Ancestry Library Edition Now In-Library Use Only
After nearly two years of providing remote access to their Ancestry – Library Edition database during the pandemic, Ancestry decided to end that access on December 31st, 2021 and return the database to an in-library use only format again. You must now visit a Chester County library in person and use either your personal device while connected to the library Wi-Fi or use one of the library’s public computers in order to access this database.
If you would like to continue researching your genealogy from home, there are some free alternatives. The library subscribes to HeritageQuest, a genealogy research database that carries Census records, local and family history books, Revolutionary War records, the U.S. Freedman’s Bank Record, and other collections that might be of interest. You can access that database through the link listed here: https://www.ccls.org/196/Databases-by-Name#H
Another genealogy research site you might want to try is FamilySearch.org. This site requires that you create an account in order to use it, but it is free. While Ancestry has more records than other sites, FamilySearch is still quite comprehensive.
If you are interested in learning more about genealogy research or finding local Chester County resources, check out this page: https://www.ccls.org/221/Genealogy. You can also book an appointment with a librarian at various library locations in the county to explore your genealogy questions further (see Reference Librarian Assistance): https://chescolibraries.org/tools-research/book-librarian
If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at ref@ccls.org or 610-344-5957.