Online Access to Databases at the Dallas Public Library

By Suzan Younger

The Genealogy Section of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library offers several online databases used by genealogists. Researchers can access some of the databases remotely with a Dallas Public Library (DPL) card, while they must access others in the Genealogy Section of the Central Library. The good news is, for the duration of the library’s closing due to COVID-19 concerns, you can access Ancestry Library Edition and NewspaperArchive.com remotely with your DPL library card.

The Genealogy Section’s webpage lists their available databases.

Here is a list of those available remotely with a Dallas Library Card.

• America’s Genealogy Bank
• America’s Obituaries & Death Notices
• Bibliography of Native North Americans
• Fold3
• HeritageQuest
• Reference USA
• Texas Digital Sanborn Maps

Here is a list of those available only in the Genealogy Section of the Central Library.

• American Ancestors
• Ancestry Library Edition – available remotely with a DPL card for a limited time
• NewspaperArchive.com – available remotely with a DPL card for a limited time

Here is a list of those available, not requiring a DPL card or in-person access.

• Handbook of Texas

Genealogists should check the full list of databases available on the Dallas Public Library website

for other resources. Some of them require a Dallas Public Library card, and others do not. I recommend NewsBank Online Service (newspapers) and JSTOR.

Don’t forget the eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines can also be accessed through the library’s website. You can access or checkout these resources with your DPL card at no cost. The Flipster section of the electronic resources offers a long list of e-magazines, including FamilyTree Magazine.