It’s like digging through your grandma’s attic, without the dust.
Don’t worry. We’re not in her attic, but we can help you discover your family tree and connect you to your roots in a number of different ways.
- Get started on your search from the comfort of your home
- Then dig through online and physical archives at the Library
- Talk to an expert who walks into the past with different families every day
Heritage Quest
Start your ancestry search online from the comfort of your own home with digital collections of U.S. census data, bank records, Revolutionary War records and more.
Ancestry.com
Discover your unique family history with billions of free records from around the world, including census and vital records, immigration and passport records, plus periodicals, books and photos. You can also send documents home from the library for your own records. Available in-library only.
American Ancestors
Research genealogy using the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s collection of civic and church records, newspapers, military and court records, tax and voter lists, diaries, published genealogies and more. Available only at Central Library.
The Sacramento Room
Access
extensive local archives including books, periodicals, maps, ephemera, postcards and photographs, as well as online access to many digital archives of local history. Located at
Central Library.
Genealogist Collection
A select group of reference books, periodicals, and other materials to support your family history research. Located at
Central Library.
Lectures and workshops offered by speakers who are family history experts.
What are the qualifications of your genealogists?
Our genealogists have years of experience conducting family history research. Many are active members of genealogical societies, and at least one has written books about her family’s history. They regularly attend genealogy classes and conferences to maintain their research skills.
Can you trace my family history using my DNA?
That’s not a service that we offer at the Library, but we can provide you with recommendations to reputable services or you can attend one of our upcoming presentations on DNA testing.
Why am I only able to access Ancestry.com at the Library?
The library subscribes to the database Ancestry Library Edition, which is the institutional version of Ancestry.com. One of the conditions set by the database vendor is that Ancestry Library Edition must be accessed through computers located in the library.
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