SMC Research Tools
Get started on your local history or genealogical research with these helpful databases, resources and guides. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact us. Don't forget to visit our calendar for our classes and conferences!
Databases
Digital Directory of Historic and Genealogical Research
- City of Norfolk
- City of Virginia Beach (Princess Anne County)
- City of Chesapeake (Norfolk County)
- City of Portsmouth (formerly part of Norfolk County)
- City of Newport News (Warwick County)
- City of Hampton (Elizabeth City County)
- State of Virginia
- National Research Resources
- Research Guides
- How-To
South Hampton Roads Wiki
Free Databases
Cemeteries Databases
- Norfolk Cemeteries (USGenWeb Archives)
Court Records
History
- The Brown Decision in Norfolk, Virginia
- Chronology of Norfolk
- Hurricane History of Coastal Virginia
- Lambert's Point: A Historical Geography (Project by Old Dominion University)
- Mayors of Norfolk
- Norfolk Annexations
- Norfolk Azalea Festival Queens
- Norfolk History (Project by Irwin Berent)
Libraries & Archives
- Jean Outland Chrysler Library (Art History)
- Harrison B. Wilson Archives (Norfolk State University)
- Special Collections & University Archives (Old Dominion University)
- Stephen S. Mansfield Archives (Virginia Wesleyan University)
Museums
- Chrsyler Museum of Art
- General Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum
- Hampton Roads Naval Museum
- Hunter House Victorian Museum
- Norfolk History Museum & Historic Houses
- Norfolk Police Museum
- Ocean View Station Museum
Photographs of Norfolk
- Sargeant Memorial Collection’s Hampton Roads Heritage Project
- Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority's Photo Archives
- Harry C. Mann Collection at Library of Virginia
Property Research
Societies
Free Databases
Clerk of the Court
- Virginia Beach Clerk of the Court
Libraries & Archives
- Virginia Beach Public Library Digital Archives
- Virginia Beach Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Collection
Museums
- City of Virginia Beach Museums
- Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum
- The Ferry Plantation House
- Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum
- Cape Henry Lighthouse
Photographs of Virginia Beach
Property Research
Societies
Free Databases
- Chesapeake USGenWeb Archives
- Norfolk County USgenWeb
- Norfolk County USGenWebArchives
Clerk of the Court
Libraries & Archives
- Wallace Memorial Room (Chesapeake Public Library)
- Norfolk County Recollections Blog
Property Research
- City of Chesapeake - Property Quick Search
Societies
Free Databases
- Portsmouth USGenWeb Archives
Clerk of the Court
Cemeteries Databases
- Lincoln Cemetery
- Portsmouth Cemeteries
History
Libraries & Archives
Photographs of Portsmouth
Societies
Free Databases
- Newport News/Warwick County, VA USGenWeb
- Newport News USGenWeb Archives
- Warwick County, VA USGenWeb Archives
- Daily Press Obituary Index Project (Newport News Public Library)
Clerk of the Court
- Newport News Clerk of the Court
Cemeteries Database
Libraries & Archives
- Mariners’ Museum Library and Archives
- Martha Woodroof Hiden Memorial Virginiana Room
- Newport News Public Library Digital Collections
- Old Dominion Land Company
Museums
Photographs of Newport News
Societies
Free Databases
- Elizabeth City County USGenWeb
- Elizabeth City County USGenWeb Archives
- Hampton USGenWeb Archives
Clerk of the Court
Libraries & Archives
- Hampton Public Library’s Virginiana Room
- Archives of Hampton University
Museums
- Casemate Museum of Fort Monroe
- Hampton History Museum
- Hampton University Museum
Photographs of Hampton
- Hampton Public Library/City of Hampton Historical Collection Photographs
- Sargeant Memorial Collection’s Norfolk Historical Images
Societies
Free Databases
- Southampton County Records (Brantley Association)
- Virginia GenWeb
- Virginia GenWeb Archives
- City and Business Directories: Virginia, 1801-1929 [For remote access, use the password infopower]
Church Records
- Virginia Church Records (Roots Web Wiki)
Clerk of the Court
Encyclopedias
Government
- Virginia’s Office of Vital Records
- Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources
Libraries & Activities
- John D. Rockefeller Library of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
- Jones Memorial Library (Lynchburg, VA)
- Library of Mariners’ Museum
- Library of Virginia
- Public Libraries in Virginia
- Special Collections of Alexandria Public Library
- VIVA (Virginia Heritage – Guide to Special Collections in Virginia)
Photographs of Virginia
Societies
- The Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia
- Jamestowne Society
- Local Historical Societies in Virginia
- Preservation Virginia (First Statewide Historic Preservation Organization in the U.S.)
- Virginia Genealogical Society
- Virginia Historical Society
Free Databases
1900 – 1940 Federal Census
- AfriGeneas
- FamilySearch.org
- Rootsweb
- USGenWeb
- USGenWeb Archives
- HeritageQuest Online (In Library Use or Remote Access with first 5 digits of your library card number)
- Ancestry.com Library Edition(Available Only Inside NPL)
Cemetery Databases
Digital Collections (Books, Documents, and Images)
Genealogical Website Directories
Genealogical Software (reviews)
- Top Ten Software
- Family Tree Magazine
- Cyndi’s List Software
Libraries & Archives
Maps
- Historical Map & Chart Collection of NOAA
- USGS Historical Topographic Map Explorer
- Map Archives by University of Alabama
- Digital Sanborn Maps (1867-1970)
- Atlas of Historical County Boundaries by Newberry Library of Chicago, IL
Societies
1855 Norfolk and Portsmouth Yellow Fever Epidemic
A brief timeline and bibliographical listing of materials available in the SMC about the 1855 Norfolk and Portsmouth Yellow Fever Epidemic.
African American Resources at SMC
A bibliographical listing of materials available in the SMC about the African American experience in Norfolk and Virginia.
Jamestown Ter-Centennial Exposition of 1907
A bibliographical listing of materials available in the SMC about the Jamestown Ter-Centennial Exposition of 1907 here in Norfolk, Virginia.
Native Virginians
A bibliographical listing of materials available in the SMC about the Native American experience in Virginia.
Norfolk's Confederate Monument at Commercial Place
A guide containing a timeline about the Confederate Monument at Commercial Place and a bibliographical listing of materials available about the monument.
Norfolk and Portsmouth Annexations
A guide containing a timeline of Norfolk & Portsmouth city growth. Also includes a map of Norfolk annexations.
World War I in Hampton Roads
A bibliographical listing of materials available in the SMC about World War I experience in Hampton Roads Region.
Norfolk Property Research
A guide containing materials available in the SMC about how to research your Norfolk’s property.
Property Research Worksheet
A blank worksheet to aid in researching your property's history.
Norfolk City Directories
How to understand and make the best use of the Norfolk City Directories, as well as a list of Norfolk City Directories available in the SMC.