THE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF
HENRY AND CLAYTON COUNTIES, INC.
The Brown House (1826)
PLEASE CHECK THE ANNOUNCEMENTS PAGE FOR UPCOMING EVENTS
The Genealogical Society is located at 71 Macon Street in McDonough, Georgia, about 35 miles southeast of Atlanta off I-75 South. It is housed in the 1826 home of Andrew McBride, a Revolutionary War Patriot. The house, which is now known as the Brown House, was once a hotel owned by the Brown family and is among the oldest-surviving buildings in Henry County. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991. We are located about two blocks from the Henry County Courthouse and the town square.
The Family Research Library is a non-circulating reference library staffed by volunteers and has available over 3,500 books and items of genealogical interest. Plus, our microfilm scanner makes it easy to access a microfilm collection that includes census records and over 100 years' worth of Atlanta newspapers. We have Ancestry.com, Fold3, Family Search, American Ancestors, Genealogy Bank, and Newspapers.com available via computer. We also have wireless capabilities, if you would like to bring your own laptop. Non-members may use the library at the Brown House for a fee of $5 per visit. Beginning January 1, 2025, this fee will increase to $10.
Membership: Individual $35. Family $40.
If you become a member of the Genealogical Society of Henry and Clayton Counties, Inc., you can research all year without paying the library fee during each visit. As a member, you also will receive our quarterly newsletter, Ancestor Update, and the notification of programs at our bi-monthly meetings. You can procure an application in several ways. You can email us at [email protected], stop by our headquarters at 71 Macon Street in downtown McDonough on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10-3 and pick up one, or you can download a copy from this site on the Services and Publication page and mail it to PO Box 1296 McDonough, GA 30253 with your yearly membership fee. You also may set up a recurring, yearly payment using our PayPal button.
To ensure the safety of materials, certain items are prohibited in the Brown House, including food, drinks, tobacco products, ink pens, markers, highlighters, colored pencils, scissors, tape, Post-it notes or similar self-adhesive notes, and enclosed items (including, but not limited to, briefcases, purses, fanny packs, bags, envelopes - even if clear).
Personal flash drives may be used to store images of documents from Brown House computer. No software, images, or information may be loaded onto the Brown House computer. Personal Flash Drives may be purchased at the Brown House for $7.
When visiting, feel free to make copies of items that are available for copying. Copies are 50 cents each.
In addition, we have publications available for sale. See our Price List on the Services and Publications page.
Hours
Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
and by appointment.
Closed legal holidays
Parking available in the adjoining First Baptist Church parking lot. YOU MAY USE THE SIDE DOOR TO THE BROWN HOUSE.
Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
and by appointment.
Closed legal holidays
Parking available in the adjoining First Baptist Church parking lot. YOU MAY USE THE SIDE DOOR TO THE BROWN HOUSE.