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Web Resources

MGC's web resource collection includes links to librarian-approved websites to help with genealogical research. MGC is not responsible for the content on any of these websites. If you find a website that no longer works, you may fill out the Talk to Us form at the bottom of this page.

"The 1940 census records were released by the US National Archives April 2, 2012, and brought online through a partnership with Archives.com. This website allows you full access to the 1940 census images, in addition to 1940 census maps and descriptions."

This site includes links to free genealogy information posted on the web.

"AfriGeneas provides resources, leadership, promotion and advocacy for the mutual development and use of a system of genealogy for researching African related ancestry."

"The Center for Health Statistics operates the vital records system and collects and tabulates health-related statistical data for the state of Alabama."

"The Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics is responsible for managing vital records in the State of Alaska which include birth, death, fetal death, divorce and marriage certificate data, along with reports of adoption."

Search millions of records of immigrants who came through Ellis Island and the Port of New York. Find passenger manifests that include passenger name, date of arrival, ship of travel, age on arrival, and more.

The American History and Genealogy Project website links to genealogy books that are digitized or transcribed and have been placed online for public viewing.

"The Office of Vital Records is responsible for maintaining and issuing certified copies of vital records, including birth, death and fetal death certificates and certificates of birth resulting in stillbirth for events that occurred in Arizona. The Office of Vital Records officially began recording birth and death events in July, 1909. However, it maintains a sampling of delayed birth records of Arizona citizens (from 1855) and death records (from 1877) from other sources."

The certificate images provided are for Arizona births that occurred at least 75 years ago and deaths that occurred at least 50 years ago.

Under Act 1254 of 1995, the Division of Vital Records is responsible for the collection and registration of birth, death, and fetal death certificates, marriage and divorce coupons, and reports of induced termination of pregnancy and of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).

This Family History website from the BBC includes tips on how to get started with your genealogy project, what to do with the next steps of your research, and a timeline tool to help you figure out what your ancestors might have been doing throughout history. This site has many links to British genealogy resources.

The mission of the Board for Certification of Genealogists is "To foster public confidence in genealogy as a respected branch of history by promoting an attainable, uniform standard of competence and ethics among genealogical practitioners, and by publicly recognizing persons who meet that standard."

"California birth, death, fetal death, still birth, marriage and divorce records are maintained by the California Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records."

This site features a listing of genealogical and historical web sites from East to Western Sea in Canada.

CastleGarden.org offers free access to an extraordinary database of information on 11 million immigrants from 1830 through 1892, the year Ellis Island opened. Over 100 million Americans can trace their ancestors to this early immigration period.

Database of 6.3 million names of soldiers from both sides of the war, representing 44 states and territories. Names are linked to regimental histories and, in turn, capsule histories of battles.

Request certificates of vital records at the Connecticut State Office of Vital Records.

The most comprehensive list of links to genealogical sites on the internet arranged by subject categories. Also includes help for building your own genealogy home page.

"The public can obtain individual copies of birth, death, adoptee and marriage certificates through the Delaware Office of Vital Statistics."

Part of the online digital collections of Brigham Young University, the Family History Archives consists of digitized books including titles from the Midwest Genealogy Center of Mid-Continent Public Library.

America's #1 family history, beginner-friendly genealogy magazine. Family Tree Magazine appeals to family history enthusiasts, reaching beyond strict genealogy research to include ethnic heritage, family reunions, memoirs, oral history, scrapbooking, historical travel and other ways that families connect with their pasts.

Sponsored by the LDS Church, this website has records  that span billions of names across hundreds of historical record collections from around the world.  Records include birth, marriage, death, probate, land, military, International Genealogical Index, and more.

Browse the graves of famous persons, use the search to locate a grave, browse interesting monuments, search for a cemetery, and much more.

Find vital records from the state of Florida.

Free digital publications of interest to the genealogist and the family historian.

This is an ongoing project, the aim of which is to transcribe the Civil Registration index of births, marriages, and deaths for England and Wales.

Provides many of the finding aids, guides, and research tools that can prepare you for a visit to an NARA facility or for requesting records from the NARA such as soldier pension files.

This site has been helping connect families since 1999 with its unique collection of databases and innovative search tools, original articles from experienced genealogists, and a marketplace with an extensive catalog of products for family tree building. Whether you've been working on your family history for years or just getting started, Genealogy Today can help jump start your research.

Genealogy Buff is a free genealogy website designed especially for novice researchers of genealogical information. Its key features include a thorough surname search tool and an easily navigable homepage organized by topics that link to both free and subscription based genealogy websites.

The aim of GENUKI is to serve as a comprehensive "virtual reference library" of genealogical information that is of particular relevance to the UK & Ireland. It is a noncommercial service, provided by an ever-growing group of volunteers in cooperation with the Federation of Family History Societies and a number of its member societies.

"The mission of the State Office of Vital Records is to provide accurate records and data concerning vital events to Georgians and other stakeholders in an expeditious and friendly manner."

Resources for German Genealogy on the Internet.

Find vital records from Guam.

Find vital records from the state of Hawaii.

Here you will find free online genealogy databases, compiled family histories, vital records resources, famous and celebrity genealogies, lost and found family heirlooms, and more.

"The Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics maintains birth and death records filed from July 1911 to the present, and marriage and divorce records filed from May 1947 to the present. Some counties may have older birth, death, marriage, or divorce records in their files, but county files contain only records of vital events that occurred in that county."

This database provides listings of death certificates filed with the Illinois Department of Public Health between 1916 and 1950.

"Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900"

"The Illinois Department of Public Health preserves the state's records on births, deaths, marriages and divorces. More than 400,000 are registered annually. Since birth and death records first began to be collected by the Department in 1916, 27 million have been placed on file, including some delayed records dating back to the mid 1800s."

Indiana State Library Index of Marriages Through 1850.

"Birth records in the ISDH Vital Records office begin with October 1907. Prior to October 1907, records of birth are filed only with the local health department in the county where the birth actually occurred.Death records in the ISDH Vital Records office begin with 1900. Prior to 1900, records of death are filed only with the local health department in the county where the death actually occurred. For deaths occurring from 1900 to 1917, the city and/or county of death is required in order to locate the record."

A free online library of cemetery records, from thousands of cemeteries across the world, for historical and genealogy research.

In Iowa, official registration of births, deaths, and marriages began July 1, 1880. All original records that have been registered are on file with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.

"The Office of Vital Statistics receives and preserves vital records for events (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) which occur in Kansas. The Office maintains more than 10 million vital records, adding approximately 100,000 new records annually. Over 360,000 certified copies of these records are issued to eligible requestors annually. The records maintained by this office are necessary for individuals to carry out day-to-day business such as obtaining passports, enrolling in schools, sports participation, starting new jobs, qualifying for subsidized housing, collecting life insurance benefits, and transferring property."

An official site with an index to Johnson County, Kansas marriages as well as other public records. Use the Case Search to search for records back to the 1970s. For records prior to the 1970s, please contact the Johnson County, KS, Clerk.

"Kentucky's Vital Statistics Law, enacted by the General Assembly in 1910, provides for and legalizes the registration of births and deaths."

Includes the following Kentucky Death Index for 1911-1986, Kentucky Death Index for 1987-1992, Kentucky Marriage Index for 1973-1993, Kentucky Divorce Index for 1973-1993.

Fine more than 20 million obituaries through this collaboration between 1,500 newspapers from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

This site has links to more than 2 million genealogy websites which can be searched by location or surname.

Find vital records from the state of Louisiana.

Find vital records from the state of Maine.

"Turnbo was a sometime farmer and sometime newspaper proprietor who resided primarily near Pontiac, in Ozark County, Missouri. Turnbo traveled extensively in the region and wrote down the stories and reminiscenses of the region's pioneers. The resulting accounts cover a wide range of subjects including hunting, farming, outlaws, the Civil War, home life and a number of events that are best described as tales of the unusual."

"The Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issues certified copies of birth, death, fetal death, and marriage certificates for events that occur in Maryland. The Division also provides divorce verifications."

Vital records, 1841-1910.

"The State of Michigan vital records office has records of births, deaths, and marriages that occurred in Michigan and were filed with the state as early as 1867, and divorce records as early as 1897."

Michigan death index for 1867-1897.

Find vital records from the state of Minnesota.

"This index covers death certificates from 1908 to 2001, supplemented by death cards from 1904 to 1907."

Find vital records from the state of Mississippi.

The Missouri Death Certificate Database, containing death records created after 1910 and over 50 years old, makes that information available online through a searchable index that links to a digitized image of the original death certificate.

"Missouri birth, death, marriage and divorce records are maintained by the Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records."

Search for Missouri birth, stillbirth, and death records prior to 1910 at this database from the Missouri State Archives.

Search for naturalization records for Missouri between 1816 and 1955 at this database from the Missouri State Archives.

"The Soldiers Database is a comprehensive database abstracted from the individual service cards and listing more than 576,000 Missourians who served in the military from territorial times through World War I. It includes entries for twelve wars and military engagements in which Missouri soldiers took part."

"The Missouri State Genealogical Association (MoSGA) is dedicated to enhancing the knowledge of its members and the public in the study of family history, genealogical records and the principles of sound genealogical research."

Marriage records (applications and licenses) that were issued by this county are available via this site.

Official Public Records (OPR) consist of all publicly accessible documents recorded by this office and may include deeds, mortgage documents, easements, assumed names (d.b.a.), powers of attorney, bills of sale, and liens.

Find vital records from the state of Montana.

Search for census returns, wills, military records and other material from the UK.

This site offers tips for the beginning genealogist, membership information, an online catalog for their library, an an online bookstore.

This searchable database from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs "contains more than three million records of veterans and``dependents buried in VA's 120 cemeteries since the Civil War. It``also has records of some burials in state veteran's cemeteries and``burials in Arlington National Cemetery from 1999 to the present."``Search results include military branch and rank, service dates,``and location of the gravesite.

Find vital records from the state of Nebraska.

This Office is the legal custodian of birth and death certificates filed in the state of Nevada from July 1, 1911 to the present.  For events prior to 1911, records are usually held in the county Recorder’s office where the event occurred.  A list of the county Recorder’s offices can be found on our application for a marriage or divorce record.  Birth and death records are confidential in the State of Nevada and may only be released to a qualified applicant. A qualified applicant is defined as the registrant, or a direct family member by blood or marriage, his or her guardian, or his or her legal representative.

Find vital records from the state of New Hampshire.

"The State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration registers vital events and maintains the following vital records: birth, marriage and death records back to 1901, domestic partnership records back to 2004. civil union records back to 2007, adoptions – foreign and domestic, and Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth data back to 1969."

Find vital records from the state of New Mexico.

Search for New Mexico death records between 1899 and 1949.

The Municipal Archives has records of births reported in the five Boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island), prior to 1910; deaths reported prior to 1949, and marriages reported prior to 1930.

"The Vital Records Section of the New York State Department of Health files certificates for births and deaths that occur in New York State outside of New York City and for marriage licenses issued in New York State outside of New York City. Also on file are divorce records for all of New York State since 1963. The Vital Records Section provides qualified applicants with certified copies of the certificates associated with these events. Uncertified copies of older certificates are available for genealogy research."

Newspapers on microfilm that are available through interlibrary loan from the State Historical Society of Missouri.

Find vital records from the state of North Carolina.

"The Division of Vital Records provides registration and certification of the vital events that occur in North Dakota.  These events include births, deaths, fetal deaths, marriages and divorces.  We also provide statistical information on a wide range of categories relating to these events."

Find vital records for the Northern Mariana Islands.

Land records are very important to genealogists because they "document the transfer of land ownership from the federal government to individuals." This site gives "access to Federal land conveyance records for the Public Land States. There is also image access to more than five million Federal land title records for Eastern Public Land States, issued between 1820 and the present"

Ohio death index for 1913-1944.

Find vital records from the state of Ohio.

Find vital records from the state of Oklahoma.

This site lists links to online books on many topics including genealogy.

The Center for Health Statistics is responsible for issuing certified copies of vital records, including birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates for events that occurred in Oregon. The office has birth and death records dating from July, 1903; marriage records from 1906 and divorce certificates (not decrees) from 1925.

Find vital records from the Panama Canal Zone.

This site houses digitized copies of yearbooks from 1927-1990 from Paseo High School in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Division of Vital Records maintains birth and death events that occur in Pennsylvania from 1906 to the present.

Find vital records from Puerto Rico.

Find vital records from the state of Rhode Island.

RootsWeb includes search engines and databases, family trees (over 640 million names), surname and geographical mailing lists, and message boards.

Includes passenger lists, numbering 3,000 pages and growing every month. It is also a good source to learn more about the ship your ancestors arrived on, perhaps even including a picture of the ship.

Find vital records from the state of South Carolina.

"South Dakota vital records filed after 1905 are available. Many birth records for events occurring before 1905 were filed later and are in the system."

The South Dakota Department of Health maintains birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for the state and issues certified copies of such records.

The Tennessee Office of Vital Records registers and maintains the original certificates of births, deaths, marriages and divorces that occur in Tennessee.

Find vital records from the state of Texas.

Find Texas marriage license applications between 1966 and 2012.

Sponsored by a non-commercial organization committed to free access to genealogical information for everyone -- made up of volunteers that host sites for every county in every state of the United States. Special projects include the transcriptions of census records, cemetery listings and other materials.

Find vital records from the state of Utah.

The Utah State Archives offers the Office of Vital Records and Statistics``Death Certificate Electronic Index``1904-[ongoing], the public index covers 1904-1962.

Visitors to this site can search for Van Horn High School (Independence, MO) alumni by graduation year, name or browse the entire collection of photos.

"Since 2000, the Vermont vital records system includes nine types of vital events: births, deaths, marriages, divorces, civil unions, dissolutions, reciprocal beneficiaries, fetal deaths, and abortions."

Find vital records from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Find vital records from the state of Virginia.

Find vital records from Washington D.C.

Find vital records from the state of Washington.

Find vital records from the state of West Virginia.

West Virginia Death Records for various years and counties.

This index includes records from several western states including Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, California, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.

This BBC website is for anyone wanting to read about other people doing genealogy research, read interviews, watch videos and more!

"The Wisconsin Vital Records Office is responsible for filing, preserving, protecting, changing, and issuing copies of birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, and records of declaration of domestic partnership and termination of domestic partnership for events that occur in Wisconsin.  This Web site provides information on obtaining copies of vital records, searching our records in person, and other available services."

The WorldGenWeb Project is a non-profit, volunteer based organization dedicated to providing genealogical and historical records and resources for world-wide access.

"The Vital Statistics Services Program promotes and protects the health of Wyoming by serving as the official custodian of all vital records in the state and by disseminating health information in support of health and social planning efforts."

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