New! Free Home Access to Ancestry Genealogy Database

Previously only available for in-library use, Ancestry Library Edition will be available remotely while the library is closed. A Vineyard Haven Library Card and PIN are required to access this resource from home. Ancestry Library Edition  contains millions of records from all over the world including censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, directories, photos, maps, and more.

Also available at home is the complementary resource HeritageQuest Online, provided by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. HeritageQuest Online is designed for genealogy and family history research. It includes over 25,000 books, the entire US Census, and other expanding collections, making it one of the largest collections of genealogy material in the country. 

Free Online Classes from the Library

Library cardholders who are just beginning to explore family history can learn more through online classes available on-demand and at your own pace.

The "Great Courses" collection on our Kanopy streaming video platform includes "Discovering Your Roots: An Introduction to Genealogy," a comprehensive 15-part introduction to the basics of genealogy research. 

"Genealogy 101" is one of the hundreds of classes available through the library's "Universal Class" online learning center. New users can create an account using your library card number.

Free Internet Resources

Free online resources for local genealogy research include the Dukes County History and Genealogy Web Site, the Tisbury History and Genealogy Web Site, and the Portuguese Genealogy Project of Martha's Vineyard.
 
The USGenWeb Project is a group of volunteers working together and having fun providing free online genealogy help and information for every U.S. state and county. 

American Ancestors is a membership organization, but anyone can register for a free Guest account to watch select how-to videos, webinars and courses and search more than 20 exclusive databases.

Genealogy eBooks on Overdrive

The CLAMS Overdrive eBook collection provides downloadable reference books that can be read on any device, including the popular titles Genealogy Online, Genealogy Online For Dummies, AARP Genealogy Online, and How to Do Everything Genealogy.

New to eBooks? Download the free Libby app to discover, check-out, and read eBooks and eAudiobooks from the CLAMS Overdrive collection, as well as the collections of other participating library networks statewide. For one-on-one assistance contact a librarian by emailing vhpl_mail@clamsnet.org, or calling (508) 696-4210 (leave a detailed message and a staff member will return your call.)