Selected Library Resources
Paid for by the Billerica Public Library
Ancestry Library
Historical records and photos hold so many answers about the fascinating people in history. Ancestry Library puts them at your fingertips, enabling both research and invite critical thinking. Note: you must be at the library to access this resource.
Heritage Quest
Your Library’s Resource for US Federal Census Data, Freedman’s Bank Records, Revolutionary War Pension, City Directories and much more.
Paid for by the Billerica Public Library
Billerica Minuteman (via Newsbank)
Full-text database from 2005 to 2022.
Billerica Minuteman (Digitized)
Digitized issues from 2016 to 2022.
Paid for by the Billerica Public Library
Wicked Local
Full-text database from 2020 to present.
Paid for by the Billerica Public Library
NewspaperArchive
Explore your family history and historical events with this archive of Massachusetts newspapers.
MBLC Special Collections
The Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections Directory profiles collections in more than 650 Massachusetts libraries, archives, historical societies and town clerk’s offices. The directory provides information about the institution, contacts, services available and volume of material, as well as directions to the repository.
Organizations
Billerica & Bedford Railroad
- Lesson Plan K-5, provided by Christine Donoghue
- Slideshow
- The Billerica & Bedford 2-Ft. Gauge Railroad, reprinted for the Railroadians of America
Billerica Historical Society
Middlesex Canal Association
Internet Resources
Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet
Double Dating? – Between 1582 and 1752, not only were two calendars in use in Europe (and in European colonies), but two different starts of the year were in use in England. Although the “Legal” year began on March 25, the use of the Gregorian calendar by other European countries led to January 1 becoming commonly celebrated as “New Year’s Day” and given as the first day of the year in almanacs. Clink link for more information.
Early Vital Records of Massachusetts From 1600 to 1850 – The Massachusetts Vital Records Project, in an ongoing effort, presents here the transcriptions of over 1,500,000 records from over 150 towns. Indexed by town and by surname, the transcriptions provide genealogists with an easy to use interface to search for their roots in Massachusetts. For proper documentation the project also provides the images of the books from which the transcriptions are done.
Ellis Island is the symbol of American immigration and the immigrant experience. Nearly half of all Americans today can trace their family history to at least one person who passed through the Port of New York at Ellis Island. Use our Free Search to find your immigrant ancestors.
Family Search – Free Family History, Family Tree, and Genealogy Records and Resources from Around the World. An official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Family Tree Searcher – Find Family Trees Easily – Enter your ancestor information just once to search for family trees at multiple online genealogy databases.
Free Genealogy Search Help for Google – This free site will create different Google™ searches using tips or “tricks” that will likely improve your genealogy search results. Just provide what you know about an ancestor and the site will set up the best searches for you, based on what you enter.
Find A Grave – Find the graves of ancestors, create virtual memorials, add ‘virtual flowers’ and a note to a loved one’s grave or find the graves of thousands of famous people from around the world.
Forgotten New England – Forgotten New England is history that recreates the world of our ancestors, as they lived it, with all the dirt, sweat, worries, fears, dreams, and fascinations that consumed them, Ryan W. Owen, creator of forgottennewengland.com
Genealogy: Advice for Effective Searches – Answer a series of simple questions and get free, customized advice on the most effective next steps in your genealogy search.
Genealogy.com (includes FREE search of Social Security Death Index – SSDI) Census data, family records, birth and death records, and a lot more!
Internet Archive – The Internet Archive, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Like a paper library, we provide free access to researchers, historians, scholars, and the general public. Check the 1790-1930 U.S. Census Records Available Free in the Text link.
Massachusetts Historical Society – As the nation’s first historical society, the MHS strives to enhance the understanding of our nation’s past and its connection to the present, demonstrating that history is not just a series of events that happened to individuals long ago but is integral to the fabric of our daily lives.
Massachusetts Land Records – The Secretary of the Commonwealth would like to welcome you to the Massachusetts Land Records. This site provides you with quick access to land records across the State.
National Archives – passenger arrivals, censuses, naturalization’s, military and pension, Native American and tribal information.
National Archives at Boston – Serves New England.
TIARA (The Irish Ancestral Research Association) is a nonprofit organization established to develop and promote the growth, study and exchange of ideas among people and organizations interested in Irish genealogical and historical research and education.
US GenWeb Project (helpful genealogy links for beginners and advanced researchers; forms; maps)
Where to Write For Vital Records (National Center for Health Statistics; search by state)