Genealogy Online
Below you will find a list of links to genealogy resources that may be helpful to your research:
***TEMPORARY ACCESS TO ANCESTRY FROM HOME UNTIL June 30, 2021 (click here)***
National & International Genealogy Databases (free unless otherwise noted):
Ancestry Library Edition
The Library is very pleased to offer the use of Ancestry Library Edition to patrons and visitors! This database provides unprecedented access to your family history, with over 7,000 databases of historical documents and family trees from North America, the U.K., Europe, Australia, and more. Ancestry Library Edition is free to use, but can only be accessed at the Library, so stop by today and give it a try!
Castle Garden Immigration Records
Find information for over 10 million immigrants who passed through the port of New York at Castle Garden from 1830 through 1892, the year Ellis Island opened.
Chronicling America
Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1836-1922 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress.
Cyndi's List
A comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online.
Ellis Island Immigration Records
Find information for over 22 million immigrants who entered the port of New York at Ellis Island from 1892 to 1924.
FamilySearch
A comprehensive site for vital records, U.S. Census records, church records and much more from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. New records are constantly being added and indexed, so check back frequently.
Find A Grave
This website provides information about famous and non-famous graves from around the world. American cemeteries are organized by state and county. Many cemetery records contain Google maps (with GPS coordinates) and photographs of the cemeteries. Individual grave records, provided by volunteer contributors, contain some or all of the following data dates and places of birth and death, biographical information, plot information, photos (grave marker, the individual, etc.), and contributor information.
Historic Map Works
A database of digitized historic maps from North America and the world. Many old township plat maps are useful for locating old family farms, etc. Searching and viewing the maps is free.
Rootsweb
A genealogy community that uses online forums, mailing lists, and other resources to help people research their family history. Founded in 1993 as the Roots Surname List, it is the oldest free online community genealogy research website. Users can upload GEDCOM files of their information for others to search at the WorldConnect portion of the site. Trees uploaded to WorldConnect are searchable at both the RootsWeb and Ancestry websites.
U.S Bureau of Land Management (BLM) General Office Records
Provides access to Federal land conveyance records for the Public Land States, including image access to more than five million Federal land title records issued between 1820 and the present. Also includes images related to survey plats and field notes, dating back to 1810.
U.S. GenWeb Project
The U.S. GenWeb Project, maintained by volunteers, provides genealogy resource websites specific to each state, and also each county in each state. Some websites are chock full of information and links, others not so much. But it’s definitely worth taking a look.
National & International Genealogy Databases (free unless otherwise noted):
Ancestry Library Edition
The Library is very pleased to offer the use of Ancestry Library Edition to patrons and visitors! This database provides unprecedented access to your family history, with over 7,000 databases of historical documents and family trees from North America, the U.K., Europe, Australia, and more. Ancestry Library Edition is free to use, but can only be accessed at the Library, so stop by today and give it a try!
Castle Garden Immigration Records
Find information for over 10 million immigrants who passed through the port of New York at Castle Garden from 1830 through 1892, the year Ellis Island opened.
Chronicling America
Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1836-1922 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress.
Cyndi's List
A comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online.
Ellis Island Immigration Records
Find information for over 22 million immigrants who entered the port of New York at Ellis Island from 1892 to 1924.
FamilySearch
A comprehensive site for vital records, U.S. Census records, church records and much more from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. New records are constantly being added and indexed, so check back frequently.
Find A Grave
This website provides information about famous and non-famous graves from around the world. American cemeteries are organized by state and county. Many cemetery records contain Google maps (with GPS coordinates) and photographs of the cemeteries. Individual grave records, provided by volunteer contributors, contain some or all of the following data dates and places of birth and death, biographical information, plot information, photos (grave marker, the individual, etc.), and contributor information.
Historic Map Works
A database of digitized historic maps from North America and the world. Many old township plat maps are useful for locating old family farms, etc. Searching and viewing the maps is free.
Rootsweb
A genealogy community that uses online forums, mailing lists, and other resources to help people research their family history. Founded in 1993 as the Roots Surname List, it is the oldest free online community genealogy research website. Users can upload GEDCOM files of their information for others to search at the WorldConnect portion of the site. Trees uploaded to WorldConnect are searchable at both the RootsWeb and Ancestry websites.
U.S Bureau of Land Management (BLM) General Office Records
Provides access to Federal land conveyance records for the Public Land States, including image access to more than five million Federal land title records issued between 1820 and the present. Also includes images related to survey plats and field notes, dating back to 1810.
U.S. GenWeb Project
The U.S. GenWeb Project, maintained by volunteers, provides genealogy resource websites specific to each state, and also each county in each state. Some websites are chock full of information and links, others not so much. But it’s definitely worth taking a look.
Local Resources:
County Histories
The Michigan County Histories and Atlases Digitization Project is comprised of 428 digitized titles (many composed of multiple volumes) published before 1923. The collection offers all members of the community free keyword searching and page-by-page access to digitized reproductions of Michigan county histories and atlases as a resource for historical and genealogical research.
Michigan Genealogical Council Research Tools
A list of links to mostly non-commercial Michigan-related genealogical sites.
Michigan GenWeb
Like the U.S. GenWeb Project, but specific to Michigan. It is maintained by volunteers, provides genealogy resource websites specific to Michigan and also links to the GenWeb page for each county in Michigan. Some websites are chock full of information and links, others not so much. But it’s definitely worth taking a look.
Seeking Michigan
Seeking Michigan is a growing digital collection of unique historical information including source documents, maps, films, images, oral histories and artifacts; Michigan death records from 1897 to 1920 are of particular interest. Whether they are interested in Civil War records, photographs, architecture, music, photography or family history, Michigan enthusiasts are sure to discover a brand new side to Michigan through this unique online resource, a collaboration between the Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan.
Vital Records
Information and links for ordering birth, marriage, death and divorce records in Michigan.
Brighton District Library, Brighton Room (Genealogy & Local History)
Links to databases and information about genealogical resources available at the Brighton District Library.
Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County (GSWC)
This website offers some free databases and some that are available only to GSWC members.
Washtenaw County GenWeb Project
Searchable volunteer-maintained website with genealogical resources specifically for Washtenaw County.
Washtenaw County Historical Society
This website includes digitized and indexed images of the WCHS newsletter, Washtenaw Impressions, from 1943 to 2009.
County Histories
The Michigan County Histories and Atlases Digitization Project is comprised of 428 digitized titles (many composed of multiple volumes) published before 1923. The collection offers all members of the community free keyword searching and page-by-page access to digitized reproductions of Michigan county histories and atlases as a resource for historical and genealogical research.
Michigan Genealogical Council Research Tools
A list of links to mostly non-commercial Michigan-related genealogical sites.
Michigan GenWeb
Like the U.S. GenWeb Project, but specific to Michigan. It is maintained by volunteers, provides genealogy resource websites specific to Michigan and also links to the GenWeb page for each county in Michigan. Some websites are chock full of information and links, others not so much. But it’s definitely worth taking a look.
Seeking Michigan
Seeking Michigan is a growing digital collection of unique historical information including source documents, maps, films, images, oral histories and artifacts; Michigan death records from 1897 to 1920 are of particular interest. Whether they are interested in Civil War records, photographs, architecture, music, photography or family history, Michigan enthusiasts are sure to discover a brand new side to Michigan through this unique online resource, a collaboration between the Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan.
Vital Records
Information and links for ordering birth, marriage, death and divorce records in Michigan.
Brighton District Library, Brighton Room (Genealogy & Local History)
Links to databases and information about genealogical resources available at the Brighton District Library.
Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County (GSWC)
This website offers some free databases and some that are available only to GSWC members.
Washtenaw County GenWeb Project
Searchable volunteer-maintained website with genealogical resources specifically for Washtenaw County.
Washtenaw County Historical Society
This website includes digitized and indexed images of the WCHS newsletter, Washtenaw Impressions, from 1943 to 2009.
