52 Ancestors 2025: At the Library

 

It seems that libraries have been part of my life since the days of Harold and the Purple Crayon, but for genealogists, they are truly indispensable.

My first serious genealogical research took place at a local FamilySearch (then Family History) Center in late 1994 or early 1995. Armed with a blank pedigree chart and a flyer handed to me at an Oktoberfest celebration, I opened the door—and they showed me how to begin. Soon, names started showing up in the International Genealogical Index and the Ancestral File. The skeleton of a family tree began to take shape.

I had names, but I wanted more. Living in the DC area gave me access to some of the nation’s best repositories: the National Archives and the Library of Congress. The latter is truly a font of information, and many mornings I trekked into the city to look up published family histories, making copies of the relevant pages.

Now, in a new century, libraries have expanded—if not physically, then virtually. My local library subscribes to several databases, some of which I can access from home, others only on-site. These services are also available at local FamilySearch Centers. But the granddaddy of them all is out west in Salt Lake City: the main FamilySearch Center, with rows of computers and plenty of helpful volunteers. On my visit last year, they introduced me to the new full-text search features on the FamilySearch website.

After 30 years of genealogical research, I can say libraries have proven their worth. In exploring vast stores of information, I’ve hit dead ends that wouldn’t budge—but I’ve also had those “Aha!” moments, when a computer search revealed a new lineage, later confirmed by a publication. To get the most out of a visit, here are a few tips:

• Plan ahead. Write down your questions or the topics you want to focus on. A notebook is a big help. Also, some libraries may have restrictions on what can be brought into their research rooms.
• Bring what you need. For me, that includes the notebook with my research plan and notes from earlier sessions.
• Pack your electronics. A laptop or iPad makes things easier. Keep genealogical data in a cloud service along with your local database.
• Take detailed notes. Record what worked and what didn’t. Jot down names of possible relatives, dates, and locations—sometimes those clues can be followed up at home.
• Know how to save your finds. You can often email information to yourself. Downloads may be limited to local access, so thumb drives can be hit or miss, and not very secure. Logging into your cloud storage usually solves the problem. Just remember to log out!
• Ask for help. Volunteers are usually available and eager to assist. They may not be professional genealogists, but they bring valuable experience and knowledge.

There’s a lot more to be said about online repositories, but nothing quite compares to the atmosphere of a library and the extra resources that come with an in-person visit.