Genealogy Information

 

Learn more about how to do genealogical research with free library and internet resources.

 

Basic resources to get you started

  • FamilySearch.org -  Requires a *free* account to access records. Expanded availability if you are using this website inside a GRRL branch

  • National Genealogical Society - Tutorials, guidelines, and helpful articles 

  • New York Public Library LibGuide - NYPL has a great starter guide, and The Milstein Division has extensive history and genealogical materials related to all 50 states, including one of the largest American collections of city directories on microfilm. Many items available through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) using your local library card

  • U.S. National Archives - A research hub with a selection of links for how to conduct genealogical research, genealogy resources, and databases

 

Handouts and forms to print:

For books on genealogy, search the library's catalog by clicking the All Fields drop-down menu, select Subject, then type genealogy in the search field.

 

General Research Tools

  • Census Records - 1790-1950 Federal Census records digitized through the National Archives Catalog
  • Chronicling America - Historic digital newspapers through the Library of Congress 
  • Cyndi's List - A massive, cross-referenced list of links for every genealogical research sites online
  • Genealogy Indexer - Free genealogy search engine to search historical directories, yizkor books, military lists, community & personal histories and school sources
  • Genealogy Trails - Free crowd-sourced genealogical data, organized by state, from around the United States
  • Legacy.com - Search for obituaries from more than 1,500 newspapers and 3,500 funeral homes
  • Library of Congress - Documents, digital collections and more! 
  • Linkpendium - A genealogy resource directory
  • USGenWeb Project - An award-winning nationwide site that offers *free* genealogy sources; searchable by state, county and city

 

Minnesota Specific Research Tools

 

Local Historical Societies

 

Specialized Research Tools

  • Access Genealogy - A free genealogy database strong in African American and Native American resources
  • Allen County Public Library - Special genealogy collections including African American, Native American, military records and more. One of the largest genealogical libraries in the U.S.  
  • Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library - A specialized collection of American genealogical and historical manuscripts and publications
  • Find A Grave - The World's largest gravesite collection, volunteer and crowdsourced cemetery information
  • Freedmen's Bureau Records - A Federal agency of the U.S. Department of War to help slaves who were set free after the Civil War as well as poor whites at the time. 
  • Sorted by Name - Death indexes compiled from past Social Security numbers; helpful for finding birth and death information as well as mother’s maiden name
  • United States Federal Census Enumeration Forms - Contains facsimile copies of the enumeration forms used in the decennial census of the United States from 1860 through 2000, and the 2000-2006 American Community Survey. Useful when interpreting different sections of the census form

  • U.S. First Nations - Native Indian Law Library - Trace Native American family roots

     

Immigration & Country Specific Search Sites 

 

Translation Sites

Google Translate

Bing Translator