APL's Genealogy and Local History Collection

The Auburn Public Library's Historical and Genealogical collection emphasizes the histories of Maine families and towns, with a strong secondary representation of Massachusetts family and town histories. Also represented are vital records of Maine and Massachusetts towns, military records, and immigration information. A small, but growing, part of the collection concerns Americans of French-Canadian descent. News clippings and microform back files of the Lewiston Daily Sun and Lewiston Evening Journal round out the collection.

Major genealogical indexes are included in the collection, such as the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, the Mayflower Descendant, and American Genealogical Index. Census records include indexes from 1800-1850 and the census rolls on microfilm from 1800 to 1920 (no 1890) for Androscoggin County. We will also order microfilm from the American Genealogical Lending Library for a cost of $3.25 per roll plus $4.00 per order for postage. The Maine Register from the 1860s to the present and the Auburn and Lewiston city directories from 1861 to the present form an important part of the collection.

Periodicals such as Sprague's Journal of Maine History, New England Quarterly, the York County Genealogical Newsletter, and Mayflower Descendant provide additional access to genealogical information. Genealogical handbooks and manuals will aid the beginning genealogist as well as the experienced researcher to make the best use of the available resources.

The collection is open to the public whenever the library is open.   Patrons using the collection must sign in and out at the Reference desk.

We also offer limited searching of some genealogy and local history resources for those who are unable to visit the library.  Please see our search services guidelines for details.