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Genealogy Connect​ 
Includes hundreds of authoritative resources formerly available only in print or on CD-ROM, covering genealogy best practices, research methods, immigration, royal and noble ancestry and much more.
Tutorial


Ancestry Library - Genealogy Resources (In Library Use Only)
​​A broad genealogical collection providing coverage of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Tips​     Tutorials​


Heritage Quest - Genealogy Resources 
Genealogical information covering America since the late 1700s. 
Tips          Tutorials


 

Genealogical Research Tips

There are two ways to start your research at Phoenix Public Library.  There are books you can check out that include basic tips about how to do genealogy research.  In addition, there are some basic genealogy reference materials in the General Reference section of Burton Barr Central Library.

One major genealogy library in the Phoenix area is:

Mesa Family History Center 
41 South Hobson
Mesa, Arizona 85204
Phone: (480) 964-1200 Fax: (480) 964-7137​​

Obituaries

Phoenix Public Library can provide general information about finding obituaries.  The Library does not search for or photocopy obituaries.  An obituary is published at the discretion of an individual's family, often within two weeks of death. If you need more information about using the resources listed below, please Ask Us directly or call the Library at 602-262-4636.

Obtaining a copy of an obituary 

  1. Maricopa County residents: 
    A. If you have a valid library card with Phoenix Public Library you can search the Arizona Republic 1999-Present or NewsStand.
    B. Burton Barr Central Library offers access to microfilm of the following newspapers: the Arizona Republic (1930-present); its predecessor, the Arizona Republican (1890-1930); and the Phoenix Gazette (late 1800s-1997). 
    C. The Arizona Republic provides a free online obituary database (2002-present).
  2. Arizona residents outside of Maricopa County and out-of-state residents:
    A. Your local library's interlibrary loan department can borrow Arizona Republic microfilm from the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records at no charge. Call 602-542-3701, 1-800-228-4710 or visit their website.
    B. The Arizona Republic provides a free online obituary database (2002-present).
  3. Fee-based obituary searches:

    A. Mesa Public Library offers a fee-based obituary search service for the Arizona Republic (1980-2009).  Call 480-644-3100 or visit their website.
    B. Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records will search two weeks from the date of death for a fee. Call 602-926-3720 or visit their website.

Locating the Date of an Obituary

  1. Maricopa County residents: 
    You can verify a date using the Arizona Biography and Obituary Index (1860-1986) and microfiche of the 1862-1997 Arizona Newspaper Obituary Index available at Burton Barr Central Library.  This is not available by phone or email.
  2. Arizona residents and out-of-state residents: 
    A. Verify a date using the Arizona Obituary Search at Mesa Regional Family History Center.
    B. Verify a date using the Social Security Death Index at Family Search.
    C. Verify a date using the Arizona Genealogy Death Certificate search (1870-1963) at Arizona Department of Health Services.