Genealogy Research

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

Updated April 28, 2026
RPL Staff
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
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.

Evidence explained : citing history sources from artifacts to cyberspace
Mills, Elizabeth Shown
Paper Book
History is not just a collection of documents-- and all records are not created equal. To analyze and decide what to believe, we also need certain facts about the records themselves.
The family tree guide to DNA testing and genetic genealogy
Bettinger, Blaine T.
Paper Book
Unlock the family secrets in your DNA! Discover the answers to your family history mysteries using the most cutting edge tool available. This plain-English guide (newly updated and expanded to include th latest DNA developments) will teach you what DNA tests are available; the...
The family tree problem solver : tried-and-true tactics for tracing elusive ancestors
Rising, Marsha Hoffman
Paper Book
Proven Solutions for Your Research Challenges Has your family history research hit a brick wall? Marsha Hoffman Rising's best-selling book The Family Tree Problem Solver has the solutions to help you find the answers you seek. Inside you'll find: ...
The Family Tree Scandinavian genealogy guide : how to trace your ancestors in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway
Fryxell, David A.
Paper Book
Trace your Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish ancestors! This convenient guide will help you discover your Northern European family history while optimizing your research time. Highlights include- .Strategies for identifying immigrant Scandinavian ancestors, plus how to trace...
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
Paper Book
A step-by-step guide to researching your family tree. Interested in doing your family tree but don't know how? Genealogy for Beginners covers everything you need to get started researching your family history or continue a project you've already started....
Genealogy standards
Paper Book
How do family historians know they are producing or receiving trustworthy results? This official manual from the Board of Certification for Genealogists, essentially a users' guide for family historians, provides standards for genealogical researchers to assess their own and others' work. The...
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.

Professional genealogy : preparation, practice & standards
Mills, Elizabeth Shown
Paper Book
"In 26 chapters, Professional genealogy: preparation, practice & standards lays before you a complete course of instruction to prepare you for a career in a complex field. Whether you discover this career path as a young adult or come into genealogy as a mature researcher trained in another...
The researcher's guide to American genealogy
Greenwood, Val D.
Paper Book
In every field of study, there is one book that rises above the rest in stature and authority and becomes the standard work in the field. In genealogy that book is Val Greenwood's "Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy." Arguably the best book ever written on American genealogy, it instructs the...
The source : a guidebook to American genealogy
Szucs, Loretto Dennis.
Paper Book
Genealogists and other historical researchers have valued the first two editions of this work, often referred to as the genealogist's bible."" The new edition continues that tradition. Intended as a handbook and a guide to selecting, locating, and using appropriate primary and secondary...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.