Get started researching your family tree with these resources.
First Steps
The National Genealogical Society offers a wealth of guides and tips for researchers! Their Getting Started guide is a great first step, or if you are further along in your research, they offer additional next steps and lots of links.
Search Online
- Ancestry.com is a comprehensive source of information for conducting genealogical and local history research. It allows you to easily search census records, immigration information, and other vital records in one easy to use interface. Ancestry.com is available through Allegheny County’s eLibrary. Login with your library card number and four-digit pin.
- Family Search is similar to Ancestry.com. You will need to create an account to research and start creating a family tree. Search vital records as well as full text newspapers.
- Findmypast, and MyHeritage also offer comprehensive searching, however both charge a monthly fee.
- National Archives features a passenger search for anyone looking for ship crossing information
- Historic Pittsburgh is a treasure trove for anyone with ties to Pittsburgh. Maps, manuscripts, photographs, and more from a wealth of local partners bring local history to life.
Newspaper Search
- Google News Archive put the power of a google search at work across a wide array of historic documents and newspapers
- Chronicling America allows you to search America’s historic newspaper pages from 1789-1963
- U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present.
Cemetery Search
- Find a Grave helps people from all over the world work together to find, record and present final disposition information as a virtual cemetery experience.
- Billion Graves preserves precious records found in cemeteries throughout the world using modern technology to capture images of headstones with their GPS locations so users worldwide can access the records anywhere.
Local Experts
- John Heinz History Center’s Detre Library & Archives houses a wealth of local resources. Call ahead to make an appointment.
- The Family and Local History Department at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh offers numerous online guides, as well as resources that can only be accessed in person. You can also file Research Requests online
Preservation
- If you are the caretaker of valuable family photographs and records, the National Archive has shared information on How to Preserve Family Archives.
Last updated: 9/29/25