Lake County Library News

News from the Indiana Room at the Lake County library:

The Lake County Public Library wants to help you bring your family together. Looking into the past has never been easier or more fun, because the library has assembled a premiere collection of historical and genealogical resources to help you find your elusive ancestors. After all, only a genealogist regards a step backwards as progress!

Using our trio of databases makes searching for birth, marriage, and death records a snap. We have all the country’s rich census data in our Ancestry Library Edition (we bought the subscription so you won’t have to) and Heritage Quest computer databases. Our ProQuest Obituaries database will make finding obituaries and death notices from many prominent newspapers quick and easy.

Like books? The depth and breadth of our collection is impressive. Look at our books of passenger ship lists, and perhaps you will find a relative’s name among those who braved the seas to come to America. Use our naturalization records to learn what country your ancestors departed from and their ethnic background. Are you eligible to join the Daughters of the American Revolution? Use our resources to find out.

Perhaps one of your ancestors is lurking in our roster of Civil War soldiers and received a soldier’s pension. Try to find a picture of your ancestors or their business in our county history books. Which of your ancestors came to Indiana first, and what did they do for a living? Our atlases and gazetteers can help you pinpoint places of interest. In a Gary city directory, you may learn your great-uncle was a carpenter, merchant, or a steel mill worker. You will discover, like William Shakespeare, “There is history in all men’s lives.”

Internet enthusiasts can visit the Genealogy and Indiana Roots link on our website to learn more about all our exciting genealogical resources. While you are there, be sure to visit our “Region Roots ~ Northwest Indiana Genealogy” blog for a quick dip into everything genealogy. Check back with “Region Roots” often to learn more about upcoming genealogy programs and our monthly genealogy class.

Yes, we are offering a genealogy class! The genealogy searching class meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 10 am-noon. This class introduces you to the wealth of information available in our trio of genealogy databases. Seating is limited, so be sure to pre-register—phone (219) 769-3541 ext. 334.

Does all of this sound a little overwhelming? Our new Indiana Librarian, Susan Killin, will be available to guide you as you get started using all our resources. Call (219) 769-3541 ext. 336 and make a genealogy appointment with Susan.

Warning…genealogy is addictive! One anonymous genealogist put it this way… “Genealogy begins as an interest, becomes a hobby, continues as an avocation, takes over as an obsession, and in its last stages, is an incurable disease.”