Waynesboro Public Library has one of the largest genealogical collections in the area containing over 8,000 volumes in the Local History Room. The library also has an archives room containing cemetery records, family records, local biographies and business histories. In addition, Federal Population census records for Virginia are available in the microfilm room. An archivist is on site to offer assistance to researchers.


Genealogy Resources

Heritage Quest Online is designed specifically for patrons in public libraries who are either just beginning their family research or who after years of work are still uncovering their past. With over 25,000 books, the entire U.S. Federal Census, PERSI™, and other expanding collections, Heritage Quest Online gives any library the chance to tap in to one of the largest collections of genealogy material in the country.

Click Here to Enter Heritage Quest Online

Access The News Virginian here for Waynesboro obituaries.

Local History Room

• Obituaries copied from local newspapers
• Cemetery Indexes of Augusta County and Waynesboro
• Heritage books of local counties
• "Historic Resources in Augusta County" by Ann McCleary, includes index and files
• Waynesboro & Staunton City directories
• Sandborn Map Collection; includes insurance maps of Waynesboro (1886-1920) and Basic City (1891-1912)
• Virginia regimental history series for Civil War research
• School yearbooks
• Heritage Quest database available for public use

                                                                                

Microfilm Room

• 3 microfilm readers available for public use; copies 10 cents
• Federal Population Census for Virginia 1810-1930; printed indexes include 1810-1870
• County records on Microfilm; includes Albemarle, Augusta, Botetourt, Fluvanna, Highland,  Orange, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Staunton City
• Area newspapers on Microfilm; includes News Virginian present day back to 1930, Valley Virginian 1866-1929, Staunton Spectator 1800's and 1900's, Staunton Daily and Evening Leader 1912-1921
• Swem’s Virginia Historical Index (Index to various periodicals used for genealogical research)


Archives Room

• Public access available with staff assistance
• Files of local history and genealogy including family records, cemetery records, bible records, local businesses and biographies
• Photograph Collection, which includes more than 1,500 photographs depicting people and places in Waynesboro. The photographs are included in the Digital Library Program at the Library of Virginia and are available for viewing on the internet by clicking here.
• Oral History Interviews; includes various local people that were interviewed by the library concerning their knowledge of items of local interest



Genealogy Resources on CD

  • CDs are in house use only on a computer located in the Microfilm Room
  • 1880 United States Census and National Index published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • 1900 Census Index, Mid-Atlantic States; includes more than 4 million individuals enumerated in Delaware,  District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. This census is especially useful because most of the 1890 census schedules were destroyed by fire. Index indicates the microfilm roll and page number on which you will find a copy of the original record.
  • North America Vital Records Index; includes various births, christenings, and marriage records of the United States and Canada 1631-1888