Genealogy
General Information
Books for Sale
How to Request Copies by Mail
The staff of the Southern History Department will normally respond within 48
hours to written requests for information. Requests must be specific (i.e.
please send me a copy of pages 119-121 from The Georgia Black Book by
Robert Scott Davis). Unfortunately, our level of staffing does not allow us to
provide more extensive research nor to search microfilmed materials such as
censuses and military records. For assistance with more in-depth requests you
might wish to contact persons on a list of
independent researchers.
The charge for photocopies we send by mail is $5.00
plus 30ยข per page.
No more than 20 pages will be copied. Requests should be mailed to:
- Southern History Department
- Birmingham Public Library
- 2100 Park Place
- Birmingham, AL 35203
or submit request online via
Ask A Librarian
(include mailing address with your request)
Requests for newspaper articles and obituaries:
Requests for copies of newspaper articles and obituaries are handled by our
Microforms Center and should be submitted via
Ask A Librarian. You will be contacted regarding
the availability, cost, and procedure for mailing pre-payment and requests for
these items. Copies from microfilmed census records and microfilmed military
records are not done by our staff but should be directed to persons on our list
of
independent researchers.
Tips on Genealogical Research
Birmingham Public Library Genealogical Resources
Classes on Beginning Genealogy
Intended for beginners, these classes may also be helpful to more experienced
researchers. The staff in the Southern History Department covers such topics as
vital records, courthouse and church records, and the Federal Census. The same
material is covered in each class. However, you are welcome to attend as many
sessions as you like. Classes are conducted in the Southern History Department,
Birmingham Public Library, First Floor, Linn-Henley Research Library. No fee or
pre-registration is required. For more information, call (205) 226-3665
Beginning Genealogical Research
Handout
This handout is intended to introduce genealogical research to beginners and
should be read before attending the classes.
Other Genealogical Resources
Soundex
Converter
The Soundex system is a method of indexing names in the 1880,
1900, 1910, and 1920 US Census. Soundex can also aid genealogists by identifying
spelling variations for a given surname. This form will return the soundex code
for the entered surname, plus other surnames/spellings sharing the same soundex
code.