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1890 New York City Police Census: A Research GuideOverview of the alternative census conducted in New York City in 1890. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2019. Opens in new window.
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Better Know a State: See the Nation, Through the American Guide SeriesOverview of state guidebooks published by the WPA in the late 1930's. A guide by Diane Dias DeFazio, 2017. Opens in new window.
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Class Act: Researching NYC Schools with Local History CollectionsResearch guide for NYC schools. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2014. Opens in new window.
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Conducting Genealogical Research Using NewspapersHistorical newspaper resources online, at the Library and elsewhere. A guide created by Megan Margino, 2014. Opens in new window.
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Direct Me NYC 1786: A History of City Directories in the United States and New York CityA history of city directories in the United States and New York City. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2012. Opens in new window.
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Everyone Counts: Using the Census in Genealogy ResearchFederal and state census records overview. A guide by Carmen Nigro, 2011. Opens in new window.
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Five Ways to Research Your Italian Heritage Without Leaving HomeTips for using free online resources to explore your Italian heritage. A guide by Megan Margino, 2015. Opens in new window.
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Genealogy: Getting Started at The New York Public LibraryA detailed introduction for patrons getting started with genealogy research, in addition to a useful resource for historians and biographers.
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Genealogy How-To Books: How a Little Reading Can Save You A Lot Of TimeOverview of genealogy guidebooks to help short-cut your family research. A guide by Susan Kriete, 2019. Opens in new window.
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Genealogy Research Tips: Breaking Through Brick Walls and Getting Past Dead EndsGenealogy research tips. A guide by Carmen Nigro, 2011. Opens in new window.
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Genealogy Tips: New York Cops in The City RecordPolice records and research resources. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2017. Opens in new window.
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Genealogy Tips: Searching the Census by AddressStep-by-step guide to searching the census by address, a powerful tool for locating lost ancestors. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2016. Opens in new window.
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Genealogy Tips: Using NYPL Resources at Home to Research Immigrant AncestorsResources you can use to research your ancestors from home. A guide by Susan Kriete, 2019. Opens in new window.
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The Great Obituary Hunt: A Genealogy Research GuideAlternative sources for information frequently found in obituaries. A guide by Carmen Nigro, 2011. Opens in new window.
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How to Find Historical Photos of New York CityNYPL digital and non-digitized visual collections, in addition to other institutions. A guide by Carmen Nigro, 2014. Opens in new window.
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How to Find Your Suffragette AncestorsDiscover the role your ancestors played in winning the vote for women. A guide by Susan Kriete, 2020. Opens in new window.
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How to Research A Family BusinessDescribes resources for researching the history of a business, family-owned or otherwise. A guide by Susan Kriete, 2019. Opens in new window.
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Introduction to Polish GenealogyHistorical context and research strategies for beginning Polish family history.
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Jersey Genealogy: A Research Guide Using Local History CollectionsResearch resources for the Garden State. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2015. Opens in new window.
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Names Have Meaning: a Research Guide for Baby Names and Family NamesBaby names and family names research. A guide by Carmen Nigro, 2015. Opens in new window.
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New York and the American Revolution: Resources at NYPLSelection of Library resources relating to New York in the American Revolution. A guide by Diane Dias DeFazio, 2017. Opens in new window.
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New York City Land Conveyances 1654-1851: What They Are and How They WorkProperty research in New York City. A guide by Phil Sutton, 2011. Opens in new window.
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New York City Neighborhood Research: How to Site SeeResources and research methods for researching neighborhoods in New York City.
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Old Time Tours: A Guide to 19th Century New York City GuidebooksTips for using 19th century guidebooks to research the history of New York City. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2020. Opens in new window.
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Probate Records in GenealogyWills and estates research. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2016. Opens in new window.
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Published Family Histories: An Under-Tapped ResourceTips for using published family histories for genealogy research, even if they are not about your own ancestors. A guide by Susan Kriete, 2018. Opens in new window.
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Puerto Rico GenealogyA research guide to online and print resources for genealogy related to individuals from Puerto Rico. A guide by Diane Dias De Fazio, 2020. Opens in new window.
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Researching Ancestors who were Loyalists in the Revolutionary WarResources for patrons interested in researching possible Loyalist ancestors. A guide by Susan Kriete, 2019. Opens in new window.
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Researching Orphans in GenealogyAdoptee and Orphan Train resources. A guide by Carmen Nigro, 2013. Opens in new window.
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Sea Blazers and Early Scriveners: the First Guidebooks to New York CityGuidebooks to New York City over time. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2015. Opens in new window.
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Talking U.S.A. Death RecordsGuide to finding and using death records for genealogy and history research. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2016. Opens in new window.
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Three Reasons to Use Find My Past for Family History ResearchIntroduction to useful genealogical databases available on-site at the Library. A guide by Megan Margino, 2016. Opens in new window.
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Using Maps for Genealogy Research, Part 1: Finding RecordsMaps are an essential tool for genealogy research. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2018. Opens in new window.
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Using Maps for Genealogy Research, Part 2: Fire Insurance Maps - Exploring Space and TimeTips for using insurance maps for genealogy research. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2018. Opens in new window.
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Using Maps for Genealogy Research, Part 3: Place of Origin and Immigration StoriesTips for using maps to trace family immigration stories. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2018. Opens in new window.
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Using Maps for Genealogy Research, Part 4: Topographical Maps, and County Maps and AtlasesTips for using topographical maps, county maps and atlases to explore your family history. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2018. Opens in new window.
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Using Maps for Genealogy Research, Part 5: Gazetteers and Finding MapsPart Five of series on using maps for genealogy research, focusing on gazetteers. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2018. Opens in new window.
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Using Postcards for Local History ResearchTips for using postcards as a visual record of the past. A guide by Carmen Nigo, 2015. Opens in new window.
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What's Your Story? Conducting Interviews for Genealogical ResearchHow to conduct and document family history interviews. A guide by Megan Margino, 2015. Opens in new window.
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Who Lived In a House Like This? A Brief Guide to Building Research in NYCHow to research a building in NYC (and beyond). A guide by Phil Sutton. Originally published 2011; updated in 2018. Opens in new window.
Reference Librarians
Irma and Paul Milstein Division Reference Librarians
Contact:
476 Fifth Avenue (42nd St and Fifth Ave)
First Floor, Room 121
New York, NY 10018
First Floor, Room 121
New York, NY 10018
212-930-0828
Website