Libraries
- San Luis Obispo Public Library
The San Luis Obispo County Library in San Luis Obispo has the Telegram-Tribune, the county newspaper, back to 1868. Visit your local library for access to Ancestry.com. World Vital Records can be accessed from the library or from home with your Black Gold Library Card. The Local History Room at the San Luis Obispo Library includes:
- Biography Files: Clippings of local persons of note.
- Local History Reference Collection: Books related to San Luis Obispo County and region are available for use within the Library.
- Local News File/Clippings: The local news file is comprised of newspaper clippings, primarily from the local newspapers. News items are filed by subject and cover local residents, government, environmental and growth issues, crime and criminals, notable events, and celebrations.
- Microfilm Collection: Regional newspapers, some dating back to the 1800s are available on microfilm.
- San Luis Obispo City/County Directories and Phone Books
- Robert E. Kennedy Library Special Collections and Archives at Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo, offers an online search feature for their California History Collection and Manuscript Collections, and a search index for The San Luis Obispo Tribune on their Research Help Desk and Reference Resources page.
Genealogical Societies & Research Libraries
- San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society has a large selection of local records as well as records for the whole United States. Library Shelf Lists for each location can be found on their Libraries page.
- The South County Library is located in the Arroyo Grande Public Library, South County Regional Center, 800 West Branch Street, Arroyo Grande. Part of their collection has been relocated to the main library floor. They are able to offer assistance on your family research & access to their books by appointment only.
- The North County Library has moved to the first floor behind the welcome desk in the San Luis Obispo Public Library, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Hours are 10 p.m. to 1 p.m. SLOCGS volunteers will be happy to help with your family research. See their Libraries page for more information or to make an appointment.
- Carnegie Library Virginia Peterson Research Library, located on the lower level of the Historic Carnegie Library building, which houses the Paso Robles History Museum, 800 12th Street, Paso Robles, is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by appointment. Their collections include:
- Local Newspapers 1892-2005
- Local Authors & History Books
- Photographs and local historic postcards
- Paso Robles High School Yearbooks
- Church & Cemetery Records
- Family Histories & Interviews
- Obituaries
- Surname Files
- Historic Buildings & Homes
- and more...
- The Research Room of the History Center of San Luis Obispo County is located on the ground floor of the Carnegie Library at 696 Monterey Street, downtown San Luis Obispo. Access is by special appointment only. See their website for more information or to make an appointment.
A partial list of their research materials include:
- San Luis Obispo County newspapers from the 1860s to the 1970s
- A comprehensive collection of clippings, documents, and images filed by subject heading
- County directories and census records
- A small library focused on SLO County history
- San Luis Obispo County records, including courts, schools, road files, maps, and more
- Correspondence and papers from San Luis Obispo’s founding families and businesses
- More than 20,000 historic photographs
- and a searchable Online Collections Database
