What you can find at the Tennessee State Library & Archives

It has more than just Tennessee records!

In the nearly two decades I’ve lived in Nashville, Tennessee, I didn’t realize I had a gem sitting in my backyard. Since none of my ancestors had ties to Tennessee, I didn’t think to explore the resources available here. I’m glad I finally did.

The Tennessee State Library & Archives, located at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N. in Nashville, has more than just Tennessee records! The Library, Microfilm, and Manuscripts Reading Room is open to researchers Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT.

Source: WKRN

Know before you go

If it’s your first time visiting, you can park temporarily in the parallel street parking on Rep. John Lewis Way North. Once inside, you’ll need to provide a state or federal ID (like a driver’s license) so you can be issued a library card.

The library card gives you access to free parking in the library garage (accessed off of Junior Gilliam Way) and to the second-floor Reading Room. You’ll also be issued a PIN with your library card, which can be used with the online catalog to request items from storage and save lists of materials.

After you’ve received your library card, you’ll scan the barcode at the stairway and head up to the second floor. There, you’ll find lockers where you can store your personal belongings. Whatever you decide to carry into the reading room is subject to examination by staff. I recommend bringing the bare minimum and leaving everything else in your vehicle. I tend to bring my laptop, USB drive, phone, and wallet.

Copying / scanning / photography policy: Patrons are welcome to use non-flash photography to take images of printed and manuscript material. Patrons are welcome to bring their own USB flashdrives for scans of printed and manuscript materials.

Start with the online catalog

Before making a trip to the library, you can search the online catalog from home to determine which materials you want to access in person. Read the Guide to Using the Tennessee State Library and Archives Catalog first to get started.

If you like to live on the wild side, you can browse the shelves in person following the Dewey Decimal System. They’re well-labeled, so it’s easy to find the general topic you need. For example, half of my ancestors have roots in Virginia, so I like to peruse the Virginia section of the shelves for titles that catch my eye.

Databases available only on the Reading Room computers

One of the great features of this library is the free access they offer to the following databases:

Ancestry Institution provides a number of useful genealogical databases.

Fold 3 offers a collection of genealogy resources, indexes and scans of records - especially those relating to the military.

HeritageQuest Online is a comprehensive collection of American genealogical resources, including primary sources, local and family histories, and finding aids.

Digital Sanborn Maps chart the growth and development of American cities and towns. The site allows users to search the maps of more than 100 Tennessee cities.

19th Century Newspapers is a full-text searchable, facsimile-image database of 200 newspapers, chronicling 19th century American culture, daily life, and events.

Note: You must be using a computer in the Reading Room to access these databases.

How to make the most of your visit

Bring a list of what you want to find. As you review each item, take notes of what you find and don’t find. When I’m scanning materials, I like to include the title page, index page(s), and the page of the relevant information. That way, I can create a proper source citation later in my research log.

Take notes of any follow-up action items from your research. You may think you’ll remember from the time you leave the library until the time you get home… but it’s easy to get distracted and forget! Keeping a detailed research log will help future you stay on track.

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