You may request an interlibrary loan of genealogy microfilm, to be delivered here, by using this form. To submit a simple question (one not requiring extensive research) to the GLHTA staff via email, use this form. All copies 10 cents per page except the Photographic Collections. Click here to download the Genealogy brochure. Click here for Plano Television Network's story on GLHTA: Haggard Library Houses Genealogy Department   New! The Genealogy, Local History, Texana, and Archives Digital Collections focusing on the families of Plano and the surrounding area.

Genealogy in Plano

Background:                                               

In 1971, the Collin County Genealogical Society (CCGS) moved its existing genealogy collection to Gladys Harrington Library.  Since that time the collection has continued to grow with the help of gifts, donations, and fund raising programs of the CCGS and the Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc.  In late 2007, the collections moved to the basement of the W. O. Haggard, Jr. Library.  Our collection size has doubled since the Fall of 2006. 

Collections:

Resources:

Census Records
GLHTA has the complete U.S. Federal Census for Texas from 1850 - 1930 and the U.S. Federal Census for all states from 1790 – 1850 and coverage for most states outside of New England from 1850-1930.
 
County, State, & Federal Records
Many sources are available in microform and print including county and state histories, as well as abstracts of records such as marriages and other vital records, wills, deeds, court minutes, cemetery and church records, and colonial collections.

Military Records & Passenger Lists
Indexes to some of the military records and passenger lists are available on CD-ROM and some are available through book format.  In addition, Footnote.com and Ancestry Library Edition have many indexes and original images available via our library databases.

Family Histories
The family history section is arranged alphabetically by the primary family. This section is located in the call number area of 929.2. All family histories are donated, and new ones are welcomed.

Vertical File and Map File
The vertical file consists of miscellaneous papers of genealogical interest arranged in alphabetical order.  One cabinet is arranged by subject and another contains family information by surname. Many maps from throughout Texas and other states are located in the map case.

Walter B. Wilson Papers, 1894 - 1941
GLHTA owns the microfilm of original Walter B. Wilson papers located at The Center for American History and The University of Texas at Austin.  Walter B. Wilson was one of the owners and editors of the McKinney Daily Courier-Gazette and the McKinney Weekly Democrat-Gazette. He compiled 87 scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and wrote eight diaries covering 43 years. His collection of papers contributed significantly to the history of Collin County. The papers include correspondence, miscellaneous papers, diaries, his scrapbooks, miscellaneous newspaper clippings, and Collin County scrapbooks.

Obituary Lookups:

Requests for obituaries in the Plano Star Courier (1904 - to date), McKinney Democrat (1884 - 1954), Dallas Morning News (1885-1977, 1979 - to date), and the Garland News (1900 – 2000) are searched free of charge.  Please provide as much information as possible on the individual and limit your requests to 3 per week.  Obituaries, if found, will be delivered either electronically or via postal mail.  Please allow 2 to 4 business days for electronic delivery; longer if by mail.  We do not charge for this service, but a donation to our Memorial fund would be appreciated.  This money is used to add new items to our collection.  If requesting a copy by postal mail, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Plano Public Library System, GLHTA Obituary Request, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano, TX 75075. 

Tours/Meetings/Seminars:

To request an official tour or to reserve the Jeanette Bickley Bland Meeting room for your genealogical or historical group contact staff at 972.769.4240.  Seminars are hosted throughout the year by the GLHTA, Collin County Genealogical Society, and Genealogy Friends.  Please see the calendar on each of our websites to see upcoming opportunities.

Genealogy Organizations:

Two genealogy organizations support GLHTA.