Port Arthur Texas FamilySearch Center

''The Port Arthur Texas FamilySearch Center serves Jefferson County, Texas, communities of Port Arthur, Groves, Port Neches, Nederland, and Sabine Pass. Beaumont, a larger town, is nearby and has a local historical library and the county courthouse as well as another FamilySearch Center.''

Center Contacts and Hours
Location Map:


 * 3939 Turtle Creek Drive; Port Arthur, TX 77642-7335 (The entrance to the Center is in the back of the building.)
 * Location Map

Phone: 409-344-3993

E-mail: [mailto:tx_portarthur@familyhistorymail.org tx_portarthur@familyhistorymail.org]

Open Hours:  Wednesday, 9 am-noon AND 6-8 pm AND 'by appointment' anytime! For research help or information, please call 409-344-3993.

Holiday Schedule:


 * The Center staff is always available for appointments, even during holidays. Call 409-344-3993 to schedule.
 * Closed one week at Thanksgiving (call for appointment if desired)
 * Closed 2 weeks for Christmas break (call for appointment if desired)

Language: English; we can make arrangements for Spanish-speaking assistance by appointment

Collections
We have a small collection of Texas and Louisiana family history books (about 40) and a small set of French Canadian books. Several nearby public libraries have multi-volume sets, particularly concerning residents of south Louisiana, Nova Scotia and Canada from the 1600's through 1910.

Patrons' Microfiche Collection -- a collection of fiche ordered by our patrons, assorted titles. Contain family histories, vital records, and other types of information.

Indefinite Film Collection -- a collection of film on a variety of subjects, to include vital records, county records, court records, etc. We have a quite a few film from Germany and France (Versailles, Masevaux, Sorneville, Athienville, Sewen, Valenciennes, etc) and are happy to assist out-of-town patrons who desire records from these sources.

Staff Research Specialties
Some of our consultants are particularly experienced in local and Louisiana research and European microfilm research. Spanish translators are available upon request.

Databases and Software

 * FamilySearch Center Portal This center has access to the FamilySearch Center Portal page which gives free access in the center to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions.
 * Sheffield Funeral Home records, Port Neches, Texas, 1938-1990; CD and print-version. The original records are housed at the Wilton Hebert Public Library in Port Neches, Texas, which is a few miles from our Center. These records have a great deal of genealogical information.

Hardware and Equipment
4 computers; 1 all-in-one printer; 3 microfilm readers; 1 high-magnification microfilm reader; 1 microfiche reader. The microfilm reader/printer is no longer able to print but it does offer a good view for taking photos of microfilm pages.

Resources in the Local Area
Port Arthur Public Library, Hebert Library (in Port Neches), and Tyrrell Historical Library (in Beaumont) all have local genealogical sections with emphasis on but not limited to Texas and Louisiana books. Tyrrell has microfilm of newspapers, Beaumont Enterprise and Beaumont Journal (and others); Port Arthur has the Port Arthur News - a few issues from before the turn of the century (1900) to current.

Links

 * Louisiana Death Records


 * Port Arthur Public Library, obituary INDEX, 1969- present


 * Using the FamilySearch Research Wiki: A comprehensive video presentation explaining the Wiki, navigating it, and some especially useful pages. Case studies demonstrate using the Wiki for genealogical research. Editing and adding articles to the Wiki are covered.

Volunteer at the Center
Volunteers are welcome!

Online Genealogy Records by Location