• General Information on the Tutwiler Collection
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • Sources in the Southern History Department
• Rare Book Room
• Ask Your Genealogy Question Here

• Genealogy Books
• Regional and Local Interest Books

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 30¢ per page.

No more than 20 pages will be copied. Requests should be mailed to:

Tutwiler Collection of Southern History and Literature

Birmingham Public Library

2100 Park Place

or submit request online via Ask A Librarian
(include mailing address with your request)

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.

• Genealogical Research - How to Begin
• Genealogy Pathfinder
• Birmingham Obituary Research Guidelines
• Tips for African-American Genealogical Research

• Genealogy Databases
• Bibliographies to Help With Genealogical Research
• Local Indexes
• Family Files
• Census on Microfilm
• Street Name Changes in Birmingham (New to Old)
• Street Name Changes in Birmingham (Old to New)

Classes on Beginning Genealogy
Intended for beginners, these classes may also be helpful to more experienced researchers. The staff in the Tutwiler Collection of Southern History 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

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.

• Internet Genealogy Links
• List of Independent Researchers