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Genealogical Research

An overview of resources available at Swem Library for Genealogists along with ideas for other places to conduct research in the area.

The John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library at Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg’s Rockefeller Library holds many resources relating to the history of the Williamsburg area and its residents. This webpage provides an overview of materials at the Rockefeller Library that may be of interest to genealogical researchers.

The Rockefeller Library's collections are included in Swem's online catalog and William & Mary faculty, students, and staff may use the catalog to request books from the Rockefeller Library. However, there are some materials that can only be examined on-site. These include:

  • Name indexes to all York County records
  • Individual research files on 18th-century residents of Williamsburg
  • Special Collections materials such as family bibles, papers, and estate inventories

The Rockefeller Library is open 9:00-5:00, Monday – Friday to Colonial Williamsburg staff and volunteers, and to William & Mary faculty, students, and staff. Advance appointments are available to other researchers who wish to use the library. Please see this page to learn more about how to visit the Rockefeller Library.