Free Genealogy Research at Your Library: Ancestry, Newspapers & More (2026)
An Ancestry.com subscription costs $299 a year. A MyHeritage subscription is $199 a year. But your library card gets you free access to these same databases — plus newspaper archives, census records, military records, and vital record databases — at absolutely no cost. This guide shows you how to trace your family history using entirely free library resources.
Ancestry
Most public libraries in the United States subscribe to Ancestry Library Edition, the institutional version of Ancestry.com. It contains the same billions of records as the commercial subscription — US census data from 1790 to 1940, immigration and naturalization records, military records, vital records indexes, city directories, and more.
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Note: Ancestry Library Edition does not include Ancestry's DNA features or its new collection additions as quickly as the consumer product. However, the core historical record collection is effectively the same and more than sufficient for most genealogy research.
Hours & Schedule
| Platform | Library Access | Record Strengths | Free Without Library |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancestry Library Edition | Most US public libraries | US census, immigration, military, vital records | No ($299/year) |
| FamilySearch | Free online for everyone | 7B+ records, international, LDS records, census | Yes — always free |
| MyHeritage Library Edition | Some public libraries | Strong European records, DNA integration | Limited free tier |
| HeritageQuest Online | Many public libraries — remote OK | US census 1790–1940, PERSI periodicals | No |
| Fold3 (Military Records) | Many public libraries | WWII draft cards, pension records, service records | No ($79.99/year) |
Newspapers
Historical newspapers are a goldmine for genealogists — birth and death announcements, marriage notices, obituaries, legal notices, and news stories about your ancestors all appeared in local papers. Libraries provide free access to major newspaper archive databases:
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Free online at newspapers.loc.gov — 20+ million pages of digitized American newspapers from 1770 to 1963. No library card needed. Search by state, date range, or keyword. Excellent for tracing immigrant ancestors who appeared in ethnic-language papers.
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Available at many public libraries — digital archives of major US papers including New York Times (1851–present), Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and more. Essential for finding obituaries and family announcements.
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Some libraries provide access — 1.9+ billion obituaries and newspaper articles from 1690 to present. Particularly strong for obituaries published after 1977. Check your library's database list to see if it is included.
HeritageQuest Online is one of the
HeritageQuest Online is one of the most library-researcher-friendly genealogy databases because many libraries allow remote access from home with your library card number — unlike Ancestry Library Edition which typically requires an in-person visit.
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- US Census records — every census from 1790 through 1940, fully indexed and image-browsable
- PERSI (Periodical Source Index) — index to 2.5 million genealogy articles in 6,000+ journals
- Freedman's Bureau records — vital for African-American genealogy post-Civil War
- Family history books — thousands of digitized published family histories and local histories
- Revolutionary War records — pension files and service records
To access HeritageQuest, visit your library's website, look for "Databases" or "Digital Resources," and find HeritageQuest Online. If offered remotely, you will log in with your library card number and PIN.
Vital Records
Vital records are the foundation of genealogical research. Here is how to access them using free resources:
More Info
- Check FamilySearch.org first — huge indexed collection
- Ancestry Library Edition (at your library) has most pre-1900 vital records digitized
- Church records (baptisms, marriages, burials) often predate civil registration
- County courthouse deed books sometimes recorded informal vital events
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- Many states' records now digitized — search FamilySearch by state
- Social Security Death Index (SSDI) — available free on FamilySearch
- State archives often have online indexes even if originals are offline
- Ancestry Library Edition has extensive early 20th century coverage
More Info
- Request from your state's vital records office or county clerk
- Typically costs $10-$30 per certified copy
- VitalChek.com allows online ordering for most states
- Your library's genealogy librarian knows each state's requirements
US census records are available every
US census records are available every 10 years and reveal names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, and family relationships for every household. The 72-year rule means census records become publicly available 72 years after collection.
Ancestry & Genealogy
The 1950 US Census was released in April 2022 and immediately indexed by FamilySearch (free) and Ancestry. This census captures millions of Americans during the post-WWII baby boom era, making it valuable for tracing grandparents and great-grandparents. The National Archives has the full 1950 Census free at 1950census.archives.gov.
| Census Year | Where to Find | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1790–1840 | FamilySearch, Ancestry Library Edition | Free |
| 1850–1940 | FamilySearch, Ancestry Library Ed., HeritageQuest | Free at library |
| 1950 | 1950census.archives.gov, FamilySearch, Ancestry | Free |
While DNA test kits themselves are
While DNA test kits themselves are not free (AncestryDNA costs around $99, 23andMe around $79), the analysis tools available to interpret your results are free or library-supported.
Ancestry & Genealogy
gedmatch.com — Upload your raw DNA from any testing company (AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA) and compare with others who have also uploaded. Find DNA matches across testing company boundaries. Free tier includes chromosome browser and basic matching tools.
Ancestry & Genealogy
Many public libraries offer free genealogy workshops that include DNA interpretation. Librarians can help you understand centimorgans, ethnicity estimates, and how to use DNA matches alongside traditional records research. Ask at your reference desk for upcoming genealogy programs.
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FamilySearch has partnered with MyHeritage to allow users to link their DNA results to their FamilySearch family tree. This is free and can automatically suggest record matches based on your DNA and tree data combined.
Beginners Plan
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Start with what you know. Ask parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles for full names, birth dates, birthplaces, and maiden names. Collect any old documents, photos, and letters. This information will anchor your database searches.
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Create a free FamilySearch account and enter your known relatives. Search the 7+ billion records for census, birth, marriage, and death records. This often reveals multiple generations quickly with no cost.
Ancestry & Genealogy
Go to your public library branch and access Ancestry Library Edition at a computer or on the in-library WiFi. Search census records, immigration manifests, and vital records that FamilySearch may not have in your specific family's geography.
Digital Newspapers
Use Chronicling America (newspapers.loc.gov, free) and your library's ProQuest access to search for obituaries, marriage announcements, and news mentions. Obituaries in particular often contain the most detailed biographical information about an ancestor.
Collections
For records not found online, request certified copies from state vital records offices. Use your library's Interlibrary Loan service to borrow local histories, county genealogies, and microfilm collections from libraries nationwide.
