Reference Shelf

This guide is intended as an aid to researchers, both to finding materials in our library system, and to point to other useful sources.

Guides to University of Tennessee Materials

Items of interest to genealogical researchers can be found both at the Hodges and Hoskins Libraries. All genealogical materials are integrated into the collections of the University Libraries. The following guides will aid researchers in locating these materials.

Genealogical Research: A guide for beginning research and searching the online catalog.
Genealogical Research at Special Collections: A guide to materials held at the University of Tennessee Libraries Special Collections that are of specific interest to genealogists.
Sources for Genealogists at the Hodges Library: A bibliography of primary and secondary source materials held at the John C. Hodges Library.

Databases

HeritageQuest UTK Users (w/NetID) Also available at the Knox County Public Library: A leading source of genealogical information including over 25,000 family and local history books and the entire U.S. Federal Census.
ReferenceUSA: Business and Residential Databases UTK Users (w/NetID)
Also available at the Knox County Public Library: Find information on more than 14 million U.S. businesses and over 100 million U.S. residents.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps UTK Users (w/NetID)
Also available at the Knox County Public Library: Reproduces a series of large-scale Tennessee maps depicting the details of cities. Maps for Tennessee are also on microfilm in Map Services. The maps on the reels are in alphabetical order by name of the city.

World Biographical Information System (WBIS)Online UTK Users (w/NetID): WBIS Online is the most comprehensive biographical database available, providing short biographical information on over 6 Million people from the 8th century B.C. to the present.
ArchivesUSA UTK Users (w/NetID): A guide to collections of primary source materials found in U. S. repositories.

Genealogy on the Web

The Internet is a wonderful tool for genealogists. Local historical societies, bulletin boards for individual family names, commercial sites, and many others make doing research easier than it was in the past.

The National Archives contains a wealth of information about individuals whose names appear in census records, military service and pension files, ship passenger arrival lists, land records, and many other types of documents of interest to both beginning and experienced genealogists. Check the UT catalog to find records that are available on microfilm. NARA publishes a number of genealogy guides and finding aids. Sample titles are listed here.
Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives. Reference: CS68 .U54 1985.
Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States. Reference: CD3026 1995 Search the Web version of this guide.
Guide to Federal archives Relating to the Civil War. Hodges Stacks: CD3047 .M8
Black Family Research: Records of Post-Civil War Federal Agencies at the National Archives.
Black History: A Guide to Civilian Records in the National Archives. Hodges Stacks: E185 .N49 1984
WorldCat.org: Find genealogy materials such as books, ship passenger lists, historical society records, archival photos, family histories, and much more. Follow the link to find the nearest library where the item is available.
FamilySearch.org
Footnote.com: Free membership. A partnership with the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and other institutions. Collection of historically significant and valuable documents. Provides the tools to find and share documents.
Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet: This site contains over 200,000 links and provides a great jumping-off point for both novice and experienced researchers.

Tennessee GenWeb

Part of the USGenWeb Project comprised of volunteers working to create a source location for online genealogical research for every county in the state of Tennessee.

Commercial Site

Ancestry.com (limited free information RootsWeb): Collections include photographs, memoirs, maps and family trees — along with census records and detailed accounts of births, marriages, deaths (Social Security Death Index), military service, immigration, land ownership and much more.

State / Local Collections

McClung Collection, Lawson McGhee Library: McClung Historical Collection
East Tennessee History Center
601 S. Gay Street

Knoxville, TN 37902

(865) 215-8801

The Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection is the local history and genealogy department of the Knox County Public Library System. The Collection's primary focus is East Tennessee, the state, and the southern Appalachian region. Their staff also maintains a list of professional genealogists who will provide research services for a fee.
Knox County Archives: 2nd Floor, East Tennessee History Center
601 S. Gay Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 215-8800
: The local government archives, which contains legal materials such as probates of wills, marriage license applications, court records, etc., some dating back to the 1790s.
Tennessee State Library and Archives: 403 Seventh Avenue, North
Nashville, TN 37243-0312
(615) 741-2764

The State Library is the major repository for historical materials for the state and provides help for genealogical researchers. Their site also provides valuable bibliographies and indexes pertaining to Tennessee history.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Family Search Site: LDS Family History Center
400 Kendall Drive (near West Town Mall)
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 693-8252

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) collects information from both official sources and that submitted by individual researchers. They do not verify the information sent by individuals. Their website is extremely useful for those conducting genealogical research.
The Blount County Public Library: 508 N. Cusick Street
Maryville, TN 37804
(865) 982-0981

This collection contains books on genealogy and local history, newspapers on microfilm, court records and census schedules. Records on cd-rom from the Latter Day Saints are also available for use.
Knoxville College, College Archives: 901 Knoxville College Drive
Knoxville, TN 37921
865-524-6512

A special and important feature of the Alumni Memorial Library is the collection of materials reflecting black heritage. African American literary figures, their writings, history, and a good representation of music are a substantial part of this collection.

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Page Maintained by:

Janette Prescod
Government Documents Librarian
jprescod@utk.edu
(865) 974-0009

last updated 3/26/10

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Reference Shelf - Genealogy