Genealogy

Search for family histories, historical census records, birth and death records, and other genealogical information using resources from these databases and web sites.

Ancestry Library Edition
A genealogy research tool that provides instant access to a wide range of unique resources for genealogical and historical research including more than 1.5 billion names in over 4,000 databases, records from the United States Census, military records, court, land and probate records, vital and church records, directories, passenger lists and more. This database can only be accessed on computers in the Joplin Public Library.

Digital Sanborn Maps, 1867-1970  Missouri only
Detailed property and land-use records from towns and cities in Missouri. This resource now requires a library barcode to login. Please call for assistance if needed.

Fold3 Library Edition
Powered by Ancestry, this database of military records, photos, and personal documents has content from many county, state, national, and international archives, providing more than 470 million searchable records.

HeritageQuest
This online database is an essential collection of unique material including the U.S. federal census images and indexes from 1790 to 1940, more than 20,000 book titles, including nearly 8,000 family histories and over 12,000 local histories, in addition to more than 250 primary source documents such as tax lists, city directories, probate records, and more.

Newspaper Archive
Online access to digital copies of select newspapers from the central region of the United States. The Joplin newspapers are covered with some gaps in coverage. This database can only be accessed on computers in the Joplin Public Library.

Websites

Access Genealogy An index to genealogy sites on the internet including links to military and Native American records.

Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Records Land and title records from the Bureau of Land Management.

FamilySearch Genealogical records from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with information on how to get started researching your family history and guides to help with the search.

Find A Grave Search for graves and cemeteries from around the world. The information is member input so not all graves and cemeteries are recorded on this website.

Missouri Birth & Death Records Database Search the Missouri Archives for birth and death records before 1910 and death certificates from 1910-1961.

Missouri State Archives Historical information found in the Missouri State Archives with information available on birth, death, land, military, and naturalization records.

Rootsweb An index to family history sites and research available on the internet.

Social Security Death Index Death records copied from the records of the Social Security Administration searchable by name, social security number, place, and year.

U.S. National Archives Online records from the National Archives of the United States with a link for Genealogists/Family Historians taking users to specific information on family research.