Genealogy Resources

  • For a limited time you can access  Ancestry.com Library Edition® from home! Use the library edition of the popular genealogical research website, Ancestry.com to search census records, create family trees and more! Email nortonlibrary@sailsinc.org for access.​
  • HeritageQuest Online: provides access to more than 4.4 billion historical and genealogical records. This essential collection of sources has coverage dating back to the 1700s and can help people find their ancestors and discover a place's past.​ 
    Brought to you by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and ​Massachusetts Library System with state funds and federal Institute of Museum and Library Services funds.
  • Local genealogical references and resources available in the Hiltz Room.
  • Books and guides to help you start your search and grow your family tree!

Genealogy guides:

Available in the Hiltz Room:

  • Genealogical sourcebooks to help you start your search
  • Local historical documents
  • Vital records for Norton and other MA cities and towns
  • Family genealogies
  • Norton High School Yearbooks
  • Norton Street Listings
  • Norton Town Reports
  • Mayflower Families
  • Military Records from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars

Recent Town Reports 

Websites to get you started:

  • Cemetery Records Online "A free online library of cemetery records from thousands of cemeteries across the world, for historical and genealogical research." Clear Digital Media, Inc.
  • City Directories "City Directories, arguably one of the most over-looked resources by genealogists, have been around since the 1700s. This web site will attempt to identify all printed, microfilmed, and online directories, and their repositories, for the United States." Genealogy Research Associates, Inc.
  • Cyndi's List One of the first sources to ever compile online genealogical resources, Cyndi's List has been in operation since 1996. The site offers hundreds of thousands of categorized and cross-referenced links for free. 
  • FamilySearch FamilySearch hosts "the largest collection of genealogical and historical records in the world". This is a free resources provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  • Genealogy Center A collection of annotated links you can browse by state. Maintained by the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, IN. 
  • Genealogy Learning Center A great resource for beginners. "Tracing your family's history is a fascinating journey. We will guide you along the way by offering how-to articles, genealogy classes, and other resources that will help you dig deeper into your family's past." Genealogy.com is part of the Ancestry.com family.
  • Genealogy--U.S. Census Bureau A source for information in the public domain ("By law, personally identifiable information collected for a decennial census is released to the public after 72 years.") as well as demographic and geographic information.
  • Geni "Geni is solving the problem of genealogy by inviting the world to build the definitive online family tree. Using the basic free service at Geni.com, users add and invite their close relatives to join their family tree. All Geni users can share photos, videos, and documents with their families." Pro memberships offer enhanced services. A MyHeritage company. 
  • RootsWeb Massachusetts Resources A comprehensive list of Massachusetts resources culled from the RootsWeb listserv. RootsWeb is part of the Ancestry.com family. Visit their homepage for more information on how to start your genealogical research.
  • The Statue of Liberty--Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. Search over 51 million Immigrant Arrival Records with a free registration. For more advice on how to get started, check out their Genealogy Tips.
  • USGenWeb Project Run by volunteers, this site is committed to providing a source for free genealogical resources for the public. Information is broken down into state and county levels. Special projects include efforts to transcribe public records and make them available online.
  • Veterans Service Records Veterans military service records provided by The U.S. National Archives and Records administration.
  • Vital Records--CDC; Massachusetts Where to write for birth, death, marriage, and divorce records in the Commonwealth. Compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Vital Records--MA Registry of Vital Records The Registry collects, processes, corrects and issues copies of vital records (birth, death and marriage) that occurred in Massachusetts  from 1926 to the present. Records for events that occurred from 1841-1925 are available at the State Archives (617) 727- 2816. Earlier records may be available at the City or Town of Occurrence. There are several functions that the Registry performs.

This list is based on resources compiled by the SAILS Library Network.