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Using Local Libraries and Historical Societies for Genealogy Research

August 27, 2014 by Legacy Tree Genealogists 2 Comments

One of our genealogists shares examples of how local libraries and historical societies can be a great asset for genealogy research. 

Libraries Historical Societies

The Hoyt Public Library in Saginaw, Michigan

In family history research, when it is discovered that a family lived in a particular town for an extensive length of time, contacting the local library and historical society can be a great investment of a genealogist's time and potentially yield great dividends. For instance, when we found that a family lived in Saginaw County, Michigan for over three generations, we looked at the Saginaw County library website to see what resources they offered.  Come to find out, they offer an excellent obituary index compiled from the old local newspapers. We searched the index by the ancestor's surname and came up with nine pertinent obituaries. These obituaries provided priceless information about family members.

Using the Museum in Pennsylvania

For another research project, we found that a family lived in Bristol, Pennsylvania for three generations. We contacted the local museum and the curator was able to answer questions about cemetery locations and provide a detailed history of a still-standing masonic lodge, a building used by the family we were researching.

Cultural Transition in Utah

Libraries Historical Societies
Library in Brigham City, Utah

In another case, the Brigham City (Utah) library had a copy of a master’s thesis wherein the writer explained the culture of the town at the turn of the nineteenth century, shedding light on the actions of a particular family that lived in the town at that time. Also of value was the thesis bibliography that contained a gold mine of otherwise unknown resources.

Marriage Documents in Texas

During other research, a librarian at the Mason County (Texas) Library turned out to be a member of the historical commission who was able to locate a crucial marriage document because she was familiar with what records were available and how to access them. The librarian also scoured other records for mentions of the surname under research, finding additional information. She was also able offer a theory for the actions of a young, nineteenth-century mother, who left her children behind and moved east to the Louisiana/Texas border and died shortly thereafter. Knowing local culture and geography, the librarian explained what probably happened, pointing us in a new direction of research.

Local libraries and historical societies are invaluable resources for gathering genealogy information, as they are staffed by friendly individuals who are passionate about their communities and willing to help disseminate information.

At Legacy Tree Genealogists, we leave no stone unturned when searching family history documents. Leave the sleuthing to us and let us discover and preserve your family stories! Contact us today to request a free quote.

Filed Under: Genealogy & Lineage Societies, Genealogy Records and Resources Tagged With: family history, genealogy, genealogy resources, historical societies, libraries, library, lineage, marriage, record, societies, society

About the Author

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Legacy Tree Genealogists
The team at Legacy Tree Genealogists has been helping clients worldwide discover their roots for 20 years. We're based near the world's largest Family History Library and connected with genealogists and archives around the world, and we love doing what we do! We also love sharing our genealogy tips with our readers.

Comments

  1. Judy McCartt says

    August 17, 2020 at 12:17 pm

    I clicked on “Researching Cherokee Ancestry” and nothing happened.
    Can you tell me how I might do this kind of research. I have a great
    great grandmother who was 1/8 cherokee: Louisa Eliza JC Dawn Brown.
    Born in Morgan Cty., TN and died in Kaufman, TX with a Cherokee tribe.
    I am an old lady myself and it’s my dying wish to find out more about
    this relative of mine. My father mentioned “Dawn” when he left me
    all the information he had on his ancestors. I have found his grandmother
    to have been Minerva Brown McCartt – daughter of Louisa Dawn Brown.
    She died early after birthing 9 children and although I have pictures of
    many of her sisters and brothers, even grandchildren, I have nothing
    about her. I want to do the research but don’t know how to do it. I paid
    forAncestry membership a year ago and found out all that I could. I do
    not want to pay again as I could go no further in my research. Can you
    help me or direct me how to get more information. Can you put me in
    touch with the Morgan Cty. court house or library. I was not born in the
    “computer age” and do not own a Smart phone. I’m running out of energy
    to do all this, but I want so badly to learn more about this family, whom I
    have grown to feel so close to. Can you direct me what to do?
    Judy McCartt Dickson

    Reply
    • Amber - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

      August 24, 2020 at 8:48 am

      Hi Judy. Here is the direct link for the “Researching Cherokee Ancestry” article: http://www.legacytree.com/blog/researching-cherokee-ancestry. The phone number for the Morgan County, Indiana Courthouse is 765-342-1040. Good luck in your research efforts!

      Reply

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