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The Atlantic City Free Public Library has resources that may be used for genealogical research. Please note that staff members cannot conduct genealogical research for you, but will be happy to direct you to the appropriate resources. If you are unable to visit in person, limited research assistance is available for a fee. Contact the Reference Department for more information.
Obituaries
Researchers are encouraged to come to the Library and use the Library's Index to The Atlantic City Press (1984 to current month) to find citations in The Press and use the microfilm containing the full-text of the newspaper. The Library has The Press of Atlantic City from 1895, with a few exceptions. The Library also has Newsbank, a full-text searchable database of The Press, from 1988 to the present. (This database is only available from inside the Library building.)
If you are unable to visit the Atlantic City Free Public Library in person to locate the obituary, there are two options for obtaining a copy:
1. Full-text articles from 1988 to the present are available online through The Press of Atlantic City website . There is a fee for this service.
2. Hire a researcher to come to the Library in person to search the microfilm:
- The Genealogical Society of New Jersey maintains a list of researchers that conduct genealogical research in New Jersey.
- MyGenealogist.com employs genealogists who conduct research in New Jersey.
- Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness has a list of volunteers who agree to do certain types of genealogy look-ups.
Vital Records
For information on obtaining a copy of a vital record certificate of an event that occurred in Atlantic City (birth, death, marriage, or domestic partnership), please refer to the following websites:
For an event that occurred after April 1878:
Vital Records in New Jersey
For an event that occurred after April 1848 and before May 1878:
New Jersey State Archives
The City of Atlantic City Bureau of Vital Statistics also has records on file for births (1903 – present), deaths (1921-present), and marriages (1921-present).
Books
Atlantic City Directories, 1872-present (with some exceptions)
Atlantic City High School, Herald [yearbook], 1904-present (with some exceptions)
Some local histories of Atlantic City contain biographical information of prominent citizens.
Other books and periodicals related to genealogy research may be located by searching the Library Catalog with the subject heading "Genealogy".
Research Databases
HeritageQuest - United States Population Census returns, electronic books, periodicals index for genealogy publications, and other online resources. Requires a valid Atlantic City Free Public Library card to access from outside the Library building.
Newsbank - full-text newspaper articles from The Press of Atlantic City (1988-present) and The Philadelphia Inquirer (1981-present). This database is only available inside the Library building.
Local History Materials
The Heston Collection maintains clippings files on topics related to Atlantic City and local history, as well as archival collections, books, and other unique resources. Please contact the Heston Collection staff for more information about these.
- Local History Biography Files
- Local History Subject Files
- Atlantic City maps
- Sanborn Fire Insurance maps (on microfilm)
- Population Census Returns for Atlantic City (on microfilm):
- Federal Census years available - 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930
- Civil War Veterans and their Widows (special schedule from 1890 Federal Census)
- New Jersey State Census years available - 1855, 1865, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915
Getting Started
There are many websites with information about how to start a family history or begin a genealogy. Some of these include:
Cyndi's List
FamilySearch
Other Resources
Please see this list of other websites for more information.
Other libraries and archives with genealogical collections related to the Atlantic City area are:
Atlantic Heritage Center
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
National Archives and Records Administration Mid Atlantic Region
New Jersey Historical Society
New Jersey State Archives
New Jersey State Library, Genealogy and Local History Collection
Archibald S. Alexander Library (Rutger's)
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