Find the best ancestry research libraries in the U.S. New England states.
For many historians/genealogists, genealogical and historical societies and university and state libraries are a vast reservoir of information, tools, and experts that will enhance and magnify your research by leaps and bounds. This article will share a comprehensive listing of these resources for the U.S. New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
See the companion article entitled: “Effectively Trace Ancestors in Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies.” Learn how to effectively use local, county, state historical societies and libraries to trace, find, and write narratives about ancestors.
Table of Contents
Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Interwoven Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Connecticut Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Maine Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Massachusetts Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- New Hampshire Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Rhode Island Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Vermont Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Where can I find lists of genealogical libraries and societies in other states?
The following matrix is a listing of each state. Click on the state and you will be taken to the article that contains the listing of genealogical and historical libraries, societies, and archives for that state.
What does each state’s listing of genealogical libraries and societies include?
As this article was being researched, it became apparent that lists and links to genealogy and historical societies, libraries, and archives are scattered throughout the web. None of the resources are complete, yet all must be reviewed to ensure you have not overlooked a possible source. For each state, I will provide the resources for the following categories:
- Statewide Resources
- University Archives and Collections
- Public Library and Community Resources and Archives
- Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives
- Finding State Digital Resources and Collections
- Digital Library Collections
- Historical and Genealogical Society Online Web Pages
While I have sought to provide you with a detailed compilation, I know I have missed some resources. If you don’t find what you’re seeking, I suggest you contact the library or society nearest your place of interest and see if they can help you locate resources that may not be online but can be contacted via other means.
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Interwoven Historical and Genealogical Resources
I would like to share a personal experience. Over many generations, the history of a family lies buried in different sources and places. Like a good detective, the historian and genealogist must search for the pieces of a family’s past in those many sources such as books, documents, and manuscripts. You need to be patient and imaginative, for the search can take years and involve a string of clues that lead to new sources. The facts–names, dates, events–that a historian/genealogist gathers through the years are like pieces of a puzzle. Gradually those pieces can be fitted together to make a picture of a family, its many members, and its unique history. I would like to share a personal experience.
As a researcher and storyteller, I have focused much research on online microfilm records and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Naively, I thought I had reached most of the available resources that pertained to my family. Then my perception changed with a trip to the roots of my family— Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and. Virginia. What started to be a 10-day trip ended up being a month-long discovery of who I am, where I came from and Whose I am.
Before my trip, I thought I had done extensive preparation through online searching at the Library of Virginia, spoken with and made arrangements to visit a few county historical societies, and identified where my family lived. I searched my records to see my information and collaborated with fellow family genealogists.
By the end of my trip, I had traveled 2,500 miles, taken 24,000 digital images, identified 150,000 plus ancestors from direct and collateral lines; visited and researched university archives and special collections; public and regional libraries; state, regional, and local historical, and ethnic societies; and state, county, and local government agencies. I had also spoken and counseled extensively with subject matter experts, walked my family’s land, visited the graves and cemeteries of my family, never found before known records, and met cousins both of Anglo- and African-American descent.
This experience came about because of interwoven historical and genealogical resources dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting artifacts and documents. They included:
- Colleges and universities archives and special collections
- Corporate archives
- Federal, state, and local government
- State, county, local, and ethnic historical societies
- Regional and community public libraries
If I learned one thing, it was a combination of all the resources to effectively help me learn and tell the story of my ancestors. I found that each organization had information shared by more than one organization; furthermore, I found each had unique and precious elements of my past. Finally and probably most importantly, I found a deep appreciation for the resources of individuals who freely gave of their time, expertise, and donations to acquire collections and make them available. I was also grateful to institutions and organizations for their dreams and vision to coordinate, collect, preserve, and manage history.
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Connecticut Research Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Connecticut local, county, and state genealogical and historical libraries and societies to assist you in tracing, finding, and writing narratives about ancestors.
What you can expect to find
Many of these libraries and societies have genealogical collections, historical collections, archives, special collections, and digital collections. Digital collections by subject, rare books, oral histories, photography collection, family history, digital projects, genealogical. open collections, virtual resources, electronic, and history text which are departments in the library.
Tip: Copy and paste the name of the listed resource into Google or the search engine of choice to find the web address. Once you find the resource you will be able to explore the type of resources you can find to support your historical and genealogy research.
State-wide Resources (4)
- Connecticut Historical Society
- Connecticut Society of Genealogists, Inc.
- Connecticut State Archives
- Connecticut State Library
University Archives and Collections (17)
- Central Connecticut State University. Connecticut Polish American Archives
- Central Connecticut State University. Elihu Burritt Archives
- Central Connecticut State University. Gender Equity Archives
- Eastern Connecticut State University
- Kent Memorial Library
- Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
- University of Connecticut. Archives & Special Collections
- University of Hartford
- Wesleyan University
- Yale Divinity Library
- Yale University Library. Manuscripts and Archives
- Yale University Library. Near East Collection
- Yale University. Beinecke Library
- Yale University. Judaica Collection
- Yale University. Lewis Walpole Library
- Yale University. Medical Library
- Yale University. Music Library
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (12)
- Avon–Avon Free Public Library
- Bridgeport–Bridgeport Public Library
- Bridgeport–Connecticut State Library, History and Genealogy Unit
- Burlington–Burlington Public Library (CT)
- Middletown–Godfrey Memorial Library
- New Canaan–New Canaan Library
- New London–New London County Historical Society
- Newtown–C.H.Booth Library
- Old Saybrook–Old Saybrook Historical Society
- Stamford–Stamford Public Library
- Suffield–Kent Memorial Library
- Wilton–Wilton Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (11)
- Fairfield Historical Society
- Goodspeed Musicals
- Greater New Haven Labor History Association
- Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
- Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich
- Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives, Inc.
- Litchfield Historical Society
- New London County Historical Society
- Old Saybrook Historical Society
- Pequot Library
- Wesleyan Cinema Archives
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- Delaware – The Digital Library of the First State
This site provides online information and services to Delaware’s public libraries and their customers. It offers access to thousands of newspapers and periodicals in public libraries and by remote access.
Digital Library Collections (9)
- Historical New Haven Digital Collection
- Connecticut Digital Library (iCONN)
- Connecticut History Online: Photographs, Drawings and Prints About Connecticut History
- New England Collections Online
- University of Connecticut Libraries, Digital Collections
- Yale University
- Digital Projects and Research Websites
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Maine Research Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Maine local, county, and state genealogical and historical libraries and societies to assist you in tracing, finding, and writing narratives about ancestors.
What you can expect to find
Many of these libraries and societies have genealogical collections, historical collections, archives, special collections, and digital collections. Digital collections by subject, rare books, oral histories, photography collection, family history, digital projects, genealogical. open collections, virtual resources, electronic, and history text which are departments in the library.
Tip: Copy and paste the name of the listed resource into Google or the search engine of choice to find the web address. Once you find the resource you will be able to explore the type of resources you can find to support your historical and genealogy research.
State-wide Resources (4)
- Maine Historical Society
- Maine Genealogical Society
- Maine State Archives
- Maine State Library
University Archives and Collections (7)
- University of Maine, Farmington
- University of Maine, Fort Kent. Acadian Archives
- University of Maine, Orono. Maine Folklife Center
- University of Maine, Orono. Special Collections
- University of Maine, Presque Isle
- University of New England. Maine Women Writers Collection
- University of Southern Maine
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (11)
- Auburn–Auburn Public Library
- Bangor–Bangor Public Library
- Bangor–Bangor Public Library
- Belfast–Belfast Free Library
- Brooksville–Brooksville Free Public Library
- Gardiner–Gardiner Public Library
- Lewiston–Lewiston Public Library
- Patten–Patten Free Library
- Portland–Portland Public Library
- Warren–Warren Memorial Library
- Westbrook–City of Westbrook
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (2)
- Northeast Historic Film
- Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- Louisiana Center for Educational Technology – K-12 Online Database Resources
This site offers free, unlimited access to online resources to all Louisiana public and nonpublic schools. The collection of subscription-based products is from the GALE Group, and World Book, Inc.. Access more than 1.7 million full-text magazines and newspaper articles, hundreds of full-color maps, 14 reference books, and much more.
Digital Library Collections (5)
- Maine Memory Network
- Maine Memory Network
- New England Collections Online
- Maine Music Box
- Windows on Maine
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Massachusetts Research Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Massachusetts local, county, and state genealogical and historical libraries and societies to assist you in tracing, finding, and writing narratives about ancestors.
What you can expect to find
Many of these libraries and societies have genealogical collections, historical collections, archives, special collections, and digital collections. Digital collections by subject, rare books, oral histories, photography collection, family history, digital projects, genealogical. open collections, virtual resources, electronic, and history text which are departments in the library.
Tip: Copy and paste the name of the listed resource into Google or the search engine of choice to find the web address. Once you find the resource you will be able to explore the type of resources you can find to support your historical and genealogy research.
State-wide Resources (4)
- Massachusetts Archives
- Massachusetts Historical Society
- Massachusetts Society of Genealogists
- State Library of Massachusetts
University Archives and Collections (33)
- Andover-Harvard Theological Library
- Boston College
- Boston University. School of Theology
- Boston University. Special Collections
- Brandeis University. Sakharov Archives
- Bridgewater State College
- College of The Holy Cross. Archives & Special Collections
- College of The Holy Cross. Hiatt Holocaust Collection
- College of The Holy Cross. New England Jesuit Archives
- Harvard Business School. Baker Library
- Harvard University. Archives
- Harvard University. Botany Libraries
- Harvard University. Countway Library of Medicine
- Harvard University. Environmental Science and Public Policy Archives
- Harvard University. Graduate School of Design
- Harvard University. Houghton Library
- Harvard University. Isham Memorial Library
- Harvard University. Tozzer Library
- Harvard University. Ukrainian Research Institute
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute Archives and Special Collections
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Museum
- Peabody Museum at Harvard University
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- University of Massachusetts, Boston
- University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
- University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Center For Lowell History
- Wellesley College. Archives
- Wellesley College. Special Collections
- Williams College. Archives and Special Collections
- Williams College. Chapin Library
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (35)
- Amesbury–Amesbury Public Library
- Amherst–Jones Library (Amherst)
- Andover–Memorial Hall Library
- Barnstable–Sturgis Library Archives
- Boston–Boston Public Library
- Boston–Boston Public Library
- Boston–City of Boston Archives
- Boston–New England Historic Genealogical Society Library
- Brookline–Brookline Public Library
- Brooks–Brooks Free Library
- Burlington–Burlington Municipal Archives
- Cambridge–Cambridge Public Library
- Cary–Cary Memorial Library
- Falmouth–Falmouth Public Library
- Fitchburg–Fitchburg Public Library
- Haverhill–Haverhill Public Library
- Hingham–Hingham Public Library
- Holyoke–Holyoke Public Library
- Kingston–Kingston Public Library
- Longmeadow–Richard Salter Storrs Library
- Lynnfield–Lynnfield Public Library
- Malden–Malden Public Library
- Melrose–Melrose Public Library
- Milford–Milford Town Library
- Millicent–Millicent Library
- Pittsfield–Berkshire Athenaeum
- Plymouth–Plymouth Public Library
- Sherborn–Sherborn Library
- Sturbridge–Joshua Hyde Public Library
- Sturgis–Sturgis Library
- Wakefield–Lucius Beebe Memorial Library
- Waltham–Waltham Public Library
- Worcester–Worcester Public Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (7)
- Amherst Center for Russian Culture
- Beverly Historical Society
- Bostonian Society
- Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society
- New England Historic Genealogical Society
- United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum
- Woods Hole Historical Museum
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- Magazine & Newspaper Articles – Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
This site allows users to read magazines and newspapers online. The databases contain thousands of popular magazines, scholarly journals, encyclopedias, newspapers, electronic books and more.
Digital Library Collections (13)
- Visual Resources Database
- Boston College, John J. Burns Library, Digitized Collections
- Boston College Libraries, Digital Library Projects
- Harvard University Library, Library Digital Initiative
- Open Collections Program
- Digital Collections by Subject
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT Press Digital Projects
- Tufts University, Digital Collections and Archives
- New England Collections Online
- Northeast Massachusetts Digital Library
- The Digital Commonwealth
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
New Hampshire Research Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best New Hampshire local, county, and state genealogical and historical libraries and societies to assist you in tracing, finding, and writing narratives about ancestors.
What you can expect to find
Many of these libraries and societies have genealogical collections, historical collections, archives, special collections, and digital collections. Digital collections by subject, rare books, oral histories, photography collection, family history, digital projects, genealogical. open collections, virtual resources, electronic, and history text which are departments in the library.
Tip: Copy and paste the name of the listed resource into Google or the search engine of choice to find the web address. Once you find the resource you will be able to explore the type of resources you can find to support your historical and genealogy research.
State-wide Resources (4)
- New Hampshire Division of Archives and Records Management
- New Hampshire Historical Society
- New Hampshire Society of Genealogists
- New Hampshire State Library
University Archives and Collections (2)
- Dartmouth College
- University of New Hampshire
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (3)
- Dover–Dover Public Library
- Hampton–Lane Memorial Library
- Portsmouth–Portsmouth Public Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (4)
- Historical Society of Cheshire County
- Nashua City Clerk
- New Hampshire Division of Records Management and Archives
- New Hampshire Historical Society
- New Hampshire Political Library
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- NHewLINK – the Granite State’s Information Connection
This site provides New Hampshire’s libraries, schools, and citizens with access to online databases, including newspapers, magazines and general reference, books and periodicals, business and health resources, Genealogy and history, and professional development.
Digital Library Collections (1)
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Rhode Island Research Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Rhode Island local, county, and state genealogical and historical libraries and societies to assist you in tracing, finding, and writing narratives about ancestors.
What you can expect to find
Many of these libraries and societies have genealogical collections, historical collections, archives, special collections, and digital collections. Digital collections by subject, rare books, oral histories, photography collection, family history, digital projects, genealogical. open collections, virtual resources, electronic, and history text which are departments in the library.
Tip: Copy and paste the name of the listed resource into Google or the search engine of choice to find the web address. Once you find the resource you will be able to explore the type of resources you can find to support your historical and genealogy research.
State-wide Resources (4)
- Office of Library & Information Services
- Rhode Island Genealogical Society
- The Rhode Island Historical Society
- Rhode Island Office of the Secretary of State – Archives Division
University Archives and Collections (2)
- Brown University. John Hay Library
- University of Rhode Island
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (1)
- Providence Public Library
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (3)
- American-French Genealogical Society
- Brown University. John Hay Library
- U.S. Naval War College
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (0)
Digital Library Collections (5)
- Brown University, Scholarly Technology Group
- Brown University, Library, Center for Digital Initiatives
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
Vermont Research Libraries and Societies
The following is a listing of the best Vermont local, county, and state genealogical and historical libraries and societies to assist you in tracing, finding, and writing narratives about ancestors.
What you can expect to find
Many of these libraries and societies have genealogical collections, historical collections, archives, special collections, and digital collections. Digital collections by subject, rare books, oral histories, photography collection, family history, digital projects, genealogical. open collections, virtual resources, electronic, and history text which are departments in the library.
Tip: Copy and paste the name of the listed resource into Google or the search engine of choice to find the web address. Once you find the resource you will be able to explore the type of resources you can find to support your historical and genealogy research.
State-wide Resources (4)
- Genealogical Society of Vermont
- Vermont Department of Libraries
- Vermont Historical Society
- Vermont State Archives
University Archives and Collections (3)
- Norwich University
- University of Vermont. Dana Medical Library
- University of Vermont. Special Collections
Historical Society and Special Interest Resources and Archives (2)
- Vermont Folklife Center
Public Library and Community Resources and Archives (2)
- Aldrich–Aldrich Public Library
- Bennington–Bennington Museum Library
Finding State Digital Resources and Collections (1)
- VOL – Vermont Online Library
This site provides diverse electronic information databases on a variety of topics geared to all age levels, for both generalists and specialists.
Digital Library Collections (1)
- New England Collections Online
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Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
