Georgia Archives

University System of Georgia

The Georgia Archives will be closed Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25 for the Christmas Holiday. The Archives will also be closed Thursday, January 1 for the New Years’ Day Holiday.

About the Georgia Archives

Who We Are

The Georgia Archives protects the permanent records of Georgia’s state and local governments and makes them available to the public. Created in 1918, we preserve, describe, and share records so people can find evidence of laws, land ownership, court cases, and community history. Our facility in Morrow, Georgia, includes climate-controlled vaults, a research room for original documents, a library, conservation and reformatting labs, and classrooms for public programs.

  • We maintain the official records that protect your rights and document Georgia’s laws and borders, including the Acts of the General Assembly and the records of county and state boundaries.
  • We support legislators and state agencies by providing historical context for current issues, such as water rights negotiations.
  • We decrease liability and increase the efficiency of state agencies through proper records management by overseeing records retention guidelines, training agencies on records practices, and operating the State Records Center.

Our Collections

Our holdings document centuries of life in Georgia. Visitors can explore:

  • State and local government records, including laws, land grants, and court cases
  • Maps, plats, and photographs tracing community growth
  • Military records and bounty land grants

Thousands of items are also available online through the Virtual Vault, our online collection of scanned documents, maps, photos, and government records. Popular records include: 

  • <p>First page of the 1983 Georgia Constitution.</p>
    Constitution of the State of Georgia (1983)

    Georgia’s current constitution, adopted in 1983, defines our state’s government and has been amended several times since its adoption.
  • <p>Page from Revolutionary War Bounty Land Certificates listing veterans and the land they were issued for their service.</p>
    Revolutionary War Bounty Land Certificates

    Certificates awarding Georgia land for military service, linking veterans and families to specific tracts of land. 
  • <p>Page from the 1791 Wilkes County tax digest listing names, holdings, and amount paid in taxes.</p>
    Wilkes County Tax Digest (1791)

    An early county ledger listing residents, landholdings, and taxable property in post-Revolution-era Georgia. 
  • <p>Historic Chatham County map with Savannah wards and streets.</p>
    Chatham County Map Portfolio

    Historic maps of Savannah and Chatham County showing wards (voting districts), roads, and property boundaries. 

Programs and Outreach

The Georgia Archives offers free and low-cost programs year-round. Talks, workshops, and annual symposiums connect people with the history of our state, explore Georgia’s records and resources, and teach practical research skills. Many sessions are recorded and made available on the Georgia Archives YouTube channel.

Records Management and Conservation

Our records management team operates the State Records Center in Austell and works with state and local agencies on retention guidelines, training, and plans to protect records in emergencies. We preserve fragile materials and create digital copies so they remain available for future generations. We also offer workshops on records management and preservation for those working with historical or government records.

Organization

The Georgia Archives is part of the University System of Georgia and is overseen by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Archives. Our work is carried out by five units:

  • Collections: Manages collections, description, and the Original Documents Reading Area (ODRA).
  • Community Affairs: Provides reference services, outreach, and educational programs.
  • Records Management: Helps to develop retention schedules, trains agency staff, and runs the State Records Center.
  • Preservation: Conserves and reformats materials to protect long-term access.
  • Organizational Affairs: Oversees building operations, environmental controls, and finance and human resources activities.

Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council (GHRAC): GHRAC serves as the state advisory body on historical records, promotes preservation and access, advises on statewide records issues, and recognizes outstanding work through annual awards.