Celebrate Saint Paul Public Library's
Proud Heritage and Bright Future

Celebration Events

Library History & Photo Albums

In the 1880s, St. Paul was experiencing a population boom. Our city had become the destination for immigrants from Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Norway and many other countries.

Today, people searching for their ancestors can use resources at the Saint Paul Public Library, including city directories dating back to 1856 at the Central Library, and the free online database, Ancestry Library, available at all branches.

Family History 101: a Beginner's Guide to Finding your Ancestors by Marcia Yannizze Melnyk

Scrapbooking your Family History by Maureen Taylor

Ancestry Library
Information for conducting genealogical research, including digitized images of the U.S. Federal Census, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, and much more. - Available at all Saint Paul Public Library locations.

More genealogy resources...

Women dressed in ethnic costume, standing on steps of St. Paul Public Library.
(ca. 1915)

Photographer: Charles P. Gibson

Photo courtesy Minnesota Historical Society

The Saint Paul Pioneer Press is a partner in celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Saint Paul Public Library.

See the whole series of ads to date:

Books and Reading (April 8)

Travel (April 15)

Jobs & Business (April 22)