Libraries for Genealogical Research

The types of libraries vary considerably. Among those you will use are the following:

• Public and private libraries
• Genealogical and historical society libraries
• Lending libraries
• University and college libraries
• Ethnic and religious libraries
• Lineage society libraries

Public and Private Libraries

Public libraries can be very small on the local level or very large on the state level. Most public libraries have materials that can be loaned out, though that service may be restricted to residents. Usually reference books, which may include genealogical material (or fragile or irreplaceable books), are not allowed out of the library. In private libraries some collections are severely restricted in use. In those, manuscripts can usually only be accessed by certain individuals, though their librarians may assist by mail. However, many private libraries do make their collections personally accessible to the general public.

Genealogical and Historical Society Libraries

The genealogical or historical society library may be public, or it may be the private collection of a particular group. If it is the latter, restrictions may apply and a small fee charged for its use. In some cases, members have open stack privileges, whereas nonmembers do not. If it is closed stack, the books must be requested and then retrieved by the staff. There can be a delay (usually 15 minutes to an hour) before the book is delivered. Most libraries that are considered closed stack do have some of their more commonly requested books available on shelves.

Lending Libraries

Genealogy libraries usually do not allow patrons to borrow the books, but there are exceptions. California's Sutro Library in San Francisco, for example, will allow some books out on interlibrary loan. Go to www.library.ca.gov and follow links. The large collection at the St. Louis County Library in St. Louis, Missouri, (which now includes most of the volumes from the old National Genealogical Society Library of Arlington, Virginia) will lend many materials. Visit their website at www.slcl.lib.mo.us. There are others. Ask the reference librarian in your own local library for assistance in ordering from other libraries. Borrowed materials normally must be used in the requesting library.

Though interlibrary loan is an advantage for those who cannot travel, the disadvantage can be that the book you want to view may be out on loan when you arrive. To avoid disappointment, call the library before making a long trip. If you are interested in borrowing books by mail, examine the list of lending libraries in Elizabeth Petty Bentley's The Genealogical Address Book. Sometimes loan privileges are based on membership to a society, while others may loan for a small fee. Some also lend microfilm or microfiche.

University and College Libraries

Among the least-used libraries in genealogy are those of the universities and colleges, though they hold some of our richest resources. In the Colson Library, University of West Virginia, I located fragments of an original deed that had not been recorded. This indisputably proved the parentage of a Virginian born in the mid-1750s. At the Bancroft Library at the University of California in Berkeley, I was thrilled to hold an account book written in the 1700s giving valuable information on the Thomas Jefferson family.

Almost all universities have websites describing their collections. Within those descriptions you'll find extraordinary websites such as “Making of America” (MOA), a joint effort of the University of Michigan and Cornell University. MOA brings us a digital library of thousands of volumes. Among them are images from the two multi-volume series Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion (1894-1922) and The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (1880-1901).

Locate them at http://cdl.library.cornell.edu and click on “browse.” Once there, scroll down to the mentioned series. Enter a name, click, and presto!—view the actual page. This is just the “tip of the iceberg” of exciting finds at university sites. Collections such as these, available with a few strokes of our fingers, awakens us to the power of the Web to truly put “flesh on the bones” of our forebears.

Family History Library

The Family History Library (FHL) is maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) in Salt Lake City. As a result of their religious convictions, their genealogical collection is immense and worldwide. It is not limited to use by members of the church; the materials are available for research by anyone. Their library catalog and other computer projects make access to many of their records relatively easy. They maintain hundreds of Family History Centers across the country. Anyone can order microfilm for use in these branches.

The Family History Library's FamilySearch is an enormous collection of several genealogical databases. It includes the Family History Department's Ancestral File (data collected from church members and others), their International Genealogical Index (an international personal-name database of birth, christenings, and marriages about persons now deceased), and others. These are updated regularly.

One of the most useful segments of FamilySearch is the Family History Library Catalog with its listings of their extensive microfilm holdings. Most microfilm rolls can be borrowed for a nominal fee through your local Family History Center. You'll find microfilm for deeds, probate records, vital records, civil records, and much more, worldwide.

Other Magnificent Collections

The Allen County [Indiana] Public Library at Ft. Wayne houses one of the largest collections of genealogy material in the United States. For years they have systematically added to their holdings, which are considered same of the finest in the country. Their strong collection of periodicals resulted in the development of the PERSI index previously described. Additionally, many thousands of genealogy books are available on their shelves.

Other major collections are the New England Historic Genealogical Society Library in Boston, Massachusetts (www.newenglandancestors.org), and the New York Public Library in New York City (www.nypl.org), the Historical Society of Wisconsin Library in Madison, Wisconsin (www.wisconsinhistory.org), the St. Louis County Public Library in St. Louis, Missouri (www.slcl.lib.mo.us), and others. Their already extensive collections continue to grow as interest in genealogy escalates.

Religious and Ethnic Libraries

Some churches and ethnic groups maintain libraries and archives. Their hours may be limited, so inquire ahead of time if you plan to visit. Check with your local reference librarian for guides that will lead to the location of many church archives. Also go to www.cyndislist.com and scroll to “Religions & Churches.” Alternately, insert the name of the denomination in your browser, and add the word “archives” for listings. Enormous amounts of information exist on the websites—general background on the religion, descriptions of their library holdings, and perhaps even actual images of records. A few of the websites follow:

• Baptist: The Northern Baptist Historical Library and Archives at www.sbhla.org/archives.htm. Included is a list of microfilmed church records available for purchase. And they have a photo gallery and brief biographies.
• Catholic: cyndislist.com has links to websites of dioceses and archdioceses not only in the United States, but also in the world. One useful website is http://home.att.net/~Local_Catholic. This includes a guide to type and location of records, biographies, history, and others.
• Huguenot: The National Huguenot Society's website can be accessed at www.huguenot.netnation.com/general. The Huguenot Society of Great Britain and Ireland is at www.huguenotsociety.org.uk/resources. These sites include such informative material such as “Who Were the Huguenots,” “Important Dates in Huguenot History,” addresses of collections, and other aids.
• Jewish: The American Jewish Archives at www.americanjewisharchives.org/intro.html, and “Reading Hebrew Tombstones” at www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/tombstones.html are both helpful.
• Lutheran: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has a website at www.elca.org/library/library.html. The Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia can be accessed at www.ltsp.edu/krauth/archives.html. These include links to other sites.
• Mennonite: The Mennonite Archives is available at www.mcusa-archives.org. Included is an amazing collection of “Mennobits,” obituaries of thousands with a search feature. Try also www.ristenbatt.com/genealogy/mennonit.htm for background and links, and even tombstone inscriptions in a number of cemeteries.
• Methodist: The Methodist Archives & Research Center (England) at the John Rylands University Library of Manchester is at http://rylibweb.man.ac.uk/data1/dg/text/method.html. The United Methodist Archives at www.gcah.org is another of the sundry Methodist research sites available online.
• Presbyterian: Presbyterian Historical Society at www.history.pcusa.org is a good place to start. Once there, click on “Presbyterians in America” for a number of good links including a brief history of the Presbyterian Church in this country, a Presbyterian timeline, and others.
• Quaker: The Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania at www.swarthmore. edu/library/friends includes explanations of Monthly Meetings, description of the kinds of records Quakers kept, which monthly meeting to search, and more. Many other Quaker websites are available—enter “Quaker” in your browser and off you go!

Lineage Society Libraries

The best-known and most extensive library in this category is the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Library in Washington, D.C. Members of the NSDAR can use the library at no charge; others pay a small daily fee. It has considerable material, including Bible records submitted in support of applications. Go to their website at www.dar.org. An awesome database at their site at http://members.dar.org/dar/darnet.cfm indexes thousands of records in their Genealogical Records Collection (GRC). Use the search engine provided after you've read the “Index Overview” at the site. Check also Eric Grundset's American Genealogical Research at the DAR—it will provide many tips for successfully using this library.

Besides the well-known DAR Library, there are also others.

The Library of Congress

The Library of Congress has a genealogy department, but don't stop there. Look for their rare books section, the newspaper collection and finding aids, photographs, and the map section; all will be important in your search. Consult James C. Neagles' The Library of Congress: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research for some understanding of the vast facilities.

And don't overlook the Library of Congress's extensive website at www.loc.gov. There is much of interest here, but especially, click on “American Memory” for a seemingly endless well of genealogical treasures. Photographs, images, sounds, background information, taped interviews (such as those with many former slaves), and much more.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy © 2005 by Christine Rose and Kay Germain Ingalls. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

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