Genealogy
This series of guides, web links, book lists, and resources will introduce you to the genealogical resources available through the Free Library of Philadelphia and to other important libraries and archives throughout the Philadelphia area. Discover your family history, family trees, genealogy records, and more today!
Guides
- Genealogy 101
- Genealogical Resources at the Free Library
- Censuses and Census Substitutes, including tax records
- Directories
- Biographies, Autobiographies, and Diaries
- Genealogies - Published and Unpublished
- Birth Information
- Marriage and Divorce Information
- Death and Burial Information
- Newspapers and Newspaper Indexes
- Military Records
- The Published Pennsylvania Archives
- Passenger Lists, Immigration, Emigration, Naturalization, Oaths of Allegiance and Passports
- Deeds, Wills, Maps, and Property Histories
- Government Publications, Laws, and Case Reporters
- Local libraries, Archives, and Other Repositories
Links
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Catholic Historical Research Center of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Contains Catholic marriage and baptismal registers before the year 1900. Other resources include Catholic newspapers, parish histories and manuscripts published mainly between 1840 and 1910. -
Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet
A wonderful Internet site to start research. -
Family History Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Comprehensive materials for anyone interested in their family history. -
Free Library of Philadelphia Digital Map Collection
A large selection of maps and atlases dating back to 1843. -
Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
Great for local genealogy. Some resources are for subscribers only. -
Jewish Genealogical and Archival Society of Greater Philadelphia
Dedicated to Jewish genealogical research. -
Library of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
One of the best places in the Philadelphia area for genealogical research. -
National Archives - Mid-Atlantic Branch
This center provides access to a host of Federal records such as military pension data. -
Pennsylvania Department of Vital Records
Get access to birth, marriage and death records. -
Pennsylvania State Archives
Research center for Pennsylvania history. -
Philadelphia City Archives
Provides access to city documents dating back to the founding of the city in 1683. -
Philadelphia Department of Records
This department provides access to city records such as property information and police and fire reports. -
Philadelphia Orphans court
This is the caretaker of Philadelphia orphan information. They also maintain marriage licenses dating back to October 1885. -
Temple University's Urban Archives
A great source for local history. Among their many resources, they have the old Philadelphia Bulletin fully indexed.
The Census for Genealogy Researchers by explore
Information for researchers who wish to use the census for genealogy researcher.
Ancestry for Beginners by explore
These books will help you research your family history.
Electronic Resources
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Access World News
Explore events and issues at the local, national, and international levels from over 9,000 news sources. Includes the Philadelphia Tribune, Philadelphia Magazine, and 30 other Philadelphia-area news sources. *Chrome browser not supported.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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America's Historical Newspapers (formerly Early American Newspapers, Series I 1690-1876)
Search early American newspapers from all 50 states published across three centuries. Find cover-to-cover reproductions of over 750 fully searchable newspapers from 1690 to the recent past. *Chrome browser not supported.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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America's Obituaries & Death Notices - Heritage Hub
A collection of newspaper obituaries and death notices from around the country.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Ancestry Library Edition
Provides the most genealogical information currently available online.
Available To: Onsite at all Free Library of Philadelphia locations
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Evening Public Ledger
Find full text access to back issues of this popular daily paper from 9/14/1914 and 12/31/1922 online here. Visit the Newspaper Department at Parkway Central for microfilm access to additional years (9/14/1914 - 1/5/1942).
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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HeritageQuest Online
Expanding collection of research materials to help you trace your family lineage.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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NewsBank Main Menu
The main portal to Newsbank Inc.'s databases, providing international, national, local, and historical news coverage.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Newsbank Selected America's Historical Newspapers
Articles from selected American newspapers covering many topics from 1690-1922.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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NewspaperArchive
Historic coverage of 15,600+ newspaper and publication images from the U.S. and around the world starting from 1607 to the present, fully searchable by keyword or date.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Philadelphia Inquirer Digital Archive 1860-2001
Search and browse the full text of the Philadelphia Inquirer as published 1860-2001.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Philadelphia Inquirer Historical Archive (formerly Civil War Archive)
Full text of the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1829-1922. *Chrome browser not supported.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Blog Posts
Department Highlights: Social Science and History
Since Parkway Central Library opened in 1927, patrons have had free and open access to its rich and unique collections, expanding services, and professionally trained and welcoming staff. The robust programs and collections…
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Ancestry Library Edition
Visit one of our libraries to explore our newest database, Ancestry Library Edition , which provides the most extensive collection of genealogical information currently available online. You can explore your family’s…
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NewspaperArchive Is a Blast From the Past!
NewspaperArchive is an online database of billions (and yes, that’s BILLIONS with a B!) of newspaper articles from Pennsylvania, the U.S. (all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands), and all over the globe…
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New Release of the ProQuest Sanborn Maps Database
Sanborn fire insurance maps are available once again through ProQuest’s updated and newly-released database, Sanborn Maps 1867-1970 (formerly known as Sanborn Maps Geo Edition 1867-1970). This database gives you access to…
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A Census Story
Updated Wednesday, September 30, 2020 4:45 p.m. The census deadline, originally slated for September 30 after the federal administration moved to an earlier date, has now been extended to October 5 . In 1930, Dorothy Evelyn Hudson…
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Finding "Nonno"
In addition to offering patrons ever-growing Digital Collections , dozens of research databases , and a rich variety of genealogic resources , the Free Library and the Special Collections Division deliver an exceptional customer…
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Who's Your Granddaddy?
It’s been said that "everybody has a past." Would you like to delve into yours? If so, we can help you find links to the unknowns in your life and the life of your family with our newest program "Who’s your…
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Remember an Gorta Mór: the Great Famine
Now that the fog has lifted from St. Patrick’s Day, it occurs to us at the Free Library that the holiday is the moment where the fact of an Irish diaspora is felt most strongly in Philadelphia. However, as St. Patrick’s Day…
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The Philadelphia Colored Directory of 1910 Recently Scanned and Available for Download in Our Digital Collections
The Philadelphia Colored Directory , a handbook of religious, social, political, professional, business activities of the Negroes of Philadelphia, was compiled by R. (Richard) R. (Robert) Wright, Jr.; assisted by Ernest Smith. This…
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The Skies Proclaim the Work of His Hands ~ Carl Friederich Egelmann (1782-1860)
If you have a moment, I’d like to introduce you to Carl Friederich Egelmann, or Charles Frederick Egelmann as he came to be known in America. He was born in Neuenkirchen, Germany on May 12, 1782 and was only 20 when he…
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Rejoice My Heart for a New Year Begins
Had Daniel Schumacher (1729-1787) been an ordinary man, we probably would never have heard of him. His bad habits of drinking, swearing, lying, and dancing, amongst others, were not uncommon among the men of his day. …
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Explore Your Pennsylvania German Heritage
Did you know that German immigrants started towns in Pennsylvania as early as 1683? If you have German ancestry, you might be able to connect with your Pennsylvania German heritage using the Free Library’s Fraktur Digital…
