Family & Local History Marketing Toolkit

Online Genealogy Resources Through Your Library

All Georgia public library patrons have access to genealogy and local history research tools anytime, anywhere, through their library card! Guide them to the sites below for more information:

• Digital Library of Georgia, a one-stop shop for archival and primary sources on the history and culture of Georgia.
• GALILEO, Georgia’s virtual library, provides library card holders with access to many genealogy research databases, including:
  • Ancestry Library Edition
  • ArchiveGrid
  • HeritageQuest Online
  • Voyages: The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database
• New Georgia Encyclopedia is an online reference resource maintained by Georgia Humanities and offers robust educator resources as well.
• Georgia Department of Archives & History, which maintains a searchable finding aid database and a Virtual Vault of searchable records pertaining to Georgia’s history.
• Georgia Historic Newspapers portal, a freely-searchable archive of digitized newspapers from around the state, spanning 1763-2018.

…and many more! Check out Cyndi’s List for even more free online genealogy resources, including FindAGrave, FamilySearch, the National Archives, and others.

Graphics for Social Media

Feel free to use these graphics, along with the messages below, to raise awareness of your library’s genealogy resources.

Messages for social media

General messages:

• Explore #Genealogy and #LocalHistory research resources at your local public library! Learn more at georgialibraries.org/genealogy 
• Interested in exploring your community’s history and culture? Your local public library has resources that can help you get started or dive deeper into your research. Ask your librarian to get started or visit https://georgialibraries.org/preserve-history-at-your-library. 
• Learn and preserve local history at your local library; here’s how: https://georgialibraries.org/preserve-history-at-your-library
• Many of Georgia’s libraries are collecting community stories–such as oral histories, written narratives, photographs, artwork, and video recordings–about their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can view a listing of the projects at georgialibraries.org/coronavirus-chronicles.
• Ask your public librarian for a copy of “Georgia’s Treasures,” which gives a thorough description of genealogy, history, and cultural collections at Georgia public libraries.
• Ancestry Library Edition brings the world’s most popular consumer online genealogy resource to your public library. Check it out for free with your public library password or PINES card number: http://www.galileo.usg.edu/
• Unlock the story of you with Ancestry Library Edition sources like censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, directories, photos, maps, and more. Ask your librarian or access online through your library: http://www.galileo.usg.edu/ #GeorgiaLibraries
• There are many local history resources available online through #GeorgiaLibraries Check them out here: georgialibraries.org/homeplace/gene…
• Public libraries often preserve local culture and history. Ask your librarian or explore online resources here: https://georgialibraries.org/homeplace/genealogy/
• Every year, Georgia’s public libraries support the addition of tens of thousands of digitized newspaper pages to the Georgia Historic Newspapers portal. Just one more way public libraries support history in the making. https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/ #GeorgiaLibraries
• Did you know many libraries collect unique, rare, or hard-to-find archival and primary resources? These are records you won’t find anywhere else, like this enormous 450-year-old book, these oral history interviews recalling the experiences of Chinese-American families in Augusta, Georgia, mid-century photographs from an African American community in north Georgia, or newspapers documenting the burgeoning indie music scene in Athens, Georgia.
• Your library has everything you need to explore family, local, and national history. Here are five quick tips for getting the most out of these free resources: https://georgialibraries.org/five-ways-to-explore-history-at-your-library/

Online resources:

• Climb your #FamilyTree while staying in your pajamas with online genealogy resources from #GeorgiaLibraries and @galileolibrary. Use your public library card to access www.galileo.usg.edu
• Want to know about local news? Interested in what happened in Georgia in 1920? Search Georgia Historic Newspapers for current & archived issues of #HistoricalNewspapers. Gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu
• Was your family in the news? Search your #ancestors by name with @diglibga’s Georgia Historic Newspapers portal, supported by @georgialibs: gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu. #GeorgiaLibraries
• @Ancestry has launched a collection of Freedman’s Bureau records to help Black Americans trace their descendants. Login from home with your @PINES library card!
• The Digital Library of Georgia provides access to dozens of genealogical collections from public libraries across Georgia like historic photographic collections, university yearbooks, song books, student newspapers and more. Visit the Digital Library of Georgia https://dlg.usg.edu/
• Looking for homeschooling resources? Georgia Historic Newspapers gives you free access to over 1.5 million newspaper pages–perfect for your next social studies, journalism, or vocabulary lesson! Visit https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/. #georgialibraries
• What events were making news in Georgia on the day you were born? Use the advanced search feature in the Georgia Historic Newspapers portal to look up your DOB. https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/ Can’t find the exact date? Expand your search nationally using Chronicling America. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/newspapers/

Historical collections:

• Digitized oral histories from Cairo, GA, share early 20th century African American experiences @rmlibrary https://georgialibraries.org/digitized-oral-histories-cairo/
• Oral histories enable people to share their stories in their own words, and public libraries from Athens to Perry to Bainbridge to Augusta have digitized interviews with community members. You can access them at dlg.usg.edu.
• You can now digitize photo negatives, slides, or VHS tapes for free in Macon, Georgia, at the Washington Memorial Library’s new Memory Lab. Many of Georgia’s public libraries can provide expertise on how to preserve family heirlooms and collectibles. Contact your local library to find out how.
• Digitized Scrapbook Tells the Story of Early Maternal Care in Georgia https://georgialibraries.org/digitized-scrapbook-tells-the-story-of-early-maternal-care-in-georgia/
• ​​Digitized Postcards Depict 19th & 20th Century Historical Sites and Imagery. 
• Digitized scrapbook tells the story of early maternal care in Georgia
• Historical Dalton and Griffin city directories now freely available online
• “We Endure” Oral History Collection Documents Stories, Struggles of Cairo, Georgia’s African American Community

Georgia’s Treasures Genealogy Booklet

Download a digital copy of the Georgia’s Treasures Genealogy Booklet, or request printed copies for your library.

Georgia’s Treasures Genealogy Booklet | Social Media Messages

Use these messages to promote the Georgia’s Treasures genealogy booklet to your patrons.

• Many #GeorgiaLibraries have unique, irreplaceable material highlighting the history of their communities. Learn more about Georgia’s Treasures at libraries around the state: https://georgialibraries.org/genealogydocs/gatreasures.pdf 
• Explore #Genealogy and #LocalHistory research resources at your local public library. Pick up a copy of the Georgia’s Treasures genealogy booklet from your local library!
• The Georgia’s Treasures genealogy booklet is your guide to exploring genealogy and cultural collections around Georgia? Ask your librarian for a copy!
• Ask your public librarian for a copy of “Georgia’s Treasures,” which gives a thorough description of genealogy, history, and cultural collections at Georgia public libraries.
• If you have an interest in ATL history, civil rights movement or Southern literature, the Auburn Ave Research Library on African American Culture & History is an essential place to visit. Learn more about @AARL_Archives https://bit.ly/2HUsppk #GeorgiaLibraries @AFPL
• The Ellen Payne Odom Genealogy Library is one of GA’s primary participants in the Veterans History Project, an initiative of @librarycongress to collect, preserve & make accessible personal accounts of wartime soldiers. https://bit.ly/2HUsppk #GeorgiaLibraries
• Interested in Scottish History? The Ellen Payne Odom Genealogy Library has rare books, tartan banners & genealogical information on more than 130 Scottish clans! 
• The Middle GA Archives have >9,200 drawings by pioneering architect Ellamae Ellis League, who began her career in 1924 when < 2 percent of American architects were women. Learn more & visit https://bit.ly/2HUsppk #GeorgiaLibraries #architecture @MGRLibraries
• Find extensive records on the original 13 American colonies, Revolutionary War & more at the Middle GA Archives, plus photos & displays about GA history. https://bit.ly/2HUsppk #GeorgiaLibraries @MGRLibraries #history
• The Ladson Genealogical Library is the only public library in GA exclusively dedicated to history & #genealogy, with >35,000 books, some more than 400 years old! https://bit.ly/2HUsppk #GeorgiaLibraries 
• The Heritage Room at @AthensClarkeLib features oral histories from local WWII vets, collection of vintage children’s clothes, and much more. Check out their programming & visit this GA Treasure! https://bit.ly/2HUsppk #GeorgiaLibraries #history
• The award-winning collection of Chinese-American Oral History @AugustaGALib recounts life there in 1950s & reflections on 1970 riot. #history
• The @AugustaGALib has a strong collection of African American genealogical records, including many funeral programs for individuals involved in Civil Rights Movement.  https://bit.ly/2HUsppk #GeorgiaLibraries #genealogy
• From local shipbuilding history to a leather-bound Catholic Liturgy choral book from 1580, the Brunswick-Glynn County Library has a robust historical collection. Plan a visit to this GA Treasure! https://bit.ly/2HUsppk #GeorgiaLibraries @moglibraries #history
• Interested in the #history of Savannah, GA? Plan a visit to the Bull Street Library to view historical maps, manuscripts & photos about the industrialization & expansion of the city. https://bit.ly/2HUsppk #GeorgiaLibraries @liveoakpl 
• Highlights of the Switzer Library Georgia Room include original aperture cards from Cobb County photos included in the Vanishing Georgia Collection. Plan a visit to this GA Treasure! https://bit.ly/2HUsppk #GeorgiaLibraries @cobblibrary #history
• Plan a visit to the Mary Willis Library, a Queen-Anne style building built in 1888 & on National Register of Historic Places. The library also has rare books & a mysterious iron trunk w/ false lock and hidden keyhole. https://bit.ly/2HUsppk #GeorgiaLibraries #history @natlparkservice

Georgia’s 10 Most Beautiful Public Libraries Passport Booklet

Download a digital copy of the Georgia’s 10 Most Beautiful Libraries Passport booklet, or request printed copies for your library.

Georgia’s 10 Most Beautiful Libraries Passport Booklet | Social Media Messages

Use these messages to promote the Georgia’s 10 Most Beautiful Libraries Passport booklet to your patrons.

• The Georgia’s 10 Most Beautiful Public Libraries passport booklet is your guide to exploring beautiful libraries around Georgia? Ask your librarian for a copy!
• Ask your public librarian for a copy of “Georgia’s 10 Most Beautiful Public Libraries,” which highlights some of the beautifully designed libraries in Georgia.
• Libraries are a great holiday destination – learn about & visit Georgia’s 10 most beautiful libraries! #georgialibraries https://georgialibraries.org/gpls-names-10-most-beautiful-libraries-in-georgia/ 
• Learn about & visit Georgia’s 10 most beautiful libraries! From a 130-year-old English Baroque library w/ stained glass by Tiffany to a seaside casino turned National Literary Landmark to a contemporary Atlanta architectural icon. #GeorgiaLibraries  https://georgialibraries.org/gpls-names-10-most-beautiful-libraries-in-georgia/
• By bringing culture, lifelong learning and discovery to Georgians every day, all libraries are beautiful. You can get your passport of 10 most beautiful public libraries in GA at your local library : http://bit.ly/2qcZ8Jp #GeorgiaLibraries

Freely reusable DLG images for social media sharing

More Local Images from Georgia Public Libraries

• Photograph of a celebration at the Athens Regional Library, Dunbar Branch, Athens GA, circa 1950: https://dlg.usg.edu/record/arl_acl_acl033
• Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, interior, 1872, MGRL: https://dlg.usg.edu/record/gac_rees_reeschr002
• Photograph of an African American agricultural worker demonstrating hardwood control on Mrs. Louise Verdery’s Farm, Columbia County, Georgia, 1952-1957?, Columbia County Libray (Evans, GA): https://dlg.usg.edu/record/ccgal_usdapc_gch-scs-02-060-01
• Broughton St., Savannah, Ga., LOPL: https://dlg.usg.edu/record/gsc_vsp_4712069458
• The Wonders of Palmistry, MCCLS: https://dlg.usg.edu/record/zgz_epogpc_mccls-pstcrd-470#metadata