Find the best ancestry research libraries and societies in the U.S. South Atlantic 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. South Atlantic states of Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.
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
- Delaware Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Florida Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Georgia Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Maryland Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- North Carolina Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- South Carolina Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Virginia Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Washington D.C. Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- West Virginia 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
Delaware Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Delaware 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 (5)
- Delaware Genealogical Society
- Delaware Public Archives
- Delaware’s Division of Libraries
- Delaware –The Digital Library of the First State
University Archives and Collections (3)
- University of Delaware. Special Collections
- University of Delaware. University Archives
- Winterthur Library
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (4)
- Dover–Delaware Public Archives
- Newark–University of Delaware Library
- Wilmington–Historical Society of Delaware Research Library
- Wilmington–Jewish Historical Society of Delaware
Digital Library Collections (3)
- Photograph Exhibits
- University of Delaware Library Postcard Collection
- Delaware, the Digital Library of the First State
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Florida Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Florida 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 (4)
- Florida Historical Society
- Florida State Archives
- Florida State Genealogical Society
- State Library of Florida
University Archives and Collections (25)
- Barry University
- Florida A&M University. Black Archives
- Florida A&M University. Special Collections
- Florida Atlantic University:
- Florida International University
- Florida Southern College. Archives & Special Collections
- Florida Southern College. Frank Lloyd Wright Collection
- Florida State University. Claude Pepper Library
- Florida State University. Special Collections
- St. Thomas University
- Stetson University
- Stonewall Library & Archives
- University of Central Florida
- University of Florida. Special and Area Studies Collections
- University of Miami School of Law
- University of Miami. Archives and Special Collections
- University of Miami. Cuban Heritage Collection
- University of Miami. Marine & Atmospheric Science Library
- University of Miami. School of Medicine
- University of North Florida
- University of South Florida, St. Petersburg
- University of South Florida, Tampa
- University of Tampa. Florida Military Collection
- University of West Florida
- Wolfsonian-Florida International University
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (20)
- Clearwater–Clearwater Public Library
- Daytona Beach–Volusia County Public Library
- Fort Lauderdale–Broward County Library
- Gainesville–Alachua County Library
- Hollywood–City of Hollywood
- Hudson–Pasco County Library System
- Jacksonville–Jacksonville Public Library
- Lakeland–Lakeland Public Library
- Largo–Largo Public Library
- Leesburg–Leesburg Public Library
- Madison–Elmer’s Genealogy Library
- Miami–Miami-Dade Public Library
- Seminole–Seminole Community Library
- St. Petersburg–St. Petersburg Public Library
- Tallahassee–Florida State Archives, Genealogy Collection
- Tampa–City of Tampa Archives
- Tampa–John F. Germany Public Library
- Tampa–Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
- Tampa–Vero Beach–Indian River County Main Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (3)
- Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine
- Sarasota County History Center
- Sarasota Music Archive
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- Florida Electronic Library
This site offers access to resources including electronic magazines, newspapers, almanacs, encyclopedias, and books. It includes topics such as current events, education, business, technology, and health issues. It provides information for all age groups, including homework help for students and resources for teachers.
Digital Library Collections (10)
- Florida Heritage Collection
- Florida Photographic Collection & Video Clips
- Florida International University Libraries and others, Everglades Digital Library
- State University System of Florida, PALMM
- Digital Collections by Subject
- State University System of Florida, Florida Heritage Collection
- University of Central Florida Libraries, Orange County Regional History Center, Orange County Library System, Central
- Florida Memory
- University of South Florida, USF Libraries Digital Collections
- USF Libraries Digitization Services
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Georgia Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Georgia 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 (4)
- Georgia Department of Archives and History
- Georgia Genealogical Society
- Georgia Historical Society
- Georgia Public Library Service: The State Library of Georgia
University Archives and Collections (20)
- Armstrong Atlantic State University
- Atlanta University Center
- Augusta State University
- Clayton College & State University
- Columbus State University
- Emory University
- Georgia College & State University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Georgia Southern University
- Georgia State University
- Kennesaw State University
- Mercer University, Atlanta
- Mercer University, Macon
- Pitts Theology Library. Archives and Manuscripts
- Pitts Theology Library. Special Collections
- University of Georgia. Hargrett Library Special Collection
- University of Georgia. Media Archives
- University of Georgia. Richard B. Russell Library
- University of West Georgia
- Valdosta State University
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (14)
- Athens–Athens Regional Library System
- Atlanta–Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library
- Atlanta–Atlanta-Fulton Public Library
- Atlanta–Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History
- Decatur–DeKalb County Public Library
- Dublin–Laurens County Library
- LaFayette–Cherokee Regional Library
- Lafayette–Walker County Public Library, Doris Coulter Hetzler Memorial Georgia History & Genealogy
- Room
- LaGrange–Troup County Archives
- Macon–Washington Memorial Library
- Marietta–Cobb County Public Library
- Rome–Rome-Floyd County Library
- Savannah–Live Oak Public Library
- Vadalia–Ladson Genealogical Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (5)
- Archdiocese of Atlanta
- Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History
- National Archives and Records Administration-Southeast Region
- Salvation Army Historical Center
- Southeastern Railway Museum
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- GALILEO – Georgia Library Learning Online
This Georgia’s Virtual Library provides access to over 100 databases indexing thousands of periodicals and scholarly journals. Over 2000 journal titles are provided in full-text. Other resources include encyclopedias, business directories, and government publications.
Digital Library Collections (7)
- Digital Library of Georgia
- Emory University, Lewis H. Beck Center for Electronic Collections and Services
- Digital Collections by Subject
- Emory University, Virtual Library Project
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Library and Information Center, Digital Collections
- Digital Initiatives Department
- University of Georgia Libraries, Books and Periodicals in DjVu format
- University System of Georgia, Digital Library of Georgia
- Digital Collections by Subject
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Maryland Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Maryland 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 Reso#urces (4)
- Enoch Pratt Free Library – The public library of Baltimore City and the State of Maryland
- Maryland Genealogical Society
- Maryland Historical Society
- Maryland State Archives
University Archives and Collections (13)
- Allegany College of Maryland Library
- Johns Hopkins University
- Frostburg State University, Lewis J. Ort Library
- Salisbury University. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture
- Towson University
- University of Baltimore
- University of Maryland Performing Arts Library
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- University of Maryland, Baltimore. Health Sciences Library
- University of Maryland, College Park. Archives and Manuscripts
- University of Maryland, College Park. Gordon W. Prange Collection
- University of Maryland, College Park. Marylandia and Rare Books
- University of Maryland. Eastern Shore
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (5)
- Baltimore–Baltimore County Public Library
- Baltimore–Enoch Pratt Free Library, Maryland Department
- Frederick–Frederick County Public Libraries
- Hyattsville–Prince George’s County Memorial Library System
- Salisbury–Salisbury State University, Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (17)
- American Institute of Physics. Niels Bohr Library
- Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum
- Baltimore-Washington Conference Archives
- Broadcast Pioneers Library of American Broadcasting
- Enoch Pratt Free Library. African-American Collection
- Enoch Pratt Free Library. Maryland Department
- Health Services Research Library
- Historical Society of Carroll County
- Jewish Museum of Maryland
- Maryland Historical Society
- Mid Maryland Roots
- National Public Broadcasting Archives
- National Trust for Historical Preservation Library
- Peabody Institute
- U.S. National Agricultural Library
- U.S. National Library of Medicine
- U.S. Naval Academy
- U.S. Social Security Administration
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- SAILOR – Maryland’s Public Information Network: http://www.sailor.lib.md.us/
Maryland residents have access to Maryland Library Catalogs and online reference service; Maryland information, such as Maryland Government Website and Maryland Lottery Online; and special information resources, such as Auto Repair Reference Center and the Baltimore Sun Archive.
Digital Library Collections (7)
- MDCH: Maryland Digital Cultural Heritage
- Photographic Collection (Maryland Historical Society Library
- Descriptions of Maryland
- State of Maryland, Archives of Maryland Online
- University of Maryland Libraries, Digital Collections and Research
- Universiy of Maryland Libraries, DRUM: Digital Repository at the University of Maryland
- SAILOR: Maryland’s Public Information Network
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
North Carolina Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best North Carolina 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)
- North Carolina Genealogical Society
- North Carolina State Archives
- State Library of North Carolina
University Archives and Collections (26)
- Appalachian State University
- Duke University Medical Center
- Duke University. Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections
- Duke University. University Archives
- East Carolina University. Laupus Library
- East Carolina University. Special Collections
- Elon University
- High Point University
- Pfeiffer University
- Queens University of Charlotte
- Shaw University
- University of North Carolina, Asheville
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Biology Library
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Health Sciences Library
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. North Carolina Collection
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Rare Book Collection
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Wilson Library
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Special Collections
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro. University Archives
- University of North Carolina, Wilmington: http://library.uncwil.edu/specialopen.html
- Wake County Public Libraries
- Wake Forest University. Dorothy Carpenter Medical Archives
- Wake Forest University. Special Collections
- Western Carolina University
- Winston-Salem State University
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (8)
- Burlington–May Memorial Library
- Charlotte–Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
- Cumberland–Cumberland County Public Library
- Durham–Durham County Library
- New Bern-Craven–New Bern-Craven County Public Library
- New Hanover–New Hanover County Public Library
- Rowan–Rowan Public Library
- Wake County–Wake County Public Libraries
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- NC LIVE – North Carolina Libraries for Virtual Education
This site provides the North Carolina residents with free internet access to a large collection of electronic resources, including full-text articles from newspapers, journals, magazines, and encyclopedias, online print and audio books, and indexing for over 25,000 periodical titles.
Digital Library Collections (8)
- North Carolina ECHO
- Duke University Libraries, Digital Library Initiatives Task Group
- East Carolina Library, Joyner Library, North Carolina History and Fiction Digital Library
- State Library of North Carolina, North Carolina ECHO (Exploring Cultural Heritage Online)
- Wake Forest University, Z. Smith Reynolds Library, Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts Department,
- North Carolina History and Fiction Digital Library
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
South Carolina Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best South Carolina 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 (4)
- South Carolina Department of Archives and History
- South Carolina Genealogical Society, Inc.
- South Carolina Historical Society
- South Carolina State Library:
University Archives and Collections (11)
- Bob Jones University. Archives Research Center
- Bob Jones University. Special Collections
- Citadel
- Clemson University
- Francis Marion University
- Furman University
- University of South Carolina, Aiken
- University of South Carolina. Newsfilm Library
- University of South Carolina. Rare Books and Special Collections
- University of South Carolina. South Caroliniana Library
- Winthrop University
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (5)
- Charleston–Charleston County Public Library
- Greenville–Greenville Library, Stow South Carolina Historical Room
- Manning–Clarendon County Archives
- Columbia–Richland County Public Library
- Spartanburg–Spartanburg County Public Libraries
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (4)
- Camden Archives & Museum
- Clarendon County Archives
- Darlington Historical Commission
- Historical Center of York County
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- South Carolina’s Virtual Library
Offers South Carolina residents free online access to subscription library resources, including Grolier Online encyclopedias; full-text topical resources from SIRS/ProQuest; a NewsBank newspaper database; and a number of Thomson Gale magazine, newspaper and reference databases.
Digital Library Collections (4)
- PASCAL: Parnership Among South Carolina Academic Libraries, Digital Collections Committee
- South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Digital Collections
- University of South Carolina, University Libraries, Digital Collections
- Digital Collections by Subject
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Virginia Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Virginia 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 (29)
- Bridgewater College, Alexander Mack Memorial Library
- Christopher Newport University
- College of William and Mary
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Emory & Henry College
- George Mason University
- Hampton University. Archives
- Hampton University. Peabody Collection
- Hollins University
- James Madison University
- Old Dominion University. Diehn Composers Room
- Old Dominion University. Special Collections
- Radford University
- Regent University
- Shenandoah University
- University of Richmond
- University of Virginia’s College at Wise
- University of Virginia. Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry
- University of Virginia. Health Sciences Library
- University of Virginia. Law Library
- University of Virginia. Music Library
- University of Virginia. Perdue Archive of Traditional Culture
- University of Virginia. Special Collections
- Virginia Commonwealth University. James Branch Cabell Library
- Virginia Commonwealth University. Tompkins-McCaw Library
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Virginia State University
- Virginia Union University
- Washington and Lee University. Special Collections
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (18)
- Alexandria–Alexandria Library
- Arlington–Arlington County Public Library
- Chesapeake–Chesapeake Central Library
- Chesapeake–Chesapeake Public Library, Wallace Room
- Fairfax–Fairfax County Public Library
- Hampton–Hampton Public Library
- Handley–Handley Regional Library
- Leesburg–Thomas Balch Library
- Manassas–Prince William Public Library, Bull Run Regional Library, Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center
- Newport News–Newport News Public Library, Martha Woodruff Hiden Memorial Room
- Norfolk–Norfolk Public Library
- Richmond–Library of Virginia
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (5)
- Alexandria Archives & Records Cente
- Christopher Newport University
- Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society
- Jefferson Library
- Museum of the Confederacy
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- Find It! Virginia
This site allows users to search information from magazine and newspaper articles, TV and radio transcripts, encyclopedia and other reference works, company information and investment reports, health and wellness information, and more.
Digital Library Collections (22)
- The Virtual Library of Virginia Image Collections
- Rarely Seen Richmond
- George Mason University, Department of History and Art History, Center for History and New Media
- Digital Collections by Subject: http://bcdlib.tc.ca/links-subjects.htm
- George Mason University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives, Digitized Collections
- Washington Research Libraries Consortium
- The Library of Virginia, Digital Library Program
- Virginia Historical Inventory Digital Project
- Old Dominion University Libraries, Digital Services & Projects
- University of Virginia, Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities
- Digital Collections by Subject
- Virginia Center for Digital History
- Electronic Text Center
- Digitizes for Special Collections
- Digital Collections by Subject
- University of Virginia Library, Special Collections Digital Center
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Digital Library and Archives
- VIVA, the Virtual Library of Virginia
- Washington Research Libraries Consortium, WRLC Libraries Digital and Special Collections
- Digital Collections by Subject
- Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Washington D.C. Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Washington, D.C. 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.
University Archives and Collections (5)
- American University
- Catholic University of America. American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives
- George Washington University
- Georgetown University
- Howard University
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (41)
- Archives of American Art
- Brookings Institution
- Carnegie Institution of Washington. Archives
- Carnegie Institution of Washington. DTM-GL Library
- Daughters of the American Revolution Library
- Library of Congress. American Folklife Center
- Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
- Library of Congress. Music Division
- Library of Congress. Prints and Photographs
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Public Library
- National Academies Archives
- National Air and Space Museum
- National Anthropological Archives & Human Studies Film Archives
- National Archives and Records Administration
- National Archives and Records Administration, Archives Library Information Center
- National Building Museum
- National Defense University
- National Gallery of Art
- National Geographic Society Library
- National Museum of African Art
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of American Jewish Military History: http://www.nmajmh.org/collections/index.html
- National Museum of Health and Medicine
- National Museum of the American Indian
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
- National Press Club
- National Register of Historic Places
- National Security Archive
- Naval Historical Center. Operational Archives Branch
- Navy Department Library
- Organization of American States
- Smithsonian American Art Museum. Photo Study Collections
- Smithsonian American Art Museum/ National Portrait Gallery Library
- Smithsonian Institution Archives
- Smithsonian Institution. Cullman Library of Natural History
- Smithsonian Institution. Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology:
- Social Security Administration
- U.S. Department of Labor Library
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Washington National Cathedral
- City Museum of Washington, D.C.
Digital Library Collections (6)
- Catholic University of America, American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives
- Washington Research Libraries Consortium
- Digital Collections by Subject
- Library of Congress, Digital Collections and Programs
- American Memory
- Washington Research Libraries Consortium, WRLC Libraries Digital and Special Collections
- Digital Collections by Subject
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
West Virginia Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best West Virginia 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 (4)
- West Virginia Genealogical Society
- West Virginia Historical Society
- West Virginia Library Commission
- West Virginia State Archives
University Archives and Collections (6)
- Marshall University
- University of Charleston
- West Virginia University. Appalachian Collection
- West Virginia University. Rare Book Collections
- West Virginia University. West Virginia and Regional History Collection
- West Virginia Wesleyan College:
- Lewisburg–Greenbrier Historical Society Archives and Library
- Wheeling–Ohio County Public Library
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- Electronic Resources – West Virginia Library Commission
This site contains a variety of electronic resources, including a statewide library catalog, full text periodical articles (EBSCO), and the Learning Express Library, which provides online practice tests.
Digital Library Collections (1)
- West Virginia Digital Library
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
