Genealogy

Family History Room
The A.H. Newton family, ca. 1915, Lawton.
The Family History Room houses the premier genealogical and family history collection in Oklahoma. The collection consists of the combined resources of Southwest Oklahoma Genealogical Society (SWOGS), Lawton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Lawton Public Library. Contributions have also been made by the Daughters of 1812, Southwest Oklahoma Historical Society, other heritage groups, authors, and patrons. There is a full time qualified genealogy librarian, and a part-time library assistant. The Family History Room collection consists of over 23,000 books and periodicals, 150,000 micro-fiche, and 6,000 rolls of microfilm. It includes all Federal census schedules, local and area newspapers from 1901, Indian-Pioneer History Collection, Indian records, family histories, vital records, Oklahoma Tract Books with surname index, and research reference aids. Family Search, Ancestry, Heritage Quest, Dawes Roll, 1890 Oklahoma Territorial Census, Freedman's Bank Records, Official Records of the Union and Confedeate Armies and Navies, Southern Historical Society Papers, Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, Indexes to First Landowners of Pennsylvania, and Early Connecticut Vital Records (the Barbour Collection and more) are accessible on the Family History Room computers. The area of emphasis is Oklahoma and the major migration areas from where its people and their ancestors came. The Native American collection focuses on the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache tribes and contains several important records. The main section of the library also houses other valuable historical reference material.

Materials in the Family History Room

Lawton and Comanche County
Brief history and collection.

Census Records
Census records for states/counties throughout the nation since 1790 on microfilm and the Family History Room computer. Also the 1881 British Census and 1881 Canadian Census on computer.

Native American Collection
Genealogy materials covering the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache peoples.

Oklahoma/Southwest Oklahoma Collection
Extensive collection relating to Oklahoma genealogy.

Other Area Research Centers
Research centers containing information on Oklahoma and Southwest Oklahoma genealogy.

Useful Internet Links
The following are recommended off-site links.
   - Southwest Oklahoma Genealogical Society
   - Suggestions for Beginners
   - Comanche County Cemeteries
   - Comanche County GenWeb
   - Oklahoma Cemetery Directory
   - Oklahoma GenWeb
   - Oklahoma Historical Society
   - National Archives
   - More recommended links...