June 2, 2023
I’ve always thought that local libraries and genealogists go together. That’s why today’s discovery that the local Fort Collins library system Poudre Libraries (a new name for the Poudre River Public Library District) has updated their webpage is such great news.
Take a peek at the updated website at https://www.poudrelibraries.org/ , and you’ll see what I mean. The new home page is bright and modern and contains links to all sorts of helpful resources such as the mobile library and homebound services.
As a genealogist, I’m especially interested in a new section of the website called “Genealogy Center.” This area can be accessed by clicking onto the Research button at the top of the home page. The Genealogy Center contains a wealth of genealogical resources. One of my favorites is a listing of genealogical books with a brief review of each. When you click onto a book’s title, you are directed to a page where you can place a hold on that book.
The focus of the Genealogy Center seems to be Colorado research, especially Fort Collins and Larimer County, but there are links to resources worldwide. There are also links to download various forms and charts and obtain vital records.
In addition, the library now has the library edition of My Heritage available from home. This huge database compiles genealogical information from many sources into one interface. The home edition of this database costs several hundred dollars a year, but you can access most of its features for free by using your Poudre Libraries library card. That means library cardholders just gained a great new genealogy resource to use. You can even use it from home while wearing your jammies. Even better, it’s free!
The library also has a subscription to the library edition of Ancestry. This database is one of the major sources of online original genealogical content. The library edition of Ancestry is only available on one of the library computers at any of the Poudre Libraries branches.
I admit that over the last few years I had gotten out of the habit of using the Poudre Libraries for genealogical research. The library seemed to be shrinking its genealogical resources rather than expanding them. I seldom recommended the library as a resource to genealogists unless they had ancestors specific to Larimer County.
That has changed now. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced genealogist, the Genealogy Center is sure to become one of your go-to genealogy sites. It doesn’t matter whether you’re researching in Larimer County or Lithuania, the website will guide you to sources you didn’t know existed. I’ll be recommending the site.
After only one afternoon, I know that I haven’t even explored all that the Genealogy Center has to offer. I plan to spend some time exploring the new genealogy section over the next week or so. I highly encourage you to do the same.
Carol Stetser
Researcher