The Algonquin Library offers many resources to help you with genealogical research. We offer a number of online resources along with materials that you can check out. We can also help you locate obituaries. If you need more personal assistance, you may also contact one of our trained genealogy librarians for a 30 minute consultation.
Ancestry Library Edition
ProQuest has partnered with Ancestry.com to create one of the most comprehensive genealogical collections available. Search U.S. and international records including census, vital, church, court, and immigration records. (Ancestry Library Edition is only accessible from inside the Library)
Heritage Quest
Search census records, family and local history books, genealogy periodicals (PERSI), and Revolutionary War Era Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications.
Family Search
One of the largest digital repositories of genealogical records from around the world including census, naturalization, and vital records.
Chicago Tribune 1849 - Present
Search the Tribune for obituaries, marriage notices, and articles about your ancestors and the world in which they lived.
Chicago Area Newspapers
Search the Chicago Sun-Times (1986-), the Daily Herald (1995-), the Northwest Herald (2005-) and over 100 other Illinois newspapers in full text.
Worldcat Catalog
Search libraries collections across the country for genealogical and local history books.
Fold3
While known for its excellent military collection, Fold3 also features resources for Native American research, as well as a wonderful collection of city directories, including Chicago from 1839-1923.
Newspapers.com
Newspapers.com is the largest online newspaper archive consisting of 300+ million pages of historical newspapers from 8,400+ newspapers from around the United States and beyond.




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Algonquin Area Obituaries Index
Search for obituaries appearing in the Algonquin/LITH Countryside and Northwest Herald newspapers.
America’s Obituaries and Death Notices (HeritageHub)
HeritageHub provides access to hundreds of years of obituaries and death notices from thousands of newspapers across the United States. Click here to learn how to use HeritageHub
Ancestry: Library Edition
A comprehensive source of information for genealogical and local history research, with access to billions of records in more than 3,000 databases.
Archive Grid
Search historical collections held by thousands of archives, libraries, museums and historical societies around the world.
Chicagoland News
Research topics in business, education, politics and more from over 200 Illinois news sources, including Chicago Sun-Times, Crain’s Chicago Business, Daily Herald, Northwest Herald, Algonquin Countryside.
Digital Past
This collection features books and pamphlets, photographs, and maps related to the history of Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, and McHenry County. Each book includes a text transcription and is fully searchable by keyword.
FamilySearch
One of the largest digital repositories of genealogical records from around the world including census, naturalization, and vital records.
Findmypast
Discover your global ancestors by searching millions of records across the world. Delve through records from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Ireland in one place.
Fold3
Provides convenient access to US military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served.
HeritageHub (America's Obituaries and Death Notices)
HeritageHub provides access to hundreds of years of obituaries and death notices from thousands of newspapers across the United States. Click here to learn how to use HeritageHub
HeritageQuest Online
Indexed, full-image census records from 1790-1930 make genealogy research easier than ever before!
Illinois Digital Archives
Books, pamphlets, photographs, and maps related to the history of Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and McHenry County. All featured titles are held in the possession of the Algonquin Area Public Library.
Newspapers.com - World Collection
Newspapers.com is the largest online newspaper archive consisting of 300+ million pages of historical newspapers from 8,400+ newspapers from around the United States and beyond.
U.S. Major Daily News
Search full-text articles, classifieds, obituaries, marriage notices, and more from the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and WSJ Magazine (dates vary).
Additional Resources
- Cyndi’s List
A directory of links to genealogy web sites. - Ellis Island
Free searchable database of passenger lists and photos between 1892-1924. Free registration required. - Find A Grave
Database of cemetery transcriptions including some photographs. - Illinois Digital Archives
Digitized photographs and documents from Illinois history. - Illinois State Archives
Search vital record indexes, land and veteran records. - National Archives
Learn how you can use the resources at the National Archives to explore your family's ancestry. - Rootsweb
Subscribe to message boards for surnames and counties you are researching.