Get free one-on-one genealogy help online from the Library

Written by Larry Richmond, Genealogy & Local History department manager, Downtown Main Library

The Genealogy & Local History department at the Downtown Main Library remains closed to our in-building customers, but since the onset of the pandemic, our librarians have been working hard to answer your genealogy and local history questions via email and phone.

Make Your Appointment Today

We are offering My Librarian one-on-one appointments via Zoom video conference. This is an opportunity to meet remotely with one of our reference librarians for up to 30 minutes to receive instructions on how to use one of our databases, help with a research question, or get help if you reached a roadblock in your family tree.

Getting started is easy. Simply complete the form, opens a new window and let us know your information, when you would like to meet, and as many details as you can provide about your question. You also need to provide an email. You'll receive a confirmation and instructions on how to get set up for the appointment. If you’d rather not meet via online video, we can always set up a time to call you on the phone.  

Virtual Research is at Your Fingertips 

We’ve also been sharing our expertise online, opens a new window on a range of topics, from rare books to genealogy research topics, and there will be more to come.

Our databases continue to offer a wide range of resources for researchers. Ancestry Library Edition is now available from home with a library card. Newspaper Archive, opens a new window is an important new database that provides access to a wide range of historical Ohio newspapers and of course, the Digital Library, opens a new window is always available to provide access to city directories, maps, and other important materials within our collection.

We look forward to serving you in-person on the third floor of the Downtown Main Library soon. Until then, we hope you use our extensive resources remotely and reach out to us if there’s ever anything we can do to assist you.