Genealogy
Genealogy Classes
With the recent designation as a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, we have a new focus on providing free genealogy classes throughout the year. We will be offering classes such as Beginning Genealogy, Census Records, FamilySearch Records, FamilySearch Tree, Heritage Quest, Free Online Sources and more. Check our class schedule to see our current offerings.
Tellico Village Heritage Project
In 1967 the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) began purchasing land along the Little Tennessee River and lower Tellico River to create a reservoir that would be called Tellico Lake. This controversial project forced longtime residents from their land. The water of the lake would cover acres of prime river farmland, and cover many historic Native American sites including Chota and Tanasi.
In the 1980s, TVA sold property along the new Tellico Lake to developers, one being Cooper Communities which established an unincorporated community of Tellico Village in 1986.
The new residents were eager to maintain the stories of the previous area residents so the Tellico Village Heritage Project began. Interviews were taken, old pictures acquired, and maps collected.
The Tellico Village Heritage Project records including maps, pictures and interviews are available at the library in the local history section. The library also has an electronic, comprehensive history of the Heritage project and history of Tellico Village. This is available on one of the computers in the public computer lab. Any documents and photos may be printed out from this resource.
Watch the Video of the Tellico Village Heritage Project. Video is slow to download.
Genealogy Resources in Loudon Library
The Loudon Public Library genealogy archive room contains books, documents, and microfilmed records pertaining to Loudon and surrounding counties. The collection includes funeral homes, cemetery and census records, local history books, city directories, family histories and other historical resources. This library is located at 210 River Road in Loudon and can be reached at 865-458-3161.
Genealogy Links
These are some favorite genealogy research sites. Most are free. Some have limited records that are free, but subscriptions are necessary to get access to full records.
Heritage Quest - (US census records) is available for free to library patrons through the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) subscription. You can find the TEL shortcut on our public computers and our website.
Cyndi’s List - Genealogy sites on the internet
Ancestry - Some searches are free but most records require subscription
ACPL Genealogy Center - Free genealogy center
deathindexes.com - deaths and more
Steve Morse One-Step - tools for finding immigration, census, vital records and more.
USGenweb - by state, county and topic (Cemeteries, Obituaries, Deeds, etc.)
theancestorhunt.com - newspapers
Internet Archive - Books and the WayBackMachine