Research and Reference

Genealogy Databases

America's GenealogyBank

From NewsBank, includes newspapers from 1690 to 1977 and historical books.

HeritageQuest Online

Includes U. S. federal census records, PERiodical Source Index, family and local histories, and Revolutionary War files.

Fold3

Previously know as Footnote, this database contains over 99 million images of primary source materials.

Ancestry Library Edition

One of the largest collections of family history data online. This is the Ancestry.com database with an interface from ProQuest.

Tennessee Sanborn Maps

Historical large-scale plans of cities and towns drawn at a scale of 50 feet to an inch.

World Vital Records

A MyHeritage company, containing billions of records, family trees, census records, immigration records.

Chattanooga obituaries

Index to all obituaries published in the Chattanooga Times, News Free Press, and Chattanooga Times Free Press, compiled by library staff. Years 1897-2003 now available.

Government

In 1908, Chattanooga Public Library was granted the designation of being a federal documents depository library for the 3rd Congressional District of Tennessee by the federal government at the request of Congressman John Austin Moon (1885-1921). Depository libraries provide the local community with no-fee access to documents and information produced by the federal government. In Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District, CPL is one of only 2 official federal depositories. Federal depository collections are available for use by everyone. The collection includes documents in many formats including print, microfiche, videotape, floppy disk, CD/DVD-ROMs, maps, and electronic documents. They cover a wide range of topics relevant to the general public and to professionals, researchers and students in almost every field of study.

Although not a full depository (roughly 16% of the offered items numbers are currently selected and received), our library does select most of the standard titles recommended by the Federal Depository Library Program for depository libraries its size. These materials are distributed among the various library departments with the greatest concentration in the government documents area, where the main part of the collection is processed and housed. The staff in this department can provide assistance in helping patrons locate the information needed. A specialized numbering system based on grouping documents together by issuing agency is used for organization of the collection rather than the Dewey numbering system seen throughout the rest of the library system. Several computer databases as well as paper catalogs are available for use in the library to help in locating particular documents.

FDLP Basic Collection

Title SuDoc # Format Note
American Factfinder 2 C 3.300
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS7702
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids GP 3.39
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS4670
Budget of the United States Government   PREX 2.8:
P
 Newest paper edition located in the Government Documents Ready Reference section, older editions housed in regular Government Documents stacks.
PREX 2.8:
EL
 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=BUDGET
PREX 2.8/1:
CD
 Most current edition in Business Science and Technology's workroom, older editions in Government Document Multimedia Cabinets.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance  PREX 2.20:
P
 Cataloged to the Main Library's Reference Department: Ref. 309.23 Uni
PREX 2.20:
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS1729
Catalog of U.S. Government Publications GP 3.8/8-9:
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS844
Census of Population and Housing Unit Counts (all states, U.S. Summary, and Puerto Rico) (Series PHC-3)  C 3.223/5:
P
 Located in the Government Documents Ready Reference - Special Census Section
C 3.223/5:
EL
 http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/index.html
Census of Population and Housing: Summary Population & Housing Characteristics (all states, U.S. Summary, and Puerto Rico) (Series PHC-1)  C 3.223/18:
P
 Located in the Government Documents Ready Reference - Special Census Section
C 3.223/18:
EL
 http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/index.html
Census of Populations and Housing: Social, Economic & Housing Characteristics (all states, U.S. Summary & Puerto Rico) (Series PHC-2)  C 3.223/23:
P
 Located in the Government Documents Ready Reference - Special Census Section
C 3.223/23:
EL
 http;//www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/index.html
Census of Population and Housing: Social, Economic & Housing Characteristics (Island Areas) (Series PHC-4)  C 3.223/23-2:
P
 Do Not Select
C 3.223/23-2
EL
 http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/index.html
Code of Federal Regulations   AE 2.106/3:
P
 Located in Government Documents Read Reference Section - only most current edition retained.
AE 2.106/3:
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS494
AE 2.106/3:
MF
 Do Not Select
Compilation of Presidential Documents AE 2.109: EL http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CPD
Congressional Directory  Y 4.P93/1:1
P
 Cataloged to the Main Library's Reference Department: Ref 328.73 Off. Older editions in Government Documents Stacks
Y 4.P 93/1:1
EL
 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CDIR
Congressional Record (daily)   X 1.1/A:
P
 Main Library storage area
X 1.1/A:
EL
 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CREC
X 1.1/A:
MF
 Do not select
Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation  Y 1.1/3:
P
 Cataloged to the Main Library's Reference Department: Ref 342.73 Uni
Y 1.1/3:
EL
 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-CONAN-2002/pdf/GPO-CONAN-2002.pdf
County and City Data Book   C 3.134/2:
P
 Most current paper edition in Government Documents Ready Reference section, older editions in regular Government Documents Stacks.
C 3.134/2:
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS29932
C 3.134/2-1:
CD
 Housed in the Government Documents Multimedia Cabinets
Economic Indicators  Y 4.EC 7:EC 7
P
 Housed in Government Documents Stacks
Y 4.EL 7:EC 7
EL
 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=ECONI
Economic Report of the President  PR 43.9:
P
 Most current edition in Government Documents Ready Reference section. Older editions in Government Documents Stacks
PR 43.9:
EL
 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=ERP
Federal Digital System GP 3.43: EL http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
Federal Register (daily)   AE 2.106:
P
 Do Not Select
AE 2.106:
EL
 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=FR
AE 2.106:
MF
 Stored in Government Documents Microfiche Cabinets.
GPO Access  
EL
 http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html
Bicentennial Edition: Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970* - Parts 1 & 2   C 3.134/2:H 92/970
P
 Housed in the Government Documents Ready Reference Section.
C 3.134/2:H 92/970/Pt.1
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS55561
C 3.134/2:H 92/970/Pt.2
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS55811
Occupational Outlook Handbook L 2.3/4:
P
 Cataloged to Main Library: Main DeskR 371.425 Occ. Older editions retained throughout system.
L 2.3/4:
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS51754
Public Papers of the President  AE 2.114:
P
 Housed in the regular Government Documents Stacks.
AE 2.114:
EL
 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=PPP
Social Security Handbook  SSA 1.8/3:
P
 Do Not Select - Government no longer produces in paper format.
SSA 1.8/3:
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS3017
Statistical Abstract of the United States**   C 3.134:
P
 Cataloged to the Main Library Reference Department:
Ref 311.3743 Uni. Older editions in Government Document Stacks.
C 3.134:
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS2878
C 3.134/7:
CD
 Housed in Government Documents Multimedia Cabinets
Statutes at Large  AE 2.111:
P
 Housed in Government Docuents Ready Reference Section
AE 2.111:
EL

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=STATUTE
United States Code   Y 1.2/5:
P
 Housed in the Government Documents Ready Reference Section.
Y 1.2:5:
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS2873
Y 1.2/5-2:
CD
 Housed in Government Documents Multimedia Cabinets
United States Government Manual  AE 2.108/2:
P
 Newest paper edition rotates between Main Library Reference Department: Ref 311.3973 Uni. Older editions are housed in the regular Government Documents stacks.
AE 2.108/2:
EL
 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=GOVMAN
United States Reports  JU 6.8:
P
 Housed in the Government Documents stacks.
JU 6.8:
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS30185
USA Counties** C 3.134/6:
EL
 http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS22642

 

General Databases

 

Academic OneFile

A premier source for peer-reviewed, full-text articles from the world's leading journals and reference sources with extensive coverage of the physical sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature and other subjects. From 1980.

Agriculture Collection

Comprised of nearly 200 titles, researchers will have access to current and authoritative content that spans the industry -- from practical aspects of farming to cutting edge scientific research in horticulture.

America's GenealogyBank from NewsBank

Provides Web-based access to U.S. core genealogical records from 1652 to present in five separate collections including Historical Books and Historical Newspapers.

Ancestry Library Edition

Provides a wide range of information of interest to genealogists including U.S. and UK census records, passenger lists, birth, death, marriage and military records, historical maps, Ancestry World Tree and more. Available only on library workstations.

Books & Authors

Readers can use Books & Authors to enhance the experience of the book they are reading; dig deeper into its themes and origins; or learn how the author's life and times contributed to the work.

Business Economics and Theory

This collection provides academic journals and magazines focusing on topics in economics. Perfect for business classes, users will find more than 150 full-text journals to support their research.

Business Insights Essentials

Research and analyze companies and industries around the world with easy-to-use company fundamentals and investment research reports.

BYKI

Contains modules for learning over 70 languages. Library patrons may access the Byki Online system from inside or outside of the library, to practice listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills.

Career Transitions

An all-in-one interface to help users in all walks of life select and prepare for a career, then land a job.

Chattanooga Photo Database

A project currently underway which will eventually digitize all our photo collections in a searchable database online. There are 5,950 photos available at this time. Full size prints can be ordered through the Local History Department.

ChiltonLibrary.com

Get access to service instructions, schematics, wiring diagrams, maintenance schedules and so much more for the most popular vehicles of the past 30 years, classic cars dating back to the 1940s, and additional coverage of specialty models.

Communications and Mass Media Collection

For marketing professionals as well as students studying for advanced degrees in linguistic theory, this collection provides information focused on all aspects of the communications field.

Criminal Justice Collection

For students preparing for careers in law or law enforcement. Users will have access to 150 journals.

Culinary Arts Collection

Includes 150 of the major cooking and nutrition magazines. Coverage includes thousands of searchable recipes, restaurant reviews, and industry information.

Diversity Studies Collection

A must-have for social science, history and liberal arts coursework, this collection explores cultural differences, contributions and influences in our global community.

Educator's Reference Complete

Full-text academic journal articles, reports, and many reference sources. Included content focuses on educational principles, child development and psychology, and best practices in education. 1980- current.

Environmental Studies and Policy Collection

Covering environmental issues and policy and including multiple viewpoints and perspectives from the scientific community, governmental policy makers, as well as corporate interests.

Fine Arts and Music Collection

Provides resources to support research in areas such as drama, music, art history, and filmmaking.

Fold3 (Formerly Footnote)

The Fold3 collections feature documents and historic newspapers, most never before available on the Internet, relating to the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, U.S. Presidents, naturalizations, and much more.

Gale Virtual Reference Library

A database of encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research, customized for your library.

Gardening, Landscape and Horticulture Collection

Nearly 50 journals focusing on key issues in gardening, landscaping, and other areas of horticulture.

General Business File ASAP

Analyze company performance and activity, industry events and trends as well as the latest in management, economics and politics. Access to a combination of broker research reports, trade publications, newspapers, journals and company directory listings with full text and images available. 1980 - Jun 2005.

General OneFile

A one-stop source for news and periodical articles on a wide range of topics. Includes images. 1980 –current.

Health and Wellness Resource Center

Contains consumer information on Fitness, Pregnancy, Medicine, Nutrition, Diseases, Public Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Alcohol and Drug abuse, Prescription Drugs, and more. From 1980.

HeritageQuest Online

Combines digital, searchable images of U.S. federal census records with the digitized version of the popular UMI Genealogy & Local History collection. This online database includes the PERiodical Source Index and Revolutionary War files.

Home Improvement Collection

Nearly 100 home improvement focused titles for hobbyists and even professional carpenters.

Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Collection

Provides well-rounded coverage of both the historical and current state of affairs in the hospitality and tourism field.

Information Science & Library Issues Collection

Comprised of content from nearly 100 leading industry journals, this collection provides current and accurate information for the information professional.

Informe

Una colecciÛn de revistas hisp·nicas con textos completos. Abarca negocios, salud, tecnologÌa, cultura, temas de actualidad y otras materias. From 1994.

Insurance and Liability Collection

Covers a broad view of the insurance and liability industry, covering such topics as labor relations, mortgage banking, legal issues, and more.

Junior Edition

Designed for students in junior high and middle school, with mostly full-text magazines, newspapers and reference books for information on current events, the arts, science, popular culture, health, people, government, history, and sports. From 2002.

Kid's InfoBits

For students in kindergarten through grade five. It features an engaging, developmentally appropriate graphic interface, reference content and the best magazines for elementary students.

LearningExpress Library

Online learning platform of practice tests and tutorial course series designed to help patrons, students, and adult learners succeed on the academic or licensing tests they must pass. Registration is free for library members and visitors.

Literature Resource Center

Literature Resource Center provides access to biographies, bibliographies, and critical analyses of authors from every age and literary discipline. Includes Scribner Writers Series and The Twayne Authors Series, in a single online

Military & Intelligence Database

Covers articles from 500 titles and basic reference materials in the field. The content in this database is also part of InfoTrac One File.

National Newspaper Index

National Newspaper Index provides quick access to the indexing of America's top five newspapers in one seamless search: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Christian Science Monitor, Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post. From 1977.

NewEnglandAncestors.org

An Internet resource for New England genealogy. The site also includes databases for New York, other areas of the United States, Canada, and Europe. Available only on library workstations.

Novelist

A fiction database providing subject heading access, reviews, annotations, and much more for over 125,000 fiction titles, Author Read-alikes, book discussion guides, and annotated book lists. For school media specialists and teachers there are Picture Book Extenders and articles on Teaching with Fiction.

Novelist K-8

For teachers, parents, and students. This junior version of Novelist, intended for students from kindergarten to grade 8, features detailed subject headings as well as booklists by theme and grade level.

Nursing and Allied Health Collection

All aspects of the Nursing profession -- from direct patient care to health care administration -- are covered in this collection which includes nearly 400 titles.

Obituaries 1897-2003

Index to all obituaries published in the Chattanooga Times, News Free Press, and Chattanooga Times Free Press. It is compiled by the staff of the library and is free to all visitors.

Opposing Viewpoints In Context

A web browser-like interface containing groups of highly searchable articles by controversial topics.

Pop Culture Collection

This collection provides useful information for any researcher in a social science, history, art or liberal arts course. This collection is made up of 100 subject-appropriate full-text periodicals.

Popular Magazines

Includes 1000 of the most searched magazines. All the titles were selected based on actual publication searches performed by library patrons, is 100% full text and includes over 600 titles.

Professional Collection (for educators)

Full-text periodical articles covering a variety of topics for teachers/educators, including: health and fitness, school law, drug and alcohol abuse, learning disabilities, sports, arts and humanities, social sciences, and psychology.

Psychology Collection

Provides a basic understanding of the study of the mind, emotions and how the human mind develops -- and diminishes -- over time.

Reference USA

Contains detailed information on more than 14 million U.S. Businesses, 89 Million U.S. Residents, 855k Physicians and Dentists, 1.5 Million Canadian businesses and 12 Million Canadian households.

Religion & Philosophy Database

Articles from more than 250 magazines and Journals on religion, philosophy, archaeology, and anthropolog, and covers the impact of religion on culture.

Sanborn Maps 1885-1955

Detailed property and land-use records. No maps are consulted more in public libraries than Sanborn fire insurance maps. The Tennessee collection includes cities and towns throughout the state, with Chattanooga maps dating from 1885 to 1955. Full data is available at library locations.

Small Business Resource Center

Covers all major areas of starting and operating a business including financing, management, marketing, human resources, franchising, accounting and taxes.

Southern Life

Contains nearly 5 million full-text articles on topics that relate directly to Southern living, both past and present, including people, places, historical events and more.

Student Edition

Designed for high school students, with access to a variety of indexed and full-text magazines, newspapers and reference books for information on current events, the arts, science, popular culture, health, people, government, history, sports and more.

Student Resources In Context

A web browser-like interface containing groups of highly searchable articles by historical time period or educational subject matter.

Tennessean

Nashville, Tennessee's daily newspaper. Nov. 2002 ñ current

Tennessee Virtual Archive

TeVA provides a searchable array of Tennessee history and culture from historical records, photographs, documents, maps, postcards, film, audio and other original materials of enduring value.

Tennessee's Landmark Documents

From King Georgeís Proclamation of 1763 to the earliest purchase of land from Native Americans to the first Constitutions of the State of Tennessee, these are among the most important records from our past.

US History Collection

Over 40 journals providing balanced coverage of the current thought and events in US History; useful both to the novice historian and to the advanced academic researcher.

Vocations, Careers & Technical Education Collection

Providing content from nearly 400 journals, this collection provides content from general career guides to highly specialized industry journals.

Volunteer Voices

Volunteer Voices is Tennessee's statewide digitization program involving the state's archives, libraries, repositories, historic homes and museums.

War & Terrorism Collection

A definitive collection for students of history, social science and current events, providing insight into conflicts and their multiple causes. References include 100 subject-appropriate full-text periodicals.

World Book Online

The World Book Online is a suite of online research tools that includes the encyclopedia articles, primary source collections, educator tools, student activities, pictures, audio, and video, complemented by current periodicals and related Web sites.

World History Collection

Over 40 journals providing balanced coverage of the current thought and events in World History, as well as scholarly work useful both to the novice historian and to the advanced academic researcher.

World Vital Records by FamilyLink

Provides access to over 4.2 billion names from family history records collections worldwide, including: digitized images, US and UK Censuses, birth, marriage and death records, military records, newspapers from 1739 to present, historical maps, high school, college and military yearbooks, and tombstone photos.

 

Local History collections on Flickr

More about local history collections

Photograph collections are housed on the third floor of the Downtown Library. The collections contain images of the Chattanooga area dating from the mid-1800's. There are three different collections:

  1. Paul A. Hiener Collection
    Photographs collected by Hiener prior to his death in 1984, and donated in 1985 by his daughter, Minette (Mrs. Earl A.) Millwood. Many of these photographs were used in the 4 volume pictorial work entitled, Chattanooga Yesterday and Today, published from 1951 to 1964. The collection also includes post-1964 images intended for a 5th volume that was never published.
  2. Chattanooga Albums
    Eight scrapbooks containing photos, newspaper clippings, drawings, postcards, and ephemera on Chattanooga dating to 1960. Compiled by E. Y. Chapin, Walter Cline, and Frank F. Stoops of the Chattanooga Half Century Club and donated from 1943-1960.
  3. Local History Department Picture File
    A collection of loose photos arranged by subject from the Civil War era to the present.

The Lookout Mountain Educational Institutes

New York merchant Christopher R. Robert was stunned by the lack of schools in the South after the Civil War.

He had an idea to create a great educational institution for young people impoverished by the war. He decided upon Chattanooga due to its accessibility and central location. The Federal Government had property on Lookout Mountain which contained hospitals used during the war. Robert purchased over two hundred acres along with the old hospital buildings. He then gathered over $40,000 to fund the renovations and inventory for equipping the school.

The Lookout Mountain Educational Institutes opened on May 15, 1866. The school promised an education equal to any fine Northern school and offered a primary school for students over twelve years old. Sessions lasted 20 weeks at a cost of $100. The campus was coeducational, with separate study areas but shared dining. Some well known locals attended the school, including Dr. T. H. McCallie and T. H. Payne.

"Empress of The Blues" - Chattanooga's own Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith is known as the "Empress of The Blues" and is sometimes called the "Greatest Blues Singer that Ever Lived."

She was born in Chattanooga April 15, 1894 and was orphaned by the age of nine. She and her siblings were raised by Viola, the eldest sister.

Bessie began her road to fame by singing for coins along 9th Street or "the Big Nine", what is now known as M. L. King Blvd. Smith is reported to have performed in two local theaters including the Grand and the Liberty on 9th Street. After becoming well known locally, she joined a traveling music show, trained under "Ma" Rainey and touring with Ma by the age of 12.

Smith's recording career only lasted about a decade. After her first recording was made in 1923 (and eventually sold over 800,000 copies), Bessie Smith made 160 more records. Her last recording was made ten years later, in 1933. 

Time for a return of the Fischer Clock - Chattanooga's beloved landmark

The Fischer clock, a downtown landmark, was placed at Market and 8th during 1883

The Fischer clock, a downtown landmark at Market and 8th Streets, was placed at the location in 1883. The Fischer brothers had opened a newly built store there in 1881. According to varying local newspaper accounts the clock was illuminated in either 1909 or 1915, and the face was changed from black to white. A street widening project in 1935 moved the clock approximately one foot closer to the storefront. That is when the clock owners tried to give the clock, which had become a beloved downtown landmark, to the city of Chattanooga as a gift.

Ed Bass, Mayor at the time, refused the gift.  So the Fischer Company made it a gift to the citizens of Chattanooga and a plaque on the clock's base dated 1940 indicates this gift.

1951 may have been the first time the clock actually stopped. During 1954 the Fischer Company released information regarding repairs to the clock, Fischer and "a prominent manufacturing concern are jointly engaged in the task of renovating the clock." This turned out to be Double Cola, which had the clock converted to electric to simplify the maintenance, a task they took on for many years.

New in Local History

Bungalows, Camps and Mountain Houses by William T. Comstock contains images from the work of Chattanooga Architect D. V. Stroop

Bungalows, Camps and Mountain Houses by William T. Comstock contains images from the work of Chattanooga Architect D. V. Stroop. Stroop is heavily featured in the book. Seven images include floor plan drawings and one finished interior photograph is also featured.

The bungalows and summer residences were built in Lookout Mountain, Signal Mountain, Normal Park and other areas. These homes were built for some prominent Chattanoogans, such as Charles Herron. Herron was the President of Ross-Mehan Brake Shoe Company and built the Ross-Mehan Foundry in 1888.

William T. Comstock, the author, was editor of "Architects' and Builders' Magazine," originally published in 1908. The Library purchased a reprint from the collection of the University of Michigan Library. The Local History & Genealogy Dept. has little biographical information about D. V. Stroop. He is listed with an ad in the 1904 Chattanooga City Directory. We have yet to determine when he started business in Chattanooga and how long he stayed.

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