Always consider reaching out to the local library to see if they have any materials that may assist you with your genealogical search. Review their website and their genealogy page (if any) before contacting the library. The answer to your question may be sitting on their website.

Do not expect them to do the research for you and do not be surprised if they send you to some reference material to actually read for yourself. The best they may be able to do is to tell you what they have and how to access it. Budgets and staff time are sometimes limited. Librarians can be helpful, but they cannot be your personal research assistant. Reviewing their website and doing your homework first allows you to ask better questions and make better use of their time.

Don’t just ask them about genealogical materials they may have, consider asking about places, schools, churches, and the like as well.

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  1. Our local library has a subscription to Ancestry, free to use by any card holding resident. Pages can even be printed out for a nominal fee. The librarian is also very helpful when a user has navigational difficulties.
    The library is also a great place to find listings for local genealogical clubs.

  2. Hooray for the local library! As the genealogy/local history librarian for my branch, I have assisted many patrons over the years. We have subscriptions to 4 genealogy databases, free with a library card. Three of them can be used from home., but we have two dedicated genealogy computers in our room. Our local newspapers have been digitized and are also available for free. They are not listed on any of the paid sites. We have books with vital records and cemetery info from various states, not just ours. Our genealogy room is not big. I’m the only staff person for the room and I have other duties as well. I may not be able to answer all your questions, but I can teach you how to use the resources we have, and hopefully point you in the right direction! You never know what’s available until you ask.

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