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Resources
American Ancestors
In-Library Use Only
Hundreds of searchable databases including vital records, cemetery transcriptions, marriage and death indexes, family histories, and more.
Ancestry Library Edition
In-Library Use Only
Access more than 4,000 databases and 1.5 billion names. Includes 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.
Arkiv Digital (in-library use only)
The largest private provider of Swedish church records and other historical records online. Includes church records, court records and inventory of estates. Access it from the Other Programs folder on the desktop of the public computers at the library.
Chicago Tribune Historical Archive
Contains 2.5 million obituaries and death notices, front pages from 1900 through 1984, and selected articles from the newspaper’s clipping files. Paid ads are excluded.
Chicago Tribune Historical Database
Search the full newspaper, including advertisements, from 1849 through 1998.
Fold3
History and genealogy archives featuring original documents and photographs, including military records, city directories, and naturalization records.
Genealogy eBook Collection
Search across 800 titles in genealogy and family history, including records from Colonial America to the Civil War as well as a large selection of how-to books. In addition, access many titles that relate to specific ancestral ethnicities. See our guide to the collection for information on creating an account and tips for searching within multiple eBooks.
HeritageHub
From Newsbank – Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 – today. Includes deep coverage from all 50 states, hard-to-find content from the mid 1900’s, and original obituary images.
HeritageQuest
Online database of over 25,000 books, the U.S. Census (1790-1930), and many other collections created for professional and amateur genealogists. Users can find information on their ancestors as well as information on American culture.
Newspapers.com
An extensive database that provides online access to 4,000+ historical newspapers dating from the early 1700s into the 2000s. Contains full runs and portions of runs of well-known, regional and state titles to small local newspapers.
Sanborn Maps
In-Library Use Only
Large scale plans of a city or town drawn to the scale of 50 feet to an inch. Features an archive of maps from 1867-1970.
- Cyndi’s List: Comprehensive, categorized & cross-referenced list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online.
- Family Search: Hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
- Find A Grave: Search grave and cemetery records posted by dedicated volunteers.
- The USGenWeb Project: Useful for finding resources by state or county.
- Linkpendium: An alternate site for finding resources by geographical area.
- Where to write for Vital Records
Library Databases
- Daily Herald
- Chicago Tribune Historical Archive
- Chicago Tribune Historical Database
- Newspapers.com Library Edition
- New York Times – Includes access to the TimesMachine, featuring searchable, full-page images of the paper from 1851-2002.
Online
Directories
Where to write for Vital Records
Adoption
Illinois Vital Records
- Illinois Vital Records: Find out where to write for birth, marriage, death, adoption and divorce records.
- Lake County Vital Records
- Cook County Genealogy Online
Obituaries and Cemeteries
- Libertyville Area Obituaries 1894-2004
To obtain a copy of a listed obituary, please send the relevant information (name and date) to Genealogy Librarian Daniel Smith:- By Mail
Daniel Smith, Genealogy Librarian
Cook Memorial Public Library District
413 N Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, IL 60048 - By Email
dsmith@cooklib.org
- By Mail
- Find A Grave
- FuneralNet
- Interment.net
- Legacy.com
- Online Searchable Death Indexes & Records
If you still can’t locate an obituary, try writing to a local library or historical society near your ancestor’s final home, or contact the cemetery where your ancestor was buried (sextons may keep copy of obituary).
Passenger Lists
- Castle Garden: New York State’s immigration processing facility from 1855 to 1890.
- Ellis Island: The main port of entry for immigrants from 1892 to 1954.
- Stephen Morse: Search passenger list sites using specialized search forms.
- Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild: Volunteers have transcribed over 10,000 passenger lists.
- National Archives Immigration RecordsLibrary & Archives Canada: Many of our ancestors arrived in the United States through Canada.
Naturalization
National Archives Naturalization Records: Early naturalization records were filed in the counties of the states. In 1907, the process went national and records were kept at the federal level.
Canada
Czech and Slovak
- Czech and Slovak American Genealogy Society of Illinois
- Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International
France
Germany
Greek
Jewish
Polish
Swedish
UK and Ireland
Libraries
- Arlington Heights Public Library: Has an extensive book and microfilm collection as well as quality programs.
- Wilmette Public Library: Genealogy sources abound in Wilmette’s local history collection.
- Schaumburg Township District Library: Great databases and monthly programs.
- Newberry Library: Chicago’s independent research library. Check their website before you go down to Chicago.
- Wisconsin Historical Society: Great repository of Midwest history and genealogy records.
- Allen County Public Library: Ft. Wayne Indiana’s public library is the second best genealogy library in the country.
Local Genealogy Societies
- Lake County Genealogical Society
- McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society
- DuPage County Genealogical Society
- Kane County Genealogical Society
- North Suburban Genealogical Society
- Northwest Suburban Genealogical Society
- Zion Genealogical Society
- British Interest Group of Wisconsin and Illinois
- Chicago Genealogical Society
- South Suburban Genealogical Society
- CAGGNI (Computer Assisted Genealogy Group Northern Illinois)
- Illinois State Genealogical Society
National Societies
- DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution)
- National Genealogical Society
- New England Historic Genealogical Society
Family History Centers
Archives
Genealogy Appointments
Digging your roots? We can help you get started or further your research. Call 847-362-2330 X1144, to set up an appointment with one of our genealogy specialists.
