Genealogy.com - If you are a brand-new genealogist or need a refresher course, this is a great place to learn the basics of hunting for ancestors
Introduction to Genealogy - Free, Interactive Online Course
Learn how to research your family history for free with fellow classmates from around the world.
Rootsweb.com - The primary purpose and function of RootsWeb.com is to connect people so that they can help each other and share genealogical research. Whether you're just starting out or you've been doing genealogy forever, here are some useful general information files.
General Genealogy Websites:
The American Family Immigration History Center - This database provides information on 22 million immigrants and ship's crews who arrived at Ellis Island and the Port of New York between 1898 and 1924. Searchable by name, including alternate spelling, results provide date of arrival, age, marital status, ethnicity, residence, gender, ship, and port of departure. Information on each ship and ship manifests are also available.
Ancestry.com - A commercial site with genealogical information, such as how to search for family records and create a family tree, and many message boards and other ways to share information. Most other features require a paid subscription.
Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter - This weekly e-newsletter is essential reading by all genealogical librarians. Current information, trends, and reviews of reference materials make it a valued resource.
Family History Library -
The largest genealogical society in the world. You can access their card catalog and key databases online. If you only go to one site, this is it. It is packed with information, indexes, and practical tools. Included is the complete SourceGuide™ with hundreds of finding aids and research papers.
Family Tree Maker - Includes how-to articles, extensive annotated directory of related internet resources, research services and much more.
ROOTS-L Home Page -
Genealogy discussion list Web site. Contains: the ROOTS-L library, with hundreds of files, including how to obtain vital records, useful tips for beginners, book lists, etc.; the Roots Surname List or RSL, a list of over 900,000 surnames and contact information for the almost 100,000 people researching them; GENSERV, a massive database comprised of the GEDCOMs of over 11,000 submitters; the U. S. Civil War Units file; United States Resources: A Web page for every state in the United States, with links to genealogical and historical resources; and the ROOT-L archives, searchable
RootsWeb.com - Billing itself as "The Oldest & Largest FREE Genealogy Site," RootsWeb includes search engines and databases, family trees (over 70 million names), surname and geographical mailing lists, and message boards.
Social Security Death Index -
The Social Security Death File Index is a basic source for assisting genealogists. Searches can be limited by city, county, or state and even modified by birth year, month, or day. Useful for beginning or advanced researchers.
US Genweb Project - Links to all the state genealogy web sites, special archiving projects on census, cemetery tombstones, guides to doing research
The WorldGenWeb Project -
This online resource for international genealogists "is a non-profit, volunteer based organization dedicated to providing genealogical and historical records and resources for world-wide access." Divided into eleven world regions, it is searchable by countries, provinces, states, and other administrative divisions.
Libraries/Research sites:
Allen County Library - One of the largest genealogical collections in the country. Genealogists from around the country regularly go on organized trips to the Allen County Library.
NARA Genealogy - A source for archival research and genealogy.
National Archives and Records Administration, Genealogy Page -
This outstanding site is packed with genealogical tips, guides, and practical information for obtaining federal records (census, military, passenger lists, etc.) as well as indexes like the Index to all Veterans Who Died in the Korean War, which is searchable by name or by state.
Newberry Library -
An independent research library open to the public, the Newberry Library in Chicago serves over 10,000 people annually. The library is known for its extensive genealogy materials, as well as its collections on the history and literature of Western Europe and the Americas.
Pollard Memorial Library - Our reference/local history staff is knowledgeable and eager to help you with your genealogy research either on site or long distance. Check our website for additional information.
Books at Pollard Memorial Library to get you started:
Allen, Desmond Wall. First Steps in Genealogy: a beginner's guide to researching your family history - S.C. 929.1 ALL
Carmack, Sharon DeBartolo. A Genealogist's guide to discovering your female ancestors: special strategies for uncovering hard-to-find information about your female lineage - S.C. 929.108 CAR
Croom, Emily Anne. Unpuzzling your past: the best-selling basic guide to genealogy - S.C. 929.1072 CRO
Richley, Pat. The everything on-line genealogy Book: use the web to discover long lost relations, trace your family tree back to royalty, and share your history with far flung cousins - S.C. 929.10285 RIC
Rose, Christine and Ingalls, Kay Germain. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy - S.C. 929.1 ROS Ref
Warren, Paula Stuart. Your guide to the Family History Library - S.C. 026.9292 WAR
Magazines available at Pollard Memorial Library:
Ancestry - published bimonthly
Heritage Quest - published bimonthly
Lowell Offering - October 1840-December 1845 (microfilm)
New England Ancestors - 6 issues a year
New England Historical and Genealogical Register - published quarterly
Sample of newspapers on microfilm-(check with our Reference Staff for others):
American Citizen - 5/20/1854-5/1862
Centralville News - 5/5/1916-11/3/1916
Chelmsford Phoenix - 6/28/1825-2/24/1826
Evening Star - 3/31/1890-9/19/1896
L'Etoile - 9/16/1886-4/7/1899
Le National - 6/13/1890-10/4/1895
Lowell Advertiser/Lowell Evening Advertiser - January 1838-December 1862