The Central Library has an extensive genealogy
collection that is available to the public for in-house use, as well as a
selection of general genealogy materials that may be checked out. Our
collection's scope is largely for states east of the Mississippi River,
concentrating on the original colonial states and Florida, though we do have some materials
from west of the Mississippi. Types of materials include:
- Census Indexes
- Census records in either book or microform format
- historical vital records (e.g. birth, marriage, death records, etc.)
- General “how-to” references on tracing family records, how to do research or how to obtain and organize genealogical data
- Maps, gazetteers, and atlases that assist in defining geographic boundaries of localities in this collection
- State, county, city, or township histories that trace or identify early settlers or suggest research sources
- Materials that identify or trace geographic name changes
- Books or pamphlets that identify national migration trails, or ethnic migration patterns or dates
- Nationally recognized genealogical periodicals; periodicals and newsletters from genealogical societies
- Military rosters, church records or other community registers
- Florida materials relating to genealogy will be placed in this collection and not in the Eaton Room
This collection also includes materials on international ancestry including:
- Immigration and passenger lists and related indexes
- Introductions and general guides to research sources for foreign countries
- Books that trace a particular nationality’s arrival, migration and settlement in the U.S.
Additional Genealogy Resources
Heritage Quest (library database; log-in required)
FamilySearch.org (Manatee Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate. Patrons can access additional FamilySearch records through their free account, accessed on library public computers)
Find a Grave
Ellis Island Passenger Search
The Voyages Database