Library
- Louisville–Louisville Western Library
- New Orleans–New Orleans Public Library
- Ownesboro–Daviess County Public Library
- Paducah–McCracken County Public Library
- Paris–John Fox, Jr. Library
- Pikeville–Pikeville College, Frank M. Allara Library, Special Collections Department
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (4)
- Diocese of Owensboro
- Filson Historical Society
- Jefferson County. Historic Preservation and Archives
- National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- KYVL – Kentucky Virtual Library
The databases included in this site are for Kentuckians and Kentucky institutions’ students/faculty. The databases provide access to ibliographic information (author, title, etc.), abstracts (a short description), and often the full text of articles.
Digital Library Collections (4)
- Kentuckiana Digital Library
- University of Kentucky, Research in Computing for Humanities
- University of Kentucky Library, Electronic Information Access and Management Center
- Kentuckiana Digital Library
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Mississippi Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Mississippi local, county, and state genealogical and historical libraries and societies to assist you in tracing, finding, and writing narratives about ancestors.
What you can expect to find
Many of these libraries and societies have genealogical collections, historical collections, archives, special collections, and digital collections. Digital collections by subject, rare books, oral histories, photography collection, family history, digital projects, genealogical. open collections, virtual resources, electronic, and history text which are departments in the library.
Tip: Copy and paste the name of the listed resource into Google or the search engine of choice to find the web address. Once you find the resource you will be able to explore the type of resources you can find to support your historical and genealogy research.
State-wide Resources (3)
- Mississippi Department of Archives and History
- Mississippi Historical Society
- Mississippi Library Commission
University Archives and Collections (9)
- Delta State University
- Mississippi College. Mississippi Baptist Historical Collection
- Mississippi College. Mississippi College Room
- Mississippi Department of Archives and History
- University of Mississippi. Archives and Special Collections
- University of Southern Mississippi. Center for Oral History
- University of Southern Mississippi. de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection
- University of Southern Mississippi. Manuscripts and Archives
- University of Southern Mississippi. Mississippiana/Special Collections
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (1)
- Lowdes–Columbus-Lowndes Public Library
- Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives
- Lauderdale County Department of Archives and History
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- MAGNOLIA – Mississippi’s statewide consortium
MAGNOLIA (Mississippi Alliance for Gaining New Opportunities through Library Information Access) is a statewide consortium which provides online research databases for publicly funded K-12 schools, public libraries, community college libraries, and university libraries in Mississippi.
Digital Library Collections (4)
- Mississippi Digital Library
- University of Southern Mississippi Libraries, Special Collections Digital Lab, Digital
- Virtual Reading Room
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Tennessee Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Tennessee local, county, and state genealogical and historical libraries and societies to assist you in tracing, finding, and writing narratives about ancestors.
What you can expect to find
Many of these libraries and societies have genealogical collections, historical collections, archives, special collections, and digital collections. Digital collections by subject, rare books, oral histories, photography collection, family history, digital projects, genealogical. open collections, virtual resources, electronic, and history text which are departments in the library.
Tip: Copy and paste the name of the listed resource into Google or the search engine of choice to find the web address. Once you find the resource you will be able to explore the type of resources you can find to support your historical and genealogy research.
State-wide Resources (3)
University Archives and Collections (18)
- East Tennessee State University
- Fisk University
- Lambuth University
- Lincoln Memorial University
- Lipscomb University
- Tennessee Technological University Library. Regional History
- Tennessee Technological University Library. University Archives
- University of Memphis
- University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- University of Tennessee, Martin
- University of Tennessee, Memphis. Health Sciences Historical Collections
- University of the South
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Archives
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Historical Collection
- Vanderbilt University. Divinity Library
- Vanderbilt University. Special Collections
- Vanderbilt University. Television News Archive
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (5)
- Memphis–Memphis-Shelby County Public Library. Archives
- Memphis–Memphis-Shelby County Public Library. Memphis and Shelby County Room
- Nashville–Metropolitan Archives of Nashville and Davidson County
- Nashville–Nashville Public Library
- Franklin–Williamson County Public Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (6)
Archives of the City of Kingsport
Disciples of Christ Historical Society
Dixon Pentecostal Research Center
Lawrence County (Tennessee) Archives
Lincoln Memorial University
Sumner County Archives
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- TEL – Tennessee Electronic Library
This site provides Tennessee residents with access to a number of electronic databases.
Digital Library Collections (5)
- Tennessee Heritage Online
- TENN-SHARE, Tennessee Electronic Library
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville, University Libraries, Digital Library Center
- University of Tennessee at Martin, Andy Holt Virtual Library
- University of Tennessee-Martin Andy Holt Virtual Library
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
