Charting your past

A guide to the Tacoma Public Library's Genealogy Collection

Genealogy is the study of family history and the discovery of one's roots. Tracing your family's ancestry takes basic research skills, patience and time. Where do you start? Easy - at the beginning - with your generation. Then just keep working backwards - generation by generation.

Getting Started!
Begin with a basic family outline such as an ancestor chart. Use a pencil as it's easier to make corrections and additions when you find new information.
Organize your data as you go along. Take good notes and keep records of the resources you use. This will save time and avoid repetition as you continue your research in libraries, archives and county courthouses.
The Tacoma Public Library's genealogy collection is housed in the Main Library's Northwest Room / Special Collections. Materials in this collection do not circulate.
The Library's collection contains more than 5,000 titles including bound volumes, microfilm, microfiche, compact discs, and periodicals.
The Tacoma Public Library's genealogy resources include censuses (1800 - 1920), death indexes for Washington, Oregon, and California; local obituary indexes and city directories; passenger lists; county histories; cemetery, church, courthouse, and military records; biographical indexes; family histories; books on names (both personal and geographical); and heraldry books. Some materials are available for virtually every region of the United States, Canada and several European countries.
Additional computerized genealogical information is available through the Internet and the World Wide Web. Computer work stations are available at the Main Library's Reference Department on the First Floor.
Library staff will assist you in learning to use the extensive resources of the Tacoma Public Library as you embark on your voyage of exploration and discovery into your family's past.

Genealogy Resources on the WWW
There is a wealth of genealogical information on the WWW. This list is not comprehensive; rather, it is designed to be a good place to start and will lead you to other, more far-reaching sites.

Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society
Puget Sound Genealogy Resources
Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet
National Genealogy Society Homepage
Genealogy resources: Oregon

Bibliography

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