Local, Regional, and General History Information
The Enid Public Library is here to help you find answers to your questions about local, regional, or general history. Whether you're curious about the history of Enid and Garfield County, an event, a historical figure, or anything else, our reference team is here to help!
There are several ways to reach us!
- Phone: The direct line to the Reference Desk is (580) 616-7196.
- Email: Send your history-related questions to us at refdesk@enid.org. Our team will promptly research and respond to your inquiries via email.
- Text a Librarian: Texting is available at (580) 670-2205; regular messaging rates apply.
- Chat with a Librarian: Messaging is available through our online catalog at https://enid.biblionix.com/catalog.
- Visit Us: If you prefer a face-to-face interaction, you can come to the library during our regular operating hours. Our friendly staff will be happy to assist you in person with your reference questions and guide you through the research process.
We look forward to helping you explore the past, answer your historical queries, and share our passion for history. Whether you choose to email us or visit the library, we're here to assist you in your historical journey.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with us today to start your historical exploration!
Library Genealogy Searches
If you are looking for information on or around the time of our 1893 Cherokee Strip Land Run, we have microfilm of newspapers and local directories dating back to 1893 available for viewing/scanning/photocopying. If you are unable to visit our library, please call 580-616-7196 or email refdesk@enid.org to make arrangements for access to this microfilm. Approximate dates and names are helpful.
In addition, members of the Oklahoma Historical Society are located in Enid, Oklahoma. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center also has a wealth of information and specializes in the time around the 1893 Land Run.
Ancestry.com (in-library edition)
Learn your family history from historical record collections and other resources. IN-LIBRARY access only.
HeritageHub
Explore your family history with a premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704-today. HeritageHub includes coverage from all 50 states, hard-to-find content from the mid-1900s, and original obituary images. For remote access, use "ENID" and your 6-digit library card number (ex: ENID222222).
Heritage Quest Online
Search for family history in the U.S. Census (1790-1930), genealogy books, PERSI, Revolutionary War records, and the Freedman’s Bank. For remote access, use "ENID" and your 6-digit library number (ex: ENID222222).
Other Genealogy & Local History Websites
- 1940 Census allows you full access to the 1940 census images, in addition to 1940 census maps and descriptions.
- 1950 Census allows you to access 1950 census images and records.
- Dawes Final Rolls records are used to trace your ancestry to one of the Five Tribes. This website is brought to you by the Oklahoma Historical Society.
- Gateway to Oklahoma History is an online repository of Oklahoma history from the Oklahoma Historical Society. You may browse through hundreds of thousands of newspaper pages dating from the 1840s to the 1920s. Click on Advanced Search to select newspapers by title under the "collection" option menu. Early Enid newspapers are included here and are being added often.
- Ok2Explore is a free searchable index of births and deaths that occurred in the state of Oklahoma. Included is limited information on births occurring more than 20 years ago and deaths occurring more than 5 years ago.
- National Archives is a government records database that houses records used by genealogists including Census, Military, Immigration (Ship Passenger Lists), Naturalization, and Land records.