Archives & Research
**The archives are open to researchers Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m to 4 p.m.
Ancestry.com!
We are now working with Ancestry.com on a new program that gives the DeKalb History Center space for documents. We are also able to index them so that all of the Ancestry.com users are able to access our records! Access to our page is FREE! Use the link below:
DeKalb History Center on Ancestry.com
We are just beginning to add files. So far we have put up a detailed burial list from Sylvester Cemetery; they did all the work and we simply uploaded it for everyone to use. We are also putting up detailed images from the DeKalb County Inferior Court Register of Free Persons of Color. These records have names, physical descriptions and occupations of free African Americans recorded from 1851-1864. We also have lists detailing the documents in the City of Decatur collection. Keep checking the page to see what's new!
Hours:
The archives are open to researchers Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m to 4 p.m. Appointments are encouraged to allow time for the archivist to pull records and to assure that there is enough space for researchers to work in the archives. When the archives are closed or the archivist is not available, a drop in researcher may fill out a research request form with their contact information and the information that they are seeking. The archivist will contact them after after reviewing their request.
To make an appointment to visit the archives contact Jill Sweetapple at 404.373.1088 ext. 23 or sweetapple@dekalbhistory.org
Resources:
The DeKalb History Center has several resources of use to historians and genealogists, which include:
- Atlanta City and Suburban Directories, 1887 – 1988
- 10 Volume set of 1930-1966 Sanborn Fire Insurance maps for the Atlanta area
- Franklin Garrett’s cemetery records for DeKalb County
- Biographical files on many DeKalb families
- An extensive special collections section which houses personal papers, court records, diaries, family bibles, church records, and tax digests
- An extensive map collection that includes an entire set of 1924 Sanborn Maps for Atlanta, and the 1915 Maynard-Carter-Simmons Atlas of DeKalb County
- A reading room with 1,700 volumes, including genealogy guides, histories of DeKalb County and the State of Georgia, church histories, and published family histories.
The Society of American Archvists has put together a booklet on using archives effectively. Hit the link below to lead you to the PDF document; you will need a PDF reader to read it.
From the SAA:
Archives exist both to preserve historic materials and to make them available for use. This guide addresses the second purpose by outlining the functions and procedures of archives, and is designed both for first-time archives users and scholars who have already conducted research in archives. The content covers:
- How archives function
- How to identify appropriate archives for your research
- How to access historical materials and research at an archives
Repositories and their collecting scopes and practices may differ, but the principles in this guide should assist you in accomplishing your research goals at any archival institution.
Take a look at our Collections and Online Resources to get started with your research!
