Genealogy Services

The Waco-McLennan County Library’s Genealogy Center helps individuals find resources to research their family history.

On the Shelves

The print collection contains over 32,000 items covering 34 states with a strong emphasis in Texas and the Southeastern United States. Materials are also available to assist with research in the Original Colonies and the Mid-West. In addition to location specific resources, the Genealogy Center also has a collection of published family histories, immigration and passenger lists, early military records, and Native American resources. 

FamilySearch Affiliate Library

As an Affiliate Library we provide access to digital records that are restricted to researchers using FamilySearch from home. Currently, there are about 400 million original records available in a digital format available through FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries. To view these records, log-in to your free FamilySearch account at any of the Waco-McLennan County Library locations.

Microfilm Collection

The microfilm collection includes local newspapers (Waco and surrounding areas), Central Texas county records, U.S. Federal Census, and more! Our microfilm readers are able to save or print images from the film.

Classes & Events

The Genealogy Center provides a variety of free educational opportunities through out the year. Check out the library calendar to learn more about our upcoming programs. We also have a collection of virtual classes to help you navigate genealogical resources. Scroll down to learn more.

Staff and Volunteers

The Genealogy Center has a team of knowledgeable staff and volunteers available to help answer your questions about genealogy and assist as you navigate your genealogical research. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 254-750-5945 or come by and see us.

Central Texas Genealogical Society (CTGS)

The Waco-McLennan County Library works closely with the Central Texas Genealogical Society to host event, develop the genealogy collection, and assist researchers. Learn more about their organization at www.ctgs.org.

If you are interested in learning more about available genealogical records, follow the links below to find additional information.

• Cemeteries
• Newspapers
• Vital Records
• Writing Your Family History
• Beginner's Genealogy Video Series

American Ancestors (access available in a Waco-McLennan County Library location only - no remote access)
AmericanAncestors.org provides access to 1.4+ billion records spanning the United States, the British Isles, continental Europe, and beyond, including on of the most extensive online collections of early American genealogical records, the largest searchable collection of published genealogical research journals and magazines, and the only online source for records from Boston's Catholic Archdiocese.

Ancestry Library Edition (access available in a Waco-McLennan County library location only - no remote access)
Genealogy research tool that provides patrons access to a wide range of primary resources for genealogical and historical research. Includes records from the United States Census; military records; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories; passenger lists and more.

FamilySearch
One of the largest collections of genealogical data in the world with 2 billion digital images organized in three main places on the website – the FamilySearch historical records collection, catalog and online books. Expanded access available in-library only.

Fold3 Library Edition
A continuously growing digital database that has partnered with the National Archives and provides millions of original documents of historic and genealogic interest.

HeritageQuest
HeritageQuest Online is a comprehensive database of American genealogical sources and is rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, and finding aids. The collection consists of six core data sets: U.S. Federal Censuses from 1790 through 1930, over 28,000 genealogy and local history books, Periodical Source Index (PERSI), Revolutionary War Records, Freedman’s Bank Records and LexisNexis U.S. Serial Set records. Access provided by MOREnet.

HistoryGeo (access available in a Waco-McLennan County Library location only - no remote access)
HistoryGeo is a family history site that helps you link old maps and land records to your genealogy research.
Military and Government collection
Includes periodicals, academic journals, full-text books and pamphlets on military topics. Provides full text for nearly 300 periodicals and 245 pamphlets and indexes and abstracts nearly 400 titles. Some government publications are included in this database.

Military Database
Articles from topics across all government and military branches, including international relations, political science, criminology, defense, aeronautics and space flight, communications, civil engineering, and more.

National Geographic Magazine Archive
The complete archive of the National Geographic Magazine from 1888 to the mid-1990s.

Newspapers.com Library Edition
Dating from the early 1700s into the 2000s, Newspapers.com World Collection contains full runs and portions of runs of well-known, regional and state titles to small local newspapers in the United States including Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa, and Illinois, England from 1648, and Canada.

African American Heritage
This collection was created in partnership with leading African American genealogists to gather resources, records, and tools specifically pertaining to African Americans. Not only does the database provide records, but it also connects people to a community of research experts.

Texas Digital Sanborn Maps
Large-scale plans of Texas cities and towns from 1867 to 1970. They were created to assist fire insurance companies as they assessed the risk associated with insuring a particular property. The maps list street blocks and building numbers as well as building usage notes.

Handout: An Exhaustive Search(PDF, 190KB)

Handout: Every Fact Cited(PDF, 169KB)

Handout: Resolve Evidence Discrepancies(PDF, 151KB)