Genealogy Collection at the Patchogue-Medford Library
To get started, please see the Genealogy Topic Guide. If you encounter a barrier in your research a librarian is available to help you with your genealogy research. To schedule an appointment, you can call the reference desk or fill out this form.
To search all of our genealogy holdings, use the Genealogy Collection Catalog.
The library subscribes to several research databases including American Ancestors, America’s Obituaries and Death Notices, Ancestry Library Edition, Find My Past, Fold3, Heritage Quest, Sanborn Digital Maps of New York State and Newspapers.com. Some are available from home with your library barcode and password. Click here to access all of our research databases.
The Patchogue-Medford Library is the only library on Long Island that has the microfiche for The New York State Vital Records Index. The microfiche begins in 1881 and currently includes births up to an including 1936 and marriages and deaths up to and including 1964. The microfiche does not cover New York City. The microfiche is located on the Main floor, to the left of the Reference Desk and is available when the library is open. The library owns microfilm for many periodicals and newspapers as well as Suffolk County census records and city directories of Brooklyn and New York City.
Additional resources can be found in our Celia M. Hastings Local History Room including the Index to Birth, Marriage and Death Announcements in The Long Island Advance. The Long Island Advance, historically known as The Advance and The Patchogue Advance, is a weekly newspaper established in 1871.
The Patchogue-Medford Library Genealogy Research Group holds weekly meetings on Wednesdays of each month from 10-11 AM, with some exceptions. The meetings are free and open to the public, and all skill levels are welcome to attend. Check the library events calendar for specific dates and topics. You can also join the Genealogy Research Group on Facebook.
Additional Resources
LONG ISLAND & NEW YORK STATE GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES In the
Celia M. Hastings Local History Room of the Patchogue-Medford Library
GENEALOGY RESOURCES at the Patchogue-Medford Library
Cyndislist
Family Search
Genealogy Federation of Long Island
German Genealogy Group
Irish Family History Forum
Italian Genealogy Group
Jewish Genealogy Group
National Archives at New York City
New York Public Library – Genealogy Division
New York State Archives
New York State Library
Rootsweb.com
USGenweb.org
Family History for Children & Families
Interviewing/Researching a Relative:
Helpful Information:
Charts and Worksheets:
- Simple Three-Generation Family Tree Chart for Children
- Extended Family Relationships
- Family Unit Chart
- Individual Worksheet
Interview Questions: