At one time or another everyone has thought about their ancestors and wondered what they were like. Now with the aid of modern technology, genealogical research can bring past generations into focus like a developing photograph right before our eyes.

Houston is home to one of the top ten genealogical libraries in the nation. The Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, located at 5300 Caroline, contains both a national and international collection of materials. It began in 1921 as a separate collection of the Houston Public Library. Due to an increasing volume of material the Clayton collection was transferred in 1968 to the former home of William and Susan Clayton, who had deeded the property to the City as a public library. The 1917 Georgian revival style home served as the Clayton Library for 20 years with a growing collection of books, microfilm, microfiche and maps.

In anticipation that the library would need larger facilities, a group of interested persons met in 1987 to form the Clayton Library Friends to provide volunteers and fundraising. When the Library did move to a new 23,000 square foot facility, the Friends were able to secure a grant to completely furnish the new building.

The Clayton Library Friends provided over 3,000 hours of volunteer service to the Library last year. In 2006 the Friends were instrumental in funding and overseeing restoration of the old Clayton house. Today the Clayton Library is housed in a four building complex which includes the newer Clayton Building, the former Clayton House, a remodeled carriage house meeting room, and facilities in the Clayton guest house. The renovated Clayton House is staffed by Friends volunteers who provide a variety of services such as shelving, inventories, reference desk support and acquiring library materials. It is now being used to house duplicate library materials relating to the Gulf Coast, microfilm rentals, storage, and the Clayton Library Friends office space.

The Clayton House has an Affiliate Microfilm Rental Program in partnership with the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, the largest genealogy library in the world. This means that Clayton Library users can order microfilm online from the Family History Library in Utah and view it on-site at the Clayton Library.

Houstonians who want to learn more about their heritage have an opportunity to find answers at the Clayton library. Genealogy has not only become a fascinating hobby for many people, but a way to connect with the past and ultimately learn more about themselves.