Genealogy Research
The Mount Prospect Public Library maintains a genealogy collection to assist you with family history research. This collection in the Harold Weary Genealogy Room includes books, periodicals, microfilm, microfiche, pamphlets, and online resources covering a variety of genealogical topics. It focuses primarily on the Village of Mount Prospect and the immediate northwest suburban area of Chicago but other parts of Illinois and the United States are also represented.
Click Here to view our Genealogy Databases
Genealogy is well-represented on the Web. Listed below are links to some of the most well-respected and useful resources currently available.
General Resources
- Castle Garden Database (Hosted by the Battery Conservancy in New York) more info »
This database offers access to records of immigrants who entered the country through New York between 1830 and 1892.
- Cyndi’s List more info »
This is a list of more than 260,000 links to genealogical websites arranged by subject categories.
- Ellis Island Records more info »
This database offers access to records of immigrants who entered through Ellis Island in New York between 1892 and 1924.
- Family Search (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) more info »
This website is prepared by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons).It includes general genealogical search information, a family tree database, and a catalog to books and microfilmed records owned by the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
- Rootsweb more info »
This is the oldest and largest free genealogy website that offers general research guides, specialized search engines and databases, message boards, mailing lists, and family trees.
- US GenWeb Project more info »
This is a free website run by volunteers working to provide free genealogy websites in every county and state in the United States. Each county page offers unique resources and information for researchers interested in that area.
Local Resources
Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect Historical Society
Northwest Suburban Council of Genealogists
Illinois Digital Archives (Illinois State Library) more info »Includes images of photographs and other materials related to Mount Prospect.
Chicago
Chicago Genealogical Society
National Archives – Great Lakes Region
Newberry Library
Cook County
Cook County Clerk’s Office
Cook County Genealogy Online
Illinois Resources
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library » Located in Springfield, this facility includes historical print and nonprint materials related to Abraham Lincoln’s life and to Illinois history in general.
Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) » A division of the Illinois State Archives, this organization offers access to county records.These records are housed in seven locations throughout the state.
Illinois State Archives
Illinois State Genealogical Society
Illinois State Library
National Resources
Allen County Public Library— Genealogy Center
National Archives and Records Administration
National Genealogical Society
Ethnic Resources
GENUKI – UK+Ireland Genealogy
German Genealogy Home Page
Hispanic Genealogical Society
JewishGen (Jewish Genealogy)
Polish Genealogical Society of America
Research Guides
These guides were prepared by the MPPL genealogy staff.
A Genealogy Pathfinder A journey through your family history
Grow Your Family Tree Online Selected genealogy websites
Harold Weary Genealogy Room
Microfiche Available at MPPL Genealogical research microfiche in the Mount Prospect Public Library
Norwegian-American Genealogy Materials in the Mount Prospect Public Library
Polish Genealogical Resources in MPPL
A Touch of the Green Resources for Irish genealogical research in the Mount Prospect Public Library