For Local History & Genealogy
Ancestry Library Edition
Ancestry Library Edition is the premier genealogy resource, containing over 4 billion names, more than 4,000 databases, primary-source documents, and a variety of other specialized features for family history research. Includes U.S. and U.K. census images and indexes, immigration records and passenger lists, and birth/marriage/death records.
The vendor only allows use within the library. If you are a remote user, please use Heritage Quest.
| At the library | Heritage Quest |
| Please use your Peoria Public Library Card for remote access |
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this short tutorial!
Heritage Quest
HeritageQuest provides an essential collection of unique material for both genealogical and historical researchers, with coverage dating back to the late 1700s. Search HeritageQuest’s digitized U.S. federal census records, Revolutionary War files, Freedman’s Bank, and other valuable collections to find your ancestors, trace their paths across America, and learn what life was like in the areas where they settled.
| At the library | Remote user |
| Please use your Peoria Public Library card for remote access |
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this short tutorial!
Historical Maps
Illinois Digital Sanborn Maps
Delivers detailed property and land-use records that depict the grid of everyday life in Illinois towns and cities across a century of change. This database is only available at Peoria Public Library
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian!
Historic Map Works
This resource contains over 1.4 million high resolution maps spanning centuries. Find the maps you need for your local history or genealogy research with the diverse search and browse options, such as the new Points of Interest tool and the Address Search.
At the library or Remote user
Please use your Peoria Public Library Card for remote access
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian!
Newspapers (Obituaries)
Click here to search the archives of the Peoria Journal Star. You can browse today’s news or search for stories, obituaries, sports, columns, and more from 1991- current. Available from home or inside the library.
At the library or Remote user
Please use your Peoria Public Library Card number for remote access
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this short tutorial!
Click here to search America's News. Search current and archived coverage of issues, events, people, government, sports and more with the largest collection of full-text U.S. newspapers. Find titles from across the US and Illinois. Includes staff-written articles, obituaries, editorials, announcements, real estate and other sections.
At the library or Remote user
Please use your Peoria Public Library Card number for remote access
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this short tutorial!
NewsStand
Includes full text of 300+ major U.S. and international news sources, including the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, and the Times of London. Content is updated daily, so coverage is exceptionally current!
Need help using this resource? Ask a librarian or check out this resource guide!
NEED HELP?!
You can call (309) 497-2000 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday to get help from Peoria Public Library Reference staff.
Or stop in and talk to a REAL person at any one of our library locations!
You can also email questions to Peoria Public Library staff anytime using our Ask a Librarian form. Library staff will respond as soon as possible (generally within one business day).
