Ancestry for Libraries Available Now!

Several years ago, my dad decided to do some family tree research. His own father had been born in Greece and had come to the U.S. when he was around 5 years old, but my dad wanted to know more. To do this, he paid to use the Ancestry website to gain access to records such as census data, ship manifests, and name change information. He learned so much about his family that he had always wondered about, and he was so happy he had made the investment in Ancestry.

Currently, a subscription to Ancestry costs around $22 - $60/month. Fortunately for Wickson Library patrons, this service is now available at the library for free!

Ancestry Library Edition is a research tool specially designed for in-library use and is completely free when you visit the library. Per the Wickson Library Genealogy page, this free version offers the same access to information such as “billions of historical records, including census data, military records, immigration documents, and family trees” as the paid service. The paid version allows the user to perform some personalization actions, such as linking family tress, which the free version does not offer, but they both provide the same access to information.

Beginning your genealogy research is easy - just head over to the library, access the database on one of the library computers, and start exploring. According to Michelle Duclos, Library Director, Wickson used to have a different service, but patrons began requesting the Ancestry service, so the library switched the funding to Ancestry. You can go in today and use any of the public computers, or you can bring your own laptop and use the service for free if you are in the library. Wickson is working on creating a dedicated local history space that will combine access to the Ancestry Library with physical resources in the library’s own archives.

The Ancestry Library Edition is a valuable resource for our community. Not only is it free, but it is an excellent method for hobbyists, students, and serious genealogists alike to do research. It is also a great local history support for anyone interested in learning more about the people who helped to shape the Frankenmuth area.

Wickson already has a small collection of history binders in the non-fiction section of the library. This includes family histories, books about Frankenmuth, as well as American Legion and beautification history books. Michelle explained that Wickson is hoping to work with the Historical Association and St. Lorenz to bolster this collection. If you or someone you know wants to support the library’s efforts to maintain and add to the local history collection, Wickson is always accepting donations and any support you would like to provide.

Another group connected to the library around genealogy is the Cass River Genealogy Society. This group meets at the library on the fourth Tuesday of each month, September – May. The group works to “aid in the preservation of records of genealogical value,” among other efforts (https://sites.rootsweb.com/~micrgs/index.html). For a small fee, members will help you to research genealogical topics. Money earned from membership fees and research support help contribute to Wickson's genealogical section.

So, follow your curiosity to the Ancestry Library edition at Wickson and let the staff know how it goes!