Genealogy Resources for Research & Discovery
Tracing our ancestors isn’t just about names and dates—it’s about uncovering the stories, struggles, and everyday lives that shaped who we are today.
This collection brings together trusted genealogy resources—many free, some subscription-based—to help you find records, explore archives, and connect the pieces of your family history.
Whether you’re researching military service, newspapers, local histories, or family trees, these tools have proven invaluable in uncovering the details that bring the past to life.
Military & Veteran Records
Reclaim the Records / BIRLS www.BIRLS.org
A valuable source for military veteran information, especially for WWI and WWII ancestors. While FOIA requests are no longer processed as they once were, the BIRLS database remains useful for identifying available records.
Note: Response times can be lengthy, but the results are often worth the wait.
If you’d like to see how these records come to life within our own family story, visit our Military page, where we place our ancestors within the times they lived. www.heirloomed.org/military
Newspaper Research - www.heirloomed.com/newspapers
Newspapers offer some of the richest details in genealogy—capturing births, deaths, marriages, tragedies, and everyday life.
Each site organizes its collections differently, so it’s important to check coverage for your specific location before subscribing. Free trials are highly recommended.
Tip: Using multiple newspaper sites often yields the best results.
Government & Public Archives
National Jukebox (Library of Congress) www.loc.gov/collections/national-jukebox/
Free access to early 20th-century sound recordings—offering a glimpse into the music your ancestors may have known.
Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) - https://dp.la
A massive digital collection of photos, maps, letters, family Bibles, and local histories from institutions across the country.
National Archives (AAD) - www.archives.gov
A searchable database with millions of records, including WWII enlistments, draft cards, and immigration data.
Collaborative Family Trees
FamilySearch - www.familysearch.org
A free platform with millions of records. Extremely valuable, but use caution with shared family trees—always verify information with reliable sources.
WikiTree - https://www.wikitree.com/
A collaborative tree focused on accuracy and sourcing. Slower to build, but highly reliable.
Ancestry - www.ancestry.com
A widely used platform with both free and subscription-based access. Great for record discovery, but always confirm tree hints with original sources.
Books, Directories & Hidden Gems
Internet Archive - https://archive.org
Aka "the Wayback Machine." A goldmine of digitized books, yearbooks, city directories, and local histories—many from the 1800s and early 1900s.
HathiTrust Digital Library - https://www.hathitrust.org
A large collection of academic and regional publications, including church records and historical texts.
Google Books - https://books.google.com
Excellent for finding obscure references in older publications—especially useful for surnames and small-town histories.
NYPL Digital Collections - digitalcollections.nypl.org Rich in maps, directories, photographs, and local records, particularly for New York and immigrant communities.
Featured Resource on Heirloomed
Medical Glossary -
www.heirloomed.org/medical
A unique look at historical medical terms—offering insight into the illnesses, treatments, and realities our ancestors faced.
One of the most meaningful ways to understand how people lived, suffered, and healed in earlier times.
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