Research Library And Archives

Trying to find information about your ancestors' roots? Come to the Society's Research Library and Archives in the Mansell House for help!

The Research Library and Archives specializes in providing the public with information relevant to the study of the history of Alpharetta and old Milton County and the genealogy of its people.

Since Milton County was formed in 1857 from parts of Cherokee, Cobb, and Forsyth Counties and annexed into Fulton County in 1932, your roots may also include ancestors in these adjacent counties as well as in what is now north Fulton County. Come browse through our extensive collections!

Our holdings, however, are not limited to these geographic areas.

Are you researching topics on:

• Atlanta?
• Fulton County?
• other Georgia counties?
• the State of Georgia?
• the South?
• the Civil War?
• Native Americans in Georgia?

We also have a wealth of information on these subjects.

The mission of the Research Library and Archives is to collect, organize, preserve, store, and make accessible to the public its historical and genealogical holdings. Come to this facility for help in your research as you examine the following areas of our holdings.

Our Holdings

• Books:
  Approximately 300 books pertaining to the history of Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton County; many other Georgia cities and counties; the South; the Civil War; agriculture; Native Americans; and the United States.

• Family Histories:
  More than 100 family histories, mostly of those with roots in Alpharetta, old Milton County, and surrounding areas. Many of the files contain copies of photographs and other family artifacts. Originals, if any, are housed in the archives.

• Subject File:
  Loose and stapled papers that address more than 100 subjects such as specific schools, churches, historical sites and events, houses and buildings as well as more general subjects such as education and government as they pertain to the history of local areas in the state, the South, and the United States.

• Pamphlets:
  An impressive collection of more than 75 pamphlets, booklets, unpublished printed and bound or unbound papers, etc., that includes material on the history of the area as well as Atlanta and other cities and communities in Georgia; the State of Georgia and many of its counties; the Civil War, the South in general, and the United States.

• Periodicals:
  Issues of more than 20 periodicals devoted to history and genealogy are available.

• Microfilms:
  A collection of more than 70 microfilms of all census records for Milton County and some for Cherokee and Forsyth counties in addition to wills, deeds, and marriage records pertaining to those who lived in the area are available for viewing.

• Photographs:
  Many old photographs singly and in albums are available for viewing on request. Contemporary pictures are readily accessible. Arrangements can be made for copies of many of these on a limited basis.

• Special Archival Collection:
  A remarkable collection of archival holdings that include old accounting ledgers, loose papers, old newspapers, albums, scrapbooks, and other artifacts that are available for viewing on request.

• Scrapbooks, Photo Albums, Notebooks:
  Old holdings in this category are located in the special archival collection and are available for viewing by request. New ones are readily available to the public for research.

• Maps:
  The Research Library and Archives has a collection of a variety of maps.

Our Services

Although we are not staffed to perform research for the public, we're more than happy to help guide you through our many resources.

Need information or have comments? Submit them on our Contact Form.

Research Library And Archives Hours Of Operation