Genealogy Resources
The library offers many resources to guide you on your journey to explore your family history. Our librarians would be happy to get you started in your search! Simply stop by the Second Floor Adult Services Desk, call (708) 428-5150, or email reference@orlandparklibrary.org for one-on-one assistance.
Subscription Databases
(free with your library card)
Ancestry
The premier family research database is the perfect place to start your search. Ancestry contains birth, marriage, and death records, ship manifests, census records, school yearbooks, city directories, and much more. Available in the library only.
HeritageQuest
Census records and revolutionary war records. Available in library or remotely with your Orland Park Public Library card. Can be found on the library’s Databases page under Genealogy.
Chicago Tribune Historical Archive
Research obituaries and stories about your ancestors in the Chicago Tribune dating back to the 1800s. Available in library or remotely with your Orland Park Public Library card. Can be found on the library’s Databases page under Genealogy.
Newspaper Archive (local papers)
Specializing in smaller, local Illinois newspapers, NewspaperArchive features papers from Orland Park, surrounding suburbs, and the entire state of Illinois. Orland Park papers include the Herald, Star, Star Tribune, and PennySaver dating back to 1945; articles can be saved, printed, or shared. Available in library or remotely with your Orland Park Public Library card. Can be found on the library’s Databases page under Newspapers.
Chicago News Collection
Find obituaries, stories, and more in older editions of the Southtown, Chicago Sun Times, and Tinley Park Star. Available in library or remotely with your Orland Park Public Library card. Can be found on the library’s Databases page under Newspapers.
Free Websites
FamilySearch
Free site maintained by the Genealogical Society of Utah is known as the world’s largest online family tree. Another great place to start.
Find a Grave
Browse cemetery records or look for specific ancestors. You may even find a photograph of their headstones. Includes recent and historical burial records primarily in the USA.
Books
Librarians can help you locate books to start or further your research.
Local History collection
Visit our Local History collection (Second floor of the library) to explore:
- Sandburg yearbooks (various years)
- Orland History books
- Books on the history of Illinois, Chicago, and its suburbs
Area Groups and Research Centers
Tinley-Moraine Genealogists
Tinley Moraine Genealogists (TMG) is a local genealogy society in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, based in the village of Tinley Park. TMG was formed with an emphasis on helping the individual genealogical researcher. Its members live in over 20 different communities.
South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society
Located in the Hazel Crest Municipal Center, SSGHS is a “home” for those interested in genealogy, family history, and the history of our area. The Society’s prime area of interest is the 20 townships of southern Cook County and eastern Will County with its total population of 1,000,000 and the adjoining Chicago communities of Roseland, Pullman, and Kensington.