enealogical and historical libraries and societies

Find the best ancestry research libraries in the U.S. Pacific 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. Pacific States of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.

See the companion article entitled: “Effectively Trace Ancestors in Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies.” Learn how to effectively use local, county, and state historical societies and libraries to trace, find, and write narratives about ancestors.

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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.

Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas
California Colorado Connecticut Delaware
Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas
Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland
Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi
Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada
New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York
North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma
Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina
South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah
Vermont Virginia Washington Washington, D.C.
West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

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

Alaska Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies

Genealogical and historical libraries and societies

The following is a listing of the best Alaska 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.

Statewide Resources (3)

  1. Alaska Historical Society
  2. Alaska State Archives
  3. Alaska State Library

University Archives and Collections (3)

  1. National Archives and Records Administration-Pacific Alaska Region (Anchorage
  2. University of Alaska, Anchorage
  3. University of Alaska, Fairbanks

Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (3)

  1. Anchorage-Anchorage Municipal Libraries
  2. Juneau–Alaska State Library
  3. Valdez–Valdez Museum and Historical Archive

Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)

  1. SLED – Statewide Library Electronic Doorway

A virtual library and digital archives provide online access to information about Alaska. Services and resources such as full-text articles and live homework help are included.

Digital Library Collections (8)

  1. Alaska Historical Collections
  2. Alaska’s Digital Archives
  3. Alaska State Library:
  4. Alaska Gold Lode
  5. Alaska’s Gold
  6. Alaska Virtual Library and Digital Archives Blog
  7. Alaska Digital Archives
  8. Hubert Wenger Eskimo Database

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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies

California Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies

Genealogical and historical libraries and societies

The following is a listing of the best California 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.

Statewide Resources (4)

  1. California Genealogical Society and Library
  2. California Historical Society
  3. California Secretary of State – Archives & Golden State Museum
  4. California State Library

University Archives and Collections (62)

  1. California Baptist University
  2. California State University, Bakersfield
  3. California State University, Channel Islands
  4. California State University, Chico
  5. California State University, Dominguez Hills
  6. California State University, Fresno
  7. California State University, Fullerton. Center for Oral and Public History
  8. California State University, Fullerton. University Archives and Special Collections
  9. California State University, Hayward
  10. California State University, Long Beach
  11. California State University, Los Angeles
  12. California State University, Northridge
  13. California State University, Sacramento
  14.  California State University, Stanislaus
  15. California State University. Archives
  16. Humboldt State University
  17. Japanese American History Archives
  18. Japanese American National Museum
  19. La Sierra University. Archives
  20. La Sierra University. Heritage Room
  21. Loma Linda University
  22. Loyola Marymount University
  23. National Archives and Records Administration-Pacific Region (Laguna Niguel)
  24. National Archives and Records Administration-Pacific Region (San Francisco)
  25. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Seaver Center for Western History Research
  26. San Diego State University
  27. San Francisco State University. de Bellis Collection
  28. San Francisco State University. Labor Archives and Research Center
  29. San Francisco State University. Special Collections and Archives
  30. San Jose State University
  31. Santa Clara University. Archives
  32. Santa Clara University. Special Collections
  33. Sonoma State University
  34. Stanford University. Special Collections
  35. Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound /
  36. Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
  37. Stanford University. Special Collections
  38. University of California, Berkeley. Bancroft Library
  39. University of California, Berkeley. East Asian Library
  40. University of California, Berkeley. Environmental Design Archives
  41. University of California, Berkeley. Water Resources Center Archives
  42. University of California, Davis
  43. University of California, Irvine. Special Collections
  44. University of California, Los Angeles. Belt Library of Vinciana
  45. University of California, Los Angeles. Ethnomusicology Archive
  46. University of California, Los Angeles. Film and Television Archive
  47. University of California, Los Angeles. Folklore and Mythology Archives
  48. University of California, Los Angeles. Music Library
  49. University of California, Los Angeles. Neuroscience History Archives
  50. University of California, Los Angeles. Special Collections
  51. University of California, Riverside. California Museum of Photography
  52. University of California, Riverside. Special Collections
  53. University of California, San Diego
  54. University of California, San Francisco
  55. University of California, Santa Barbara. Special Collections
  56. University of California, Santa Cruz. Special Collections
  57. University of San Francisco. Archives
  58. University of San Francisco. Rare Book Room
  59. University of San Francisco. Ricci Institute
  60. University of Southern California. Archival Research Center
  61. University of Southern California. Cinema-Television Library
  62. University of the Pacific

Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (60)

  1. Albany– Albany Public Library
  2. Alturas– Modoc County Library
  3. Anaheim–Anaheim Public Library
  4. Arcadia–Arcadia Public Library
  5. Berkeley–Berkeley Public Library
  6. Chino– Slovak Genealogical Research Center
  7. Chula Vista–Chula Vista Public Library
  8. Corona–Corona Public Library
  9. Dixon– Dixon Public Library
  10. Escondido–Escondido Public Library
  11. Fremont–Fremont Main Library
  12. Fresno–Fresno County Public Library
  13. Fullerton–Fullerton Public Library
  14. Glendale–Glendale Public Library
  15. Long Beach–Long Beach Public Library
  16. Los Angeles –Archdiocese of Los Angeles
  17. Los Angeles–Autry National Center. Institute for the Study of the American West
  18. Los Angeles–Getty Research Library
  19. Los Angeles–Los Angeles County Museum of Art
  20. Los Angeles–Los Angeles Public Library. History and Genealogy Department
  21. Los Angeles–Los Angeles Public Library. Rare Books Department
  22. Los Angeles–Los Angeles Public Library
  23. Mill Valley–Mill Valley Public Library
  24. Modesto–Stanislaus County Free Library
  25. Monterey–Monterey Public Library, California History Room
  26. Monterey–Monterey Public Library
  27. Napa–Napa Valley Genealogy Library
  28. Oakland–Oakland Public Library
  29. Palos Verdes–Palos Verdes Library District
  30. Pasadena–Pasadena Public Library
  31. Pomona–Pomona Public Library
  32. Redding–Shasta County Library
  33. Redwood City–Redwood City Public Library, Karl A. Vollmayer Local History Room
  34. Redwood City–Redwood City Public Library
  35. Riverside–Riverside Public Library
  36. Rosemead–Rosemead Public Library. California Collection
  37. Sacramento–California State Library
  38. Sacramento–Sacramento Public Library
  39. San Francisco–California State Library, California History Room
  40. San Francisco–California State Library, Sutro Library
  41. San Francisco–Holt Labor Library:
  42. San Francisco–San Francisco Public Library, African American Center
  43. San Francisco–San Francisco Public Library, Filipino American Center
  44. San Francisco–San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center
  45. San Jose–San Jose Public Library, California Room
  46. San Rafael–Marin County Free Library
  47. Santa Ana–Santa Ana Public Library
  48. Santa Cruz–Santa Cruz Public Library
  49. Santa Monica–Santa Monica Public Library
  50. Santa Rosa–Sanoma County Public Library
  51. Santa Rosa–Sonoma County Library
  52. Stockton–Cesar Chavez Central Library
  53.  Stockton–Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library
  54. Sutro–Sutro Library
  55. Thousand Oaks–Thousand Oaks Public Library
  56. Torrance–Torrance Public Library
  57. Upland–Upland Public Library
  58. Visalia–Tulare County Library
  59. Woodland–Yolo County Archives
  60. Yreka–Siskiyou County Library

Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (7)

  1. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
  2. African American Museum and Library at Oakland
  3. Archdiocese of Los Angeles
  4. California Historical Society
  5. Fresno Historical Society
  6. Pacific Grove Heritage Society
  7. San Diego Historical Society

Digital Library Collections (30)

  1. Online Archive of California
  2. USC Digital Archive
  3. Archival Research Center
  4. Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection
  5. California State University, Northridge, San Fernando Valley History Digital Library
  6. California State University, Sacramento, Library, California Underground Railroad
  7. Claremont Colleges, Libraries, The Digital Library
  8. San Diego Library Consortium, The Circuit
  9. Stanford University Libraries/Academic Information Resources, SUL/AIR Digital Library Program
  10. Humanities Digital Information Service
  11. Social Sciences Data Service
  12. Geographic Information Systems
  13.  University of California, International and Area Studies Digital Collection
  14. University of California Libraries, California Digital Library
  15. Digital Collections by Subject
  16. CaliforniaDigitalLibrary.org
  17. eScholarship Repository
  18. University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley Digital Library SunSITE
  19. University of California, Berkeley, Regional Oral History Office, Oral Histories Online! Collection
  20. Digital Collections by Subject
  21. University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA Digital Library
  22. University of California, Santa Barbara, Alexandria Digital Library Project
  23. University of California Press, E-Books
  24. University of Southern California, Archival Research Center, Digital Archive
  25. University of Southern California, Learning with ISLA
  26. ISLA Web site
  27. Digital Archive
  28. Electronic Resources
  29. San Fernando Valley History Digital Library
  30. Alexandria Digital Library Project

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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies

Hawaii Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies

Genealogical and historical libraries and societies

The following is a listing of the best Hawaii 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.

Statewide Resources (3)

  1. Hawaii Archives Division
  2. Hawaiian Historical Society
  3. Hawaii State Public Library System

University Archives and Collections (7)

  1. Brigham Young University Hawaii
  2. Iolani School
  3. Kamehameha Schools
  4. Punahou School Archives
  5. University of Hawai’i at Hilo
  6. University of Hawai’i, West O’ahu. Center for Labor Education and Research
  7. University of Hawaii at Manoa. Special Collections

Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (2)

  1. Honolulu–Hawaii Medical Library, Mamiya Medical Heritage Center
  2. Honolulu–City and County of Honolulu

Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (6)

  1. Bishop Museum
  2. Hawaiian Historical Society
  3. Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society
  4. Maui Historical Society
  5. Pacific Tsunami Museum
  6. USS Arizona Memorial

Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)

  1. Electronic Databases – Hawaii State Public Library System

This site provides access to over 50 commercial electronic databases of magazines, newspapers, and other materials.

Digital Library Collections (3)

  1. Hawai’i Digital Library. Hilo, HI
  2. Hale Kuamo’o and others
  3. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library
  4. University of Hawaii Libraries, Image Repository

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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies

Oregon Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies

Genealogical and historical libraries and societies

The following is a listing of the best Oregon 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.

Statewide Resources (5)

  1. Genealogical Council of Oregon
  2. Oregon Genealogical Society
  3. Oregon Historical Society
  4. Oregon State Archives
  5. Oregon State Library

University Archives and Collections (10)

  1. Oregon State University Libraries. Special Collections
  2. Oregon State University. Archives
  3. Oregon University System
  4. Pacific University
  5. Southern Oregon University Library
  6. University of Oregon
  7. University of Portland. Archives
  8. University of Portland. Rare Book Room
  9. Western Oregon University
  10. Willamette University. Hallie Ford Museum of Art

Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (5)

  1. Burns–Harney County Library
  2. Dallas–Dallas Public Library
  3. Hermiston–Hermiston Public Library
  4. Portland–City of Portland, Oregon
  5. Portland–Multnomah County Library

Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (8)

  1. Archdiocese of Portland
  2. Columbia River Maritime Museum
  3. Crater Lake National Park
  4. Evergreen Aviation Museum
  5. Multnomah County Records Program
  6. Oregon Coast History Center
  7. Tamastslikt Cultural Institute
  8. Washington County Historical Society

Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)

  1. OSLIS – Oregon School Library Information System

This site provides statewide internet access to licensed databases, including EBSCOhost and the Newsbank Oregonian, and the digital reference service, L-net.

Digital Library Collections (5)

  1. Historic Photograph Database (Oregon State Archives)
  2. University of Oregon Libraries, Digital Library Initiatives
  3. Digital Collections By Subject
  4. University of Oregon Libraries
  5. Columbia River Basin Ethnic History Archive

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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies

Washington Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies

Genealogical and historical libraries and societies

The following is a listing of the best Washington 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.

Statewide Resources (4)

  1. Secretary of State – Archives & Records Management
  2. Washington State Genealogical Society
  3. Washington State Historical Society
  4. Washington State Library

University Archives and Collections (10)

  1. Central Washington University
  2. Eastern Washington University
  3. Gonzaga University
  4. Pacific Lutheran University
  5. University of Puget Sound
  6. University of Washington. Health Sciences Library
  7. University of Washington. Special Collections
  8. Western Washington University. Archives & Records Center
  9. Western Washington University. Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
  10. Western Washington University. Special Collections

Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (11)

  1. Colville–Colville, Public Library, Northeast Washington Genealogical Society Holdings
  2. Everett–Everett Public Library
  3. Pullman–Neill Public Library
  4. Seattle–King County Archives and Records Management
  5. Seattle–King County Library System
  6. Seattle–Seattle Public Library
  7. Seattle–Seattle Public Schools
  8. Spokane–Spokane Public Library
  9. Sumner–Heritage Quest Research Library
  10.  Tacoma–Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums
  11. Tacoma–Tacoma Public Library

Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (10)

  1. Archdiocese of Seattle
  2. Diocese of Olympia
  3. East Benton County Historical Society
  4. Echoes of the Past Archive
  5. Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society
  6. Heritage Quest Research Library
  7. Jefferson County Historical Society
  8. Providence Archives
  9. Sisters of Providence Archives
  10.  Swedish Finn Historical Society

Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)

  1. Washington State Digital Library Resources

This site contains a link to the Digital Best Practice Website and Washington State Digital Collections list.

Digital Library Collections (9)

  1. Digital Collections (Washington State University Libraries
  2. University of Washington Digital Library Initiatives
  3. University of Washington Libraries, Digital Collections
  4. Digital Collections by Subject
  5. Washington State Library, Washington State Digital Library Resources
  6. Washington State University, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections, Digital Collections
  7. Columbia River Basin Ethnic History Archive
  8. King County Snapshots
  9. Washington State Digital Libraries Portal

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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies