Genealogy

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 genealgy 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.

The Memphis Shelby County History and Genealogy Index

The History Department has created an online master index to many groups of historical and genealogical records in its archival and local history collections. The creation of this database makes these indexes universally searchable. This is a continuing project with new indexes being added as they are completed.

Go to the History and Genealogy Index

ANCESTRYLIBRARY GENEALOGY DATABASE

This database provides instant online access to more than 1 billion names, more than 3,000 databases, primary source documents, images and a variety of genealogy research aids.

This database is not accessible outside the library and no more than two library users may access the database at a time, if the license exceeded message is displayed, try again later.

Go to Ancestry Library

The core titles to found are:

U.S. Federal Census 1790 to 1920
Passenger and Immigration Lists Index
Biography and Genealogy Master Index
Periodical Source Index (PERSI)
Civil War Research Database
Map Center
Dawes Commission Index 1896, 1898-1914
American Genealogical Biographical Index
Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage
Immigrants to New England 1620-33
Biographical Directory of the American Congress
Social Security Death Index

Wuerttemberg Emigration Index

The service also offers several easy-to-use research tools including:

Online Family Tree
MyFamily.com
The Ancestry World Tree
Free Genealogy Newsletter
125,000 Message Boards
Surname Community
The Ancestry Library

Where to Get Genealogical Records in Shelby County, Tennessee

DEATH RECORDS
BIRTH CERTIFICATES
MARRIAGE RECORDS
PROBATE RECORDS
LOCAL LAND RECORDS
NATURALIZATION RECORDS
COURT/COMMISSION MINUTES
DIVORCE SUITS

Death Certificates: 1902-1954: Available online
Shelby County Register
http://register.shelby.tn.us
Death Certificates: 1952-Present: Memphis and Shelby County Health Department
Office Of Vital Records
814 Jefferson Ave., Room 101- 103
Memphis, TN 38105
Death Certificate Information Line (901) 544-7691
http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/FirstPortal/dotShowDoc/dotContent/
Government/CountyServices/HealthServices/AdministrativeServices/birth_cert.htm

Death Certificates: 1848-1951

Shelby County Archives
980A Nixon Drive
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 379-4499
email: Derrick.Mink@shelbycountytn.gov
Web site: http://register.shelby.tn.us/index.php

Death records for Memphis (1848-1913) and all of Tennessee (1908-1946) are available on microfilm in the History Department of the Central Library. An index to all Memphis and Shelby County Death Records from 1848 to 1945 is available on the library’s web site on the History and Genealogy Database page at http://tempo.memphislibrary.org/dadabik/program_files/sform.php Note: This database is temorarily offline 09-10-09

Birth Records: Memphis and Shelby County Health Department
Office Of Vital Records
814 Jefferson Ave., Room 101- 103
Memphis, TN 38105
Birth Certificate Information Line (901) 544-7605
http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/FirstPortal/dotShowDoc/dotContent/
Government/CountyServices/HealthServices/AdministrativeServices/birth_cert.htm

Marriage Records: Marriage Licenses: 2000-present
Shelby County Clerk
150 Washington St.
Memphis TN, 38103
(901) 545-4244
http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/FirstPortal/dotShowDoc/
dotContent/Government/ElectedOfficials/clerk_index.htm

Marriage Licenses: 1820-1999
Shelby County Archives
150 Washington Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 545-4356
email: archives@shelbycountytn.gov>

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

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

US Federal Census Records Collection

Census Records in the History Department, Central Library

Census Chart 1

Census Chart 2

Other Area Genealogy Research Centers

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Family History Center
4195 Kirby-Whitten Road
Bartlett, Tennessee 38135
(901) 388-9974
Hours: Monday - Closed; Tuesday - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Family History Center
8150 Walnut Grove Road
Memphis, Tennessee
(901) 754-2545
Hours: Monday - 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Tuesday - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Wednesday - 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Saturday - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Tennessee Genealogical Society
7779 Poplar Pike
Germantown, Tennessee 38138
Phone Number (901) 754-4300
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Genealogy

Assistance and Instruction

Donations to the Genealogy Collection

The Memphis Shelby County History and Genealogy Index

ANCESTRYLIBRARY GENEALOGY DATABASE

Where to Get Genealogical Records in Shelby County, Tennessee

US Federal Census Records Collection

Census Records in the History Department, Central Library

Other Area Genealogy Research Centers

Suggested Internet Genealogy Links

1. General Genealogy Sites

2. Deaths

3. Cemetery Information

4. Archives and Libraries

5. African-American Genealogy

6. Native-American Genealogy

7. European Genealogy

8. Immigration Sources

9. Civil War

10. Sources for Records

11. Genealogical Studies

12. Genealogical Societies and Organizations