Genealogy
Click on the titles below to learn more. Follow the links in the drop downs to access PPL’s spectacular resources!
Ancestry Library Edition is the premier genealogy resource, containing over 4 billion names, more than 4,000 databases, primary-source documents, and a variety of other specialized features for family history research. Includes U.S. and U.K. census images and indexes, immigration records and passenger lists, and birth/marriage/death records.
The vendor only allows use within the library. Click here to login at the library. Please use your Peoria Public Library Card.
If you are a remote user, use Heritage Quest.
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this short tutorial!
Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 – today. HeritageHub helps you easily identify relatives, uncover new information and potentially unknown family members. Includes deep coverage from all 50 states, hard-to-find content from the mid 1900’s, and original obituary images. Access is available 24/7.
Click here to login at the library or remotely. Please use your Peoria Public Library card.
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this short tutorial!
HeritageQuest provides an essential collection of unique material for both genealogical and historical researchers, with coverage dating back to the late 1700s. Search HeritageQuest’s digitized U.S. federal census records, Revolutionary War files, Freedman’s Bank, and other valuable collections to find your ancestors, trace their paths across America, and learn what life was like in the areas where they settled.
Click here to login at the library or remotely. Please use your Peoria Public Library card.
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this short tutorial!
Access an ever-growing collection of genealogy resources from libraries across the country. Registers of birth, city directories, steamboat passenger lists, school yearbooks and more.
Click here to access the Internet Archive Genealogy Resources.
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this short tutorial!
Additional digitized genealogy resources:
Genealogy Center of the Allen County (IN) Public Library Partnership
The Genealogy Center of the Allen County (IN) Public Library houses the largest collection of family history research materials in the United States in a public library. Nearly 1.5 million volumes are on the shelves with more information online.
As part of the digital resources offered by ACPL, a platform for “Other States” materials houses unique materials including an index to biographical information, photos and historical buildings held in the local history collection at PPL.
To search Peoria and other states visit: https://www.genealogycenter.info/otherstates/
To go directly to the PPL collection
https://www.genealogycenter.info/peoriapubliclibrary/
Materials digitized include:
Civil War information
A Civil War collection including histories of the 76th and 86th Infantries; Col. Allen Fahnstocks diary; and historical listing of regiments with Peoria ties.
Peoria Firefighters history
Along with the full text of the published book Peoria Firefighters: A Proud History; you’ll find deaths in the line of duty, a listing of Peoria Mayors and Fire Chiefs and more.
WPA Peoria History
The WPA (Works Progress Administration) was a New Deal program created in 1935 to provide employment during the Great Depression. From 1934 –1938 Peorians were employed in creating a history of the local community. This manuscript includes names, businesses, organizations, and general history of Peoria.
Indexes to Peoria History
Name and subject indexes to help identify biographical and historical information. Includes an index to biographical information helping to identify sources in the PPL archives.
Indigenous materials
Information includes the roll of the Peoria tribe in 1889 from the Quapaw Indian Agency, Miami, Oklahoma showing a schedule of land distribution in the current Ottawa County, Oklahoma.
• The Journal Star
Explore Peoria history through local news, events and people with the Peoria Journal Star Collection. Search current and archived issues with full-color newspaper pages, full-text articles and content only published online. Available remotely 24/7 on any device.
Click here to login at the library or remotely. Please use your Peoria Public Library Card number for remote access.
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this short tutorial!
• America’s News
Click here to search America’s News. Search current and archived coverage of issues, events, people, government, sports and more with the largest collection of full-text U.S. newspapers. Find titles from across the US and Illinois. Includes staff-written articles, obituaries, editorials, announcements, real estate and other sections.
Click here to login at the library or remotely. Please use your Peoria Public Library Card number for remote access.
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this short tutorial!
• NewsStand
Includes full text of 300+ major U.S. and international news sources, including the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, and the Times of London. Content is updated daily, so coverage is exceptionally current!
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Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this resource guide!
• State Journal-Register Collection
Explore Springfield history through local news, events and people with the State Journal-Register Collection. Search current and archived issues with full-color newspaper pages, full-text articles and content only published online. Available remotely 24/7 on any device.
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