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
- Arkansas Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Oklahoma Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Texas 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 Historical and Genealogical Resources
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
Arkansas Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Arkansas 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)
- Arkansas Genealogical Society
- The Arkansas History Commission and State Archives
- Arkansas State Library
University Archives and Collections (8)
- Arkansas State University
- Clinton Presidential Center
- John Brown University
- Ouachita Baptist University
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
- University of Arkansas, Little Rock. American Native Press Archive
- University of Arkansas, Little Rock. Archives and Special Collections
- University of Central Arkansas
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (12)
- Arkadelphia–Riley-Hickingbotham Library, Ouachita Baptist University
- Benton–Saline County Library
- Fayetteville–Fayetteville Public Library
- Fort Smith–Fort Smith Public Library
- Harrison–Boone County Library
- Jonesboro–Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library
- Little Rock–Central Arkansas Library System. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies
- Little Rock–Central Arkansas Library System. Miller Aviation History Collection
- Little Rock–William F Laman Public Library
- Pine Bluff–Pine Bluff Jefferson County Public Library
- Springdale–Springdale Public Library
- Washington–Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- Traveler – An LSTA project administered by the Arkansas State Library
Digital Library Collections (2)
- Arkansas History Commission Photographs
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock, American Native Press Archives, Digital Library
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Louisiana 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 (15)
- Dillard University
- Louisiana State Archives
- Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
- Louisiana State University, Shreveport
- Louisiana Tech University
- Loyola University New Orleans
- McNeese State University
- Northwestern State University
- Southeastern Louisiana University
- Southern University
- Tulane University. Latin American Library
- Tulane University. Special Collections
- University of Louisiana, Lafayette
- University of New Orleans
- Xavier University
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (4)
- Morgan City–Morgan City Archives
- New Orleans–New Orleans Notarial Archives
- New Orleans–New Orleans Public Library
- Shrevesport–Broadmoor Branch Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (5)
- Amistad Research Center
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
- Diocese of Shreveport
- Historic New Orleans Collection. Williams Research Center
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- Louisiana Center for Educational Technology – K-12 Online Database Resources
This site offers free, unlimited access to online resources to all Louisiana public and nonpublic schools. The collection of subscription-based products is from the GALE Group, and World Book, Inc.. Access more than 1.7 million full-text magazines and newspaper articles, hundreds of full-color maps, 14 reference books, and much more.
Digital Library Collections (3)
- LOUISiana Digital Library
- Louisiana State University, LSU Digital Library
- Louisiana State University Libraries, Special Collections, Digital Resources
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Oklahoma Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Oklahoma 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)
- Oklahoma Department of Libraries
- Oklahoma Genealogical Society
- Oklahoma Historical Society
- Oklahoma State Archives and Records Management
University Archives and Collections (17)
- East Central University
- Northeastern State University. Special Collections
- Northeastern State University. University Archives
- Oklahoma Christian University
- Oklahoma City University
- Oral Roberts University. Archives
- Oral Roberts University. Holy Spirit Research Center
- University of Central Oklahoma
- University of Oklahoma. Bass Business History Collection
- University of Oklahoma. Bizzell Bible collection
- University of Oklahoma. Carl Albert Center
- University of Oklahoma. History of Science Collections
- University of Oklahoma. Law Library
- University of Oklahoma. Nichols Collection
- University of Oklahoma. Political Communication Center
- University of Oklahoma. Western History Collections
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (6)
- Lawton–Lawton Public Library
- Tulsa–Tulsa City-County Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (3)
- Cherokee National Museum
- East Central University
- Museum of the Great Plains
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- Oklahoma Digital Prairie – your electronic library
This site provides access to several databases and catalogs. Databases include SIRS Discoverer, EBSCO Host, and R.R. Bowker Books in Print. Catalogs include ODL Catalog, Statewide Catalog, and FirstSearch / WorldCat.
Digital Library Collections (3)
- Oklahoma State University Library Digitization Center
- Digital Collections By Subject
- Oklahoma Heritage Online
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Texas Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Texas 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 (2)
University Archives and Collections (55)
- Abilene Christian University
- Angelo State University
- Baylor University. Armstrong Browning Library
- Baylor University. Collections of Political Materials
- Baylor University. Texas Collection
- Our Lady of the Lake University
- Sam Houston Regional Library & Research Center
- Sam Houston State University
- Schreiner University
- Southern Methodist University. DeGolyer Library
- Southern Methodist University. Hamon Arts Library
- Southern Methodist University. Perkins School of Theology
- Southwest Texas State University
- Southwestern University
- St. Edward’s University
- St. Mary’s University
- Stephen F. Austin State University
- Sul Ross State University
- Texas A&M University, Commerce
- Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi
- Texas A&M University, Kingsville
- Texas A&M University. Cushing Library
- Texas A&M University. George Bush Presidential Library
- Texas Christian University
- Texas Southern University
- Texas State University. San Marcos
- Texas Tech University. Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library
- Texas Woman’s University. University Archives
- Texas Woman’s University. Woman’s Collection
- Trinity University
- University of Dallas
- University of Houston, Clear Lake
- University of Houston. Conrad N. Hilton College
- University of Houston. Law Library
- University of Houston. Special Collections & Archives
- University of North Texas. Archives
- University of North Texas. Rare Book and Texana Collections
- University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
- University of Texas Medical Branch. Moody Medical Library
- University of Texas of the Permian Basin
- University of Texas Pan-American. Archives
- University of Texas Pan-American. Special Collections
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
- University of Texas, Arlington
- University of Texas, Austin. Alexander Architectural Archive
- University of Texas, Austin. Benson Latin American Collection
- University of Texas, Austin. Center for American History
- University of Texas, Austin. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
- University of Texas, Austin. Lyndon Baines Johnson Library
- University of Texas, Brownsville
- University of Texas, Dallas
- University of Texas, El Paso
- University of Texas, San Antonio
- Victoria College/ University of Houston-Victoria
- West Texas A&M University
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (17)
- Austin–Austin Public Library, Austin History Center
- Austin–City of Austin
- Austin–Texas State Library
- Conroe–Montgomery County Library
- Dallas–Dallas Public Library
- Dallas–J. Erik Jonsson Central Library (Dallas Public)
- El Paso–El Paso Public Library
- Fort Worth–Fort Worth Public Library
- Fort Worth–Forth Worth Public Library
- Hemphill–J. R. Huffman Library
- Houston–Houston Public Library
- Houston–Houston Public Library
- Huntsville–Huntsville Public Library
- Irving–Irving Public Library. Irving Archives
- Irving–Irving Public Library. Local History and Genealogy
- Plano–Plano Public Library
- San Antonio–San Antonio Public Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (7)
- Archives of the Episcopal Church
- Catholic Archives of Texas
- CNN World Report Television Archive
- Dallas Historical Society
- Daughters of the Republic of Texas
- Diocese of Galveston-Houston
- Holocaust Museum Houston
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- The Portal to Texas History
A digital gateway collections held in Texas libraries, museums, archives, historical societies, and private collections. Designed to appeal to historians, students, and lifelong learners, the Portal emphasizes access to primary sources. It features digital reproductions of photographs, maps, letters, documents, books, artifacts, and more.
Digital Library Collections (14)
- Historic Texas Postcards from the George Fuermann City of Houston Collection
- Texas Bird’s-Eye Views
- Texas Tides
- John P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center, John P. McGovern History of Medicine
- Digital Library
- Digital Collections by Subject
- Rice University, Electronic Text Center
- Texas A&M University, College Station, Center for the Study of Digital Libraries
- Texas Tides
- University of Houston Libraries, UH e-Library
- University of North Texas Libraries, Portal to Texas History Project
- University of North Texas Libraries, Government Documents Department, Texas Law & Historic Documents
- University of Texas at Austin, UTOPIA
- University of Texas at Austin General Libraries, UT System Digital Library
- University of Texas System Digital Library
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies