Whether you are an expert genealogist or new to family research, our collection offers you access to one of the finest and most comprehensive collections in Arkansas. The collection consists of over 14,000 print resources, as well as microfilm, microfiche, maps, and a digital image archive.
While the collection represents all the states and has an Arkansas focus, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Maryland are well represented because they were the principal states from which early settlers migrated to Arkansas.
Need access to the library's genealogical records, but can't make it to the library? Our librarians can do the research for you! Please submit the Research Request form or visit the Genealogy Desk for more information.
*Please note that there are some costs involved.
Microfilm / Microfiche
Start with your name and birthday then move backward in time. List your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles cousins and other relatives until you cannot remember any more then call them with questions.
+ Family Bibles
+ Photographs
+ Letters
+ Diaries
+ Scrapbooks
+ Census Records – Begin your search with the census to build a framework for your family tree. Census records are collected every 10 years and provide valuable information such as family names, locations and occupations.
+ Vital Records – Vital records include birth, marriage and death records. Many records may be obtained from county courthouses and state vital record departments.
+ Other Key Records – Your research will be enriched by exploring military records, immigration records, church records, as well as will and probate records.
+ Use genealogy charts to stay organized.
+ Record dates in a consistent format. (Example: 1 January 1999)
+ Search for women with maiden names.
+ Diligently document your sources.
+ Try to use original sources.
+ Evaluate the credibility of the information you find - try to verify information with secondary resources to ensure accuracy.
Interested in learning more about genealogy? Join the Genealogy Basics course available through the library’s subscription to Gale Courses or attend an Genealogy program. This course is free with your FPL library card, and will help you learn the resources to begin your research.
A groundbreaking digital resource exclusively devoted to African American family history research.
Find information on land records from 1834–1991 and marriage records from 1845–1941 in Washington County, Arkansas.
Services available: WiFi, public access computers, photocopiers, scanners, microfilm & microfiche readers, magnification devices, and librarians available for assistance
Find Fayetteville obituary records from 1842 onward. * This resource is only available inside the library.
Find records from school districts in Washington County.* This resource is only available inside the library.
Find census, military, immigration and vital records at Ancestry.com.* This resource is only available inside the library.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Genealogy Department, please email us at genealogy@faylib.org.
If you are interested in making a financial donation to support the genealogy department, please contact our Director of Development, Christina Karnatz, at 479.856.7140.
If you are interested in donating genealogical books to our collection, please contact the Genealogy Desk at 479.856.7253 or genealogy@faylib.org to learn more.
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