Library Class and Subject Guides: Genealogy Resources @ MSU: Library Databases

Getting Started

You need to be currently affiliated with MSU or in the MSU library to use these resources.

Historic Newspapers

Try looking for an obituary or birth announcement.
SUGGESTION: Use the features to limit to time period when searching within newspaper databases.

New York Times, Historical 1851-2015 This link opens in a new window
Provides searchable full-image articles published in the New York Times from 1851-2015.
America's Historical Newspapers, 1690-1922 This link opens in a new window
Search and browse American newspapers that chronicle the evolution of American culture and daily life from 1690 to 1922. Provides access to: Series 1 - From Colonies to Nation, 1690-1876; Series 2 - The New Republic, 1758-1900; Series 3 - From Farm to City, 1783-1922; and Series 13 - The American West, 1803-1916.
Times Digital Archive, 1785 - Onwards
London Times
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The Times Digital Archive, 1785 and onwards, delivers every page as published from 220 years of The Times (London) to your library. The Times is the "world's newspaper of record" and covers all major international historical events from the French Revolution to the Falkland War. Users may search the full-text of the entire newspaper, including articles, editorials, and advertising.
Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub
Minneapolis Tribune Historical
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This resource is also available to all Minnesotans via MnKNOWS. http://www.elm4you.org/databases/genealogy.php

Biographies

Maps

Sanborn Maps of Minnesota This link opens in a new window
"Sanborn maps are large-scale plans of a city or town, drawn at a scale of 50 feet to an inch. They were created to assist fire insurance companies as they assessed the risk associated with insuring a particular property. The maps list street blocks and building numbers including numbers in use at the time the map was made and previous numbers."

Archival Collections

This search's archives collections from around the United States. Access to these collections is usually only available at the holding repository.

ArchiveGrid
ArchiveGrid is an important destination for searching through historical documents, personal papers, and family histories held in archives around the world. Thousands of libraries, museums, and archives have contributed nearly a million collection descriptions to ArchiveGrid. Researchers searching ArchiveGrid can learn about the many items in each of these collections, contact archives to arrange a visit to examine materials, and order copies.

Books at other Library's

This database searches library catalogs from around the world. Great place to look for published genealogies, archival collections, and more.

WorldCat
world cat
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Provides citations to books and other materials (including those that are out of print) held by libraries worldwide.Use this database to request books via Interlibrary Loan. *This resource is provided by the Electronic Library of Minnesota, freely accessible to anyone in Minnesota!*