Family History Research

This resource page will help you with your family history and heritage research. Be sure to take clear, thorough notes and record the URL and name of each source you take notes from so you can revisit them again.

What are your keywords? What terms will help you locate the information you need? Family history research is challenging, but so rewarding! Please ask your teacher and Ms. Ziller if you need assistance.

NOTE: If an online resources requires a username and password, please ask your teacher or Ms. Ziller (kziller@wcpss.net).

Searching time, place, or event

If the links in this section don't work, click on the NCWiseOwl app in your WakeID and visit the Middle School Zone to explore these resources.

At home, you will need to enter a password to access NCWiseOwl resources. This password is listed in your teacher's Google Classroom, or you can email Ms. Ziller (kziller@wcpss.net).

  • an online encyclopedia (NC WiseOwl)

  • ​background on a place, time period, event, etc.

  • you WILL NOT find information about your specific ancestor here (unless they were famous!)​

Click the NCWiseOwl link above
to access explora

  • searchable database of books, journals, and more​​

  • you WILL NOT find information about your specific ancestor here (unless they were famous!)

Click the NCWiseOwl link above
to access History Reference Center

  • searchable historical database of books, journals, and more

  • you WILL NOT find information about your specific ancestor here (unless they were famous!)

Searching for a specific person

You can only access Ancestry Classroom on campus at school.

  • Ancestry Classroom is best for those researching ancestors who are at least 70 years old.

  • Census Records

  • Primary Documents

  • Indexes & Abstracts

You can only access Fold3 on campus at school.

  • military records

  • Students have free access when on school campus, but if at home, do a Google search for 'fold3 free records' to explore the free portions of the database.

Public Library Resources:

  • The Wake County Public Library offers free access to the Heritage Quest and Ancestry Library edition databases. You will need to enter your Wake County Public library card number and pin number to access this resource.

Historical Newspapers

Immigration Records

  • must create an account to use and be 13 years or older.

  • search for ship passenger arrival records (ship manifests)

  • find details about the ship ancestors arrived on

  • ship passenger arrival records


  • ship passenger lists

United States and International Resources

  • Over 300,000 genealogy links in over 220 categories!

  • United States and foreign country resources

  • Over 10,000,000 genealogy links

  • Categorized by state and by surname

Discover 42,263,236 images, texts, videos, and sounds from across the United States

The World Factbook provides basic intelligence on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, communications, transportation, military, terrorism, and transnational issues for 266 world entities.

Are you at a dead end? Ask yourself:

  • What other keywords (search terms) could I use?​

    • Could I refine my search to be more general?

    • Could I refine my search to be more specific?

  • What other source might be helpful?

    • Is there a family member or family friend I can ask?​

    • Submit a question to an expert? (website email address or Twitter conversation?)

Have you found a great resource that's not included on this page?
Please share with Ms. Ziller (kziller@wcpss.net).