Genealogy

Ancestry Library

Ancestry Library can be used to find census, birth, marriage, death records and more. This resource is only available on library computers.

Heritage Quest

Heritage Quest provides libraries with a unique, growing collection of research materials for tracing family history and American culture. Beginning or professional genealogists can now use this powerful online library, with original page images for all documents.  Provided by the Tennessee Electronic Library.

Commercial Appeal and Other Newspapers

Access historical newspapers from across Tennessee and the Southeast. Provided by the Tennessee Electronic Library.

Ancestry also provides free Charts and Forms.

Genealogy e-Books

Visit this special collection of eBooks from our OverDrive eBook service.

Family Tree e-Magazines

Access Family Tree Magazine from our Libby Magazine service.

GENEALOGY RESEARCH AT THE LIBRARY

Located in the History Department on the fourth floor of the Central Library at 3030 Poplar Avenue, the Genealogy Collection is one of the library’s most frequently used resources. The collection’s strongest area is in microfilmed and indexed Memphis and Shelby County records. They are also United States census records for 1790-1920 on microfilm with indexes or Soundex, as well as genealogical source books, published family histories and magazines with an emphasis on 18th and 19th century southern United States, especially Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas.

Assistance and Instruction

Library staff and volunteers are glad to help you use the genealogy collection. We are unable to conduct your research for you, but assistance in using sources and equipment is available at the Genealogy Desk in the History Department. Instructional workshops are held in May and October. They cover different aspects of genealogy including an introduction to family research, African American research, using military records, United States census, immigration/naturalization records, vital records and research on the Internet

Donations to the Genealogy Collection

The History Department actively maintains and improves the genealogy collection. We also welcome contributions of genealogical works or money to purchase new materials. Each year the department selects a special project for the genealogy collection and sets aside gifts for that purpose. Please ask at the genealogy desk if you would like information on the current project.

General Genealogy Sites

• Ancestry.com
• Census Online
• Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet
• FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service-Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Genealogy.com
• National Endowment for the Humanities-My History is America’s History 
• RootsWeb.com

African-American Genealogy

• AfriGeneas: African Ancestored Genealogy
• Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
• The African-Native American History & Genealogy Webpage
• American Slave Narratives: An Online Narrative
• Christine’s Genealogy Website
• People of Color in Old Tennessee
• Freedmen’s Bureau Online

Archives and Libraries

• State Archives Referral List
• State Library Web Sites
• Tennessee State Library and Archives
• Mississippi Department of Archives and History
• Arkansas History Commission
• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Washington, D.C.
• New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, MA
• New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, New York, NY

Cemetery Information

• Tombstone Transcription Project: Tennessee
• Interment.Net: Cemetery Transcription Library
• Elmwood Cemetery
• Memphis National Cemetery
• USGS GNIS National Mapping Information (Select Tennessee, Shelby County, and Cemetery)

European Genealogy

• Federation of East European Family History Societies – FEEFHS
• Western European Genealogy Links
• Genealogy.net – German Genealogy
• GENUKI – UK & Ireland Genealogy
• Irish Family History Foundation
• The Italian Genealogy Home Page
• JewishGen: The Official Home of Jewish Genealogy

Genealogical Societies and Organizations

• Association of Professional Genealogists
• Board for Certification of Genealogists
• Cyndi’s List – Societies & Groups
• Federation of Family History Societies (UK)
• Federation of Genealogical Societies
• National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution

Genealogical Studies

• National Institute on Genealogical Research
• Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
• Samford University Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research

Immigration Sources

• Ellis Island American Family Immigration History Center
• Immigration and Ships Passenger List Research Guide
• ISTG – Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild

Native American Genealogy

• Native American Genealogy
• All Things Cherokee: Genealogy-Helpful Links
• Chickasaw Genealogy
• Cyndi’s List- Native-American Links

Sources for Records

• Bureau of Land Management – The Official Federal Land Patent Records Site
• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
• National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections
• United States Railroad Retirement Board
• Vital Records Information – State Index

Shelby County Sources for Records

Death Certificates

1952-Present – Memphis and Shelby County Health Department Office Of Vital Records

1848-1963 – Shelby County Register of Deeds / Shelby County Archives

Death records for Memphis (1848-1913) and all of Tennessee (1908-1946) are available on microfilm in the History Department of the Central Library.

Birth Records
Memphis and Shelby County Health Department Office Of Vital Records

Marriage Records

2000 to present – Shelby County Clerk

1820-1999 – Shelby County Register of Deeds / Shelby County Archives

Marriage records for Shelby County (1820-1946) and for many other Tennessee counties are available on microfilm in the History Department of the Central Library.

Probate Records
Probate Court Records: 1900-present (wills), 1933-present (minute books), 1900-present (loose records)
Probate Court Clerk
140 Adams Ave. #124
Memphis, TN 38103
901-545-4040
http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/FirstPortal/dotShowDoc/
dotContent/Government/Courts/ProbateCourt/probate_clerk.htm
Probate Court Records: 1820-1900 (wills), 1867-1997 (minute books), 1820-1900 (loose papers)
Shelby County Archives
150 Washington Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 545-4356
email: archives@shelbycountytn.gov>

Probate minute books (1867-1900) and loose papers including wills (1820-1900) for Shelby County and for many other Tennessee counties (various dates) are available on microfilm in the History Department of the Central Library.

Local Land Records

Land Deeds: earliest-present
Shelby County Register
160 N. Main St., Room 519
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 545-4366
http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/FirstPortal/dotShowDoc/
dotContent/Government/ElectedOfficials/register_index.htm

Land Deeds: earliest-present

Shelby County Archives
150 Washington Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 545-4356
email: archives@shelbycountytn.gov

Deed records for Shelby County (earliest-1850) and deed indexes (earliest-1933) are available on microfilm in the History Department of the Central Library.

Naturalization Records

Naturalizations and Declarations of Intent (1907-present)
US Immigration Naturalization
1341 Sycamore View Rd
Memphis, TN 38134 (901) 544-3508

Naturalizations and Declarations of Intent (1856-1906)
Shelby County Archives
150 Washington Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 545-4356
email: archives@shelbycountytn.gov
Online Search

Naturalization records for Shelby County (1856-1906) are indexed in the Tennessee Biography Index and available on microfilm in the History Department of the Central Library.

Quarterly Court/County Commission Minute Books
Shelby County Board of Commissioners Office
Suite 619, 160 N. Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone – (901) 545-4301
FAX – (901) 545-4283
http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/FirstPortal/dotShowDoc/
Government/ShelbyCountyCommission/index.htm
Quarterly Court/County Commission minutes for Shelby County (1820-1977) are available on microfilm in the History Department of the Central Library.

Divorce Suits
Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
140 Adams Avenue
Room 324
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(901) 545-4006

Chancery Court
140 Adams Ave.
Memphis, TN 38103