Barbie Selby
Humanities & Social Sciences in Alderman and Clemons Libraries
434-924-4963
bselby@virginia.edu
University of Virginia Library
PO Box 400113
Charlottesville VA 22904-4113
434.924.3021
fax: 434.924.1431
There are many helpful beginning points for your genealogy research in the Government Information Resources and Special Collections. Special Collections maintains a list of independent researchers who are familiar with their collections and with family research.
At the beginning of the Microfilm Guides Aisle in the Government Information Reading Room are a collection of volumes which should be helpful in your search for ancestors.
General Introductions to Genealogy
A Guide to Genealogical Resources at the University of Virginia - excellent web update to the printed Guide to Genealogical Sources in the Univerisity of Virginia Library below. The FIRST place a new genealogist should consult when using UVA's extensive resources.
Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives - GS 4.6/2:G 28/982 - Gov. Info Reading Room - Since many of the materials you'll need for your research are U.S. government records stored at the National Archives this volume will be very helpful. It provides a very good overview of census records, passenger lists, military records, naturalization papers, land claims, pension records, and other government records useful in tracing ancestors.
Virginia Genealogy: Sources & Resources, by Carol McGinnis - Z 1345 .M365 1993 - Gov. Info. Reading Room - A nice overview of records available for genealogical research, both in Virginia and more generally. This is probably the best book to start with if you're a beginner.
A Guide to Genealogical Sources in the University of Virginia Library - UPV 8/G28/977 - Gov. Info. Reading Room - While dated this slim volume provides guidance for beginning research at the UVA Libraries.
Census Guides
HeritageQuest
Full text and indexing for census name rolls, 25,000 local history and genealogical books, 1.6 million genealogical and local history articles, and Revolutionary War pensions and warrants.
200 Years of U.S. Census Taking: Population and Housing Questions, 1790-1990 - C 3.2:T 93, Gov. Info. Reading Room - Census by census list of the questions asked during the decennial census. Also, includes the instructions to census enumerators.
Federal Population, 1790-1910 - GS 4.2:P 81/2/900 - Bound in RED - Gov. Info. Reading Room - This title includes Federal population Censuses, 1790-1890: A Catalog of Microfilm Copies of the Schedules, 1900 Federal Population Census: A Catalog of Microfilm Copies of the Schedules, and 1910 Federal Population Census: A Catalog of Microfilm Copies of the Schedules. These titles list, by state and county, the microfilm reel numbers for the census name rolls. UVA owns some of these name rolls, see Census Names Guide. If we don't own the reel you need you can borrow it via Interlibrary Loan from the National Archives if you are affiliated with UVA. You can borrow via the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library if you are not affiliated with UVA.
1920 Census - NARA web site which provides microfilm reel numbers for name rolls for the 1920 Census. This site also provides the Microfilm reels numbers for the Soundex index for the 1920 census. UVA owns the Virgiria name rolls but others will need to be borrowed via InterLibrary Loan.
1930 Census - NARA web site which provides microfilm reel numbers for name rolls for the 1930 Census. UVA owns the Virgiria name rolls but others will need to be borrowed via InterLibrary Loan.
Death records
You can search the Social Security Death Benefit Rolls at RootsWeb.com and Ancestry.com. It's free to a point, then they charge you to continue.
We have a two CD set called Social Security death benefit record (CF00 0156). This is available from behind the Government Information Desk. Computers near the windows in the Government Information Reading Room are set up to access these CDs. The CDs contain approximately 47 million names; contains the records of individuals for whom a lump sum payment was made by the Social Security Administration. Some missing entries exist in the 1930's, 40's, 50's and 60's.
We also have a microfilm collection - Federal mortality census schedules, 1850-80, and related indexes, in the custody of the Daughters of the American Revolution. These 30 reels of microfilm are located in the Government Information Reading Room microfilm cabinets on Row 4. The list name, age, sex, color, place of birth, occupation, month of death, cause of death for people who died in the year ending June 1 of 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880.
Special Topics
Black History: A Guide to Civilian Records in the National Archives - GS 4.6/2:B 56 - Gov. Info, Reading Room - One of a number of subject specific guides to NARA materials.
Grassroots of America: A computerized Index to the American State papers: Land Grants and Claims (1789-1837) - J 33 .M3 - Gov. Info Reading Room - Name index to early land claims and grants recorded in the American State Papers. UVA owns the American state papers : documents, legislative and executive, of the Congress of the United States in paper (Z - New Stacks, 3rd floor) and microfiche (Z).
Web Resources
National Archives Genealogy Room
NARA's list of Other Federal Agencies with Genealogical information
Ellis Island Foundation - Searchable Ship's Passenger Lists
Church of Latter Day Saints - FamilySearch.org
Afrigeneas: Slave Data Collection
Afro-American Sources in Virginia: A Guide to Manuscripts
Records of Ante-Bellum Southern Plantations Website
Records of Ante-Bellum Southern Plantations: Primary Resources for Southern Genealogists
Sankofa's Afrikan Slave Genealogy Website
Slaveholder Names - seems to have good information. Not verified.