Genealogy Resources

Online Resources

There are several online resources that you can use to start your genealogical research. While some are paid subscription sites, many are free and some of the subscription sites are free with an Iredell County library card either in the library or at home. Most genealogists know that Ancestry is the king of online genealogy sites, however some of their information can be incorrect since much of the site is user based. Just because others post it doesn't mean the information is accurate. Always verify sources before accepting anything as fact. HeritageQuest is owned by Ancestry and therefore sometimes will have the same information, but it's always a good idea to double check. Sometimes you might find something that you didn't find on Ancestry. Family Search is a completely free website whose information is supplied by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Family Search has been collecting and organizing family history data since 1894 and holds billions of free images of historical records.

There are also some images of marriage licenses available on the library's Flickr account. The following collections are free to view:

Available on-site with library computers

Free access from home with ICPL library card

Free online resource

Additional Online Resources

  • Internet Archive- Although your genealogy research might start in Iredell County, it will eventually spread to other states and possibly other countries. There are lots of primary resources and family histories that have been digitized over the years and are available to view on this site. This source is also powered by Optical Character Recognition (OCR) so you are able to type names and keywords and search within documents. This is an excellent free online resource.

  • Digital Public Library of America- A free source of images, texts, audio clips, and videos. There are some Iredell-related materials in the collection. This database is part of NC Live which is available from home with an ICPL card.

  • Find A Grave- This online database of cemeteries is the largest and most comprehensive available digitally. There are over 190 million memorials from all over the world and it is growing every day.

  • ArchiveGrid- This resource shows what types of materials are available at repositories around the country including some digital collections. This resource is free from home through NC Live with an ICPL card.

  • Iredell County Family Bible Collection (digitized by the State Archives of North Carolina, NC Digital Collections)

  • Statesville Family Bible Collection (digitized by the State Archives of North Carolina, NC Digital Collections)

  • FamilySearch Historical Images- This search allows you to view images that have been digitized by microfilm. Just type "Iredell County" in the search bar to see all scanned images relevant to our local area.

  • North Carolina Historical Records Online- North Carolina Historical Records Online (NCHRO) is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization dedicated to providing public access to high quality images of original records and other related information useful to researching North Carolina history and genealogy.

Digital Family Collections

Videos

Several organizations post video tutorials to help assist genealogists in their research. Some of the most well-known, respected, and knowledgeable groups are:

  • National Genealogical Society

  • American Ancestors

  • National Archives

  • Ancestry

Books and Print Resources

Photos

The Flickr photograph collection for the library contains the Stimson and Tharpe collections. Both the Stimsons and Max Tharpe were well-known photographers in the area and the images they captured over the years bring to life the rich culture and heritage that is Iredell County. Many local genealogists are lucky enough to find family members among the images.




Stimson Collection

The Stimson collection is organized by last name of subjects. Most of this collection contains portraits and special events such as weddings and reunions. Both William Stimson, who founded the company in 1890, and his son Benjamin specialized in portrait photography. All photos were taken prior to Benjamin Stimson's death in 1969.




Tharpe Collection

Max Tharpe specialized in hometown photos. Many of his captured images were featured in local newspapers and town bulletins. He loved capturing people in action and viewing the heart of the town, its people, through his camera lens.

Images on this page are from the sources to which they are linked.