Effective Tuesday, the Georgia Archives will be open five days a week, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. except when state or federal holidays occur.
An increase in the budget has allowed the hours to return to where they were 10 years ago when the Georgia Archives moved to the present location in Morrow, at 5800 Jonesboro Road, across the plaza from the National Archives at Atlanta. They are also able to add a few more staff members.
The Georgia Archives, created in 1918, first operated out of the State Capitol, then moved to Rhodes Hall on Peachtree Street in the 1930s, and then in 1965 to their own facility on Capitol Avenue. From there they moved in 2003 to the current location. People who visit the archives, once registered, have access to a vast collection of books, periodicals, microfilm, and original manuscripts. While Georgia is their natural focus, the library contains family history books, books and periodicals on the history and county records of other states, a lot more than just Georgia material.
The State Records Center is another part of the Archives, helping state agencies deal with their records. The Archives’ online presence continues to grow with many Georgia records appearing in the Virtual Vault portion of its website, including vital records, marriage records, plats, as well as the Vanishing Georgia photograph collection. It is well worth a visit. Check www.GeorgiaArchives.org for details on the collections, programming, and directions.
Georgia archives on facebook
The Georgia Archives recently renewed their presence on Facebook, so check there to learn about their latest activities, as well as highlights from the collections. Due to similar-themed Facebook pages, be sure you locate the official one. While on Facebook, search for your favorite genealogical and historical societies as well.
Name changes at Ellis Island
Were your ancestors’ names changed at Ellis Island? The July/August issue of “Family Tree Magazine” contains an article by Lisa Alzo, “Hidden Treasures,” about research sources in Bulgaria and Romania, but she states that “contrary to popular belief” immigration clerks did not write down and thus change names, but checked them off the lists created at the port of departure in Europe. The magazine is at newsstands or at www.familytreemagazine.com .
