Genealogy

Genealogy Area

Ask a Librarian

If you encounter a barrier in your research a librarian is available to help you with your genealogy research.

To ask a question, you can call the reference desk at 631-654-4700 x152 or email us.

Meet Up

Genealogy Research Facebook Group

Join our Genealogy Research Facebook Group to learn about genealogy news and events, meet others researching their genealogy, and ask the group your questions.

Upcoming Genealogy Research Groups and Events

Research

Getting Started

To get started, please see the Genealogy Topic Guide.

Genealogy Resources

Genealogy Collection

Guide to Genealogy Resources at the Patchogue-Medford Library

Guide to Long Island & New York State Genealogical Resources in the Celia M. Hastings Local History Room

To search all of our genealogy holdings, use the Genealogy Collection Catalog.

Genealogy Research Databases

Logo	Database	Description	Tutorial
	AmericanAncestors.org (In-Library Use Only)	Access to more than 1.4 billion records spanning twenty-two countries covering the United States, the British Isles, continental Europe, and beyond.
	America’s Obituaries and Death Notices Use at Home Use in Library	The largest and most comprehensive collection of newspaper obituaries and death notices.
	Ancestry Library Edition (In-Library Use Only; temporary remote access extended through December 31, 2021.) Use at Home Use in Library	Includes billions of records to help you find your family’s story.
	Find My Past (In-Library Use Only)	The complete British and Irish family history experience, to connect you with your ancestors and bring your story to life.
	Fold3 Use at Home Use in Library	Provides convenient access to military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served.
	Heritage Quest Use at Home Use in Library	A comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources—rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, convenient research guides, interactive census maps, and more.
	MyHeritage Library Edition Use at Home Use in Library	Contains billions of historical documents from more than 48 countries, millions of historical photos, public records, indexes and additional historical photos, public records, indexes and additional resources.
	Newspapers.com Use at Home Use in Library	Newspapers dating from the 1700s to the 2000s.
	Primary Source Archive Package Use at Home Use in Library	Includes Civil War Primary Source Documents, Gateway to North America, and Revolutionary War Era Orderly Books.
	Sanborn Digital Maps Use at Home Use in Library	Fire insurance maps from 1867-1970 — New York State only.

New York State Vital Records Index Microfiche

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.

Obituary Research Guide

If you are searching for an obituary, use the Obituary Research Guide to get started.

Local History Resources

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.

Additional Resources

Cyndislist
Family Search
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

Genealogy Collection

Guide to Genealogy Resources at the Patchogue-Medford Library

Guide to Long Island & New York State Genealogical Resources in the Celia M. Hastings Local History Room

To search all of our genealogy holdings, use the Genealogy Collection Catalog.

Genealogy Research Databases

(In-Library Use Only)

Access to more than 1.4 billion records spanning twenty-two countries covering the United States, the British Isles, continental Europe, and beyond.

The largest and most comprehensive collection of newspaper obituaries and death notices.

(In-Library Use Only; temporary remote access extended through September 30, 2021)

Includes billions of records to help you find your family’s story.

(In-Library Use Only)

The complete British and Irish family history experience, to connect you with your ancestors and bring your story to life.

Provides convenient access to military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served.

A comprehensive treasury of American genealogical sources—rich in unique primary sources, local and family histories, convenient research guides, interactive census maps, and more.

Contains billions of historical documents from more than 48 countries, millions of historical photos, public records, indexes and additional historical photos, public records, indexes and additional resources.