About
Local & Family History department is located on the 3rd floor of Main Library. Our research librarians can help you with local history projects, digitalizing photographs, and more.
| Monday | 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Thursday | 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Friday | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| Saturday | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| Sunday | 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. ( Labor Day – Memorial Day) |
574.282.4621 | local.history@sjcpl.org
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Databases
The St. Joe County Public Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate library!
Research Assistance
The library can assist long distance or homebound patrons with lookups of St. Joseph County items, such as obituaries, marriage licenses, and newspaper articles. There may be a charge for this service.
- Review our St. Joseph County Obituary Index
- Submit a research request: Online form or Printable form
- Book a consultation with a librarian about your local or family history research projects.
Digitization Stations
Preserve your treasured family memories by digitizing home movies, tapes, photographs, and documents. Four stations may be reserved in four-hour blocks. Supported formats include: photos, documents, slides, negatives, 8mm film, VHS, audio cassettes, and LP records. Digitized items can be saved on flash drives or external hard drives. Call for more information and to make a reservation.
Microfilm
Most of our microfilm collection cannot be found in the library catalog, please review these documents:
- Microfilm Catalog (CRIMP, SBAGS, Catholic, City Directories, etc.)
- FamilySearch Microfilm Inventory
- Newspaper Index
- Newspaper Inventory A-M and N-Z
Archival Materials
LFH holds more than just books. Review our complete list of Finding Aids for archival materials including pamphlets, programs, minutes, reports, photographs, etc.
- Biography
- Business & Industry
- Clubs, Societies & Organizations
- Education
- Fine & Performing Arts
- Places (Homes, Neighborhoods, Structures, Landmarks, Cemeteries)
- Journalism & Local Media
- Military History
- Non-Profits
- Religion
- Library History
- Special Events
- Sports
- St. Joseph County School Records
- St. Joseph County Yearbook Inventory
Donations
Donations to support our Local & Family History department are welcomed and appreciated.
Items we love:
- Local high school yearbooks
- City directories
- Histories of local businesses, organizations or churches
- Other local history items
To donate books by local authors please see Local Author Book Donation
We are happy to accept one copy of your published family history if the family has a local connection. We cannot accept research notes, notebooks, binders and most computer files. Review our Statement of Gift Form.
LFH Newsletter
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