Altoona Area Public Library (Genealogy Resources)

Find It Fast!

Power Library Ask Here PA Obits & Births Catalog Search Renew Items Contact Us Help! Voter Info

Start a SEARCH using our..
Catalog
Website
Keywords

Genealogy Help

General Encylopedias

General encyclopedias such as the Encyclopedia Americana or the New Encyclopedia Britannica provide a broad overview of the history and purpose of genealogical study. Although going directly to the volume covering "G" to locate "genealogy" will most often yield results, it is recommended that you begin by using the index to locate your topic. Further information may be available within related entries on "family", "heraldry", or "kinship" to which the index will refer.

See the 031 section of the Reference Department.

Encylopedias About Genealogy

One encyclopedia devoted specifically to genealogy can be located in the Altoona Area Public Library.

Smith, Clifford Neal, and Anna Piszczan-Czaja. Encyclopedia of German-American Genealogical Research. New York: R.R.Bowker Co., 1976. R 929.3 Smi. (Reference Dept.)

Bibliographies

The Altoona Area Public Library holds several bibliographies which provide lists of titles that may be helpful in your search. With a bibliographic source in hand, you may want to check the Public Access Catalog to see which titles are available in the library. If not held here, it may be possible to borrow a title from another library through interlibrary loan service.

Bibliographies can be located by doing a Subject Keyword search on the Public Access Catalog under "genealogy--bibliographies". Examples of genealogy related bibliographies include:

     Genealogies in the Library of Congress; A Bibliography. Baltimore: Magna Carta Book Co., 1972. R 016.921 Uni (Reference Dept.)

     Lancour, Harold, and Richard J. Wolfe. A Bibliography of Ship Passenger Lists, 1538-1825, 3d ed. New York: New York Public Library, 1963. R 016.325 L228 (PA Room)

     Library Catalog, 2d rev. ed. Washington D.C.: Daughters of the American Revolution, 1983. 929.20973 Dau (PA Room)

     Reid, Judith P. Family Ties in England, Scotland & Ireland: Sources for Genealogical Research. Washington D.C.: Library of Congress, 1998. R 016.929 rei (Reference Dept.)

     Stout, Leon J. Genealogical Resources in Pattee Library, the Pennsylvania State University. Boalsburg, Pa.: Central Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, 1979. 929.3 Gen (Non-Fic)

Click here to Sign In to your Account.

Help the Altoona Area Public Library earn money. Just use "GoodSearch" to do your internet searching. It is a free search engine that you can add as a toolbar to your browser. Everytime you do a search using the "GoodSearch" search site or toolbar the Library earns money. Just click on the logo to get started, then search or click on "Get the GoodSearch toolbar or add us to your search box".

Ask Here PA is Pennsylvania's new statewide live chat reference service. Ask Here PA is a free service to all residents of Pennsylvania, offering live chat reference 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Click the image to visit Ask Here PA.

POWER library allows you to access thousands of full text periodical articles, newspapers, a major encyclopedia, plus photographs, pictures, charts, maps, reference materials and more. You will find materials of interest in most subject areas for all age groups from young children to adults. Click the image to visit Power Libraries.

Have a Facebook account? Become a Fan of the Altoona Area Public Library on Facebook by clicking the image above. Take part in discussions, get up-to-date information and follow events all through Facebook!

Executive Director Deborah A. Weakland (middle) and Karen Smith (Altoona Library Board Vice President) were delighted to accept a check for $1,000 from Tim Sissler (President of Reliance Bank). The donation from Reliance Bank's Foundation will be used to purchase library materials. Reliance Bank's generous support is greatly appreciated especially this fiscal year when funds are so tight. The Library is very fortunate to have consistent community support from organizations like Reliance Bank.

Photo Left to Right: Tim Sissler, Deborah A. Weakland, Karen Smith

One Book Blair County is joining the celebration by making it easy for you to read a poem a day. We will have changing displays of poems in the Altoona Area Public Library and have provided you with links to several websites that also provide poems for your reading pleasure. (See www.altoonalibrary.org/onebook) In addition we have many local poets who wrote poems on the theme of HOPE and submitted them to a contest sponsored by One Book Blair County.