SCCLD Online Resources
Ancestry Library (In-Library Access Only)
Provides access to hundreds of millions records. Includes U.S. Census, military, vital, and immigration records, and much more.
HeritageQuest Online
Offers census records, family histories, published genealogies, Revolutionary war records, Freedman's Bank records, and more.
Fold3 Library Edition
Provides access to US military records from the Revolutionary War to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, including stories, photos, & more.
Digital ReeL - Newspaper Microfilm Collection
Digital ReeL provides access to SCCLD’s microfilm collection of historical local newspapers,with enhanced access and searching capabilities.
FamilySearch
FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization and website offering genealogical records, education, and software.
WorldCat
Search the collection of other library systems. This is a great resource to locate reference items, archival material, primary sources, etc.
Obituary Research and Assistance
Internet Resources
Internet Archive: Allen County Public Library
Offers the digitized, full-text copy of various genealogy books as well as the United States Census for the years 1790 through 1930.
Birth Year Calculator
Quickly calculate birth year dates for up to twelve ancestors, when using the census or other genealogical resources.
The Central Database of Shoah Victims' Names – Yad Vashem
Makes available a collection of names and biographical details of half of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their accomplices.
Chronicling America
Maintained by the Library of Congress this resource provides historical newspapers published in the U.S. & territories from 1789-1963.
Vital Records
Internet Archive: United States Census
The record of the population census from 1790 -1930. Scanned from microfilm belonging to Allen County Public Library.
Where to Write for Vital Records (Center of Disease Control)
This site contains info about where to write for birth, death, marriage, & divorce certificates from each state and territory in the U.S.
Genealogy Roots Blog
The Genealogy Roots Blog is for finding online genealogy databases, records and resources.
Internet Resources for Vital Records
Cindy's List: Vital Records
A starting point for finding birth, marriage, divorce and death records on the web.
Find A Grave
Find A Grave is a resource for finding the final resting place of family, friends, and 'famous' individuals.
Linkpendium
Linkpendium is another genealogy web directory, with a great library of categorized links.
Immigration and Passenger Lists
Castle Garden
This free site offers access to information on 11 million immigrants from 1820 through 1892, the year Ellis Island opened.
Find U.S. Naturalization Records
Compilation of links to naturalization indexes and records.
Immigrant Ancestors Project
This project uses emigration registers to locate information about the birthplaces of immigrants in their native countries.
Ship Passenger Lists & Records Online
Internet Sources for Transcribed Passenger Records & Indexes.
Military Records
Fold3 Library Edition
Provides access to US military records from the Revolutionary War to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, including stories, photos, & more.
National Archives: Research in Military Records
Provides general information on military records.
Archival Databases System / National Archives
Includes military records for World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Online Military Indexes and Records - USA
A directory of links to online military indexes and records.
Newspapers
Mercury News Historical Archive (1886-1922)
Find full-text articles on local news, obituaries, announcements, events, people, and much more from archived issues of the Mercury News.
New York Times: Historic Issues
This online archive brings you the entire historical run of the The New York Times since 1851 - 3 years previous to the current year.
California Digital Newspaper Collection
A Freely Accessible Repository of Digitized California Newspapers from 1846 to the Present.
Chronicling America
Maintained by the Library of Congress this resource provides historical newspapers published in the U.S. & territories from 1789-1963.
Bay Area Newspapers (for Santa Clara County)
A list of local newspapers available on microfilm at the Library. This is a good resource for obituary & local history research.
Digital ReeL - Newspaper Microfilm Collection
Digital ReeL provides access to SCCLD’s microfilm collection of historical local newspapers,with enhanced access and searching capabilities.
Mercury News (1985-Recent)
Provides current, full-text articles written by Mercury News staff on local news, business, sports, front, editorials and obituaries.
New York Times Online, Current Issues
Available in three editions: English, Spanish & Chinese. The archives for 1851-1922 and 1981-present are unlimited.
Online City Directories
Santa Clara County Genealogy
Santa Clara County Genealogy & Local History
SCCLD Archival Collections
Learn about the history and culture of Santa Clara County. Get access to books, articles, and Vertical Files on a variety of subjects.
1852 California Census for Santa Clara County
In 1852 a special census was taken for the new state of California, including Santa Clara County. Access the transcript for more info.
Santa Clara County Genealogy
Archives, cemeteries, databases, services, libraries, maps, vital records, etc.
Mountain View Public Library Obituaries
An online index to the obituaries found in the Mountain View History Center collection. Most appeared in local newspapers from 1967 to 2004.
Palo Alto Historical Association Newspaper Obituaries 1890+
Search for citations to articles & obituaries from the Palo Alto Weekly, the Palo Alto Daily News, & other local newspapers.
Santa Clara County Historical and Genealogical Society
Includes information about the society and a surname index to their files on early settlers of Santa Clara County.
Santa Clara County Office of the Clerk Recorder
Order vital certificates from Santa Clara County.
USGenWeb for Santa Clara County
Many free genealogy resources on the web for Santa Clara County.
Local Genealogy Libraries
Local Genealogy Libraries
Santa Clara City Library
Santa Clara City Library, with the assistance of the Santa Clara County Historical & Genealogical Society, maintains a Genealogy Collection.
The Family History Library (FHL)
Find a Family History Center near you to get help with your genealogy research. Also access billions of records for free.
History San Jose Library & Archives
Open to the public find local history & genealogy information for San Jose & greater Santa Clara Valley.
Santa Clara County Archives
Provides historical records of Santa Clara County and its government.
National Archives at San Francisco
Access millions of records for genealogy and local history research including military, census, and immigration records.
Sutro Library
Provides a variety of genealogy records including vital records, family & local histories, directories, registries, and more.
Browse the Catalog
Browse the Catalog
Additional Resources
Online Library Help
Online Library Tutorials, Guides, & Help
Online Library Tutorials, Guides, & Help
Need help with using our Online Library? You can find video tutorials, how-to guides, news and contact information here.