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EnglishWhat Is the Georgia Archives?
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The Georgia Archives is the official archival institution for the state of Georgia, part of the University System of Georgia. Since 1918, it has collected and preserved the state's most valuable historical documents. It serves three broad audiences: genealogists and family historians, anyone studying Georgia history, and government agencies managing public records. Its physical facility is in Morrow, GA, while its website (georgiaarchives.org) provides online entry points to collections, finding aids, and research guidance.
What the Georgia Archives Does
The Archives describes its mission as preserving "the records that tell the story of Georgia and its people." In practice, that means:
- Collecting and caring for historical documents — a role it has filled since 1918.
- Providing research access — both online through digitized materials and onsite in Morrow.
- Supporting public records management — helping government agencies understand records laws, legislation, and retention schedules.
- Offering educational programming — resources for educators, workshops, and events.
Online Resources You Can Use
The website organizes its main research tools into several distinct entry points:
| Resource | What it helps you find |
|---|---|
| Virtual Vault | Digitized historic Georgia documents available online |
| Finding Aids | Descriptions of original records available for onsite research |
| Catalog (GIL) | Books and other publications available onsite |
| Directory | Cultural and historical institutions across the state |
| Vital Records | Guidance on how to access Georgia's vital records |
The Virtual Vault is the place to start if you want to view documents without traveling. Finding Aids and the GIL catalog are planning tools — they tell you what exists onsite so you can decide whether a visit is worthwhile.
Research Services and Guidance
The Archives provides dedicated research help, including published policies and guidelines, and a specific Visual Materials Policy. If you are new to archival research, the site's "Research" section explains how to research at the Georgia Archives before you arrive. For vital records specifically, the Archives points you to the correct access process rather than hosting the records itself — an important distinction if you are tracing birth, death, or marriage records.
Visiting and Events
The facility is located in Morrow, GA. Before visiting, check the "Things to know before you visit" page, since onsite access to original records depends on what the finding aids show and on reading room policies.
The Archives also runs public programming:
- Lunch & Learn Lectures — held noon to 1:00 p.m.; recordings are posted to the Archives' YouTube channel afterward.
- Exhibits — for example, "First in Our State: A Revolutionary Achievement," on view September 12 through November 20, highlighting the life and genealogical research of Michael Nolden Henderson.
- Archives & Genealogy Day 2026 — scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, with hands-on genealogy research and presentations.
Who Should Use It
- Family historians: start with the Vital Records guidance and Finding Aids, then check the Virtual Vault for anything already digitized.
- Georgia history researchers: use the GIL catalog and Finding Aids to identify onsite collections, and watch the events calendar for relevant lectures.
- Government agency staff: the Records Services, Records Laws and Legislation, and Retention Schedules pages are the relevant starting points.
- Educators: the Educational Resources section covers programming such as National History Day and professional development workshops.
If your question is about a record held by a county or another institution, the statewide Directory can point you to the right place.