HeritageQuest & Ancestry Library Edition
Explore your family history with HeritageQuest and Ancestry Library Edition. Search census records, vital records, passenger lists, military documents, local histories, and more to discover the people and places that are part of your story.
Highlights
Why Use HeritageQuest & Ancestry
🔎
Search Historical Records
Explore census records, passenger lists, vital records, military documents, city directories, and other historical collections.
📜
Discover Family Stories
Use original documents, photographs, maps, and local histories to learn more about the lives and communities of your ancestors.
🌳
Build Your Family History
Follow clues across both resources to connect relatives, confirm details, and add new branches to your family tree.
Get Started
How to Use These Genealogy Resources
1
Choose a Database
Use HeritageQuest from home with your JCLS library card, or visit a JCLS branch to use Ancestry Library Edition on a library computer.
2
Start with What You Know
Search for a relative using a name, location, and approximate birth, marriage, or death date.
3
Explore the Records
Review the results, try alternate spellings, and follow details from one record to the next to continue your research.
Who’s it For
- Beginning Researchers — Start with a name, place, and approximate date to uncover your first family records.
- Experienced Genealogists — Compare collections and follow evidence across multiple types of historical documents.
- Students & Local Historians — Explore communities, migration, military service, and everyday life through primary sources.
Good to Know
- HeritageQuest can be accessed from home with a JCLS library card.
- Ancestry Library Edition is available only on computers at JCLS branches.
- Names and dates can vary between records, so try alternate spellings and broader date ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a library card?
Yes. Most databases, including TeachingBooks, require an active JCLS card and PIN for remote access. Click here if you need a library card.
Can I use Ancestry and Heritage Quest from home?
Ancestry – No. Ancestry is for In-Library use only.
Heritage Quest – Yes!
(Tip: If asked, use your library credentials during sign-in.)