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Local History & Genealogy: Home

Genealogy & Local History Resources

The Local History & Genealogy resources of the Lee County Library are a combination of digital resources and physical materials located in our Local History Room at the Sanford branch of the library.

 

DIGITAL RESOURCES: 

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  • Ancestry.com - available on all computers within the library.
  • DigitalNC.org Yearbooks, photos, scrapbooks, city directories, newspapers, and more from the Local History Room, digitized and made available via a partnership with the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center. These materials are freely accessible via our page on the Digital NC website. New materials are being digitized on an ongoing basis and will be regularly added to this site.
  • HeritageQuest Online Similar resources to Ancestry.com, available outside of the library.
  • North Carolina Digital CollectionsThe digital collections of the North Carolina State Archives include a range of materials related to Sanford and Lee County.
  • University of North Carolina Digital CollectionsThe UNC digital collections include postcards, maps, photos, and other materials related to Sanford and Lee County.

PHYSICAL RESOURCES: 

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  • Microfilm Collections – Including the Sanford Herald, Sanford Express, and Jonesboro Leader newspapers, as well as other regional newspapers and census data. The Local History Room includes a digital microfilm reader and recorder for patron use.
  • Reference Books – Local histories, family histories, family trees, yearbooks, city directories and more books and bound materials are available for in-library use. There is also some coverage of surrounding counties and the history of North Carolina.
  • Vertical Files – Materials compiled by local researchers pertaining to churches, businesses, families, obituaries, and more.
  • NEW! Downtown Sanford Walking Tour – Designed by Lee County Libraries staff member Hunter Randolph, this tour begins at the Lee County Libraries main branch, and forms an approximately 1-mile loop in the heart of Downtown Sanford before returning to the library. Follow this link: LCL Downtown Sanford Walking Tour or scan the QR code below!

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RESEARCH ASSISTANCE:  

 

One-on-one research consultations with our genealogy and local history library assistant are available on a drop-in basis. To ensure staff will be available to meet with you, however, request a consultation using the form below: