Genealogy
Premium Tools
Genealogy database with census, birth, marriage, death records and more.
Must use at a CADL Library
Capital Area District Library's Local History Online digital collections. Contains photographs, vintage postcards, school yearbooks, documents, and more.
This is a collection of newspapers held by the Ingham County Genealogical Society (ICGS), consisting primarily of the Ingham County News (1860-1969 with some gaps*). The collection also includes single issues or just a few issues for the following titles: The Michigan Farmer and State Agricultural News (1872); The Evening News (Detroit, 1873); The Stockbridge Sentinel (1883); The Dansville Herald (1888); The Chelsea Standard (1897); Ingham County Democrat (1917); Ingham Democrat (1846); and Orion Weekly Review (1905).
High-resolution digitized full-page access to the Lansing State Journal from with a small delay for the most recent issues. Upon entering this resource, to access, select “Publications" on the menu at the top of the page; then select “Lansing State Journal (1980); Lansing, Michigan”. Note: this resource also includes digitized full-page access to some current and historical newspapers from Battle Creek, Detroit, and Port Huron.
CADL library card required (this includes Student Success Initiative cards)
Family history resource including more than 6 billion historical records from the United States, Europe, Latin America, and other regions. Includes the full USA federal census (1790-1940); census of England and Wales (1841-1901); U.S. World War II Army Enlistment as well as records of Union and Confederate Civil War soldiers. Over 2 billion family trees.
Request a Lansing-Area Obituary
To request an obituary for the greater Lansing area, please read and complete this form, and mail it to Capital Area District Libraries with your payment. Staff will conduct a search and contact you with any results.
Other Resources
Cyndi’s List
A categorized and cross-referenced index to genealogical resources on the Internet.
Ellis Island On-line
Access to immigration records from Ellis Island New York.
Family Search
Access to the genealogical resources gathered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Learn How to Get Started Using FamilySearch
Library of Michigan Genealogy Resources
Information about the Library of Michigan's extensive genealogy resources.
Michigan County Histories and Atlases
Searchable county histories and atlases published before 1923.
Rootsweb
A free genealogy community to help people research their family history.
Sanborn Map Collection
A searchable digital archive of pre 1900 Sanborn Fire Insurance maps brought to you by the Library of Congress.
USGenWeb
Genealogy websites in every county and every state of the United States.
Additional Genealogy Resources
These additional resources are recommended by CADL staff.
Events for History Buffs
Afterschool Movie
Thursday Nov 6, 2025 2:30pm - 4:30pm Haslett - In LibraryHalf-Day Matinee
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025 12:30pm - 2:30pm Stockbridge - In LibraryThursdAnime!
Thursday Nov 13, 2025 5:00pm - 7:00pm Downtown Lansing - In LibraryOur robots are giant, and our girls are magical. Take a break at the library and sample the best ani...
Family Movie and Craft Night
Friday Nov 14, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm Stockbridge - In LibraryWicked Singalong
Sunday Nov 16, 2025 1:30pm - 4:30pm Haslett - In LibraryMore Like These





