"Our Loose Ends" Genealogy Column
by Lynna Kay Shuffield
Houston, Texas
In my opinion, the best place to start your genealogy hunt is with the local libraries where your ancestor resided. Even though I live in Houston and utilize the Clayton Genealogy Library (rated as one of the top ten genealogy libraries in the country), I do not have access to everything I need.
The local library where your family lived may be small, but never discount the information they have in their collection related to local history and families. Before you plan your visit, be sure to contact the library to determine the hours and days of operation. You do not want to arrive 10-minutes before they close or 4-hours before they open!
By making contact before you arrive, you can ask questions regarding the library holdings and give the librarian information about your family. Many times, the local librarian has pulled material for me before I arrive so that I have a place to start my research.
Also, I will ask the library what newspaper microfilm they hold so I can be prepared to spend extra time looking for obituaries and other information. Do not forget to ask them about other research facilities in adjoining towns or if there is a county library system. You may want to visit all of the libraries in that county to make sure you do not overlook any research material or information.
Be sure and contact the local genealogy society and see what information or research material they might be able to offer. Many times the local genealogy society will have its own research facility and material that is separate and apart from the public library system.
For more information regarding libraries in the Central Texas area, go to the website for the Central Texas Library System at: http://www.ctls.net/membinfo.htm or write: P. O. Box 2287, Austin, TX 78768, telephone: 800-262-4431 (Toll Free).
| Georgetown Public Library - Williamson County, Texas |
808 Martin Luther King Georgetown, Texas 78626 telephone: 512/930-3551 e-mail: gpublicl@georgetowntx.org website: http://www.georgetowntex.org/ |
| Round Rock Public Library - Williamson County, Texas |
216 East Main Round Rock, Texas 78664 telephone: 512/218-7000 Reference e-mail: lindab@round-rock.tx.us website: http://www.ci.round-rock.tx.us/library/library.html |
| Lucy Hill Patterson Public Library - Milam County, Texas |
201 Ackerman Street Rockdale, Texas 76567 telephone: 512/446-3410 e-mail: lhpml@excite.com website: http://www.main.org/patlib/library.htm |
| Cameron Public Library - Milam County, Texas |
304 East 3rd Street Cameron, Texas 76520 telephone: 254/697-2401 e-mail: camlib7@hotmail.com |
| Temple Public Library - Bell County, Texas |
100 W. Adams Temple, TX 76501 telephone: 254/298-5556 e-mail: jduer@ci.temple.tx.us website: http://www.ci.temple.tx.us/library/home.htm |
| Carnegie Center of Brazos Valley History - Brazos County, Texas |
111 South Main Bryan, TX 77803 telephone: 979/209-5630 website: http://www.rtis.com/bryan/library/ |
| Harrie P. Woodson Memorial Library - Burleson County, Texas |
704 W. Highway 21 Caldwell, TX 77836 telephone: 979/567-4111 |
| Marlin Public Library - Falls County, Texas |
301 Winter Marlin, TX 76661 telephone: 254/883-6602 |
| Rufus Young King Library - Lee County, Texas |
177 S. Madison St. Giddings, TX 78942 telephone: 979/542-2716 |
| Smith-Welch Memorial Library - Robertson County, Texas |
114 W. 4th St. Hearne, TX 77859 telephone: 979/279-5191 website: http://www.rtis.com/reg/hearne/library.html |
| Robertson County Library - Robertson County, Texas |
Franklin, Texas 77856 telephone: 979/828-4331 phone |
In this column, I will be glad to highlight and review any family history, genealogy, county history, or similar book, free of charge, if you donate a copy of the book or item. After it has been highlighted and reviewed, on a space available basis, it will be donated to the genealogy section of a library. You will receive an acknowledgment of the donation from the library. Mail item or book to me at the below address.
Lynna Kay Shuffield has written several books related to Texas genealogy and military history. She has spoken before numerous genealogy and veterans groups. Also, is a County Coordinator for the Texas GenWeb Project. Regretfully, she cannot help with individual genealogical research. Please visit the website for this column at: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/2670/ COLUMN-001.htm or if you have any questions, comments, suggestions for column topics, genealogy or historical society announcements, please contact her at: P. O. Box 16604, Houston, Texas 77222-6604 or e-mail: lksfriday@sbcglobal.net
This webpage was last created on 7 Feb 2001 and was last revised on _______ 2001
Copyright © 1999, 2001 Lynna Kay Shuffield - All rights reserved.
P. O. Box 16604
Houston, Texas 77222-6604