Track your family history and find your roots with the help of these tools dedicated to genealogy! You can also discover interesting information about the history of a specific region.
Looking for local history? Try:
Tutorials: How to Use These Resources
Databases with this icon near the title may only be accessed from Lake County Public Library's public computers, located at each of our branches.
Explore and stay informed on local, national and international topics, people and events. Features a wide variety of credible, vetted news sources from around the world to around the corner, including The Times, Gary Post Tribune, and the Merrillville Post Tribune.
An easy-to-use genealogy tool that will help you trace your ancestors. Also includes downloadable charts to help you track your family!
View Tutorial
Comprehensive coverage of the African American experience from the early 18th century to the present day. Sourced from more than 19,000 American and global news sources, including over 400 current and historical Black publications.
Learn How to Use It
Chicago Sun-Times (1986 - Current)
Current news plus a 39 year archive of the Chicago Sun Times. Full text coverage from 1986 through today, including full color pages for current issues.
A standard, free genealogy website that anyone may use from any location. More records may be available when connecting from LCPL locations.
View Tips
Convenient access to U.S. military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served. View Tutorial
Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1824 – today.
Provides several searchable sources, including the U.S. Census, Freedman's Bank, and land grants from the Revolutionary War.
Researches and documents genealogical data throughout the state. Includes requirements for participation, areas in need of work, and archives.
Learn about the society's collections, exhibits and publications. Includes a Today in Indiana History feature and online copies of Hoosier Genealogist.
Historic books, pamphlets, reports, newsletters, and other materials from Lake County, Indiana
Indiana State Digital Archives
Browse through the indexes to many of the most popular State Archives collections.
Indiana State Library Genealogy Division
Contains searchable databases indexing Indiana cemeteries and Indiana marriages through 1850.
A searchable database of databases, free to all Indiana residents. INSPIRE works at any LCPL location, but you can also create an account confirming your Indiana residency for home access. More info on home access
Our very own catalog contains helpful materials for getting started in your research. Find Indiana-specific records and indexes, encyclopedias, newspapers, and more!
Outlines services and publications of the NGS, offers tips for beginners, soundex history and methods, and links to other genealogy sites.
NewspaperARCHIVE Library Edition
Browse through global and local newspaper articles dating back to 1607. Search by first and last name, dates, or regions.
Online Post Tribune or Gary Post Tribune Obituary Index (1921 - Current)
Search local obituaries by name, partial name, maiden name, date, city, and age. Once you've found the obituary, we'll be happy to pull a copy for your records. (Note: If you need an obituary that is missing, please use our Ask a Librarian form - we'll look it up for you!)
Search more than 30 years of Indiana history with the Post-Tribune Collection. Full text coverage from November 1986 through today, including full color pages for current issues.
ProQuest Historical Chicago Tribune
Every article of the Chicago Tribune's archive is available in this database.
Catch up on current news or check out more than 30 years of local history in our archive of The Times. Full text coverage from 1990 through today, including full color pages for current issues.
If you can't find what you're looking for in any of our databases, give your local library a call. They can help you figure out which databases would be most helpful to you to further research your topic.
If you'd like to ask a librarian, but it's after library hours, just head over to our Ask a Librarian page! This form lets you contact us at any time of day or night. We'll get you an answer within 24 business hours. Happy researching!
