Scope of the guide
This guide is an evolving selection of useful resources for locating vital records, historical documents and secondary sources. There is a focus on regional archives and research resources. For more information about Memorial Hall Library's genealogical collections and services, please email the Memorial Hall Library Local History Librarian. While most of the resources in this guide are free, some can only be accessed in Memorial Hall Library or by logging in with either a Memorial Hall Library card or a Boston Public Library eCard.*
Genealogical Records
major repositories of vital records
- American Ancestors (remote access for MHL Card holders)
New England Historic Genealogical Society database with records for over 110 million names - Ancestry.com (library use only) over 4 billion vital records
- CDC Where to Write for Vital Records -- national list of vital record registries
- Family Search world's largest data set of vital records, free accounts
- JewishGen online access to Jewish records and historical documents
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
- MyHeritage Library Edition (BPL ecard)
Historical Newspapers
& repositories of other secondary sources
- Andover Advertiser & Townsman -- 1853-2021
- Boston Public Library Digitized Newspaper Collection
- Boston Globe (BPL ecard)
- Boston Post 1831-1922 (BPL ecard)
- Chronicling America / Library of Congress -- free national repository of digital papers
- Eagle Tribune (Lawrence, MA) 1890-1929
- Elephind -- free online aggregator of papers worldwide
- New York State Newspapers -- selected historic newspapers
- Google News Archive
- Irish Times 1859-2015 (BPL ecard)
- Jewish Advocate 1905-1990 (BPL ecard)
- Lawrence Eagle Tribune -- 1940 to present on microfilm at MHL
- New York Times 1851-2013 (BPL ecard)
- Newspapers.com World Edition (remote access for MHL card holders)
Software & Templates
organize & publish your family tree
Federal, State & Municipal
archives & special collections
Atlases, Maps, Gazetteers
location-based tools
- Atlas of Historical County Boundaries
- BPL Levanthal Map Center
- Bureau of Land Management Land Records
- David Rumsey Map Collection
- Massachusetts Real Estate Atlas Digitization Project
- Library of Congress Map Collection
- Meyer's Gazetteer lists every place name in the Second German Empire (1871-1918).
- NYPL Map Warper overlays historical maps with current geospatial info
- Online U.S. Atlas of Historical County Boundaries
- What Was There
Interest Groups
local clubs & societies
- Essex Society of Genealogists
- TIARA Irish Ancestral Research Association
- Discover Your Past Genealogy Club, Memorial Hall Library
meets the second Thursday of each month
Boston Public Library eCard
for anyone who lives, works, or owns property in Massachusetts
As the Library for the Commonwealth, the Boston Public Library (BPL) is committed to serving residents throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. One statewide service available to anyone aged 13 or older who lives, works, or owns property in Massachuetts is the BPL eCard. A BPL eCard enables you to access many of the library's digital collections remotely.
Signup is quick and easy. Visit https://bpl.org/ecard to get started.
Research Guides, Blogs & Newsletters
tips from the experts
- Family History Research Wiki
- National Archives Research Guide -- Sign in for a free guest account to access videos, webinars and dozens of topical research guides.
- University of Michigan Genealogy LibGuide
- New England Historical Genealogical Society Education Resources
- American Ancestors Weekly Genealogist