History & Genealogy Department | Los Angeles Public Library

Contact

Department Staff

Ani Boyadjian, Department Manager | 213-228-7223
Christina Rice, Senior Librarian, Photo Collection | 213-228-7403

Materials & Collections

California Index

The California Index indexes information about people, places, and events that have had a significant impact on life in Southern California. It is also a guide to the department's California Biography and Vertical Files, which include clippings from journal and newspaper articles, and various ephemera on subjects of local interest.

Genealogy Collection

The Genealogy Collection at Central Library numbers more than 40,000 volumes, including more than 10,000 genealogies. A family name index to the collection is available through the databases link on the library home page.

The Clan of Tomkyns

The library has digitized ten typescript volumes of The Clan of Tomkyns by Robert Angus Tompkins, as well as four additional volumes by him, all published in 1957 under the title The Clan of Tomkyns, Descendants of Girls.

Map Collection

The Map Collection at Central Library is one of the largest in American public libraries, with over 200,000 maps, 2,000 atlases, 1000 gazetters and over 1000 books supporting the study of maps and mapping. The collection features U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps for the entire United States, nautical charts for domestic and international waters, historic street maps of Los Angeles dating back to 1849, and historic street guides to 1925

Sanborn Fire Insurance Atlases

Sanborn Map Company of New York atlases of American cities were originally created to inform fire insurance companies of risks in urban areas. The atlases from 1880s to 1970 uniquely show changes from block to block and reveal what our cities looked like before this modern age. The Library of Congress collection of Sanborn Fire Insurance Atlases is available on microfilm and online, covering the state of California.

Current Newspapers

The History Department has current subscriptions to selected newspapers published throughout California, along with a representative sampling of papers from other states. Newspapers published in languages other than English are kept in the International Languages Department. For information on older issues of newspapers, please consult the library catalog's Periodical Holdings.

Photo Collection

The Library's Photo Collection focuses on the history of Los Angeles and dates from the 1850s to the present. Included are images from the historic Security Pacific National Bank Collection, Shades of L.A., and the photo morgues of the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and Valley Times newspapers. Over 116,000 photos are available online, along with instructions for ordering, and a list of reproduction and usage fees. The Shades of L.A. collection also features oral histories online.

Tours

Organized genealogical societies that would like to schedule tours should contact the department at 213-228-7413.

Services

Library staff can answer quick, ready-reference questions by telephone at 213-228-7400 or by email. Staff cannot do genealogical research or obituary searches for patrons; however, a list of researchers for hire is available.

Research Guides

These guides have been prepared by History & Genealogy staff in order to assist you in conducting research on popular topics. A reference librarian can give you more detailed directions.