Discover The Power Of These 7 Types Of Libraries For Genealogy Research Success
*This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). All opinions remain my own.
Websites like Ancestry and FamilySearch have made starting your family tree research easier than ever. We are fortunate to be in a time where we have so many genealogy records at our fingertips, right from the convenience of home.
But online databases don’t have everything. They can only get you so far in your research.
At a certain point, you’ll have found everything there is to find online, at least until more items get digitized. (And it often happens quicker than you think it will.)
When that happens, libraries and archives are there for you to keep up your research momentum.
The sad fact is the majority of genealogical records are not digitized and are living in libraries and archives around the world. Most of these will never be online because of the sheer volume of documents and the cost of digitizing them.
It’s great to build a tree back as many generations as you can. But finding family stories is even better, right?
And the best way to find those stories is through libraries and archives.
In this article, you’ll learn about the types of libraries you can use for genealogy research and the resources you may find in each.
Types of libraries and their genealogy records
There are many kinds of repositories in which you can find genealogical records.
Jargon Buster: But first, What is a repository? A repository is a place that stores original records or information. This could be a library or archive, courthouse, or even a person.
If you’ve never done offline research before, don’t worry. It may feel a little intimidating at first but it’s well worth the effort.
The trick is to prepare in advance so you know exactly what you need from the repository, what you can bring with you, and all the extra little things that make the day easier. The best way to do this is with a repository visit checklist so you don’t miss any important steps.
Now, let’s discuss the different types of libraries and archives and what genealogy goodies you can find in each.
Public Libraries
Using local libraries for genealogy research is a great step to add to any research plan. Your local library is a great resource for database subscriptions you can use for free with your library card. There are many research databases helpful for genealogy and the costs can add up fast if subscribing to each on your own.
Public libraries can have genealogy database subscriptions like Ancestry Library Edition, MyHeritage, NewsBank, Fold3, and Newspaper Archive. And you can use most of them from home.
A lot of local libraries, even smaller ones, will have a genealogy department with special collections specific to the area. The San Francisco Public Library, for example, has books on death records and newspaper birth and death notices. And of course, general how-to books on genealogy.
Be sure to also look at other public library systems in your state. Some libraries let you get a card even if you’re not a resident of that county as long as you’re a resident of the state.
2. Academic Libraries
Colleges and universities are a very underused genealogy resource. One benefit of academic libraries is access to library databases, especially on historical newspapers and topics.
But even more important, they have special collections that can include yearbooks, family histories, and personal papers such as letters and diaries. Dartmouth College Library, for example, has biographies, newspapers, maps, city directories, cemetery records, letters, and much more.
Jargon buster: What is an archive? An archive is an organization dedicated to preserving the permanently valuable records of a specific group. This could be a place like a city, an organization like a college, or an ethnic or religious group. “Permanently valuable records” vary by the archive’s mission and can include things like scrapbooks, diaries, business papers, military records, letters, oral histories, court records, and photographs. Archive research is important for genealogy because they have unique items that are not likely to get digitized.
3. Historical and Genealogical Societies
Local historical and genealogical societies have many records to help you with your search. These can include genealogies, vital records, funeral home and cemetery records, voter lists, and ephemera. The sky is the limit on the possibilities of what unique materials each historical and genealogy society may hold. They are a wellspring of knowledge about what local resources are available that may have information about your family.
These societies can be a genealogical goldmine. I was able to get several pictures of my great-grandparents from a historical society in New Hampshire. As my grandfather was adopted, these are the only photos I have of them. I’d never know what they looked like without that local society. And the resources don’t always end with their library. When I went on a genealogy road trip to the area, they took me on a tour and showed me all the houses my family had lived in and where they were buried.
Related posts:
How the Digital Public Library of America Can Power Up Your Genealogy Research
Museum Archives: How To Use This Unique Resource In Your Research
Image source: Pexels/Pixabay
4. Genealogy Libraries
Genealogical libraries are another treasure trove of information. They have everything from vital records indexes and city directories to genealogies, maps, surname catalogs, diaries, military records, surname periodicals, and property records.
One of the most well-known is the Family History Library and its branches, but there are others all over the country.
Some genealogy libraries in the US are:
5. National Archives and Libraries
The Library of Congress has over 50,000 genealogies, along with manuscripts, local histories, maps, and more. Read my article about using the Library of Congress’ online collections here.
The National Archives has an unbelievable number of items, including land, immigration, naturalization records, alien registration files, and military documents like Civil War pension files. It also has resources for specific ethnicities like Freedmen’s Bureau and Chinese Exclusion Act files.
6. State Libraries and Archives
Every state has an archives and/or library with collections focused on that specific state. They all have wonderful, one-of-a-kind genealogy resources like military records, photographs, oral histories, and scrapbooks. Some have materials like prison records, professional licensing records, and court records.
State libraries and archives also often have newspapers that are not available online. Like local societies, the libraries and archivists at these repositories are experts in what records are available and how you can get access to them.
7. Other Special Libraries and Archives
There are also archives on specific topics like corporations, religious archives, fraternal organizations, ethnic groups, museums, and professional associations. While special libraries are often underused for genealogy research, they can have items that directly mention your ancestor, and/or give information about areas of their life, like what their profession was like.
Some special libraries and archives examples include:
Freemasons archives. The Grand Lodge of Iowa has one of the largest collections of Masonic records in the country.
Wells Fargo Archives. While mostly business papers, there are also directories, letters, and more.
Evangelical Lutheran Church Archives has records of predecessor church bodies, inter-Lutheran organizations, and some for ELCA synods.
The Daughters of the American Revolution. You don’t need to be a member to use their collections and access is free. They have genealogies, ephemera, manuscripts, family histories, probate and land records, and Revolutionary War records (of course). The DAR also oversaw a lot of transcription projects, like gravestone inscriptions, and published them.
If your ancestor worked for the railroads, look for archives like the California State Railroad Museum.
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii has oral histories, diaries, photos, and other items with genealogy value.
Related posts:
Why Should You Use Ethnic Newspapers For Genealogy Research?
Everything You Need to Know About Using Home Sources
11 of the Best Websites for Free Ship Passenger Lists
Search tips for doing genealogy at the library
All these library and archive resources are great, but the big question is, how do you even find genealogy resources in libraries?
To maximize your success when doing family history research in libraries, here are a few tips to help you:
Make a list of the repositories in the areas you’re researching.
Prepare ahead of your research trip with a repository visit checklist
Don’t get discouraged if you need to use a library or archive you can’t visit in person. Many genealogical repositories will help by scanning or photocopying records for a small fee. Check out the guidelines for each repository to see how you can access records from home.
Use interlibrary loan to request books if the library you’re using doesn’t have what you need. Many libraries take part in interlibrary loan programs, which gives you access to even more items for your research.
Related posts:
How the Digital Public Library of America Can Power Up Your Genealogy Research
How to Use Civil War Pension Records in Your Research
10 Great Resources For Finding Your Ancestor’s School Records
How to Use the Online Archive of California in Your Genealogy Research
Final thoughts
With so much available online, it’s easy to forget about the abundance of genealogy records found in libraries and archives. Tapping into these resources gives researchers the chance to uncover family stories lost to memory and time.
Through libraries, we have access to countless documents, artifacts, and other records to expand our family history in exciting new directions.
Which type of library are you going to try first? Share in the comments below!