# Make the Most of Family History Month
Need help researching your family tree? With the holidays coming up, it’s a great time to get started! Whether you’re new to family history research or an expert genealogist, you'll find plenty of resources (and specially trained staff) in Special Collections at the Main Library to help you search.
There are even scanners and other equipment available for public use if you want to scan photos, negatives, books, or documents. You can also digitize home movies from VHS or film into formats that you can upload, share, or store online. Download these free PDF documents from the National Genealogical Society website for easy-to-follow steps to make these projects manageable.
Research & Build Your Family Tree
Did you know? Jacksonville Public Library is a certified FamilySearch Affiliate. That means, as a library card holder, you have access to the world’s largest online collection of:
- vital records
- military records
- church records
- and more!
Is your family from Northeast Florida? The Library has its own collection of census records, Duval County probate records, and more than 2,000 family and county histories. Plus, you can browse yearbooks from Duval County high schools, with records dating back to 1907.
Note: You can access Ancestry Library Edition from any Jacksonville Public Library computer at any library branch. This online research database is powered by Ancestry.com which delivers billions of records in census data, vital records, directories, photos and more.
Visit Special Collections
Special Collections is home to the Genealogy Collection, African American History Collection, and more. Located on the fourth floor of the Main Library in Downtown Jacksonville, it is open to the public during library hours with plenty of space for family and local history researchers.
Schedule an Appointment or Consultation
Appointments are not required to visit Special Collections or to use our free resources but please do call ahead at (904) 255-BOOK if you have questions or will need extra assistance. You can also request a genealogy consultation with one of the Library's specially trained staff. These appointments can focus on starting the process, using genealogy online resources, or reviewing what has already been found.
What to bring to your consultation:
- any family information or research notes
- a flash drive may be useful for documents that may be found
Bring Your Family Photos, VHS Tapes & Film
Special Collection is also home to the Memory Lab, which includes free, DIY "digitization stations" you can use to scan family photos, convert home movies, and more.
A library card is required. If you are a Duval County resident, click here to sign up for FREE online or apply in person with valid ID. Note: Guest passes and non-resident cards are also available for a fee.
Planning Ahead
While walk-ins are welcome, if you want to make sure a station is available for you when you arrive, or have questions about what to bring, please call us at (904) 255-BOOK to schedule your appointment or for more information. Appointments are strongly recommended on Saturdays.
Click the buttons below to learn more about the different formats you can digitize.
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Intro to African American Genealogy
Hitting a few roadblocks on your family history research? Sign up for a Life Lab: Genealogy Workshop on Census Records from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20, at Dallas Graham Branch. Instructor C. Ann Staley will introduce you to using the U.S. Federal Census (Population & Slave Schedules) to help research your ancestors, including those who may have been enslaved.
Census records are one of the first sources that researchers go to for establishing family groups and residences. While readily available, they are not always easy to use.
In this introduction to census records, she will discuss:
- What they are and why we use them
- U.S. Census Records available
- Census Day and why it is important
- Raising awareness of potential concerns
- Census indexes and the use of the Soundex system
- Getting creative in index searching
- Census strategies to help us further your research
- How to find the census records
- Hands-on interactive participation in a case study
Note: This program is made possible by a grant from the Mellon Foundation and is part of an ongoing series of free community programs exploring and collecting African American history.
