The Algonquin Library offers many resources to help you with genealogical research. We offer a selection of online resources along with materials that you can check out. We can also help you locate obituaries and newspaper articles. If you need more personal assistance, you may also contact one of our trained genealogy librarians for a 30 minute consultation.
Ancestry Library Edition
Visit the library to access one of the most comprehensive genealogical collections available. Search U.S. and International records including census, vital, church, court, and immigration records.
(Ancestry Library Edition is only accessible from inside the Library)
Heritage Quest
Search census records, family and local history books, genealogy periodicals (PERSI), and Revolutionary War Era Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications.
Fold3
While known for its excellent military records collection, Fold3 also features resources for Native American research, as well as a wonderful collection of city directories, including Chicago from 1839-1923.
Chicago Tribune 1849 - 1998
Search the Tribune for obituaries, marriage notices, and articles about your ancestors and the world in which they lived.
NewsBank: Chicago Area Newspapers
Search the Chicago Sun-Times (1986-), the Daily Herald (1995-), the Northwest Herald (2005-) and over 100 other Illinois newspapers in full text.
Newspapers.com
Newspapers.com is the largest online newspaper archive consisting of 300+ million pages of historical newspapers from 8,400+ newspapers from around the United States and beyond.
FamilySearch.org
Create a free account to access digital records from around the world including census, naturalization, and vital records. The Algonquin Area Public Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.
Worldcat Catalog
Search libraries collections across the country for genealogical and local history books.
AAPLD Genealogy on YouTube
Did you miss one of the library\'s Genealogy Zoom programs? You can catch up on the videos on our YouTube channel.
Genealogy Links
- Cyndi’s List
A directory of links to genealogy web sites. - Ellis Island
Free searchable database of passenger lists and photos between 1892-1924. Free registration required. - Find A Grave
Database of cemetery transcriptions including some photographs. - Illinois Digital Archives
Digitized photographs and documents from Illinois history. - Illinois State Archives
Search vital record indexes, land and veteran records. - Illinois Statewide Marriage Index:1763 to 1900
An Ongoing Project of the Illinois State Archives & the Illinois State Genealogical Society. - National Archives
Learn how you can use the resources at the National Archives to explore your family's ancestry. - Rootsweb
Subscribe to message boards for surnames and counties you are researching.