Discover family stories, past at public library

The reference desk of the Iowa City Public Library helps people find answers to a variety of questions. At least once a week, though, someone needs help researching family history.

Two of our most popular resources are databases: Heritage Quest and Ancestry (Library Edition).

Heritage Quest excels in its collection of family histories; it has more than 28,000 books that you can search through, and many of them are unique works that can be of great use when researching a specific surname.

Ancestry contains such a breathtaking amount of material that it's indispensable and new material is added often.

Just be warned: you may think you're going to sit down and do a little bit of research at this database, and before you know it, three hours have passed and you're wading through parish records from 17th century London.

There also are print materials that can be helpful. Some are located in storage at the second-floor Page Station and can't be checked out, but are worth taking the time to use. A large collection of the Polk City Directories go back to the 1850s and include indexes to local cemeteries.

Other books that can be checked out include: 'The Family Tree Guidebook to Europe,” 'The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy” and 'Mastering Family, Library & Church Records.”

If you have family-related photos and mementos that are part of your heritage, check out 'How to Archive Family Keepsakes” and 'The Family Photo Detective.”

'Candice Smith is a librarian at the Iowa City Public Library.