Ancestry: Library Access Only

Ancestry is our most popular genealogy and family history resource and one you’ve likely heard of before. You’ll need to visit one of our locations to use it, but Ancestry gives you access to census data, immigration records, military records, court documents, maps and more! Either click the link above or head to the Research and Learn page of our website to get started. Once you’ve gotten onto Ancestry, click “Begin Searching” and you’ll be presented with all the available options to search.

Here are some examples of how you can use Ancestry:

• Search for immigration records to find out when your ancestors first came to America.
• Search census records to discover where and when your ancestors lived.
• Search death-related documents like cemetery records and obituaries to learn when your ancestors died, how they were remembered and even where they are buried.

Heritage Quest: At Home Access

Heritage Quest is very similar to Ancestry, providing access to census records, war documents, family and local histories and more. The key difference is that you can use Heritage Quest from the comfort of your home! Just like with Ancestry, once you’re on Heritage Quest, click “Begin Searching” and you’ll be presented with all the choices of documents to explore.

Here are some examples of how you can use Heritage Quest:

• Search through Revolutionary War records to find ancestors who fought for America’s freedom.
• Search for recent ancestors in U.S. public records.
• Search wills and probates to find out what your ancestors left behind and to whom.

New Jersey Room: at Burlington County Library and online!

Online tools are great, but sometimes you want to get your hands on something a bit more tangible. The New Jersey Room at the Burlington County Library is a treasure trove of historical and genealogical resources. Family files, cemetery records, scrapbooks, city directories, maps, newspapers and photographs are just some of the items we have available for you to browse.

Here are some examples of how you can use the New Jersey Room:

• Search our collection of historic newspapers on microfilm to find articles and obituaries featuring your family members.
• Learn more about your family by browsing our family files.
• Follow up on records discovered on Ancestry or Heritage quest. Maybe you found the name of an ancestor in Ancestry’s census records? There could be more information on them in our family files or even our newspapers.

Have fun celebrating Family History Month with BCLS!