Research Databases

Search records, books, serials, and other historical records specific to African Americans to trace your genealogy or to do research.

(In-Library use only) U. S. Census records; military records; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories; petitions for naturalization; passenger lists and more. You must be in the library to access this database.

The Cleveland Necrology File contains local cemetery records and newspaper death notices for the following years: 1833, 1847-1848, 1850-1975. A more complete description of the file's contents can be found in the about section of the database. For necrology information after 1975, please use the Cleveland News Index.

The online Cleveland News Index lists citation information for local news stories, feature articles and reviews from The Plain Dealer (1983-June 1999), Cleveland Magazine (1983-present), Northern Ohio Live (Sept. 1990-June 2009), and Ohio Magazine (Oct.1990 -present). Obituaries from the Plain Dealer and the Cleveland Press are included from 1976 to the present. Please note that this index does not provide full text access to these sources.

A premier collection of historical U.S. military records that brings to life the details of America's military veterans with stories, photos, and personal documents.

Search census records, books, serials, and other historical records to trace your genealogy.

Over 40,000 detailed maps of Ohio cities drawn between 1882 and 1962.

Timelines covering many subjects. Includes features to build and share your own timelines. Use your own events and images or add content and images from World Book.