Genealogy Research

A curated list of genealogical resources available at the Rochester Public Library

Updated April 28, 2026
RPL Staff
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https://www.rplmn.org/ancestry
https://www.loc.gov/collections/chronicling-america/

This project provides access to select digitized newspaper pages produced by the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP), a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Library of Congress.

The family tree guide to DNA testing and genetic genealogy
Bettinger, Blaine T.
Paper Book
Unlock the secrets in your DNA! Discover the answers to your family history mysteries using the most-cutting edge tool available. This plain-English guide is a one-stop resource for how to use DNA testing for genealogy. Inside, you'll find guidance on what DNA tests are...
Family trees : a history of genealogy in America
Weil, Fran?is.
Paper Book
The quest for roots has been an enduring American preoccupation. Over the centuries, generations have sketched coats of arms, embroidered family trees, established local genealogical societies, and carefully filled in the blanks in their bibles, all in pursuit of self-knowledge and status through...
http://Familysearch.org
Become a part of the best ancestry website community through FamilySearch, and discover how our free Family Trees and records can help you uncover your past.
Genealogy for beginners
Pennavaria, Katherine
Ebook
http://olmstedhistory.com/resources

Search indexes for local obituaries, newspaper articles, photos, weddings, probate records, census information, and military history.

https://www.mnhs.org/search/people

Minnesota birth, death, and state census records, as well as Veterans Graves Registration and WWI Gold Star Rolls.

Who do you think you are? : the essential guide to tracing your family history
Smolenyak, Megan.
Paper Book
There is no such thing as an ordinary family. Each one has its own stories: the black sheep, the Civil War hero, the ancestors who fled to the United States, or the lost family fortune. No matter how plain...

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