Main Library
60 South High Street, Akron, OH 44326
(330) 643-9030
Genealogy Collections
The Genealogy Collection at the Main Library of the Akron-Summit County Public Library holds a variety of sources in multiple formats. While our collections are focused primarily on Ohio and the states surrounding it, we also actively collect materials for the states of the Eastern Seaboard, New England and the South. Whether you need a topographical dictionary of Scotland or an entry out of Hinshaw’s Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, the collection should serve you well. If you find that you require a source that the Library does not hold, please speak with a librarian. We can often obtain resources for patrons through interlibrary loan. Research with us and watch us grow!
To learn more about our resources and services, click here
Summit County specific sources.
Ohio Specific Sources
- Ohio Death Certificate Index
- microfilm 1908-1932 and 1938-1954.
- microfiche 1933-1937 (ask at reference desk).
- online 1913-1944.
- Ohio Death Certificates on microfilm, 1908-1953.
- Digital versions are freely available from familysearchlabs.org.
- Ohio Surname Index.
- Ohio 1812 Tax list.
- Ohio Women in the Western Reserve.
- Published directories, histories, and transcribed local and vital records for the counties of Ohio.
- See complete Special Collections Microform Holdings
Census - United States Federal.
- Complete for Alabama, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky, including Soundex and Miracode.
- Substantial portions of other states, including Connecticut, New York, and Virginia.
- 1930 Federal Census and Sources.
- Extensive collection of printed indices for Ohio and most other states, including the District of Columbia.
- 1880 United States National Index (CD-Rom).
- See complete Special Collections Microform Holdings
City directories.
- Akron City Directories from 1870s to the present, including the areas of Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls. Many of these directories (1871-1968) are available online, in books, and on microfilm.
- Haines Akron City and Suburban Criss-Cross Directories from 1943 to the present.
- See complete Special Collections Microform Holdings
Geographical Sources.
- For a list of maps and atlases available in Special Collections, see Special Collections Maps and Atlases of Akron and Summit County.
- Large selection of historical gazetteers, 19th Century county atlases for Ohio, Pennsylvania and selected states, Atlases of Historical County Boundaries, Township Atlas of the United States.
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1867-1970. Each map illustrates the site, size and shape, building material, and use, of homes, commercial buildings and factories. Electronic versions of these maps are available from the library’s website, under Databases & Websites then OPLIN OneSearch (http://search2.webfeat.org/oplinsearch.html). From the list of databases, scroll down to databases beginning with S and click on Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.
Immigration and Naturalization Sources.
- Summit County, Ohio Naturalization Records
- Filby's Passenger and Immigration List Index, Germans to America, Italians to America, and more.
- Morton Allan Directory of European Steamship Arrivals 1890-1930
- Famine Immigrants, 1846-1851.
- Index to Declarations of Intention and Petitions for Naturalization, 1820-1906, Western District of Pennsylvania, on microfilm.
- Large collection of emigration indexes from most European countries.
Military Resources.
- Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files.
- Index to Pension Files: War of 1812, Mexican War.
- Roster of Ohio Soldiers, 1861-1866.
- Select histories of Ohio regiments.
- Union and Confederate Soldier Rosters, 1861-1865.
- History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 10 volumes and 4 volume index.
- U.S. Quartermaster's Department Roll of Honor, and index.
- Roster of Ohio Soldiers, War with Spain, 1898-1899.
- Official Roster of Ohio Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines in the World War, 1917-18.
- World War I Draft Registration Cards for Akron and Summit County.
- Resources on many other states detailing involvement in military conflicts.
Religious Sources.
- Growing collection of materials on the Huguenots.
- Resources on Quaker genealogy.
Other Print Resources
- Lineage Books for Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society of the Daughters of the American Colonists, National Society of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America.
- Compiled family histories and collection of family newsletters.
- Published directories, histories, and transcribed local and vital records for the New England States, Eastern Seaboard, and the South.
- Large collection of reference manuals and aids in addition to circulating collection for home usage.
CD Roms and Databases.
- Free access to Heritage Quest, and New England Ancestors.org at Main Library.
- New! Free access to Heritage Quest from home through our library website!
Link to Instructions.
- Free access available at Main and Branches to Ancestry Library Edition.
- 1880 United States National Index and Freedman's Bank Records.
Newspapers and Periodicals.
- Akron area papers such as the Akron Beacon Journal and the Reporter.
- Akron Beacon Journal obituary index.
- The New York Times.
- Large collection of genealogical and local history periodicals ranging from county to national scope.
- Periodical Source Index (PERSI) - in book format and available through our Heritage Quest at Main Library.
Also see our Local History page for more sources.
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