 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Researching Persons or Families
If you would like to know where to start in researching Thomas Jefferson himself, check out our Introductory Guide to Researching Thomas Jefferson.
The Jefferson Library may have information on persons or families whom Jefferson knew or who were connected with him in some way (e.g. neighbors, business associates, descendants, etc.). However, we do not have birth or death records, and for those types of resources we suggest you contact the Charlottesville Albemarle Historical Society.
Below are some of the resources we suggest you consult here when doing research on a particular person or family.
Resource |
Description |
Access |
| Information Files | We may have a file on the person you are researching. Information files typically contain photocopies or notes of mentions of that person in TJ's writings or other books, articles about the person that we've found, pamphlets, and other miscellaneous items. |
On-site only. View a list of the files in the Information File Finding Aid (492KB PDF File). |
| Papers of Thomas Jefferson | You may find mention of the person or family in Thomas Jefferson's letters, or he may have written directly to the person or received a letter from her/him. |
Available for use on-site at the library, and also available through bookstores and local libraries. (Published version: Ed. Julian Boyd, Princeton University Press.) Some of Jefferson's papers can also be viewed online through the Library of Congress and Mass. Historical Society. |
| Memorandum Books | If Jefferson employed or had financial transactions with the person or family you are researching, he may have noted it down in his Memorandum Books. |
The Jefferson Library has copies that may be used on-site. The Memorandum Books are also available through many bookstores and libraries. (Ed. James Bear and Lucia Stanton; Princeton University Press, 1997.) |
| Thomas Jefferson Portal | Always be sure to search our online catalog. You may find books by or about the person you are researching, as well as articles, book chapters, Web sites, and other materials. |
Access to the TJ Portal is available worldwide.
|
| Articles Files | The Jefferson Library staff keep a collection of articles relevant to Thomas Jefferson, culled from various magazines and journals. They are filed alphabetically by author, and kept in filing cabinets in our Multimedia Room. |
On-site only. Some articles have records in the TJ Portal. See the Research Librarian for assistance with the Articles Files.
|
| Article Databases | The Jefferson Library provides access to several databases where you may find articles on the persons or families you are interested in. Articles may contain more current research findings or analysis than books. |
On-site only. Contact the Research Librarian for more details. See also the Library's Research Databases page.
|
| Other Web Resources |
Monticello Association (Descendants of Thomas Jefferson) |
Available to anyone with Internet access. Some sites may require membership or fees for some services. |