ROOTS Room at the Main Library

ROOTS Room

ROOTS  is the local history/genealogy room of the Grand Prairie Main Library. It is open the same hours as the Main Library. 

Most books in ROOTS are reference books and do not check out. They are marked REF GEN on their spines and in the library catalog. They are in call number order in the General Genealogy section. Books on individual states  are in alphabetical order by state.

Books that may be checked out are marked GEN on their spines and in the catalog. These include how-to books, general topics in genealogy, and state, county or city histories.  They are on the shelves on the west side of the room.

Items in the catalog labeled Reference/archives are kept in a closed section; please see a librarian, who will retrieve it for you. Please have the title and call number handy.

 

There are 3 computers in ROOTS  for use by family historians. Computer use is free (small charges apply for printing).

  • 1 computer with internet access and a scanner
  • 1 computer with internet access
  • 1 computer holding our digitized collections, and for use with the microfilm viewer

     

To use any computer, check in at the Information Desk. As with the other computer terminals in the Library you will need a free guest pass or a Grand Prairie library card.  Library cards are free, even to non-residents.

The collection grows through purchases made by the Library, as well as donations from members of the Grand Prairie Genealogical Society and the Grand Prairie community. New books are donated monthly by the Grand Prairie Genealogical Society to supplement those purchased by the Library. The Society holds its meetings on the first Thursday evening of the month at the Main Library. Contact information for the Society as well as their newsletters are available in ROOTS.

ROOTS Collections

While we have books from all States, the collection concentrates on

  • Texas
  • Alabama
  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • Oklahoma
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia

On the right (east) side of the room are the Local History files. These folders contain clippings and photos of key people, organizations, city departments, businesses and residences of Grand Prairie. Also available are the applications for historical plaques around Grand Prairie.

Genealogical magazines and periodicals are shelved in alphabetical order by title near the Local History files.

 

Digitized Materials

These newspapers, books and documents have been scanned and digitized. To view, stop by the Information Desk to request a reservation for the Genealogy computer. We recommend bringing a USB drive to save information.

Newspapers

Grand Prairie Hustler

  • Aug 25, 1904 - Aug 3, 1906

 

Grand Prairie Texan

  • Nov. 1908 - 1911
  • March 1919 - Dec. 1932
  • 1934 - 37
  • Please note that we do not have files or microfilm for 1938-1952 
  • Jan. 1953-Oct. 26, 1958

 

Grand Prairie Daily News Texan

  • Oct.29, 1958 – June 30, 1966

 

Grand Prairie Daily News

  • July 1, 1966 through June 1989

 

Grand Prairie News

  • Sept 1989 through Feb. 10, 2000

 

Grand Prairie sections of other newspapers

  • Arlington Star Telegram: Feb 7, 2000-Dec 2001
  • Dallas Morning News: 2003-2004

 

Various Texas papers from Granbury, Young County, and the Pecos Valley from the late 19th/early 20th century.

 
  • GPHS yearbooks
  • 1924
  • 1944 - 1953
  • 1959 - 1969
  • 1976
  • 1978 - 1987
  • 1996 - 1997
  • 1999 - 200
  • 2003

     

    SGPHS Yearbooks

  • 1970 - 1979
  • 1981 - 2001
  • 2003
  • 2009

     

    City scrapbooks (various topics & departments)

  • 1955 - 56
  • 1966 - 81
  • 1992 - 93

     

    GP Tax lists

  • Dalworth 1938 - 1951
  • Dalworth Delinquent 1919 - 1942
  • Dalworth Numerical Index 1941 - 1942
  • Dalworth Park 1914 - 1940, 1942
  • Grand Prairie 1913 - 1960, 1963 - 1965, 1968
  • Grand Prairie Delinquent 1914 - 1940

  •  

    Landmark Applications (59)

  • Jordan-Bowles Home
  • Goodwin Cabin
  • Cross Timbers
  • West Fork Presbyterian Church
  • Shady Grove Cemetery
  • Copeland Home
  • Ford Cemetery
  • First Methodist Church
  • Jordan Hight Cemetery
  • Wilson Cemetery
  • Antioch Cemetery
  • Small-Upchurch Cemetery
  • Turck Cemetery
  • Vernoy Cemetery
  • Old Southland Cemetery
  • Thomas Wright Home
  • Trimble-Martin House
  • Motley-Payne Home
  • GPISD Administration
  • Keith House
  • Moore Scoggins
  • Swadley Thate
  • Layton Irvin Home
  • Spikes Brothers
  • Preston-Misner Residence
  • Moore-Platner Home
  • Florence Hill School

 

 

Back to top