Skip to Main Content

Local History and Genealogy Research Guides

Compiled by reference specialists in the Library of Congress Local History and Genealogy Section, these guides identify key print and online resources for pursuing the history of families and communities.

Introduction

The Library of Congress Local History and Genealogy research guides have been organized here by category according to their respective topics. Explore the information and resources in each guide, which encompass Library collections on-site and online, as well as quality materials available through important repositories across the country and around the world. Follow-up with questions and conversation by contacting our librarians through the Ask a Librarian service to learn more or develop strategies for your research.

Recently Published - See What's New!

About Local History & Genealogy Reference Services

The Library of Congress has one of the world's premier collections of U.S. and foreign genealogical and local historical publications, numbering more than 50,000 compiled family histories and over 100,000 U.S. local histories. The Library's genealogy collection began as early as 1815 with the purchase of Thomas Jefferson's library.