Local History and Genealogy Research at NYPL: Guides

Overview of the alternative census conducted in New York City in 1890. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2019. Opens in new window.

Research guide for NYC schools. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2014. Opens in new window.

A history of city directories in the United States and New York City. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2012. Opens in new window.

Tips for using free online resources to explore your Italian heritage. A guide by Megan Margino, 2015. Opens in new window.

A detailed introduction for patrons getting started with genealogy research, in addition to a useful resource for historians and biographers.

Overview of genealogy guidebooks to help short-cut your family research. A guide by Susan Kriete, 2019. Opens in new window.

Police records and research resources. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2017. Opens in new window.

Step-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.

Resources you can use to research your ancestors from home. A guide by Susan Kriete, 2019. Opens in new window.

Alternative sources for information frequently found in obituaries. A guide by Carmen Nigro, 2011. Opens in new window.

NYPL digital and non-digitized visual collections, in addition to other institutions. A guide by Carmen Nigro, 2014. Opens in new window.

Describes resources for researching the history of a business, family-owned or otherwise. A guide by Susan Kriete, 2019. Opens in new window.

Research guide by Megan Margino, 2015. Opens in new window.

Finding images of ordinary people in collections made available at NYPL. And how to identify people in family photos.

Strategies and resources to research your Polish family history.

Research resources for the Garden State. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2015. Opens in new window.

Researching U.S. military records at The New York Public Library.

Baby names and family names research. A guide by Carmen Nigro, 2015. Opens in new window.

Using newspapers in genealogy research at The New York Public Library.

Property research in New York City. A guide by Phil Sutton, 2011. Opens in new window.

Resources and research methods for researching neighborhoods in New York City.

Tips for using 19th century guidebooks to research the history of New York City. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2020. Opens in new window.

Wills and estates research. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2016. Opens in new window.

Tips 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.

A 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.

Resources for patrons interested in researching possible Loyalist ancestors. A guide by Susan Kriete, 2019. Opens in new window.

Guide to finding and using death records for genealogy and history research. A guide by Andy McCarthy, 2016. Opens in new window.

Maps are an essential tool for genealogy research. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2018. Opens in new window.

Tips for using insurance maps for genealogy research. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2018. Opens in new window.

Tips for using maps to trace family immigration stories. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2018. Opens in new window.

Tips for using topographical maps, county maps and atlases to explore your family history. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2018. Opens in new window.

Part Five of series on using maps for genealogy research, focusing on gazetteers. A guide by Philip Sutton, 2018. Opens in new window.

Tips for using postcards as a visual record of the past. A guide by Carmen Nigo, 2015. Opens in new window.

How to conduct and document family history interviews. A guide by Megan Margino, 2015. Opens in new window.

How to research a building in NYC (and beyond). A guide by Phil Sutton. Originally published 2011; updated in 2018. Opens in new window.