Genealogy Research
The Mount Prospect Public Library maintains a genealogy collection to assist you with family history research. This collection includes books, periodicals, microfilm, microfiche, pamphlets, subscription databases, and videos covering a variety of topics. It focuses primarily on the Village of Mount Prospect and the immediate northwest suburban area of Chicago but other parts of Illinois and the United States are also represented.
Specific to the collection are:- Birth, marriage, and death indexes from the Daily Herald/Paddock Publications from 1901-1920, 1926-1940, 1941-1950, 1900-1991 (print)
- Chicago City Directories for 1890, 1900, and 1910 (microfilm)
- Daily Herald newspaper, 1901-Present (microfilm)
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales index (microfilm)
- LDS Family History Library catalog (microfiche)
- Pre-1900 Illinois Marriage Record Index (microfiche)
- Illinois Department of Public Health Death Index (death 50 years and older) (microfiche)
- US Federal Census for the City of Chicago for 1880, 1900, and 1930 (microfilm)
- US Federal Census for Elk Grove and Wheeling Townships from 1860 to 1930 (microfilm)
- US Federal Census for 1880 (CD-ROM) and 1790 to 1930 (via Heritage Quest Online and Ancestry Library Edition databases)
Learn more about the Harold Weary Genealogy Room at the Mount Prospect Public Library, which offers many resources for researching family and local history.
Databases
Ancestry Library Edition 
use in library
1300 to present
A genealogy resource including census, vital, church, court and immigration records.
HeritageQuest Online (Proquest) 
use at home use in library
Search for genealogy data across a variety of databases, including census records, Revolutionary War documents, full-text books and articles, and Freedman's Bank.
General Resources
Castle Garden Database (Hosted by the Battery Conservancy in New York) more info » This database offers access to records of immigrants who entered the country through New York between 1830 and 1892.Cyndi’s List more info » This is a list of over 260,000 links to genealogical websites arranged by subject categories.
Ellis Island Records more info » This database offers access to records of immigrants who entered through Ellis Island in New York between 1892 and 1924.
Family Search (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) more info » This website is prepared by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons).It includes general genealogical search information, a family tree database, and a catalog to books and microfilmed records owned by the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
Rootsweb more info » This is the oldest and largestfree genealogy website that offers general research guides, specialized search engines and databases, message boards, mailing lists, and family trees.
Social Security Death Index more info » Hosted by Rootsweb this database includes birth and death information of individuals who received Social Security and whose death was reported to the Social Security Administration.
US GenWeb Project more info » This is a free website run by volunteers working to provide free genealogy websites in every county and state in the United States.Each county page offers unique resources and information for researchers interested in that area.
Local Resources
Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect Historical SocietyNorthwest Suburban Council of Genealogists
Mount Prospect Digital Past (North Suburban Library System) more info » Includes images of photographs and other materials related to Mount Prospect.
Chicago
Chicago Genealogical SocietyChicago Public Library
National Archives - Great Lakes Region
Newberry Library
Cook County
Cook County Clerk's OfficeIllinois Resources
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library more info » Located in Springfield, this facility includes historical print and non-print materials related to Abraham Lincoln’s life and to Illinois history in general.Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) more info » A division of the Illinois State Archives, this organization offers access to county records.These records are housed in 7 locations throughout the state.
Illinois State Archives
Illinois State Genealogical Society
Illinois State Library
National Resources
Allen County Public Library—Historical Genealogy DepartmentNational Archives and Records Administration
National Genealogical Society
Ethnic Resources
GENUKI – UK+Ireland GenealogyGerman Genealogy Home Page
Hispanic Genealogical Society
JewishGen (Jewish Genealogy)
Polish Genealogical Society of America
Research Guides
A Genealogy Pathfinder more info » A journey through your family historyGrow Your Family Tree Online more info » Selected genealogy web sites
Harold Weary Genealogy Room
Microfiche Available at MPPL more info » Genealogical research microfiche in the Mount Prospect Public Library
Norwegian-American Genealogy more info » Materials in the Mount Prospect Public Library
Polish Genealogical Resources in MPPL
A Touch of the Green more info » Resources for Irish genealogical research in the Mount Prospect Public Library
