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Geneaological Research
As a city with nearly three centuries of history, New Orleans has been home to many nationalities. And, as a major seaport, it has seen successive waves of immigration continuously add to the population and ethnic mix. There are now some families who can trace their ancestry in New Orleans back for ten or more generations and many others who can go back at least five or six.
In recent years the pursuit of genealogical research has gained popularity as more and more people attempt to trace their ancestral roots and illustrate their family trees. With advances in modern technology, much genealogical research can be done online, but there are still many records that are only available in physical form at repositories such as libraries and other facilities that house historical archives.
For those who may have to do the physical "legwork" required to trace their roots, New Orleans is a treasure trove of such facilities. More than thirty such repositories were catalogued recently by the Greater New Orleans Archivists.
Following is a list of some of these facilities: |
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American Italian Cultural Center
537 S. Peters St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 522-7294
www.airf.org
Neighborhood: Arts District/Convention Center
Attraction Type/s: Museum, Research Facility
Description: The American Italian Cultural Center in the heart of downtown New Orleans is a repository of priceless information and memorabilia celebrating the contributions of the sons and daughters of Italy to the city’s cultural life. |
Amistad Research Center
6823 St. Charles Ave., Tilton Memorial Hall,Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118 [Map It]
(504) 862-3222
www.amistadresearchcenter.org
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District
Attraction Type/s: Museum, Research Facility
Description: Located on the beautiful campus of Tulane University in uptown New Orleans, the Amistad Research Center houses the country's largest collection of manuscripts about African Americans, race relations and civil rights. This center is the focal point of research by historians, nonfiction authors, novelists and those pursuing information about their family's history. |
Archdiocesan Archives
1100 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70116 [Map It]
(504) 529-2651
www.archdiocese-no.org
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Attraction Type/s: Research Facility
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Historic New Orleans Collection
533 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 598-7100
www.hnoc.org
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Attraction Type/s: Museum, Historic Home, Research Facility
Description: Founded in 1966 by General L. Kemper Williams and his wife Leila, the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) has a mission of preserving the French Quarter and New Orleans history. Its Royal Street Complex features seven architectural treasures. |
New Orleans Public Library
219 Loyola Ave., New Orleans, LA 70112 [Map It]
(504) 596-2610
www.neworleanspubliclibrary.org
Neighborhood: Central Business District/Downtown
Attraction Type/s: Research Facility
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Old U.S. Mint
400 Esplanade St., New Orleans, LA 70116 [Map It]
(504) 568-6968, (800) 568-6968
lsm.crt.state.la.us
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Attraction Type/s: Museum, Historic Building, Research Facility
Description: Built in 1835, the Old U.S. Mint is the only building in America to have served both as a United States and a Confederate Mint. President Andrew Jackson advocated the Mint’s establishment in order to help finance development of the nation’s western frontier.Today's visitor finds a number of stunning permanent exhibits in the Old U.S. Min including the “New Orleans Jazz” exhibit featuring instruments played by significant jazz musicians, sheet music, and memorabilia chronicling the history of Jazz from its humble beginnings on the streets of New Orleans. |
Tulane's Special Collections
6801 Freret St., Joseph Merrick Jones Hall Rm 200, New Orleans, LA 70118 [Map It]
(504) 865-5685
specialcollections.tulane.edu
Neighborhood: Uptown/Garden District
Attraction Type/s: Museum, Research Facility
Description: Tulane University’s Howard-Tilton Memorial Library offers a Special Collections Division for student and professional research consisting of six departments including the Jazz Archives, Manuscripts Department, University Archives, Louisiana Collection, Rare Books, and Architectural Archives. Some of its holdings include the papers of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, the Gettysburg letters of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and the papers of New Orleans Pulitzer Prize winning author John Kennedy Toole (A Confederacy of Dunces). |
Williams Research Center
410 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It]
(504) 598-7171
www.hnoc.org
Neighborhood: French Quarter
Attraction Type/s: Historic Building, Research Facility
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