Learning more about our family history can be very satisfying. The library has a number of free resources to help you with your genealogy research.
Databases for Genealogy
Ancestry Library Edition
Billions of searchable genealogy documents, including census, military, immigration, birth, and death records.
Chicago Tribune (1849–present)
Search the full newspaper archive from 1849 onward. Pre-1987 issues include images of articles, photographs, death notices, and advertisements. From 1987 to the present, text-only versions of articles and obituaries are available.
HeritageHub
U.S. obituaries and death notices from from 1704 to today, including hard-to-find content from the mid-1900s and original obituary images.
Historical Skokie Newspapers
Complete searchable text of Skokie and Niles Center newspapers digitized from Skokie Public Library's microfilm collection. Most coverage spans 1930-2008, complete with full-page images of each edition. A small selection of articles from the 1920s and earlier also is included.
Skokie Newspaper Index
Citations to articles that appeared in Skokie Review, The News, and Life: Skokie Edition. To request full articles, email tellus@skokielibrary.info or call the library at 847-673-7774.
Community Resources for Genealogy and Local History
Evanston History Center
Organization that collects, preserves, and shares Evanston history.
Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum
Exclusive focus on the history, culture, and arts of North American native peoples.
Niles Historical and Cultural Center
Local history, as well as many resources on 19th and 20th century history of the Chicago area.
8970 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL
United States
Skokie Heritage Museum
The current home of Skokie’s oldest log cabin. Offers events and walking tours.
8031 Floral Ave.
Skokie, IL
United States
Wilmette Historical Museum
Nonprofit, volunteer-run organization devoted to promoting local history.
