|
|
The resources for genealogy available on the Internet are increasing
daily. Library catalogs, the Social Security Death Index, bulletin
boards and more are just a few clicks away. However, the Internet
does not yet replace or duplicate certain important resources such
as manuscript church records or early city and town records. The recommended
links below can lead the researcher to sources, people and organizations
that can assist in the extensive research essential to genealogy.
Researching family histories is a time-consuming endeavor, however,
the Library has staff and resources to guide you in your search.
If you are just starting out, you may want to read one of our books
on how to do family history searching. Check our catalogs
for titles. These will teach you about the wide variety of records
and documents that exist. We have books that are still printed on
paper (some are research books, and some can also be taken home),
and we now have electronic books you can read online.
Internet sites
Library catalogs
Specialized reference departments
Library electronic resources and databases
Additional Internet pathfinders
Internet sites
Library catalogs
In the Library's catalogs, search
for, and reserve, materials on this subject.
Use netLibrary,
the Boston Public Library's ebook full text collection. You can read
online such books as "Genealogy Online", "The Complete Idiot's Guide
To Genealogy", and others.
Specialized reference departments
The Library's specialized reference departments for this subject are:
Social Sciences Reference
Microtext
Government Documents
Library
staff cannot do genealogical research for you, but the Library provides
reference over the telephone 617-536-5400 and electronically.
If you are interested in hiring a professional researcher, you may
want to contact the Association of
Professional Genealogists.
Library electronic resources
Below are some of the electronic resources the Library subscribes
to that cover this topic. For a more complete list of the databases
and CD Roms that the Library owns or subscribes to, that may have
additional information on this topic, view this
list.
You will usually be required to enter
your Metro Boston Library
card number for the databases that can be used outside of the
Library. These library cards are free. If you are from Massachusetts,
and do not already have one of these cards, go to the Massachusetts
Library and Information Network (MLIN), and check under "Indexes
and Databases" to see if your town/city library card will provide
access.
An additional database available on CD-Rom in the Social Sciences
Reference Department at the Main Library in Copley Square is:
New England Historical and Genealogical Register
The New England Historical and Genealogical Register published
continually for over a century and a half, contains over 70,000 pages
of information touching almost every New England family prior to 1850.
Additional Internet links/pathfinders
for this subject:
Librarian's
Index to the Internet - Genealogy
About.com
- Genealogy
Library
staff cannot do genealogical research for you, but the Library provides
reference over the telephone 617-536-5400 and electronically.
If you are interested in hiring a professional researcher, you may
want to contact the Association
of Professional Genealogists.
Return
to top of page
|
|
|
|
![BPL [What do you want to know?]](/graphics/header_logo.gif){kind=logo}
