Library Resources: U.S./Canada Surname Folder Index

This resource with more than 100,000 distinct surnames like never before. The information in the database was initially compiled from surname files found in local libraries, historical societies, and genealogical organizations across the United States and Canada. Due to the local collection of surname resources, this information was not widely available before. The surname files are searchable and contain a wide range of information, such as unique family histories, newspaper obituaries, military records, and correspondence. Once you find a surname, you can discover the name and contact information of the facility to learn more about it.

  • Surname: The surname that is the focus of the surname folder found in a library or repository.
  • Repository: The name of the organization or repository you should contact for more information about the surname you are researching. You can either visit the repository listed, or it may be more convenient to write for more information. Some addresses may have changed since this information was compiled over 20 years. You may wish to confirm the address (perhaps at a local library or on the World Wide Web) before visiting or writing the organization or repository.
  • State/Province: The state or province where you can find the repository or organization that holds information on the surname you are researching.
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