Local History & Genealogy

Tracing Your Des Moines County Ancestors

Follow the link above for an overview of the resources for use at the Burlington Public Library for researching ancestors from Burlington and throughout Des Moines County.

Getting Started in Genealogy Research

Local History & Genealogy Databases

Newspaper Archive

For in library use only.

Search historic Iowa newspapers by name or keywords.
button newspaper archive

Ancestry                    (Library Edition)

For in library use only.

Provides access to over 4,000 databases including US Census, military records, court, land, and probate records; vital and church records; directories; passenger lists and more. In-library use only. 

Button Ancestry

Heritage Quest

For use in the library, use link below to access remotely with a library card

Includes full text local histories and genealogies, census images and indexing, PERSI (an index to genealogy periodicals), and Revolutionary War Pension Records. In-library use only.


Button Heritage Quest for In Library Use

Heritage Quest 

For use remotely with library card

Includes full text local histories and genealogies, census images and indexing, PERSI (an index to genealogy periodicals), and Revolutionary War Pension Records. 

Button Heritage Quest Online

Suggested sites with no library card required

Button American Ancestors

Searchable content from the New England Historic and Genealogical Society

Button Chronicling America
Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1789-1943 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1960-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress. 
findagrave button
Search by name to find a burial location as well as additional information such as a picture of the grave site.
iagenweb button
Links to Iowa specific information. Includes links to county sites. 

Genealogy Search Services
Local History & Genealogy Request Form

For a $5 fee per record the Burlington Public Library staff will search our local newspapers for articles, birth, marriage, and death notices. A record is defined as 1 article, 1 birth announcement, 1 marriage announcement using 
month, day, and year) is required for this search. We will search the date you provide plus a maximum of 5 additional days before and after the date provided.


  
Furniture Look-Up Request Form


For a $5 fee the Burlington Public Library staff will search the Chittenden and Eastman or Northwestern Cabinet Company catalogs for a furniture item for no more than 30 minutes.  To search Chittenden and Eastman pieces, we need an approximate date of manufacture.  For Northwestern Cabinet Company, we need a model number.  Model numbers are usually found on the back of the furniture.  Including a photo of the piece of furniture is required. If we find your item, we will mail you a copy of the catalog page.  If no such item is found, we will inform you as to what was searched. Please send your payment (checks or money orders can be made out to the Burlington Public Library) along with this completed form and photo to:

Burlington Public Library
210 Court Street
Burlington, IA 52601
319.753.1647