Databases & Websites by Subject
Booklists
- Genealogy
Here are some of the library’s sources that will
help you in your genealogy search. See a librarian for
further assistance.
How-to-Do-It Books for the Beginner
929.1 CRO
Unpuzzling
Your Past: The Best-Selling Basic Guide to Genealogy by Emily Anne Croom - 4th ed., 2001
929.1 DOA
Searching
for Your Ancestors: The How and Why of Genealogy by Gilbert Harry Doane - 6th ed., 1992
929.1 KAS
Walking
with Your Ancestors: A Genealogist’s Guide
to Using Maps and Geography by Melinda Kashuba - 2005
929.1 MEL
Family
History 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Fining
Your Ancestors by Marcia Yannizze Melnyk - 2005
929.1 MOR
How
to Do Everything with Your Genealogy by George G. Morgan - 2004
929.1 REN
Genealogy
101: How to Trace Your Family’s History
and Heritage by Barbara Renick - 2003
929.1 RIS
The
Family Tree Problem Solver: Proven Methods for Scaling
the Inevitable Brick Wall by Marsha Hoffman Rising - 2005
929.1 ROS
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Genealogy by Christine Rose - 2nd ed., 2005
929.1 SMI
Social Networking for Genealogists by Drew Smith - 2009
929.1 SMO
Who Do You Think You Are?: The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History by Megan Smolenyak - 2010
929.1 TAY
Uncovering
Your Ancestry Through Family Photographs by
Maureen Alice Taylor - 2005
Books about Using the Internet for Genealogy
929.1 CLI
The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Genealogy, the Internet, and Your Genealogy Computer Program by Karen Clifford - updated ed., 2011
929.1 CRO
Genealogy
Online by Elizabeth Powell Crowe - 9th
ed., 2011
929.1 GOR
The Official Guide to Rootsweb.com by Myra Vanderpool Gormley - 2007
929.1 HEL
Genealogy Online for Dummies by Matthew Helm - 6th ed., 2011
929.1 MOR
The Official Guide to Ancestry.com by George G. Morgan - 2007
929.1 OTT
Finding Your Family on the Internet: The Ultimate Guide to Online Family History Research by Michael Otterson - 2006
Magazines
The library subscribes to several magazines of interest to genealogists. The most recent issue of each title is located on the “new magazines” shelves in the Reference Department. Back issues, which can be checked out, are located on the “back issues” shelves in the Reference Department.
Family Chronicle
Family Tree Magazine
Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly
Review, DuPage County Genealogical Society
CD-ROM Resources to Use at Home
CD-ROM 911.4 HIS
Historic Map Library: Europe 1856–1920 - 1998
CD-ROM 929.1 FAM
Family Tree Heritage - 2007
CD-ROM 929.1 FAM
Family Tree Maker 2009: Deluxe - 2009
CD-ROM 929.1 FAM
Family Tree Maker 2011 Essentials - 2010
CD-ROM 929.1 FAM
Family Trees Quick & Easy - 2004
CD-ROM 929.1 FAM
Family Tree Maker: Version 16 Deluxe - 2006
CD-ROM 929.1 LEG
Legacy
6.0 - 1997 – 2005
CD-ROM 929.1 LIN
Lineage Family Tree Software - 2010
CD-ROM 929.1 REU
Reunion 9 - 2007
CD-ROM 929.4 FAM
Family Tree Maker: Immigrants to America, 1600s–1800s, Immigration Records - 2000
CD-ROM 977.324 ILL DuPage County
Federal
Township Plats, 1804–1891 by Illinois State
Archives - 2002
Online resources
Databases
Ancestry
Library Edition (In-library use only.)
Many genealogy records and sources are found on Ancestry, including the U.S. Censuses, birth, marriage, and death records, passenger and immigration lists, military records, maps, and much more.
Chicago
Tribune Historical Archive (Available for use
in-library as well as from home.)
Full-text articles, death notices, etc. from the Tribune from 1849–1987.
HeritageQuest (Available for use in-library as well as
from home.)
Use HeritageQuest to search the U.S. Censuses, Revolutionary Ware era pension and land files, Freedman’s Bank records, as well as genealogy and local history books and periodicals.
ProQuest Obituaries (Available for use in-library as well as from home.)
Provides more than 10.5 million obituaries from seven top U.S. newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune from 1852–1984.
Websites
There are many useful websites on
genealogy such as Cyndi's
List, Ellis Island Records, Family Search, and USGenWeb. Links to these can be
found on the Databases & Websites—Genealogy page.
Books on using the U.S. Census
929.1 DOL
The
Census Book: A Genealogist’s Guide to Federal
Census Facts, Schedules and Indexes: With Master Extraction Forms for Federal Census Schedules, 1790–1930 by William Dollarhide - 1999
929.1 DOL
Census Substitutes & State Census Records: An Annotated Bibliography of Published Name Lists for All 50 U.S. States and State Censuses for 37 States by Willam Dollarhide - 2008
929.1 HIN
Your
Guide to the Federal Census for Genealogists, Researchers,
and Family Historians by Kathleen W. Hinckley - 2002
929.1 NIN
The
1930 Census: A Reference and Research Guide - 2002
929.1 SZU
Finding Answers in U.S. Census Records by Loretto Dennis Szucs - 2001
Census Records
Online
Census information and actual images from census microfilm
may be found using the library's genealogy databases, Ancestry
Library Edition (in-library use only) and HeritageQuest,
available on any library resources computer.
Downers Grove Census Microfilm Owned by the Library
The library has the census microfilm rolls for all censuses for Downers Grove, other than the 1890 Census which is not available because it was destroyed in a fire. Note: There is a 72-year waiting period before census information is released, so the latest census available is 1930.
Microfilm Cabinet
Census Microfilm for Downers Grove for 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930
Transcriptions of Downers Grove censuses
*Ref 929.3773 EIG Local History
1840 Federal Census, DuPage County, Illinois - 2006
*Ref 929.3773 ROB Local History
1850
DuPage County, Illinois, Federal Census by Ruth Flesher
Robb - 1976
*Ref 929.3773 ROB Local History
1860
DuPage County, Illinois, Federal Census by Ruth Flesher
Robb - 1983
*Ref 929.3773 ROB Local History
1870
DuPage County, Illinois Federal Census by Ruth Flesher
Robb - 1987
Census Microfilm for All Other Areas
For microfilm for areas other than Downers Grove, use the
following sources to help decide which microfilm rolls
to order.
- Illinois census rolls may be ordered free of
charge by Downers Grove Public Library cardholders
through interlibrary
loan.
- Out-of-state census rolls may be ordered for a fee
by Downers Grove Public Library cardholders through
interlibrary
loan, or may be ordered directly through the LDS Family History
Center in Naperville.
- Rolls for all states are also available to view
at the National Archives in Chicago.
Ref 929.1 NIN
Federal
Population Censuses, 1790–1890: A Catalog
of Microfilm Copies of the Schedules - 1979
Ref 929.1 NIN
1900
Federal Population Census: A Catalog of Microfilm Copies
of the Schedules - 1978
Ref 929.1 NIN
The
1910 Federal Population Census: A Catalog of Microfilm
Copies of the Schedules - 1982
Ref 929.1 NIN
The
1920 Federal Population Census: A Catalog of National Archives
Microfilm - 1991
Ref 929.1 NIN
The
1930 Federal Population Census: Catalog of National Archives
Microfilm - 2002
Sourcebooks
These titles list the many types of records, sources,
and organizations available to consult for genealogical
information.
Ref 929.1 BEN
The
Genealogist’s Address Book: State and Local Resources: With Special Resoures Including Ethnic and Religious Organizations by Elizabeth Petty
Bentley - 6th ed., 2009
929.1 CRO
The
Genealogist’s Companion and Sourcebook by Emily
Anne Croom - 2nd ed., 2003
929.1 GRE - Also in Reference
The
Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy by Val
D. Greenwood - 3rd ed., 2000
929.1 PRI - Also in Reference
Printed
Sources: A Guide to Published Genealogical Records - 1998
929.1 SOU - Also in Reference
The
Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy - 3rd
ed., 2006
Specific Topics
Use these books to find helpful information and contacts
for specific types of genealogical information.
Cemetery
929.1 CAR
Your
Guide to Cemetery Research by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack
- 2002
Country/Ethnicity/Gender
929.1 BAX
In
Search of Your German Roots: A Complete Guide to Tracing
Your Ancestors in the Germanic Areas of Europe by Angus
Baxter - 4th ed., 2008
929.1 CAR
A
Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your Female
Ancestors by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack - 1998
929.1 CHA
How to Trace Your Family Tree in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales: The Complete Practical Handbook for All Detectives of Family History by Kathy Chater - 2006
929.1 COR
Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry by Kathleen B. Cory - 3rd ed., 2004
929.1 DUM
Finding
Your Chicago Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide
to Family History in the City and Cook County by Grace
DuMelle - 2005
929.1 FAM
The
Family Tree Guide Book to Europe: Your Passport to Tracing
Your Genealogy Across Europe - 2003
929.1 GER
Germanic Genealogy: A Guide to Worldwide Sources and Migration Patterns - 2007
929.1 GRE
Tracing Your Irish Ancestors: The Complete Guide by John Grenham - 3rd ed., 2006
929.1 HER
Ancestral Trails: The Complete Guide to British Genealogy and Family History by Mark D. Herber - 2nd ed., 2005
929.1 MIL
A
Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your English
Ancestors by Paul Milner - 2000
929.1 RAD
A
Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your Irish Ancestors:
How to Find and Record Your Unique Heritage by Dwight A.
Radford - 2001
929.1 SMI
A
Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your African-American
Ancestors: How to Find and Record Your Unique Heritage by Franklin Carter Smith - 2003
Court Records
Ref 929.1 PFE
Hidden
Sources: Family History in Unlikely Places by Laura
Szucs Pfeiffer - 2000
929.1 ROS
Courthouse
Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical
Treasures by Christine Rose - 2004
929.1 SZU
They Became Americans: Finding Naturalization Records and Ethnic Origins by Loretto Dennis Szucs - 1997
929.37 SCH
Guide
to Naturalization Records of the United States by
Christina K. Schaefer - 1997
Land Records
Ref 929.1 HON
Land & Property Research in the United States by E.
Wade Hone - 1997
929.1 HAT
Locating
Your Roots: Discover Your Ancestors Using Land Records by Patricia Law Hatcher - 2003
Latter Day Saints Library
929.1 WAR
Your
Guide to the Family History Library by Paula Stuart
Warren - 2001
Military Records
929.1 MAC
Civil
War Research Guide: A Guide for Researching Your Civil
War Ancestor by Stephen McManus - 2003
929.3 KNO
WWII
Military Records: A Family Historian’s Guide by Debra Johnson Knox - 2003
929.3 NEA - Also in Reference
U.S.
Military Records: A Guide to Federal and State Sources,
Colonial America to the Present by James C. Neagles - 1994
National Archives
Ref 929.3 GUI
Guide to Records in the National Archives—Great Lakes Region - 1996
929.1 UNI - Also in Reference
Guide
to Genealogical Research in the National Archives by
United States National Archives and Records Administration
- 3rd ed., 2000
Organizations and Genealogical Societies
Ref 929.1 DIR
Directory
of Historical Organizations in the United States and
Canada - 2002
Ref 929.1 GUI
A
Guide to Illinois Area Genealogical Societies and Illinois
Researchers - 2nd ed., 2003
Passenger Arrivals
Ref 929.3 UNI
Immigrant
and Passenger Arrivals: A Select Catalog of National Archives
Microfilm Publications by United States National
Archives and Records Service - 1983
929.1 CAR
The
Family Tree Guide to Finding Your Ellis Island Ancestors by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack - 2005
929.1 COL
They
Came in Ships: A Guide to Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor's
Arrival Record by John Philip Colletta - 3rd ed,
2002
State-by-State Sourcebooks with Contact Information
929.1 FAM
The
Family Tree Guide Book: Everything You Need to Know to
Trace Your Genealogy Across North America - 2003
929.1 FAM
The Family Tree Sourcebook: Your Essential Directory of American County and Town Records - 2010
929.1 HAN - Also in Reference
The
Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America - 11th ed., 2006
929.1 RED - Also in Reference
Red
Book: American State, County and Town Sources - 3rd ed., 2004
Tips on Reading Records
929.1 JAC
A
Field Guide for Genealogists by Judy Jacobson - 2nd
ed., 2003
Vital records—birth, marriage, and death
Ref 929.1 KEP
International Vital Records Handbook by Thomas Jay Kemp - 5th ed., 2009
Downers Grove Genealogy Information
The library's local history
collection is located at the end of the reference collection.
The books have
call numbers preceded by *Ref or * and ending with "Local
History." Among the books in the collection are histories
of Downers Grove and DuPage County and various historical
Downers Grove telephone books *Ref 977.324 IND - Local History
Index
to the Naturalization Records of DuPage County, Illinois - 1999
Ref 929.3 STO
Du
Page County, Illinois Genealogical Records: Located in
Du Page County Repositories, Libraries, Historical
Societies, Colleges, Etc. by John H. Stoddard - 1992
Local newspapers are on microfilm. Holdings include:
- Downers Grove Journal. Aug. 31, 1939–Jan. 16,
1941
- Downer's Grove Press. various issues 1891–1893
- Downers Grove Reporter. 1895 to present
- Sun—Downers Grove. Feb. 21, 2002 – June 29, 2006
A Downers Grove local history museum and collection is housed at:
Downers Grove Park District Museum
831 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 963–1309
Archives include documents such as birth and death certificates,
published genealogies, letters, photographs, etc.
Cemetery Records
*Ref 929 DAU Local History
Cemetery Records of DuPage County, Illinois by Daughters of the American Revolution. Illinois Society - 1962
*Ref 929.3773 CEM - Local History
Cemetery
Inscriptions of Lisle Township, DuPage Co., Illinois - 1989
*Ref 929.3773 DOW - Local History
Downers
Grove & Lisle Townships (DuPage County, IL)
Combined List and Index - 1996
*Ref 977.324 NAR - Local History
Main
Street Cemetery by Lisa Narjes - 19?
Chicago Area Genealogy Collections
Family History Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints
1320 Ridgeland Avenue, Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 505–0233
National Archives and Records Center
7358 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60629
(773) 581–7816
Newberry Library
60 W. Walton Street, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 943–9090
Strong collection of published local histories and genealogies.
Wheaton Public Library
225 N. Cross Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 668–1374
Extensive collection of genealogy materials, including DuPage County history.
Genealogical and Historical Societies
Ref 929.1 GUI
A
Guide to Illinois Area Genealogical Societies and Illinois
Researchers - 2nd ed., 2003
Downers Grove Historical Society
P.O. Box 663, Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 450–3336
DuPage County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 3, Wheaton, IL 60187
Illinois State Genealogical Society
P .O. Box 10195, Springfield, IL 62792
(217) 789–1968
Prepared by Bonnie Reid, September 2011 |
