Using Our Resources
This web site is intended to provide basic information about our holdings and their scope and content, mainly through University History Collections, Regional History Collections, and Other Special Collections. At this time, the vast majority of materials in the Archives are not available online. If you think that the Archives contains materials that might be helpful, you will need to visit the Archives or ask us about doing your research remotely.
On-Site Research
Preparing for Your Visit:
Extensive research frequently necessitates a visit to Archival Services. It is highly advisable to contact the Archives in advance so that we can understand your needs and be better prepared to assist you upon arrival. Likewise, it is helpful if you notify the Archives staff with your date of arrival and the projected length of your stay.
Location and Parking:
Archival Services is located in the lower level of the Polsky Building, 225 South Main Street (ENTER FROM HIGH STREET)
Parking meters for visitors are available in the West Campus Parking Deck. There is also on-street parking. For information about obtaining a parking permit, please contact us. For additional information about parking on the University campus, please consult Parking Services.
Using Archival Materials:
Archival materials must be used in the Archives Reading Room. Since they are unique or rare, they must be handled with great care. In some cases, particularly with photographs, the staff will provide you with gloves to wear.
Researchers may bring notepaper, notebooks, note cards, pencils and laptop computers into the Reading Room. All other materials should be left in spaces provided in the reception area. Food and beverages are not permitted in the Reading Room.
It is important that researchers maintain the order of items in a folder and the folders within a box. If you would like to make copies of documents, please advise the staff so that we can explain our procedures. Fees for photocopying and for special services, such as digital scanning and photographic printing, are available upon request. In some cases, materials are available for viewing, but are not able to be copied.
Remote Research
If you are looking for specific information or you are not able to visit the Archives, we will try to help you remotely. Generally, we will do limited research (less than about one-half hour) without charging a fee. Visit contact us for information and suggestions on helping us to assist you.
Researching Family History
Tips for genealogists:
You should begin by writing down everything you already know about yourself, your parents, and your grandparents. A handy family group chart and ancestral chart is available for free at Ancestry.com. Start your research at home. Document your own life first by gathering records and information about your birth, marriage, graduation, military service and so forth. Look around the house for photographs, documents, old letters, diaries, newspaper clippings, and family Bibles. Interview family members for more information.
The more information you have, the better our chances of helping you.
The archival holdings vary for birth and death records, marriage records, and land records of each county, so be sure to contact Archives staff before visiting us. Also check the appropriate courthouses for their holdings, particularly more recent records.