3 Ways Libraries Can Help Your Genealogy Research

Libraries are fantastic resources for genealogy research. There’s not a genealogist around who doesn’t visit some type of library, often.

In this blog post, we’ll explore three simple ways libraries can supercharge your quest to find your family. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, get ready to tap into the hidden resources that libraries offer for your genealogy research adventure.

We’ve known how wonderful libraries are since we were kids. Now that we’ve grown up it’s time to use the library in our genealogy research.

Here are three ways libraries can be incredibly helpful:

Access to Archives and Historical Records

Libraries are the home to extensive collections of archives, manuscripts, newspapers, and other historical documents that can be invaluable for tracing family history.

Local Records

These repositories may contain a wealth of local records, such as:

• City directories
• School records
• Church registers
• Tax lists.

For example, a library in a small town might hold records of births, marriages, and deaths dating back centuries. New England is a region that has documents that date back that far.

Preserved Documents

Libraries often preserve items like

• Old maps
• Wills
• Land deeds
• Court papers

These documents offer rich information that can fill in our ancestors’ stories. For instance, examining property deeds can tell us about land ownership patterns and migration routes, showing family movements, and community ties over time.

Expertise

Librarians are experts in navigating these archives. Use them – that’s what they are there for. They can guide you in locating relevant resources, interpreting old documents, and overcoming research problems.

By tapping into the gems found at the library, genealogists can piece together their families a little easier and with more accuracy.

Genealogy Databases and Online Resources:

In addition to their physical collections, many libraries offer access to subscription-based genealogy databases and online resources, such as Ancestry, Fold3, and Findmypast.

These databases contain extensive collections of records spanning centuries, including

• Vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates)
• Military service records
• Immigration records

As much as we’d love to subscribe to all of these ourselves, we can’t afford everything. Using the library edition of these popular databases is the way to go. Remember, however, you will not be allowed to save your work on their computer. Bring a thumb drive with you. You may also have time restraints to allow others to use the computers, too.

Expert Assistance and Workshops:

Librarians are invaluable when it comes to digging into your family history. They are knowledgeable about genealogy and local history and can offer personalized support to guide you through your research.

Whether you’re struggling with deciphering old handwriting or understanding tricky terms in historical documents, they are the ones to ask. Plus, libraries often host workshops and talks by genealogy professionals, covering everything from DNA testing to courthouse research.

So, by tapping into these resources, you can improve your genealogy research skills, deepen your understanding of the past, and connect with fellow genealogists along the way.

My Library Visit

I want to give a huge shout-out to the staff at the Maine State Library. I am thankful that there are wonderful people, like the staff at MSL, to help me discover my ancestors.

The research on my Krewson/Kroesen line has led me time and time again to a book, The Croesen Families of America by Warren D. Cruise. (Gateway Press, Baltimore, Maryland 1998). It’s out of print, but locations where to find a copy are at WorldCat (www. worldcat.org).

The nearest one was a few hours away in Boston. I knew I wanted to spend more than a day with this book, so I headed to the Maine State Library in Augusta to see if they could help. A few copies of the book were at other state libraries so I thought an interlibrary loan was possible. I made my request and crossed my fingers.

Several days later I received an email that said it was not available. Perhaps, I could get an index from the book, but that was about it. I was going to be happy with anything, but unbeknownst to me, the staff kept looking.

A couple of weeks later I received another email saying they found a copy of the book from a library in Independence, Missouri and it was on its way to Maine!

The library staff went above and beyond to help me and I couldn’t be more appreciative. As far as research goes, I realize this is an authored source, but I don’t care! This book has history, family group sheets, maps, deeds, wills, and bios from associated families. It is a treasure!

I have written blog posts about my Krewson line. You can read one of them here.

Finally

Libraries are invaluable resources. Whether you need the collections they house, their knowledgeable staff, or the online databases they have, libraries can be a crucial step in a successful genealogy journey!

Genealogy Tip: With so many resources online, don’t forget the brick and mortar sources of genealogy research information. From libraries to historical societies, there’s more to learn than what’s online.

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