Seattle Public Library

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Contact Information
Email: [mailto:ask@spl.org ask@spl.org] or www.spl.org/using-the-library/ask-us Website: Seattle Public Library - Genealogy Facebook: SPL Facebook page Address:


 * Seattle Public Library


 * 1000 4th Ave


 * Seattle, WA 98104

Telephone: 206-386-4636, ask for Genealogy Hours of Operation:


 * Genealogy Librarians are available


 * Tuesday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
 * Friday – Monday 1 – 3 p.m.


 * Appointments are available:


 * Monday – Friday at 3 p.m or 4 p.m.


 * Submit an appointment request online


 * The Genealogy Collection is available during the Central Library's open hours. 

Directions/Parking Map:


 * Directions (Google map)
 * Parking

Websites and databases:


 * Seattle Public Library website - www.spl.org, locations, hours, events, newsletter, research, services and programs.
 * SPL Catalog Online - seattle.bibliocommons.com
 * SPL Genealogy Collection - www.spl.org/genealogy
 * SPL Special Collections Online
 * SPL Seattle Room

Description of Collections
Overview

The Seattle Public Library’s Genealogy Collection is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest. There are two genealogy librarians available to assist with research. We offer tours of our collection as well as free classes on genealogical research. You can use our online databases, schedule 30-minute appointments with a genealogy librarian or visit our Genealogy Collection to find out about your family’s roots.

The Genealogy Collection dates from 1926 and has grown to become a nationally recognized collection. The Collection at The Seattle Public Library is the largest and primary genealogy resource in Washington State.

Modern mobility has resulted in individuals migrating to Seattle from all parts of the U.S. and Canada. Therefore, the Genealogy Collection includes materials from both the local area and other regions of the U.S. and Canada. Also, efforts are made to collect materials related to all ethnic groups that have participated in Seattle’s history.

Materials on Washington State history and genealogy are collected extensively and in conjunction with the Seattle Collection. Washington State materials falling within the Seattle Collection Scope are collected primarily for the Seattle Collection; however, selected titles are duplicated in the genealogy collection to make them more broadly available.

Materials related to other regions of the U.S. are collected to provide information on local researchers’ ancestors and their westward migration. The collection includes:


 * Courthouse, cemetery, church, census, and vital records
 * Military related histories and records
 * County histories and compiled biographies of covered geographic regions
 * Miscellaneous uncataloged materials filed in the vertical files

The collection includes genealogical and historical material from all U.S. states and territories and the Canadian Provinces. Materials from other areas are acquired when they contribute to Seattle area research needs.

Basic reference tools include bibliographies, periodical indexes, guidebooks (including adoption research), census indexes, maps, and gazetteers. These are collected without regard to geographic coverage. Instruction books on how to conduct genealogical research are included in both the circulating and reference collections.

Family histories are typically published in limited numbers and are often received as gifts from authors, genealogy societies, interested family members, and publishers. These publications are authors’ compilations of a variety of record sources and family information, some of which may be unique. These compilations typically represent years of research and provide an easier starting point for genealogists to begin their research. Family histories written or compiled by Washington State authors are regularly collected. Family histories written and compiled by non-Washington State authors are collected at the discretion of Genealogy staff.

Electronic genealogical resources are selected to provide access to a broad range of unique materials, which may not otherwise be readily available to Seattle area researchers.

Accessibility

The Genealogy Collection and services are developed for the free use of Seattle residents and others who come to use our resources. It is a non-circulating reference collection available for use in the Central Library; however, genealogy handbooks, guides, and resources relating to social and historical context are also available in the circulating collection. Genealogy Staff and Reference Services Staff are available to assist patrons with the use of these materials.

Materials in the collection are accessible through the library’s catalog and are indexed in a variety of print sources and online databases, including but not limited to the American-Genealogical Biographical Index, Munsell’s Index to American Genealogies, and the Periodical Source Index.

The Seattle Public Library was one of 24 libraries with genealogy collections selected for inclusion in M.J. Kaminkow’s publication A Complement to Genealogies in the Library of Congress. This gives national exposure to the Library’s holdings of family histories prior to 1980.

In-house finding aids have been created to make information in the Genealogy Collection more accessible to patrons. These finding aids are:


 * Surname Index to local and family histories
 * Geographic and Locality Index
 * Coats of Arms Index

Electronic genealogical resources are accessible via the Library’s website, which provides Internet links to genealogical websites and licensed databases. Many of these databases are available remotely with a library card and four-digit PIN.

Digital Projects are undertaken to promote and preserve collections and make the materials available in electronic formats. These digital collections and our electronic genealogical resources are available to the public 24 hours a day so that patrons can access them at any time.

Collection Growth

Materials including print, non-print, and electronic formats are acquired within the scope of this collection statement through purchases using operating funds and gift funds (from the Seattle Public Library Foundation and from individuals and local genealogy related organizations), and through material donations.

Realia, mementos, research notes, and personal papers are not accepted for the Genealogy Collection. Donors whose offered gifts are out of scope are directed to other appropriate collections whenever possible.

Guides

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