Local History
The Local History and Genealogy Department, located in the Downtown Library, offers free, in-library, access to Ancestry.com, books on local and regional history, local and regional maps, and access to thousands of newspaper articles dating back to the Civil War.
Local History Remote Services
Local History and Genealogy staff can provide photocopies from our newspaper collection (such as obituaries), historical photographs, and other non-circulated reference materials from the Local History Department.
For rates and requirements, call 423-643-7725 or email staff at localhistory@lib.chattanooga.gov.
We want to hear from you!
To provide broad access to our rare and unique historical collections, Chattanooga Public Library will soon launch a new digital collections site where you can search and browse photographs, maps, letters, and other materials that document our shared local history.
What local history topics would you like to see featured on the site?
The Chattanooga Public Library Local History and Genealogy Department offers access to Ancestry.com for in-library use only.
Includes U. S. federal census records, Periodical Source Index, family and local histories, and Revolutionary War files.
Tennessee Sanborn Maps; U.S. Federal Census images and indexes; Tennessee history and culture; military records; obituaries; family history data; historical documents.