For staff, students, and guests with long family connections to Virginia or North Carolina, Blount Library offers significant material for personal genealogical research. On this page you will find links to our catalogued genealogical resources, as well as various other useful information and links for local genealogical work.
Genealogical Resource Corner
On the main floor of Blount Library, in the southwest corner (near the couches), is the Blount Library genealogy, local history, and local authors section. Although the genealogical materials cannot be checked out and don't circulate outside of the building, patrons are always welcome to consult the materials on-site at their leisure.
A complete listing of these items in our catalog can be found by clicking here. (You may search within these results by clicking "Advanced Search" on that page.)
Some highlights from our genealogy collection include:
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Genealogies of Virginia Families from the William and Mary College Quarterly
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Call Number: F 225 .G468 1982ISBN: 9780806309552 -
Archival Materials
Numerous useful items for genealogical or local history research are only available by making an appointment with the archivist. These include:
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Danville VA City DirectoriesThe Averett Archives holds an incomplete collection of Danville City Directories from 1879-2007
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Richmond Times-Dispatch on MicrofilmThe archives holds a complete run of the Richmond Times-Dispatch from 27 January 1903 to 31 December 1990. There is a digital microfilm reader in the archives reading room, with which the archivist is happy to assist.
Useful Websites
Numerous websites provide tools and historical data on a wider (national and even international) scope than Blount Library can provide. Some resources I have found useful include:
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FamilySearch.orgA free online genealogy system, similar to Ancestry.com, FamilySearch provides searchable access to numerous genealogical materials (like census records), allows for the creation of personal family trees, and even permits the uploading of photographs to preserve memories. It is a very useful site for a genealogist on a limited budget.
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Library of Congress Genealogy Resource GuidesProvides numerous targeted guides for doing local and family research of particular types (African American genealogy) or particular areas (there are guides for both Virginia and North Carolina).