Juneau City and Borough Genealogy Records
Juneau City and Borough holds one of the most complete sets of genealogy records in Alaska, with collections spanning from the gold rush era through the mid-twentieth century. The Alaska State Archives, the Gastineau Genealogical Society, and several public libraries in Juneau give researchers access to vital records, mining indexes, probate files, cemetery databases, and historical newspapers. Whether you are tracing Alaska Native heritage, gold rush settlers, or government workers who came to the territorial capital, Juneau's holdings are a strong starting point for your research.
Juneau City and Borough Overview
Alaska State Archives: Juneau's Primary Repository
The Alaska State Archives at 141 Willoughby Avenue in Juneau is the main place to search for historical government records tied to this borough. The archives hold original court dockets, land records, and administrative files created during Alaska's territorial period. For Juneau specifically, holdings at the archives or accessible through FamilySearch include Civil and Criminal Dockets from 1889 to 1960, a District Court Reception Book covering 1917 to 1949, and Coroner's Inquests running from 1899 to 1969. You can contact the archives at 907-465-2270 to ask about appointment-based research access.
The Alaska State Library Historical Collections, located at 395 Whittier Street, Juneau, complements the archives with printed materials, maps, and photographic collections. Library hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is 907-465-2910. The FamilySearch wiki page for Juneau Borough, Alaska Genealogy lists many of the digitized record sets that overlap with what you will find at the archives in person.
Gastineau Genealogical Society Holdings
The Gastineau Genealogical Society (GGS) operates out of the Family History Center of the LDS Church at 5100 Glacier Highway in Juneau. You can reach the society by calling 907-723-2608 or by emailing ggs@ggsalaska.org. The GGS has built its own set of local indexes and transcribed records that are not duplicated anywhere else.
Key holdings at the Gastineau Genealogical Society include the AJ Mine Personnel Index covering 1914 to 1944, Alaska Free Press newspaper indexes from 1887 to 1891, Carter Mortuary Records for 1918 to 1927, and a Bureau of Indian Affairs index covering Juneau Census records from 1944 and Douglas Census records from 1939. The society also holds 19 volumes of Juneau Funeral Records running from 1898 to 1964, a compilation of Probate Records of Alaska from 1885 to 1960, and Vital Records of Juneau-Douglas from 1898 to 1936. Researchers should call or email ahead to confirm availability before making the trip.
FamilySearch Juneau Record Collections
FamilySearch has digitized a significant number of Juneau-area records that you can search online at no cost. The collections span multiple record types and decades. Juneau Mining Records run from 1880 to 1969. Land and Property Records cover 1888 to 1950. Marriage records go from 1884 to 1960, and Death records cover 1903 to 1960. The Funeral Records collection, which overlaps with the GGS holdings, runs from January 2, 1898, through March 20, 1964.
Other FamilySearch collections for Juneau include Douglas Probate Records from 1913 to 1930 and Delayed Birth Certificates spanning 1907 to 1961. Delayed birth certificates are especially useful when a person was born at home or in a remote area and had no formal birth record filed at the time. These certificates often contain sworn statements from witnesses or family members, which can provide clues not found in standard vital records. Search Alaska Online Genealogy Records on FamilySearch for the full list of digitized Alaska collections.
Evergreen Cemetery and Douglas Historic Cemeteries
Juneau maintains an interactive, searchable cemetery database for Evergreen Cemetery at beta.juneau.org. The database lists names, death dates, and plot locations for burials at Evergreen. This is a free resource. If you know a person died in Juneau but cannot find vital records, this database is a quick way to confirm dates and narrow your search.
The Douglas Historic Cemeteries are a separate set of burial grounds across the channel. They include the Catholic, Odd Fellows, Masons, Native, Asian, and Russian Orthodox sections. The Gastineau Genealogical Society holds headstone photos for some of these cemeteries. The GGS Evergreen Cemetery Headstone Photo collection is particularly useful for researchers who cannot visit Juneau in person.
Vital Records and State Access
Alaska vital records are managed at the state level by the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Under Alaska Statute 18.50.290, birth records are restricted for 100 years. Under Alaska Statute 18.50.300, death, marriage, and divorce records are restricted for 50 years. Older records may be available through the archives or FamilySearch. You can order eligible records through the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics.
For Juneau specifically, FamilySearch holds death records from 1903 to 1960 and marriage records from 1884 to 1960. These older records have passed out of the restriction window and are searchable online. For records more recent than those cutoff dates, you will need to contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics directly.
Alaska Native Genealogy in Juneau
Juneau sits in the traditional territory of the Tlingit people, and Alaska Native genealogy research in this area often requires different sources than standard vital records research. The Sealaska Heritage Institute works to preserve Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian heritage and can point researchers toward clan and family records that are not found in government archives. Contact Sealaska Heritage Institute directly for research guidance.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs records indexed at the Gastineau Genealogical Society, including the 1939 Douglas Census and 1944 Juneau Census, are also relevant for Alaska Native family history. Russian Orthodox Church records can be especially valuable for Alaska Natives who converted or were baptized during the Russian colonial period. Some parish registers have been digitized and are available through FamilySearch.
Public Libraries and Online Database Access
Juneau Public Library has three branches: the downtown branch, the Mendenhall Valley branch, and the Douglas branch. All branches provide free access to Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest Online, and Newspapers.com for library cardholders. These databases include U.S. Census records, city directories, newspaper archives, and military records that supplement the local Juneau collections. You do not need a subscription to use these databases at any branch.
The Vilda Alaska digital archive holds photographs and documents related to Alaska history. The Alaska State Library genealogy page lists additional resources for statewide research. The Alaska Historical Society also maintains a genealogical information page with links and finding aids.
Land Records and Mining Files for Juneau
Juneau's economy was built on gold mining, and the mining record collections are rich with family history data. The AJ Mine Personnel Index at the Gastineau Genealogical Society covers 1914 to 1944. The FamilySearch Juneau Mining Records run from 1880 to 1969. These records often name individuals, their place of origin, and their employment dates, all of which can help piece together immigration and settlement patterns.
Land and Property Records from 1888 to 1950 are available through FamilySearch. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources also maintains a land records portal at dnr.alaska.gov for more recent records. For federal land patent records, the National Archives at Seattle covers Alaska at archives.gov/seattle.
Cities in Juneau City and Borough
Juneau is the only qualifying city within the borough with a dedicated records page.