GENEALOGY RESOURCES

Research Databases

Ancestry Library Edition (In-Library Use Only)
Ancestry Library Edition provides easy access to more than 4,000 genealogy databases with a single search. Coverage focuses primarily on the United States and the United Kingdom, although other areas are covered. Databases include the complete U.S. Census & Index (1790-1930), vital, church, court, and immigration records. The Map Center contains more than 1,000 historical maps. Other notable collections includeDaughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books; Social Security Death Index (updated monthly); WWI Draft Registration Cards; Federal Slave Narratives; and a strong Civil War collection. Databases are updated continuously as new information becomes available.

HeritageQuest Online
HeritageQuest features the U. S. Census, 1790-1930 (1850-60 Slave Census Schedules not included), The Periodical Source Index (PERSI), A digitized collection of more than 25,000 family and local history books, Records from the Revolutionary War Era Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files and Freedman’s Bank Records (1865-1874).

Newspaper Source (EBSCOhost)
Newspaper Source provides selected full text for 25 national (U.S.) and international newspapers. The database also contains full text television & radio news transcripts, and selected full text for more than 200 regional (U.S.) newspapers. This database is updated daily via EBSCOhost.

Reference USA
Directory information for 11 million U.S. businesses and 120 million U.S. households. Search for businesses by SIC code, sales volume number of employees and more. Search for residence directory information by name, location or phone number.

Websites: Local Resources

Morgan Library of Ohio Index
Use the Morgan Library’s online “Index of Ohio People, Businesses and Institutions” to find names listed in a variety of historical Ohio publications.

Ohio Death Certificate Index
The Ohio History Connection’s Searchable Database

Ohio Obituary Index & Marriage Notice Index
An index to over 1,500,000 obituaries, death & marriage notices from a variety of Ohio sources covering the 1810s to the present day.

Western Reserve Historical Society
WRHS’s Library and Archives feature more than 20 million manuscripts for genealogical research and research on Northeast Ohio history.

Websites: General Resources

Cyndi’s List
260,000 genealogy links, organized into 180 categories and cross-referenced.

Ellis Island Records
Search this site for passengers who came to the U.S. through Ellis Island.

Family Search
Beginners guides & research guidance, as well as free genealogy records and resources from around the world.

Genealogy Relationship Chart
Use this chart to determine how two people in a family are related to each other.

Genealogy Research at the National Archives
This is the starting point for records relating to immigration, military service and more.

National Obituary Archive
A repository of 50 million obituaries provided by funeral homes from around the country.

Online Searchable Death Indexes & Records
A directory of online death indexes listed by state and county.

Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness
This volunteer organization provides help with specific genealogy requests as outlined in their guidelines.

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database
Features a database of more than 67,000 Africans who were transported on slave ships, searchable by name, age, gender, origin, and place of embarkation.

U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) Genealogy Research Service
A fee-based service for locating historical immigration and naturalization records.

VitalChek Express Certificate Service
This company will obtain vital records (birth, death, etc.) for a fee. You can save money by obtaining the records yourself using the information found in the “Where to Write for Vital Records” website.

Where to Write for Vital Records in the United States
Information on how to obtain birth, death, marriage and divorce records from throughout the U.S.