Genealogy
Several of our branches have history rooms or genealogical collections in their libraries.
Some of the communities of our area have historical societies. Call your local Northwestern Regional branch for more information.
Ancestry.com Library Edition
Did you know that your local NWRL Branch has FREE ACCESS to Ancestry.comDid you also know that the work you complete on Ancestry at the library can be emailed to your personal email address for later viewing at home?
IT’S ALL TRUE!
Come by your local branch to check it out and watch the videos below for more information!
*This edition of Ancestry.com is the Library Edition and is for use only with the libraries’ public computers and WiFi.
North Carolina Digital Heritage Center
For the first time Northwestern Regional Library has digital local history items on www.digitalnc.org.
The Digital Heritage Center supports community engagement and lifelong learning by promoting and increasing access of the historical collections and North Carolina’s cultural heritage through digitization. The Center is supported by the State Library of North Carolina, with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library and Services and Technology Act, and by the UNC-Chapel Hill University Library.
Other Resources
Surry County Genealogical Society
This website offers pathways to information on families and surnames, persons of color, cemeteries, yearbooks, and many photographs.
Edwards Franklin House
Edwards Franklin House near Mount Airy restored by the Surry County Historical Society. This website offers access to many photographs from Surry County.
FamilySearch
FamilySearch is a nonprofit family history organization dedicated to connecting families across generations. The largest genealogy organization in the world, it was started by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its services are free and open to anyone wanting to explore family history.
Foothills Arts Council
129 Church St., Elkin, NC
The Elkin Historical Collection is available by appointment only. It is housed in the Foothills Arts Council. It is quite small and consists primarily of photographs, most of which are available through the Surry County Historical Society’s photo archive. Other items are uncatalogued scrapbooks, letters, and business papers. If you want to ask about particular items in the collection, call the Library at 336-835-5586.
