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Boston Public Library
Genealogy -- Searching Family Histories
Electronic Resources

The resources for genealogy available on the Internet are increasing daily. Library catalogs, the Social Security Death Index, bulletin boards and more are just a few clicks away. However, the Internet does not yet replace or duplicate certain important resources such as manuscript church records or early city and town records. The recommended links below can lead the researcher to sources, people and organizations that can assist in the extensive research essential to genealogy. Researching family histories is a time-consuming endeavor, however, the Library has staff and resources to guide you in your search.

If you are just starting out, you may want to read one of our books on how to do family history searching. Check our catalogs for titles. These will teach you about the wide variety of records and documents that exist. We have books that are still printed on paper (some are research books, and some can also be taken home), and we now have electronic books you can read online.

Internet sites
Library catalogs
Specialized reference departments
Library electronic resources and databases
Additional Internet pathfinders

Internet sites

Library catalogs
In the Library's catalogs, search for, and reserve, materials on this subject.
Use netLibrary, the Boston Public Library's ebook full text collection. You can read online such books as "Genealogy Online", "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Genealogy", and others.

Specialized reference departments
The Library's specialized reference departments for this subject are:
Social Sciences Reference
Microtext
Government Documents
     Library staff cannot do genealogical research for you, but the Library provides reference over the telephone 617-536-5400 and electronically.
If you are interested in hiring a professional researcher, you may want to contact the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Library electronic resources
Below are some of the electronic resources the Library subscribes to that cover this topic. For a more complete list of the databases and CD Roms that the Library owns or subscribes to, that may have additional information on this topic, view this list.
     You will usually be required to enter your Metro Boston Library card number for the databases that can be used outside of the Library. These library cards are free. If you are from Massachusetts, and do not already have one of these cards, go to the Massachusetts Library and Information Network (MLIN), and check under "Indexes and Databases" to see if your town/city library card will provide access.

Ancestry Plus Use in Library Get More Information
Biography and Genealogy Master Index Use in Library Use at Home Get More Information
Biography Resource Center Use in Library Use at Home Get More Information
Boston Globe, 1980-
(Newsbank)
Use in Library Use at Home Get More Information
If you are a seven-day a week subscriber to the paper copy of the Boston Globe, you can also use the Boston Globe Archive using the address https://bostonglobe.com/registration/sub/index.asp. They will allow you up to 20 free downloads per month.
Boston Herald, 1997-
(Newsbank)
Use in Library Use at Home Get More Information
Grove Dictionary of Art Online- biographical information Use in Library Get More Information
Grove Dictionary of Music Online- biographical information Use in Library Get More Information


An additional database available on CD-Rom in the Social Sciences Reference Department at the Main Library in Copley Square is:
  • New England Historical and Genealogical Register

  • The New England Historical and Genealogical Register published continually for over a century and a half, contains over 70,000 pages of information touching almost every New England family prior to 1850.

    Additional Internet links/pathfinders for this subject:
  • Librarian's Index to the Internet - Genealogy
  • About.com - Genealogy

         Library staff cannot do genealogical research for you, but the Library provides reference over the telephone 617-536-5400 and electronically.
    If you are interested in hiring a professional researcher, you may want to contact the Association of Professional Genealogists.

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