Genealogy

Start with these databases:

• America’s Obituaries and Death Notices
Collection of newspaper obituaries and death notices from the United States.
• Ancestry Library Edition
(Only available from within the Library)
With over 1.2 billion records, AncestryPlus is one of the most comprehensive online databases of genealogical and local history research available.
• HeritageQuest Online
Includes genealogies, local histories, primary source materials and genealogical and local history serials. An ongoing project, this database continues to grow and includes materials from all 50 states, Canada and the British Isles.
• Genealogy Bank
Thousands of historical newspapers, documents and books covering the entire United States. Includes a searchable Social Security Death Index. New content is added monthly.

Additional databases to search:

• America's Newspapers
Full-text articles from more than 600 U.S. newspapers.Popular searches:

• Chicago Sun Times
  Coverage of the full-text paper from 1986 to Current.
• Chicago Tribune
  Coverage of the full-text paper from 1985 to Current.
• Daily Herald
  Full-text coverage from 1985 to Current.
• Illinois Newspapers
  Search local and state news sources including: Chicago Tribune (1985-Current), Chicago Sun-Times (1986-Current), Courier-News (1/1/97-Current), Daily Herald (1/1/95-Current), the Kane County Chronicle (12/9/05-Current), and the St. Charles Republican (01/18/2009-Current).
• Kane County Chronicle
  Full-text coverage beginning in December 2005 to Current.

• Chicago Tribune, Historical (1849-1985)
Full page and article images with searchable full text back to the first issue. This collection includes digital reproductions providing access to every page from every available issue.
• Chicago Tribune Historical Archive
Images and selected full text of historical international, national, and regional events from 1870 forward. Full text of death notices and obituaries.
• Historical Newspapers Extra Edition
Search the Historical Chicago Tribune, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal through this easy-to-use page that includes timelines and popular topic searches.
• Illinois Digital Archive
St. Charles, Kane County and Illinois local history documents, maps and photos.
• New York Times, Historical (1857-2005)
Full page and article images with searchable full text back to the first issue. This collection includes digital reproductions providing access to every page from every available issue.
• Sanborn Maps, Illinois
Sanborn maps are large-scale plans of a city or town from 1867-1970. The maps list street blocks and building numbers in use at the time the map was made and previous numbers.