October is Family History Month and there’s no better time to learn about your family’s history. The library has several great resources that can help you get started!
Are you new to genealogy research? It can be very intimidating to figure out how to begin your search. That’s why the library has several resources just for beginners. We offer a free genealogy basics course online through Gale Courses. Prefer to meet with someone in person? You can visit your nearest reference librarian to ask questions about starting your research or join the St. Tammany Genealogical Society to attend informational presentations and mingle with others who are interested in genealogy.
If you’re already familiar with genealogy research, the library still has a lot to offer. We have several online resources that you can use either in the library or from home. A few of our most popular resources are listed below:
- AmericanAncestors.Org – Provides access to more than 1.4 billion records that covers over twenty-two countries and includes an extensive online collection of early American genealogical records and the largest collection of U.S Catholic records online.
- Ancestry Library Edition – This resource gives you access to over 7,000 databases filled with censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, directories, photos, maps and more. Ancestry is currently available from home for library users until the end of December.
- Fold3 – Our newest online resource, Fold3, provides access to over 440 million records from the American Revolutionary War up to recent conflicts. It includes military records, stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served.
- Heritage Quest – Contains a collection of 4.4 billion records comprised of census records, local histories and compiled genealogies, city directories, will and probate records and other primary resources.
If you would like to learn more about the resources and services that the library can provide for family history research, feel free to make an appointment with us. Researching your family history can be a long, but rewarding hobby and we’d love the opportunity to assist you!
