2. Libraries and Archives…
…are a great resource for genealogists. But
remember that most of the materials
available in libraries and archives are
secondary sources, written or compiled many
years after the time of an event. Information
found in secondary sources should,
whenever possible, be verified in primary
sources.
3. GENERAL RESEARCH TIPS:
(Original guidelines from George Eastman)
Employees of libraries are there to help you use the
library’s resources, NOT to do your research.
Familiarize yourself with the library; its physical set-
up, bathroom facilities, location of copiers and prices
for copies, the library’s policies, hours and
restrictions.
Bring your own pencils, paper, paper clips, change
for the copier and other supplies.
Check the online catalog from home to help identify
which materials will be useful.
Ask how to use the microfilm reader.
4. GENERAL RESEARCH TIPS, continued
Please don’t bring children with you when you
research genealogy. This applies to reluctant
spouses, too.
Realize that you cannot research all your relatives in
one day. Prioritize your searches.
DON'T put the books and microfilm away.
Thank the librarian for his/her help. I can guarantee
they are not in this career for the money.
Just because something is in print, does not mean it
is true!
5. Types of Resources Available
General Reference
Indexes
Family Histories
Regional histories
Military history
Newspapers
Magazines & newsletters
Genealogy blogs & online newsletters
6. Types of Libraries and Archives
Public libraries
University libraries
Historical and Genealogical libraries
State and national libraries
Family History Library and Family History
Centers
7. Public Libraries
Small local libraries
– general genealogy information
– local community families & history.
Larger public libraries can have quite extensive
genealogy collections.
Even if your local public library does not have what
you need, they may be able to obtain it for you
through interlibrary loan (ILL.)
– Local history materials do not circulate and therefore aren’t
available for ILL.
– But if the book is indexed and if specific surnames are needed,
most libraries will photocopy the necessary information.
8. To find library materials…
WorldCatalog – www.worldcat.org
Largest network of library collections and services.
Shows which libraries own the material you want.
Order the material through your local library’s
catalog or request through interlibrary loan. You
CANNOT order directly through WorldCat at MCDL.
Create a personal profile that tells others of your
interests, create lists of materials, or post reviews of
materials.
9. World Catalog, continued
Find research articles, books, audio/video media.
For genealogists;
– Family histories
– Family Bibles
– Diaries or journals
– County and state histories
– Atlases
– Autobiographies
– Government records
– Meeting minutes or proceedings
– Indexes to birth, death and marriage records
– Church histories
10. Some GREAT public libraries:
Cleveland Public Library
Cuyahoga County Public Library
http://www.cuyahoga.lib.oh.us/genealogyexpert.aspx
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Allen County Public Library
http://www.genealogycenter.org/Home.aspx
Newberry Library
11. University Libraries
University libraries can be an unexpected
source for local, regional and state histories.
They will lend many materials that public
libraries will not. They are also more likely to
charge to interlibrary loan materials.
12. Ohio Network of American History
Research Centers
As the archives administrator for the state of Ohio,
the Ohio Historical Society organized the Ohio
Network of American History Research Centers in
the 1970’s to provide for the preservation of
historically valuable local government records.
http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/lgr/networkl.html
http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/lgr/NetMap.pdf
13.
14. Ohio Network of American History
Research Centers
University of Akron
Bowling Green State University
University of Cincinnati
Ohio Historical Society
Western Reserve Historical Society
Wright State University
Youngstown Historical Center of Industry &
Labor
15. Historical and Genealogical Society
Libraries
Local historical and genealogical societies can
have very fine collections relating to their
community.
State historical societies will have collections
covering the entire state.
Some regional historical societies have national
reputations for their excellence, i.e. New
England Historic Genealogical Society , the
Western Reserve Historical Society and the
National Society Daughters of the American
Revolution (DAR.)
16. DAR Library
Daughters of the American Revolution is one
of the nation's premier genealogical research
centers.
The Library's book collection numbers over
150,000 volumes with approximately 5,000
new titles added to the Library each year.
They are working hard to make their
collection more accessible.
http://www.dar.org/library/
17. Western Reserve Historical Society
Is one of the largest genealogical collections
in America;
Strong in original records for northeast Ohio,
but covers all of Ohio.
It includes family and local histories, atlases,
newspapers, census microfilm, city
directories, many New England materials
http://www.wrhs.org/
18. Ohio Genealogical Society Library
OGS is the largest state genealogical society
in the U.S.
Their library has local and county histories,
family histories, family Bible records,
cemetery records, atlases, city directories,
heritage society application papers,
Ancestral Card File, genealogy periodicals
www.ogs.org
19. Ohio Historical Society Library
Has Ohio newspapers, Ohio Death
Records Index, 1913-1944,
manuscripts, genealogies, Ohio Vital
Records, military records.
Reduced budget, staffing and hours.
http://www.ohiohistory.org/
20. Local Historical & Genealogical
Societies
Often have family and local history
collections.
Finding what they have and where they are
located can be more challenging.
Directory of Genealogical and Historical
Societies, Libraries and Periodicals in the US
and Canada R929.2 DIR
21. State and National Libraries
Each state maintains a library or archive that houses
the records that pertain to the state and its
government.
These holdings may include state censuses, state
military, naturalization or passenger records. The
material varies greatly from state to state.
22. Library of Congress
The Library of Congress has one of the
world's premier collections of U.S. and
foreign genealogical and local historical
publications.
The Library is rich in collections of
manuscripts, microfilms, newspapers,
photographs, maps, and published material.
http://www.loc.gov/index.html
23. National Archives
The National Archives is the repository of textual and
microfilm records relating to genealogy, census,
Revolutionary and Civil War Pensions, American
Indians, pre-World War II military, the District of
Columbia, the Federal Courts, and Congress.
The National Archives has 16 regional facilities that
house the complete federal census and any unique
records for the geographical area it serves.
http://archives.gov/
24. Family History Library
and Family History Centers
Because of their belief in the eternal nature of
families, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints has gathered genealogical records from all
over the world to assist their members in identifying
their ancestors.
The main repository of these records is the Family
History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Family History Centers provide local access to these
microfilms.
25. Family History Centers, continued…
In the last couple of years, the Family History Library
has been working hard to make many of these
records available on their web site.
You can search the records at their web site:
www.familysearch.org
For records not yet added to their web site, the
Family History Centers provide local access to many
of these materials through an interlibrary loan
service. Currently, they charge $7.50 per reel
There is a Family History Center at Granger and
Windfall Rd.
