Online Genealogy Resources

American Ancestors is the research database of the New England Historical Genealogical Society.

Anyone can search the database, but you need to be logged in to see the text of the documents in your results. If you are in the library, please see a Reference Librarian for assistance — they can log you in on a library computer. Remote access is not possible, but our librarians can work with the database on your behalf.

For genealogy research. Includes coverage of the United States and the United Kingdom: census, vital, church, court, and immigration records, as well as record collections from Canada and other areas. This collection of more than 4,000 databases and two billion names is essential to having a broad genealogy collection, and its valuable content is a strong complement to HeritageQuest Online.

Search passenger records of the 12 million immigrants who entered the US through the Port of New York/Ellis Island between 1892-1954. Sponsored by the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation.

HeritageQuest Online combines digital, searchable images of U.S. federal census records with the digitized version of the popular UMI® Genealogy & Local History collection and other valuable content. This online database is an essential collection of unique material for both genealogical hobbyists and professionals.

A great local history resource! Search by keyword in Historic Northampton’s digital catalog and archives containing thousands of photographs, historic newspapers and maps, and extensive digital collections database. Includes the Howes Brothers Collection, genealogy resources, and images of the earliest issues of the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

JewishGen serves as the global home for Jewish genealogy. It features access to millions of records, along with opportunities for researchers to connect with others who share similar interests. Resources such as the Jewish Communities Database, Yizkor Book translations, InfoFiles, and KehilaLinks provide critical insights, first-hand accounts, and context about Jewish communal and familial life throughout the world.

The National Archivespreserves and cares for Federal records.  The National Archives at Pittsfield is closed.  Microfilm from Pittsfield is now located at the Berkshire Athenaeum.  The National Archives at Boston (Waltham) is open to genealogists and researchers.