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Genealogy
Resources | Databases | Web sites
Resources
In addition to online resources, Cook’s collection includes circulating books for beginning genealogists. Research materials are available in the Genealogy Reference collection. This small but growing collection (1000+ books, 30+ periodical subscriptions) is particularly strong in materials relating to DAR./Revolutionary War research and immigration/passenger lists, particularly from Germany.
Please note: Until our renovated Cook Park location opens in August, 2010, these materials are being stored at a warehouse. To see specific items, please call the library adult reference desk (847-362-2330). The items can be delivered to our Temporary Library Center at 114 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville for your use.
 Genealogy Networking Group
During construction at Cook Park, our networking group will not meet on a regular basis. To stay informed about field trips and programs, subscribe to receive our Genealogy e-Newsletter via email. The newsletter also spotlights outstanding genealogy websites, tips and new library resources for family history research.
Obituary Collection
The library also holds microfilm of the local Independent Register newspaper back to 1894. In an ongoing project, Obituaries are listed from the library’s microfilm of the Independent Register. To obtain a copy of a listed obituary, please send the relevant information (name and date) along with a SASE and $5 per obituary to:
Sonia Schoenfield
Reference Department
Cook Memorial Public Library
413 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Libertyville, IL 60048
For more information please contact the Library’s Reference Desk at 847-362-2330 or likref@cooklib.org.
Databases
The following databases are available for use by anyone at Cook Library. Cook patrons may also access Heritage Quest from home by entering a Cook Library card number.
Access Newspaper Archive (in library use only)
Use this archive to view, save and print articles dating from 1759 to 1977 from smaller newspapers. The collection is far from complete, but a rich resource for some areas. Use the Advanced Search to see if a newspaper from a specific city is included.
Ancestry Library Edition (in library use only)
Access to more than 4,000 databases and 1.5 billion names. Included are the digitized images of the U.S. Federal Census from 1790 forward, vital, church, court, and immigration records, as well as record collections from Canada and other areas.
Genline (in library use only)
The premier database for Swedish genealogy, Genline's Swedish Church Records archive consists of digitized photographic quality images scanned from microfilm of the original church records from the 16th-20th century. These records include births, deaths, marriages, confirmations, moving in and out records, and household examinations.
Heritage Quest
Census data, family records, local histories and the PERSI magazine index. This collection assembles every extant U.S. federal census, banking and military records, genealogies, primary source materials, and genealogical and local history serials.
New England Ancestors (in library use at Cook Park only)
Hundreds of searchable databases including vital records, cemetery transcriptions,marriage and death indexes, family histories and more.
New York Times (Historical)
The complete paper—cover-to-cover— from its first issue in 1851 up to 2002. Good source for immigration information.
Sanborn Maps of Illinois
Large scale plans of a city or town drawn to the scale of 50 feet to an inch. Search the archive of maps from 1867-1970. Available in library only.
Web sites
The following Web sites are recommended by Cook Memorial librarians for the quality of their content.
Getting started | Essential Sites | Immigration | Libraries | Maps
Military | Shortcuts, Tips and Fun Sites | Societies
Getting started
Suggestions for Beginning Genealogists Tips from the Connecticut State Library.
Genealogy tutorials Free online classes from Genealogy.com.
Genealogists beware! Learn the promises and pitfalls of online genealogy from these three articles:
Beyond the keyboard
Evaluating material found on the Internet
The use and abuses of online genealogy
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Essential sites
Cyndi’s list This site categorizes genealogy web sites in several ways.
Family Search (LDS) Hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Search through their catalog to find material at the Family History Library which can be used at any Family History Center.
USGenWeb Useful for finding resources in a particular state or county.
Linkpendium-Rootsweb An alternate site for finding resources in a geographical area.
Rootsweb Mailing lists, message boards, web sites, and a great “Getting Started” section.
Illinois State Archives See the wide varietey of records available in the state archives, online, and by mail, email, fax, or phone.
General Land Office records Indexes of federal land records, with some record images.
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Immigration
Ellis Island Search the manifests of ships that brought immigrants to Ellis Island from 1872 to 1924.
Searching Passenger Lists in One Step
Finding Passenger Lists 1820 to the 1940’s A great introduction to looking for passenger lists.
Bremen Passenger Lists Passenger lists of emigrants from Bremen , 1920 – 1939.
Hamburg Departure Lists Search the records of passengers who departed from Hamburg for free; complete information will be sent for a fee.
Indexes of Canadian Ports The National Archives of Canada holds immigration records from 1865 to 1935.
Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild A volunteer project to put passenger lists online.
A Guide to Interpreting Passenger List Annotations A comprehensive reference guide to interpreting the markings, or annotations, found on immigration passenger lists.
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Libraries and Archives
Allen County Public Library, Ft. Wayne, Indiana This public library houses one of the Midwest ’s largest genealogy collections.
Family History Centers A listing of LDS Family History Centers.
Illinois Regional Archives (IRAD) The regional despository system of the State Archives houses county and local government records: births, deaths, marriages, land records, court records and much more.
Illinois State Archives online databases Search the many online databases for Illinois genealogical information.
Illinois State Historical Library Search the catalog of the state historical library which collects material on all aspects of Illinois history, including manuscripts, maps, newspapers, and other published resources.
National Archives in Chicago Maintains retired records from Federal agencies and courts in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Newberry Library Click on “Genealogy” for extensive information about the library’s genealogy collection, how to plan a visit, and general guides for genealogy research.
Nearby libraries with genealogy collections:
Arlington Heights Memorial Library
500 North Dunton Avenue
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Fremont Public Library District Houses the Lake County Genealogical Society’s collection.
1170 North Midlothian Road
Mundelein , Illinois
Wilmette Public Library District
1242 Wilmette Avenue
Wilmette , Illinois
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Maps
1895 Atlas of the United States A wonderful, if graphic-intensive, atlas showing counties and townships for every state in the Union, in 1895.
Global Gazetteer
Illinois County Boundaries 1790 – Present
Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection An extensive collection of maps from around the world.
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Military
American Battle Monuments Commission Provides information for casualties of World War I, WWII, and the Korean War who are missing or buried in foreign cemeteries.
The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System A searchable database of more than 5 million soldiers’ names taken from National Archives records.
United States National Archives and Records Administration How to access information on military service and pension records.
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Shortcuts, Tips and Fun Sites
Census Abstracts Forms that allow you to copy information from the census records in an organized way.
Census Online Online census information for each state. Includes tax lists, military records, and city directories.
Census Tools An electronic spreadsheet for census data.
Christine’s Book List Books for people who love the mystery of the past. Featuring genealogy fiction, mystery, genealogy how to, historical biographies, and children's books with historical themes.
Find a County Determine a county when you know the city and state.
Forms from Family Tree Magazine Organize your research with these forms.
Genealogy Blog Stay up-to-date on all things genealogy.
Genealogical Tool Kit A comprehensive list of what to take with you on a genealogical trip to a research facility or a cemetery.
A Look at Cook A wonderful resource for anyone doing Cook County , Illinois research. Includes boundaries for wards, townships and enumeration districts, as well as other research tools.
Rootsweb mailing lists If you’re looking for a mailing list for surnames, geographical locations, or ethnic groups, this is the place to find it.
Stephen Morse search forms Forms for passenger lists, census, and more.
Smithsonian Folklife and Oral History Interviewing Guide A guide to conducting interviews to preserve your family history.
Social Security Death Index Find an ancestor’s Social Security number.
Soundex converter No more counting and crossing off letters--let this site figure the soundex code for you!
Where to Write for Vital Records How to obtain birth, death, and other vital records.
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Societies, Local
CAGG-NI Computer-Assisted Genealogical Group of Northern Illinois.
Chicago Genealogical Society
Illinois State Genealogical Society
Lake County Genealogical Society
North Suburban Genealogical Society
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Societies, National
DAR Daughters of the American Revolution
National Genealogical Society
New England Historic Genealogical Society
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