Genealogy
The Northwest Georgia Regional area’s history includes the Cherokees, Trail of Tears, Civil War battles, and the origin of a cottage textile industry which developed into carpet manufacturing. The library maintains a special collection of books on the families and events in this area. This includes the following and more.
Microfilm
The library keeps a collection of microfilm. This includes Federal Census data, local newspapers, death records, and more. There are two microfilm readers available and black and white prints can be made from the film for $0.25 a page.
Books
The special collection room, known as the Georgia Room houses books relating to prominent families in Dalton, Civil War rosters, Revolutionary War rosters, history books relating to Dalton and the surrounding areas, cemetery records, and some family and historical materials from neighboring states.
Researching
Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, the library staff cannot perform research for local researchers; however, the staff would be happy to show researches how to use and find the materials that they might need in their research.
To schedule or request research assistance or instruction, e-mail Betsy Powell or call (706) 876-1365.
Online Resources
There are many online resources that can be useful when doing genealogical research. Some must be used in the library, but others can be used from home.
- Ancestry Library Edition – Georgia libraries subscribe to Ancestry.com, which can be used free of charge when using a library computer.
- Genealogy and Federal Records – Free online federal records and research tips from the National Archives.
- Surnames Forum – Free online forums to assist with searching for family members based on Surnames.
- USGenWeb Archives – Free online documents, photos, and records searchable by state and type.>/li>
- The Valley Forge Muster Roll – A searchable record of the Muster Rolls. Some services may require payment.
Dalton Area Historical Organizations
There are a few places that might have access to the information you are looking for if the library doesn’t.
| Bandy Heritage Center at Dalton State College 650 College Drive Dalton, GA 30720 (706) 272-4436 Bandy Heritage Center Website |
Whitfield-Murray Historical Society 715 Chattanooga Avenue Dalton, GA 30720 (706) 278-0217 Whitfield-Murray Historical Society Website Sunday – Monday: Closed |
Tunnel Hill Heritage Center 215 Clisby Austin Road Tunnel Hill, GA 30755 (706) 876-1571 Tunnel Hill Heritage Center Website Sunday: Closed |
The Emery Center 110 West Emery Street Dalton, GA 30720 (706) 277-7633 The Emery Center Website Sunday: Closed |
Reference
Dalton-Whitfield library has a print reference section in addition to the genealogy section, and it is located beside the microfilm in the back, left corner of the library. The reference librarian is available to answer any questions and assist users with finding the information they need.
GALILEO
GALILEO is an online searchable database that contains other databases. Logging into GALILEO will allow users to find journal articles from a very broad range of subjects. It requires a password when accessed outside of the library–to get the password, you will have to come in to the library or call the library with library card in hand.
Online Resources
- Virtual Reference Desk – RefDesk is designed to point users to the best, most current online resources possible.
- Internet Public Library – The Internet Public Library is similar to Google, allowing users to search for websites, but the IPL works to bring back the most reliable sites and allows for subject browsing.
- Wolfram Mathworld – Wolfram Mathworld offers encyclopedia-style information on math concepts, and offers a “calculator” to help demonstrate math problems.
