While most of the resources in this guide are free, some can only be accessed in Memorial Hall Library or by logging in with either a Memorial Hall Library card or a Boston Public Library eCard.*
Scope of the guide
This guide is an evolving selection of useful resources for locating vital records, historical documents and secondary sources. There is a focus on regional archives and research resources. For more information about Memorial Hall Library's genealogical collections and services, please email the Memorial Hall Library Local History Librarian.
Genealogical Records
major repositories of vital records
- American Ancestors (library use only) -- New England Historic Genealogical Society database with records for over 110 million names
- Ancestry.com (library use only) -- over 4 billion vital records
- CDC Where to Write for Vital Records -- national list of vital record registries
- Family Search -- world's largest data set of vital records, free accounts
- Find A Grave -- crowd sourced international cemetery data
- Heritage Quest Online (remote access wtih MHL card) -- street lists, census records,vital records
- JewishGen -- online access to Jewish records and historical documents
- Social Security Death Index
- Ellis Island Passenger Search -- image database of ship manifests
Historical Newspapers
& repositories of other secondary sources
- Andover Advertiser & Townsman -- 1853-1967 online; later years on microform
- Boston Globe (BPL eCard*)
- Boston Post 1831-1922 (BPL eCard*)
- Chronicling America / Library of Congress -- free national repository of digital papers
- Elephind -- free online aggregator of papers worldwide
- Google News Archive
- Irish Times 1859-2015 (BPL eCard*)
- Jewish Advocate 1905-1990 (BPL eCard*)
- Lawrence Eagle Tribune -- 1940 to present on microfilm
- New York Times 1851-2013 (BPL eCard*)
Software & Templates
organize & publish your family tree
- Ancestry.com -- the largest for-profit genealogy company in the world; operates a network of genealogical and historical record websites focused on the United States and nine foreign countries
- Evernote -- a free app for citing, downloading organizing and archiving
- FamilySearch.org
- Google PhotoScan App -- mobile scanning app optimized to correct photo glare
- Fan Chart Template
- Ancestral Chart
Federal, State & Municipal
archives & special collections
Atlases, Maps, Gazetteers
location-based tools
- Atlas of Historical County Boundaries
- BPL Levanthal Map Center
- Bureau of Land Management Land Records
- David Rumsey Map Collection
- Massachusetts Real Estate Atlas Digitization Project
- Historypin -- geocoded maps overlaid with historical maps and/or images
- Library of Congress Map Collection
- Meyer's Gazetteer lists every place name in the Second German Empire (1871-1918). Interactive maps of village locations are linked to basic geographic and government information like jurisdictions, streets and office locations.
- NYPL Map Warper overlays historical maps with current geospatial info
- Online U.S. Atlas of Historical County Boundaries
- What Was There
Interest Groups
local clubs & societies
Boston Public Library eCard
for anyone who lives, works, or owns property in Massachusetts
As the Library for the Commonwealth, the Boston Public Library (BPL) is committed to serving residents throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. One statewide service available to anyone aged 13 or older who lives, works, or owns property in Massachuetts is the BPL eCard. A BPL eCard enables you to access many of the library's digital collections remotely.
Signup is quick and easy. Visit https://bpl.org/ecard to get started.
Research Guides, Blogs & Newsletters
tips from the experts
- Dear Myrtle
- Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter
- Family History Research Wiki
- National Archives Research Guide -- Sign in for a free guest account to access videos, webinars and dozens of topical research guides.
University of Michigan Genealogy LibGuide
Cyndi's List - Newberry Library Research Guide
- New England Historical Genealogical Society Education Resources