Accessibility Tools

Web Accessibility plugin by DJ-Extensions.com
Skip to main content
Image of a microfilm machine

Local History Room

Written by alamancelibraries on . Posted in Book Reviews.

Did you know that May Memorial Library has a local history room and a genealogy specialist who can help you uncover your family’s history, find records, and explore county history? We invite you to visit the library to browse our physical collection. While some items cannot be checked out, you are welcome to sit and read or make copies.

Image of someone using the microfilm reader.
Shelve of yearbooks.
Image of the microfilm reader inside the local history room.

An interesting item available for use is a microfilm reader, which allows you to view microfilm records on a computer. We also have maps, photographs, postcards, war records, and even school yearbooks.

We have both physical records and the following online resources:

Ancestry Library Edition: With more than 1.5 billion names in over 4,000 databases. Ancestry has information from the US census, military, court, church records, and more. The website is easy to navigate; simply enter a first name, last name, birth year, and/or location to get started. This resource is only accessible from inside the library.

Heritage Quest: An NC Live database that you can access with your library card. Heritage Quest provides access to U.S. census records, books, Revolutionary War service records, and Freedman’s Bank deposit or records

Community History Archive: Archives of digitized newspapers available online, including Mebane Enterprise, Alamance Gleaner, Alamance News, Alamance-Orange Enterprise, Burlington News, Daily Times-News, Hillsborough Journal, Mebane Leader, News of Orange County, Saturday Times-News, and Sunday Times-News. Online available to view at library locations.

ACPL Genealogy Research Guide: A staff-created guide that includes video tutorials and webinars to assist you in learning how to use various websites and databases. It features PowerPoint presentations covering a range of topics, including the history of Alamance County Publics, textile photographs, cemetery and death records, researching houses or buildings, African American history, and more.

Visit the local history room during library hours, and you will be fascinated by the resources we have. If you need assistance, our staff is happy to find the tools you need to begin your research. Check out our Local History & Genealogy webpage for more information or call May Memorial Library at (336) 229-3588.

-Ana A is the Marketing Coordinator for Alamance County Public Libraries.

Leave a Reply