This list is highly selective and does not include the thousands of volumes on African American life and history in the Memphis-Shelby County's Public Library's collection. Of special interest to the general public is the African American Popular Collection, a selection of the three hundred most requested titles (both fiction and non-fiction).

The Negro in Military Service Records of the United States, 1639-1886, 5 rolls.

This compilation of official records includes federal and state papers, historical extracts, and other data relating to the military service of African Americans from the time the English entered British North America. These records wee copied between 1885 and 1888 from published and unpublished primary sources; however, the researcher needs to be aware that there are gaps in the periods covered.

Freedman's Bureau Bank Records, complete set, 27 rolls.

From 1865 through 1870, thirty-three branches of the Freedman's Savings and Trust Bank were established to assist the freed slaves by handling their banking and business needs. As Part of the banking process, the records of the despositors include biographical information, as well as information on family members, former owner(s), and plantation. The Registers of Signatures of Depositors are arranged alphabetically by state. These registers are not indexed; however, the History Department has prepared a name index for the bank at Memphis, and these cards are interfiled in the Tennessee Biography Index.

Selected Records of the Tennessee Field Office of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 73 rolls.

This was the government agency charged with the responsiblity of supervising the affairs relating to refugees and freedmen, as well as abandoned or confiscated lands and property. These records detail social services provided, registers of marriage, land contracts, assistance to black soldiers and sailors in filing claims, supervision of education, and a wide range of other services. The Bureau was abolished on June 30, 1872. Records are arranged in state order.

United States Census, 1790 to 1920

Data on individuals, statistical compilations, and slave schedules; all extant census records for all southern states, upper midwest, southwest, etc. The federal census has been taken every ten years since 1790. Through 1840, only the name of the head of household is given, and male and female members of the household are grouped in age categories. In 1850 and 1860, slaves were listed on a separate schedule under the names of their owners. They were listed by gender and age but not by name. Free blacks were enumerated in the free population schedule.

Centers of the Southern Struggle---FBI Files on Various Southern Cities, 21 reels.

These twenty-one reels contain significant information on civil rights activism in five Southern cities from 1955 to 1968, including Montgomery, Alabama (1955-1958); Albany, Georgia (1961-1963); St. Augustine, Florida (1963-1964); Selma, Alabama (1965); and Memphis, Tennessee (1968). The Memphis reels, 17-21, relate to the Sanitation Workers' Strike. For a detailed description of the microfilm contents, the researcher should consult the guide to Centers of the Southern Struggle: FBI Files on Montgomery, Albany, St. Augustine, Selma, and Memphis. (M975.00496 C397) Those researching the 1968 Sanitation Workers' Strike are also referred to the Memphis Information Files.

American Missionary Association Manuscripts - Tennessee, 3 reels.

These reels contain primarily correspondence between the Headquarters of the American Missionary Association in New York and their field workers in Tennessee. These workers, both lay and clerical, were in the South to assist the Freedmen by establishing schools, churches, and other facilities for their welfare. Much of the correspondence is dated at Memphis (1963-65) from the Office of the General Superintendent of Freedmen.

Records of the United States Civil Commission at Memphis, 1863-64, 1 reel.

This reel contains the records of the agency set up to handle civil litigation cases at Memphis during the Civil War when Union forces were operating a civil/military government. Most cases refer to efforts to collect rents, monies due, and reimbursement for confiscated property.

Letters Received by the Department of Justice from the State of Tennessee, 1871-1884, 1 reel.

Congress established the Justice Department in June, 1870 to consolidate earlier, and often overlapping, judicial agencies. The State of Tennessee was divided into three sections. The Western District Court, met in Memphis in May and November. Correspondence on this reel is organized by date received with a notation as to subject and covers a wide range of topics, including reconstruction conflicts, civil rights cases, and suits against the government.

Black Biography, 1790-1950, a cumulative index in 3 volumes.

This work is a comprehensive index to some 30,000 names representing all aspects of African American life. The index directs the researcher to some 247 primary and secondary sources on microfiche. Memphis Public Library is one of only twelve public libraries in the nation that have the complete work. These include Los Angeles County, Washington, D. C., Chicago, St. Louis, Newark, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Boston, and Allen County-Fort Wayne.

Newspapers:

Memphis World, 1931-32, 1943-72.

Tri-State Defender, 1951-1994

Memphis City Directories, 1849-1994:

The alphabetical name entry identifies race until 1925.

Tennessee Biography Index:

Card index to hundreds of sources on Memphians and other Tennesseans.

Funeral Index:

The Memphis and Shelby County Room holds the Burial Register of historic Zion Cemetery, dating from 1897 forward. Zion Cemetery was organized in 1877. There is a partial name index to this valuable reference source.

Memphis Information Files:

Newspaper clippings files containing biography and subject information on thousands of individuals, places, businesses, and events dating for the most part from the mid-1930s forward.

Memphis and Shelby County Room Manuscripts Collection:

Among the holdings are the following collections of personal papers, photographs, scrapbooks, and other manuscript items pertaning to local African American History:

Beale Street

The collection is composed of materials related to musical artists and performances at Beale Street clubs in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. This material was given to the Library by Beale Street Development Corporation. In addition to posters, handbills, and programs, there is some material relating to the Beale Street restoration project.

Roberta Church

Granddaugher of black millionaire Robert R. Church, Sr., and daughter of national political figure Robert R. Church, Jr.; this collection holds the personal and some family papers of Miss Church, who herself had a long and prominent career in government service.

Cotton Makers Jubilee/Ethyl Venson

Dr. and Mrs. R. Q. Venson were founders of the Cotton Makers Jubilee in 1935. Included are some 33 programs and miscellaneous items on the black parallel to the former Cotton Carnival.

Hallelujah

Contains many photos of this all-black movie cast, along with other memorabilia items. The movie was filmed in and around Memphis and included a number of Memphians in various roles from "bit part" to star.

W. C. Handy

The collection includes much information on the creation of the stamp commemorating the Father of the Blues, as well as manuscript items such as letters, sheet music, and the design of the Handy statue located in Handy Park on Beale Street.

Ashton Hayes

Photographs, a scrapbook, and other items detail the career of the long-time principal of Memphis Manassas High School from the late '30s until the '50s. The collection also contains much family material.

T. H. Hayes

The Hayes Family was prominent in medicine and business and owned the old Birmingham Barons of the Negro Baseball League. The collection contains a wealth of photographs and other material on this important aspect of black sports.

Blair T. Hunt

Elder Hunt had a distinguished career in education, civic leadership, and the ministry. The collection contains personal papers, sermons, awards, photographs, and other items relating to Mr. Hunt's service to the community.

George W. Lee

This large collection contains important material on the career of Lt. Lee, a leading figure in both local and national black politics and business. There are six boxes of photographs in addition to voluminous correspondence and clippings.

Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association

This is a collection in progress that details the history of the various local churches and pastors of this denomination.

Dr. Robert T. Waller

Includes personal and academic papers of the LeMoyne- Owen progessor which relate to his professional areas of study and teaching, as well as his long career as a teacher in the Memphis public schools.

Ronald Anderson Walters

The Sawyer Family papers comprise the first part of the Walters Collection. Mr. Sawyer was a well-known black businessman active in real estate and construction. This is an ongoing collection.

Dr. Miriam DeCosta Willis

The papers of Dr. Willis include items relating to her work as historian, poet, and editor, as well as material from her involvement as a civil rights activist. It is an ongoing collection.

Memphis and Shelby County Room:

Memphis and Shelby County Room Scrapbooks Collection:

Memphis and Shelby County Room Photograph Collection:

Memphis and Shelby County Archives:

The American Slave: A Composite Biography, Series I, vol.s 1-19; Series I Supplement, vols. 1-12.

The Negro in American History, 1567-1971, 3 vols.