The Whittier Area Genealogical Society (WAGS)
A genealogical society serving the Whittier area in
Los Angeles County, California

WAGS Library Collection

Whittier Area
Genealogical Society
(WAGS)
Welcome
Purpose
Membership Information
Officers and Board Members
Publications
Library Collection

Upcoming Events
General Meetings
Beginner/Refresher Class
Writers' Group
Computer Workshop
Annual Seminar   

Information and Resources
Links to Members' Pages
Members' Surname Data Base
Queries
Humor

Links to Other Resources
Genealogical Groups and Libraries
Lookups

The location of the WAGS Library Collection is at the
Wardman Library,
Whittier College
13406 Philadelphia St.
Whittier, CA 90607-4367
Phone: 562-907-4247

Information about the Wardman Library at Whittier College is at

 http://web.whittier.edu/library/

Click HERE to view the complete WAGS Genealogical Library Collection

At present there are over 3,000 books, 3,000 microfiche, 177 periodical titles (22 are current subscriptions), and numerous newsletters and pamphlets from around the world.

A Summary of Genealogical Titles

United States titles comprise the main collection. The number of books relating to 47 states consist of the following: Pennsylvania 153, Ohio 139, Virginia 137, Illinois 82, Maryland 73, South Carolina 71, New York 68, North Carolina 68, Tennessee 57, Kentucky 52, Texas and California 51 each, Indiana 40, Massachusetts 39, and New Jersey 38. Other states have 10 to 25 titles. From one to five titles cover the Pacific region (excluding California, as noted above). Some books relate to individual counties within the states, but they are limited to older counties.

Many books in the library contain titles relating to England, Scotland, Iceland, Canada, and other countries. The Gladys and Max Muller German Collection contains Germans to America Lists of Passengers, Arriving at U.S. Ports volumes 1 through 60 (January 1850 to April 1890). The collection is updated as books become available. Other collections include the Hazel Smith Collection and Wille Mae Caldwell Collection.

Available in the library are approximately 90 titles of general works such as Newspaper Indexes, Directory of Archives and Manuscript Repositories in the U.S. National Archives and Records, Guide to Draper Manuscripts, The Adoption Search Book, The Hereditary Register of the U.S.A., History of Huguenot Emigration to America, and many other guides and indexes.

Many books relating to geography, maps, and atlases are available. The Biographies and Genealogies section contains books such as: Quaker Biographical Sketches, Mayflower Ancestral Index, Mayflower Families, Sibleys' Harvard Graduates, Royalty for Commoners, Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy and others.

There are 63 books relating to "how to do" research, covering very basic genealogical research to more advanced study.

The library contains all nine volumes of the set on Indians of North America, Cherokee by Blood, by Jerry Wright Jordan. This set records Eastern Cherokee Ancestry in the U.S. Court of Claims 1906 - 1910. Cherokee Drennen Roll of 1851 and several other related books are also available.

Also located in the WAGS library are over 185 family histories.  Over 1,000 pedigree charts are available in the WAGS meeting room and are available for review before and after the monthly meetings.

If you are interested in knowing more about the complete genealogical collection you may order the publication, WAGS 2008 Genealogical Library Collection. The cost is $7.50 plus $1.50 for shipping and handling.

Additions

The following titles have recently been added to the Genealogical Collection:

  • The American State Papers, Land and Claims, 1789-1837, 9 volumes.
  • Grassroots of America: A Computerized Index to the American State Papers, Land Grants and Claims, 1 volume.
  • Brasswell, Wyatt and Farmer, Michael Martin. The Genealogy of the Webster, Martin, Dozier, Staples, and Starke Families of Wilkes Co., Georgia, Their Ancestors, Descendants, and Kin. Wolfe City, Texas: Henington Publishing Company, 1994.
  • Pratt, David H. Researching British Probates 1354-1858, A Guide to the Microfilm Collection of the Family History Library. 1 volume. Northern England/Province of York: Scholarly Resources, Inc., 1992.
  • Riemer, Shirley J. The German Research Companion. Sacramento: Lorellei Press, 1997.
  • Burgoyne, Bryce E., Comp. Enemy Views, The American Revolution War as Recorded by the Hessian Participants. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1996.
  • Coldham, Peter Wilson. American Loyalist Claims. 1 volume. Washington, D.C.: National Genealogical Society, 1980.
  • Pierce's Register, Seventeenth Report of the National Society of the DAR., originally printed 1915. Baltimore: The Genealogical Publishing Co., reprinted 1973.


         [updated 9 April 2009]

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