During this period of social distancing, we are connecting in new ways with family near and far. As you pause, you may find the space to dig into your family history. Phone calls with family members are a perfect opportunity to ask questions. You can revisit happy times while you organize and label family photographs, or set up a family zoom meeting to recount the time-honored family stories you would hear at large family gatherings.

And now is a great time to start this journey. The Library is pleased to offer Ancestry Library edition through remote access for a limited time while the Library building is closed.  Visit our website mountpleasantlibrary.org and click on learning resources, or sign in with your library card number here.

To help you further, here are some how-to resources to set you on your family history quest. You can access them for free and search for more through the digital resources on the Library’s website. Or you can start with the following click list.

Start with Niche Academy’s tutorial on Ancestry Library Edition. Click here.

Want to get the big picture? Here is an excellent course from The Great Courses: Discovering Your Roots: An Introduction to Genealogy, includes 15 episodes.  It is available two ways:

  • in video through Kanopy.
  • as an audiobook through Hoopla.

Checkout these options from Hoopla – where eBooks and audiobooks are always available.

And from Overdrive, available through your Libby App:

As always, Librarians are available to answer your questions. Email us at Reference@mountpleasantlibrary.org or call 914-769-0548, and press “0” or to leave a message.