The Lafayette Public Library offers excellent resources for anyone interested in genealogy and local history. The library's collection of how-to books gives information on basic research techniques for the novice, as well as advanced methods for researching your family history for the more experienced researcher.

Although the Main Library houses most of the genealogy printed materials, such as books, periodicals, and microfilm, patrons can access genealogy databases from any Lafayette Public Library location.

Two superb resources that can be accessed at the library are Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest. Ancestry Library Edition must be accessed inside the library but Heritage Quest may be accessed remotely. Visit our databases page to gain access to these products. The library system offers computers with Internet access and wireless Internet access for patrons with laptop computers. As an added service, the library also provides copy machines, with a small charge for printing.

For more information about our genealogical resources, call (337) 261-5787.

Meetings
Members of the Lafayette Genealogical Society host some great presentations that are sure to help you in your ancestor research efforts. The programs are free. Meeting dates and times.

Free Assistance
Members of the Lafayette Genealogical Society provide assistance on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon on the 2nd floor of the Main Library in the genealogy section.
Books & Periodicals
The collection has a heavy concentration of materials on Louisiana, the American South, Francophone genealogy, and individual family histories of local interest. There are also numerous books about cemetery records, census materials, heraldry, ethnicity, immigration, surnames, military records, Mayflower descendants, church records, genealogical method, and much more. The section also has numerous genealogical periodicals.
City directories for Lafayette are available for most years from 1946 to the present.
Microfilm Holdings

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for the City of Lafayette and selected other Louisiana Cities

The main branch of the Lafayette Public Library has a new microfilm reader that gives patrons the ability to access the library's microfilm holdings. This new reader has zoom-in and focus features to aid patrons reading microfilm documents. Additionally, this reader is connected to the library's print management system giving patrons the ability to make copies of the documents they are viewing.

Interlibrary Loan
Requests may be made for items owned by other repositories for use at the Lafayette Public Library. Please click here or call 261-5787 for more information.
Research Requests
The library staff can assist patrons in finding books on certain topics and in using the libraries various resources; however, patrons will have to use these resources themselves, including looking up names. The library staff handles a limited number of research requests by mail, primarily recommending sources patrons may wish to consult. Requests by mail for prints of items should be handled through the patron's local library.