Research Resources
Matricula
Matricula is a free online portal providing access to digitized historical church registers from archives and dioceses across Europe. The collection includes baptism, marriage, burial, and other parish records from Austria, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, and other participating regions. Researchers can browse available parish registers online, with new records and archives added regularly.
Merrick County Historical Society
The Merrick County Historical Society preserves and shares the history of Merrick County, Nebraska through the Merrick County Historical Museum, archives, and genealogy research library. Researchers can access county and family histories, photographs, newspapers, local history collections, and other historical resources. The Society also offers educational programs, exhibits, and research assistance. Address: 2716 28th Street, Central City, NE 68826. Phone: (308) 624-3367.
Mexican GenWeb Project
The Mexico GenWeb Project is part of the WorldGenWeb Project, a free volunteer-based genealogy network. The site provides genealogical and historical resources for Mexico, including links to state projects, archives, libraries, cemeteries, historical information, and other research resources. Researchers can also connect with volunteers and contribute information to help expand the project.
Mexico Civil Registration Records
How to Find Your Ancestors Using Mexico's Civil Registration Records is a step-by-step guide by Mexican Genealogy that explains how to use Mexico's civil registration records for genealogy research. The article describes the history of civil registration, the types of information found in birth, marriage, and death records, techniques for locating records on FamilySearch and Ancestry, and strategies for finding ancestors when records are not fully indexed.
Meyers Gazetteer
Meyers Gazetteer is a free, searchable online edition of Meyers Orts- und Verkehrs-Lexikon des Deutschen Reichs, the most comprehensive gazetteer of the German Empire (1871–1918). It helps researchers identify towns and villages, determine the civil registry office and Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish parish jurisdictions, view historical maps, and locate nearby communities. The site also includes English translations of key information from the original German entries.
Midwest Genealogy Center (Independence, Missouri)
The Midwest Genealogy Center, a branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library, is one of the nation's largest public genealogy libraries. The Center provides access to nearly 750,000 on-site research materials, including books, newspapers, city directories, maps, military records, family histories, and online genealogy databases. Researchers also have access to classes, workshops, computers, scanners, and knowledgeable staff to assist with family history research. Address: 3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence, MO 64055. Phone: (816) 252-7228.
Missouri Digital Heritage
Missouri Digital Heritage, a program of the Missouri State Archives, provides free access to more than 9 million digitized records and images documenting Missouri history. Genealogists can search birth and death records, military records, naturalizations, land records, county and local records, photographs, newspapers, maps, and many other historical collections contributed by the Missouri State Archives, the Missouri State Library, and partner institutions throughout the state.
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library preserves and shares the history and culture of Czech and Slovak people, with extensive collections supporting genealogy and family history research. Researchers can access books, periodicals, family histories, immigration resources, archival collections, photographs, and reference materials documenting Czech and Slovak immigrants and their descendants in North America. Address: 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. Phone: (319) 362-8500.
National Genealogical Society
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to genealogical education, high standards of research, and the preservation of historical records. The website offers online courses, webinars, publications, research guides, an annual family history conference, and other educational resources for genealogists of all experience levels. Address: P.O. Box 128, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. Phone: (800) 473-0060.
National Map (USGS)
The National Map, maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provides free access to current and historical topographic maps, aerial imagery, elevation data, hydrography, geographic names, and other geospatial information for the United States. Genealogists can download historical USGS topographic maps dating from 1884 through 2006 to locate ancestral homes, communities, cemeteries, schools, churches, and other historic landmarks, as well as access current topographic maps and create custom maps.