Genealogy 101
If you’re just getting started researching your genealogy or family history, visit our webpage Welcome to Genealogy for helpful tips, forms, and links. We also have this information in a packet that you may request at the Service Center on your next visit to the Library.
Online genealogy library resources:
Ancestry Library
IN LIBRARY USE ONLY- Discover your family’s story.
Heritage Quest
Find ancestors in the complete set of U.S. Federal Census.
Fold3
Military records, stories, photos, and personal documents.
Illinois Digital Archives
Cary Area Local history, photos, documents, and more.
NewsBank: Chicago Daily News Historical Archive 1875-1978
Research Chicago history through primary sources to examine events, issues, and daily life in the context of the historical period, featuring archived full newspaper pages.
NewsBank: HeritageHub 1704-Today
Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for genealogical research.
NewsBank: Asian Life in America 18th century-Today
The experience and impact of Asian Americans as recorded by the news media.
NewsBank: Black Life in America 1704-Today
The experience and impact of African Americans as recorded by the news media.
NewsBank: Hispanic Life in America 1704-Today
The experience and impact of Hispanic Americans as recorded by the news media.
NewsBank: Indigenous Life in America 1690-Today
The experience and impact of Indigenous Americans as recorded by the news media.
NewsBank: LGBTQ+ Life in America 1705-Today
Explore the experience and impacts of LGBTQ+ Americans as recorded by the news media.
NewsBank: Immigrant Life in America
The experience and impact of Immigrant Americans as recorded by the news media.
Additional online resources:
Family Search – A free personal account is needed to search thousands of worldwide databases. While many records are viewable from home, some have restricted access. CAPL is now an Affiliate Library and many of those records are accessible in the Library.
Find A Grave – Volunteers worldwide have contributed to this collection of gravesite memorials.
McHenry County Genealogical Society, including their Free Online Indexes
McHenry County Historical Society Digital Newspaper Collection