When is the last time you checked a nearby county or city public library for the genealogy, history, and newspaper information and databases it offers? Some databases will be available from home and others require an in-person visit. Some helpful databases will be listed in the general section and not in a separate genealogy part. Check to see if there is a local history room or genealogy area. Browse the reference shelves and learn about other resources that may help in your research. Are classes offered?
A few examples to whet your appetite.
1. Washington County, Minnesota. Genealogy Resources. (Check the Washington County Historical Society, too,) https://www.washcolib.org/349/Genealogy-Classes
2. Wichita Public Library, Kansas. Local History and Genealogy. https://www.wichitalibrary.org/Research/LocalHistory
3. Omaha Public Library, Nebraska. Genealogy & Local History Room https://www.wichitalibrary.org/Research/LocalHistory
4. Greenville County Library. South Carolina Room Local History & Genealogy. https://www.wichitalibrary.org/Research/LocalHistory
5. Santa Clara City Library, California. Genealogy & Local History https://www.sclibrary.org/services/genealogy-local-history
© 2025, Paula Stuart-Warren. All rights reserved.
The Local History and Genealogy Room at the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County (NY), a/k/a the Rundel library also has a wonderful collection to do research especially in the upstate NY area. Plus they have the President of the local Rochester Genealogical Society there on a schedule, and the city and county historian’s office is also located there.