Fort Worth History Center

There are many ways to explore our local history collection. When you visit the Fort Worth History Center, you can look through yearbooks, books about Fort Worth, newspapers, maps and more. Our friendly staff are here to help if needed.

Please note: Some items, including all archives, are stored offsite. Be sure to check the catalog before your visit if you're looking for something specific.

Ready to research online?

You can use our databases with a Fort Worth Public Library card. They cover many topics for researchers and lifelong learners. Anyone can search the Library's catalog and learn about our collections online. 

Please note:  Ancestry.com Library Edition is only available at the Fort Worth History Center or any Fort Worth Public Library location. 

Watch and Learn

Previously recorded programs from the Fort Worth Public Library or the Fort Worth History Center are available on demand on YouTube. 

This Day in History  Local Landmarks

Community History Workshops      Oral Histories

Access online

The library has online tools that let you search the archives by keyword. You can use finding aids, which are detailed guides to each collection. These guides include background on the person or group who created the collection and a summary of what's inside.

Use Finding Aids    Search Digital Archives

Access in-person

All archives collections are stored offsite and require three (3) business days' notice for retrieval. 

Anyone can use the archives for research. If you want to visit in person, here's what you need to know:

• Call or email staff to set up an appointment.
• Archive materials must stay in the building.

• Handle all items with care. Do not write on them or change their order. Gloves will be provided for handling photos.

• Most items can be copied unless they are too fragile, too large or protected by copyright. You cannot copy an entire collection. Please do not give copies to other libraries or archives.
• If you want to copy photos, ask the archivist or librarian. 
• The Library owns the physical items, but now always the rights. It is your responsibility to follow copyright laws.
• When are you finished, return all items to the staff.

We're here to assist you on your family history journey.   

The genealogy collection focuses on the southern and midwestern U.S., along with the thirteen original stats. Most of the U.S. is covered, and there are also some materials on other countries, especially Great Britain and parts of Western Europe.

The Fort Worth History Center offers free access to tools like Ancestry.com Library Edition* and other resources to help with research on Indigenous or enslaved people. A genealogy expert is available to help guide your search. 

Online Databases 

Ancestry.com Library Edition*

Bibliography of Indigenous Peoples

Heritage Quest Online

Texas Reference Center

*requires use at one of our locations

Upcoming Programs

We offer programs in our center and at libraries across Fort Worth. Make sure to check the location for the program you're attending.

Citizen Archivists

The Fort Worth History Center holds decades of handwritten history.  You can help protect and share this history by becoming a citizen archivist.

Using the FromThePage website, you can read and type out old Fort Worth documents from home. You can work on one page or many—it’s up to you!

Getting started is easy:

1. Visit FromThePage.com and click “Sign Up To Transcribe” to create a free account.

2. Click “Find A Project” and look for the Fort Worth Public Library Archives collection.

3. Pick a document and start transcribing! If you need assistance, watch a video tutorial here or email our staff.