Library Genealogy Resources Continue to Expand

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Anderson County Library has become a hub for residents eager to delve into their family histories, offering a suite of resources and expert support for genealogical research.

Mary Lanham, Director of Research, Special Collections, and Training points to a seismic shift in genealogy over the past two decades, driven by the proliferation of online resources. The library provides in-house access to Ancestry Library, an extensive database of digitized records, and offers Heritage Quest for remote research—crucial for patrons who prefer to work from home. These tools are complemented by broader sources like FamilySearch.org and digitized collections from various state archives and historical museums, enabling research on both a local and global scale.

Library team members advise researchers to consider how far and wide they want to cast their nets—tools may surface matches as distant as fifth cousins, but tracing lineages often means narrowing focus rather than expanding it broadly.

For those without reliable internet at home, or those looking for resources not available on the web, the library remains a vital in-person resource. Staff members are on hand to assist with both technological and research challenges, helping Anderson County residents make the most of an era where genealogical discovery is more accessible—and sometimes more surprising—than ever before, thanks to technology.

All it takes is a library card.