Genealogy and Local History at the Elyria Public Library

Ohio history and genealogy is located on the first floor of the central library.The  Ohio Room’s primary focus is local genealogy and history.

All items are reference and do not leave the library but can be found in the online catalog.

Available items are:

Microfilm of newspapers, local census, and local probate records
County Histories
Atlases
Cemetery Records
Genealogical Publications
Local Yearbooks
Obituary Indexes:  1830-1883, 1920-1922, or 1965-to the present (Chronicle-Telegram)
City Directories

Photocopies can be made at .10 cents or microfilm copies at .25 cents each.

Tracing family histories is challenging but rewarding. Today it is both easier and more difficult than in the past because of the internet. Both paper sources such as those mentioned above and computers can be used in searches. Use of the library’s internet computers located in the Reference Department is first come first served. Each user must register at the Reference Desk before using the computers. Following is a list of sites to help you get started.

LOCAL

Lorain County Cemeteries:  http://home.centurytel.net/lorgen/cemetery/cemetery.htm

Lorain County Genealogy :  http://home.centurytel.net/lorgen/

Lorain County Historical Society :  http://home.alltel.net/thehickories/

Old Lorain County Newspapers:  1860 - 1931  

Historic Oberlin:  http://www.oberlin.edu/external/EOG/

Oberlin Heritage Center:  http://www.oberlinheritage.org/history.html

Lorain History:  http://www.loraincityhistory.org/lorain_history.html

Western Reserve Information:  http://www.wrhs.org./

OHIO

Ohio Historical Society’s Memory Project:  www.ohiomemory.org/

Ohio’s Death Index 1913-1944:  http://www.ohiohistory.org/dindex/

Ohio Obituaries at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center:  www.rbhayes.org/hayes/index/   

GENERAL

   Access to HeritageQuest for Elyria Public Library patrons is available  

through this link: http://new.oplin.org/controller.php?l=ra&Id=67-22537

African American Genealogy:  www.afrigeneas.com

Ellis Island Records:  http://www.ellisislandrecords.org/ 

Mormon site:  www.familysearch.org  

Access to Many Family Trees:  www.rootsweb.com

Sanborn Maps:  available through OPLIN (ask a librarian)

United States Genealogy Web:  www.usgenweb.com

Also the Clevnet Genealogy Databases through the Elyria Public Library’s web page are another great place to search.

To contact the library regarding local history or genealogy:

use

genealogy@elyria.lib.oh.us

or call 440-322-0418.

There may be charges for some services.

For information from the Central Library, call 440-322-0418.

For information from West River Branch, call 440-324-9825.

For help 24x7 go to :

http://www.knowitnow24x7.net/

Can’t find what you're looking for through the ELyria / CLEVNET System?  Click on the MORE—Moving Ohio Resources Everywhere logo on the Elyria Public Library System’s website beginning April 1, 2006 to learn how you can request library materials from over 100 Ohio libraries. Books, videos, DVDs, CDs and more can be delivered to the circulation desk of your favorite Elyria Public Library System location!