Genealogy Resources on the Web
Main Genealogy page
Online genealogical research workshops - learn about the latest online resources
Ancestry Library Edition- Excellent source for vital records and other resources for genealogical research.
Available inside the Library only.
More information about Ancestry
HeritageQuest Online (Sonoma County Library library card required for access from home)
More information about HeritageQuest
Having trouble reaching or using HeritageQuest? Help and Troubleshooting
RootsWeb.com- This is the oldest free genealogy website. Search a large database by family name, with links to message boards, family trees, and genealogy mailing lists.
California Birth Index- Due to privacy laws, the Birth Index is no longer available. For local Sonoma County birth records from 1873 to present, see the County Clerk's Office. Public access terminals are available for limited vital records research at the County Clerk's Office.
California Death Index, 1940-1997- There may be records from before the stated beginning date of the database.
Ellis Island Records- This database contains not only passenger lists for those who came through Ellis Island on their way to settling in the United States, but additional information on immigrant groups, and overviews of immigration patterns from specific countries. The family archive created here will also solicit contributions of personal documents and photos to the Archive.
Familysearch- From the Church of LDS. This site allows you to search the Ancestral file, their family history library catalog. Also available is the International Genealogy Index and the Family Search pedigree resource file.
Genealogy Librarian News- Highlights of new articles in different regional genealogical publications; links to complete genealogy books you can read, download, or search.
Cyndi's List- Ninety subject categories of links to genealogy sites on the Internet.
Genealogy Sites by Topic- By Richard Wilson. An alphabetical listing of genealogy related Internet sites sorted by topic. Great for finding online dictionaries, gazetteers, maps, etc.
US GenWeb Project- USGenWeb Project is a volunteer project working to provide genealogical information for each state and county in the U. S. Resources available in each county are listed.
Genealogy.com- A good portal site for beginning your research. The web site has online indexes to the Family Tree Maker CD-ROM products.
Genealogy Today- A popular site for searching genealogy databases, with articles about how to trace your family history. Now includes the Live Roots search tool for finding out which libraries, websites, or database companies have the genealogical information you are seeking.
Genealogical Source Material- Lists sites which have searchable databases.
UK Public Records- Public record office of England and Wales. Lists books for sale. Information leaflets on searching in Great Britain may be downloaded.