Genealogy Resources
Premium Resources
19th Century U. S. Newspapers Digital Archive
Digital images for hundreds of 19th century United States newspapers. Includes The Galveston Daily News (Texas' oldest newspaper) from 1874 until 1897.*
African American Heritage
This collection was created in partnership with leading African American genealogists to develop a comprehensive mix of resources, records, and tools specifically pertaining to African Americans.*
American Civil War: Letters and Diaries
This database of primary source material contains over two thousand authors and approximately one hundred thousand pages of diaries, letters and memoirs.*
American Civil War: Research Database
Online resource for researching the soldiers, regiments, and battles of the American Civil War contains indexed, searchable information on over four million soldiers and thousands of battles, together with fifteen thousand photographs.*
Ancestry Library (temporary remote access)
The library version of the Ancestry.com database, one of the largest collections of family history data online. It includes census, vital, military, and immigration records, as well as newspaper articles and city directories. Note: Temporary remote access has been generously provided by ProQuest through March 31, 2021. *
Ancestry Library Edition (In Library Use Only)
The library version of the Ancestry.com database, one of the largest collections of family history data online. It includes census, vital, military, and immigration records, as well as newspaper articles and city directories.*
Clayton Microprint Collection
This collection represents a major portion of Clayton Library's holdings, most of which are not listed in the Houston Public Library Catalog.
Clayton Periodical Collection
Clayton Library has over 3000 genealogy and local history periodical titles. The periodical collection covers most US states and many foreign countries.
Findmypast (Available at Clayton Library Only)
Local and national British and Irish genealogical records including parish, census, and military collections and passenger lists. Local English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish records dating back to 1700, including school admissions, workhouse registers, apprenticeship records, and Irish court records. Also includes records from United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pacific Islands, and Papua New Guinea.
Fold3
This database contains almost 40 million images of primary source materials from the United States Military and other historic archives. Many are available here for the first time.*
Genealogy Connect
Includes the "how-to" of genealogy research in addition to some ancestor information.*
HeritageQuest Online (In Library Use)
A comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources—rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, and finding aids. It delivers an essential collection of genealogical and historical sources—with coverage dating back to the 1700s—that can help people find their ancestors and discover a place’s past. The collection consists of five core data sets: U.S. Federal Censuses, Genealogy and local history books, Revolutionary War Records, Freedman’s Bank Records, The LexisNexis U.S. Serial Set * 
HeritageQuest Online (Remote Users)
A comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources—rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, and finding aids. It delivers an essential collection of genealogical and historical sources—with coverage dating back to the 1700s—that can help people find their ancestors and discover a place’s past. The collection consists of five core data sets: U.S. Federal Censuses, Genealogy and local history books, Revolutionary War Records, Freedman’s Bank Records, The LexisNexis U.S. Serial Set *
HistoryGeo (Available at Clayton Library Only)
Contains land-ownership maps, historical atlases and other content indispensable for recreating frontier neighborhoods and tracking migrations of families across the United States.
HistoryMakers Archive (In Library Use)
The nation’s largest African American video oral history collection. Biographies and video interviews with over 2500 notable African American history makers. (Works best with Chrome, Safari, and Firefox browsers.)
HistoryMakers Archive (Remote access)
The nation’s largest African American video oral history collection. Biographies and video interviews with over 2500 notable African American history makers. Tip: To log in, search for and select Houston Public Library in the institution field on the left, then enter your library card number. (Works best with Chrome, Safari, and Firefox browsers.) *
MyHeritage (In Library Use)
Includes birth, death and marriage records from 48 countries, the complete U.S. and U.K. censuses, immigration, military and tombstone records and more than 2 billion family tree profiles.*
MyHeritage (Remote Users)
Includes birth, death and marriage records from 48 countries, the complete U.S. and U.K. censuses, immigration, military and tombstone records and more than 2 billion family tree profiles.*
NewspaperARCHIVE (In Library Use Only)
Access the largest online historic newspaper archive, containing tens of millions of searchable newspaper pages, dating as far back as the 1700s. Includes digital images of issues of the Houston Post (1903-1924), the Daily Court Review (1925-1977), and many other Texas newspapers.
Texas Digital Sanborn Maps
Sanborn maps are historical large scale plans of a city drawn at a scale of 50 feet to an inch. These maps are used to trace the history and development of cities and are also helpful in genealogical and historical research. Select Texas from the State menu to begin your search. *
Recommended Websites
Ancestry.com Texas
A vast collection of digitized documents related to Texas government and history from the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building in Austin and the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty. **Note: Free access to the records that have been digitized by Ancestry is available to Texas residents courtesy of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Users are required to create a free Ancestry.com Texas account (instructions at the bottom of the website's homepage).
Cemetery Records Online
Directory of selected names in cemeteries around the United States and other countries.
Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research
Houston Public Library's genealogical collection.
CountyOffice.org
Find contact information for every county government in the United States.
Cyndi's List
List of genealogical resources on the Web.
Family Search
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint's links to genealogical resources on the web.
Find a Grave
Search for your ancestors among 121 million grave records. Also includes a Famous Grave Search.
Harris County Archives
The Harris County Historical Commission documents the history of the government and the citizens of Harris County as revealed through the county records and donated materials. Includes locations of Texas historical landmarks and places on the National Register within the County, cemeteries, area museums and historical societies, and local culture.
Houston City Directories
Houston City Directories for selected years between 1866 and 1924 are now available through the Houston Public Library Digital Archives.
Houston Public Library Digital Archives
Unique materials for research, learning, and discovery from our Special Collections, including archival material from the African American Library at the Gregory School, the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, and the Houston Metropolitan Research Center. Some collections are the result of collaborations with partner libraries, museums, and cultural heritage institutions.
Portal to Texas History
Digitalized rare, historical, and primary source materials covering the whole gamut of Texas history from prehistory to the present day. The Texas Digital Newspaper collection within the portal includes images of issues from The Houston Informer (1919-1924), Houston Daily Post (1893-1918), The Houston Post (1923-1924), Houston Post-Dispatch (1924-1925), and other Houston area newspapers, along with all known Republic of Texas Era newspapers. You may discover anything from an ancestor's picture to a rare historical map.
RootsWeb
Many sources and links for genealogical researchers.
USGenWeb Project
Network of volunteers working to create a center for genealogical research for every county in the United States.
Where to Write for Vital Records
Links are provided for users who want direct access to individual state and territory information.