Genealogy

The library’s Genealogy Department has an excellent collection of print, microfilm, and materials dealing with the history of Decatur, Miller, and Seminole Counties. The bulk of the collection is housed at the Decatur County – Gilbert H. Gragg Library. Patrons may view the the library’s genealogy holdings in the PINES system and limit the search by “Southwest Georgia Regional Library System.”

Print and microfilm materials are reference only and must be used in the genealogy rooms. A state of the art microfilm scanner is available for use in the Genealogy Room of the Decatur County – Gilbert H. Gragg Library.

Patrons may view the recorded recollections from 49 World War II veterans originally from the Bainbridge, GA, area through YouTube and the Digital Library of Georgia.

Patrons may search the Digital Library of Georgia’s Southwest Georgia Regional Library System Collection of Bainbridge Army Airfield photographs.

Ancestry Library Edition

The Ancestry Library Edition collection has more than 10 billion records in more than 8,000 databases. Content categories include: birth, marriage and death records; census records; immigration and travel; military; schools, directories and church histories; tax, criminal, land and wills; references, dictionaries and almanacs; stories and publications; and photos and maps.

*Ancestry Library Edition is only available for in house use.

Georgia Genealogical Society
 
The Georgia Genealogical Society is a nonprofit volunteer organization that was founded as a friend of the Georgia Department of Archives and History in 1964.

HeritageQuest

Patrons may also access the genealogical database, Heritage Quest, from their home computers through GALILEO. Patrons who have already set up their online PINES account may access GALILEO through PINES by clicking on the GALILEO link at the top of the screen once they have signed in. PINES account password can be obtained by either visiting or calling the Southwest Georgia Regional Library at 229-248-2665.

National Archives

Explore the nation’s history through documents, photos, and records. Request military records or learn about other services for yourself or family members.

Military Record Requests Using Standard Form 180

Includes teacher resources and Information for:

• Citizen Archivists
• Federal Employees
• Genealogists
• Members of Congress
• Preservation Records Managers
• The Press

Other Useful Links

• FamilySearch – website offering genealogical records, education, and software operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Jack Hadley Black History Museum
• Ellis Island – Port of New York Passenger Records
• African Ancestry in the Americas – Through AfriGeneas.com which offers mail lists, message boards, geneaology chats and more
• RootsWeb – A database of websites which offers links to the Social Security death index, surname lists, charts, graphs and more