Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus
🏢 Houston Public Library — Houston, Texas
Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus
Consistently ranked among the top ten genealogical libraries in the nation, the Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus occupies the former 1924 home of William Lockhart Clayton — cotton magnate, Marshall Plan architect, and Houston statesman. With nearly 100,000 research volumes, over 3,000 periodical titles, and an extensive microfilm collection spanning census records, passenger lists, and military documents, it is the premier destination in the Gulf South for tracing family roots.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12pm–5pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–5pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–7pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 8am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 5300 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004
Phone: 8323932600
Website: houstonlibrary.org
📖 About Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus
<p>The Clayton Library's genealogy collection began in 1921 as a small special collection within the Houston Public Library at the Julia Ideson Building downtown. In 1968 it relocated to the Georgian Revival residence at 5300 Caroline Street built in 1924 for William Lockhart Clayton — co-founder of Anderson, Clayton & Company, the world's largest cotton trading firm, and a key architect of the post-war Marshall Plan. An anonymous donation in 1986 funded the adjacent lot, and a new 23,000-square-foot two-story library building opened in 1988, giving the collection room to expand into one of the nation's most comprehensive genealogical research centers. The library maintains a FamilySearch International partnership that has digitized its City of Houston death certificates (1874–1900), historic funeral home records, and a growing collection of family images and documents, making many unique materials accessible worldwide.</p>
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Consistently rated a top-ten genealogical library in the United States by national organizations
- Nearly 100,000 research volumes and over 15,000 published and unpublished family histories in open stacks
- Extensive microfilm collection: U.S. census records, ship passenger arrival lists, military records, and state/local records
- Digitized City of Houston death certificates (1874–1900) and historic funeral home records in partnership with FamilySearch International
- Situated in the historic Museum District inside the 1924 former home of Marshall Plan architect William Lockhart Clayton
📱 Free with a Houston Public Library Card
Any Texas resident can get an HPL card free and unlock:
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment to use the research collections at the Clayton Library?
Walk-ins are welcome during open hours. Staff genealogists are available for one-on-one consultations to help with specific research problems; for a focused session it is advisable to call ahead at 832-393-2600 to check availability.
What genealogy databases are available on-site that I cannot access at home?
The center provides in-library access to subscription databases including Ancestry.com Library Edition and Fold3 (military records), as well as the specialized Clayton Microprint Database — a large portion of the microprint holdings not listed in the general library catalog — and its unique Vertical File Collection of donated family documents and photographs.
Can I research ancestors from outside the United States at the Clayton Library?
Yes. The collection covers the entire United States and includes substantial international resources for Europe, Canada, and Mexico, with periodical titles spanning most U.S. states and many foreign countries.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.