Questions regarding indigenous tribes of North Texas and related genealogical resources are some of more popular inquiries received at the Allen Public Library. My response to these callers are “Which century? Late prehistoric? Earlier or later?”  Accurate answers require multiple questions.

In addition, DNA test kits have afforded people opportunities to explore their Native American heritage.  And this in turn, leads to even more questions.

Brandon Murray, Librarian/Archivist, Dallas History and Archives at J. Erik Jonsson Library, will discuss available materials at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24 at Allen Christian Church, 450 E. St. Mary Dr.  

Brandon explains, “The Dallas Public Library has a number of notable resources to help with researching Native American history and genealogy, including free access to FamilySearch.org and AncestryLibrary, available at all DPL branches. We provide wide-ranging access to Native American records as well as the Dallas Morning News database.

In addition, the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library's Dallas History & Archives and Genealogy & History Divisions have unique resources between them such as historical photographs, newspapers (including the complete run of the Dallas Times Herald on microfilm), clipping files, a collection of history books on many topics, and maps of Dallas, the State of Texas, and of the Southwest United States and Mexico.  There is also a trained staff on hand to provide reference assistance in navigating these materials."

Sponsored by the Allen Public Library and the Collin County Genealogical Society, the program is free.

Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.