The following databases are available through the Rochester Public Library.
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View Databases by Subject
1950 Census 
The 1950 census records were released by the U.S. National Archives on April 1, 2022. This website provides full access to the 1950 census images, including population schedules, enumeration district maps, and enumeration district descriptions.
Local History & Genealogy
A
A to Z Databases
Provides details on every business and household within the United States. Ideal for sales leads, mailing lists, market research, employment opportunities, and more.
General Reference
American Ancestors 
In-library Only [Local History & Genealogy Division]
Early American genealogical records, searchable genealogical research journals and magazines, and the largest collection of U.S Catholic records online. Full access for free in the library and remotely for City of Rochester residents.
Local History & Genealogy
Ancestry Library Edition In-library Only [Local History & Genealogy Division]
The world’s largest online family history resource providing access to billions of historical records, millions of family trees, census records, military records, and more. Full access for free in the library.
Local History & Genealogy
B
Biography & Genealogy Master Index *City Residents Only*
Provides more than 20 million biographical citations for over 6 million people across 2000+ years of history.
Science & History
Black Freedom Struggle in the U.S.
A collection of over 3000 primary source documents spanning six different phases of Black freedom: Slavery and the Abolitionist Movement (1790-1860); The US Civil War and the Reconstruction Era (1861-1877); Jim Crow Era from 1878 to the Great Depression (1878-1932); The New Deal and WWII (1933-1945); The Civil Rights and Black Power Movements (1946-1975); The Contemporary Era (1976-2000).
Science & History
Book Review Index *City Residents Only*
Search over 5 million book reviews in topics including psychology, history, education, and literature.
Literature
Books and Authors *City Residents Only*
Find your next great book by browsing award winners, themed lists, and read-alikes.
Literature
C
Cole Directory In-library Only [Local History & Genealogy Division]
Commonly known as the “Criss-Cross” or “Haines” directory, this is the most up-to-date, cross-reference directory for New York State.
Consumer Reports
Full access to product ratings and reviews, in-depth advice, tips and trends, and recommendations and buying advice for thousands of products and services.
General Reference
Contemporary Authors Online *City Residents Only*
Searchable database of over 145,000 biographical articles on modern poets, playwrights, journalists, and more.
Literature
Contemporary Women’s Issues *City Residents Only*
Coverage of global issues that affect women with subjects including Business & Economics, Education, Health Studies, Professional Development, and Civil Rights.
Science & History
E
Environmental Studies *City Residents Only*
Collection of case studies, statistics, videos, and more on the environmental impact of issues including Extinction, Fast Fashion, Food Safety, Land Management, Nuclear Waste, and Water Scarcity.
Science & History
F
Factiva In-library Only [Business Insight Center]
Gain unique insights from the world’s most comprehensive collection of news and data.
Business
FIMo – Fire Insurance Maps Online In-library Only [Local History & Genealogy Division]
High resolution color images of maps of New York State municipalities and settled areas from 1875 to 1950 from the world’s largest online digital collection of color fire insurance maps, real estate atlases, and similar land use maps for North America. Full access for free in the library.
Local History & Genealogy
Find My Past In-library Only [Local History & Genealogy Division]
United Kingdom-based genealogy website providing access to more than 4 billion searchable records of census, directory, and historical information from the UK and around the world. Full access for free in the library.
Local History & Genealogy
Foundation Center Online Professional
Explore 103,000+ expanded grantmaker profiles, 300,000+ key decision makers and leaders, searchable 990s and 990-PDFs, as well as FDO Workspace. Click here for details on availability and instructions for creating an account.
Science & History
G
Gale Business: Insights *City Residents Only*
An extensive collection of industry profiles, business intelligences, and over 430,000 detailed company profiles.
Business
Genealogy Indexes
Links to various indexes compiled by staff and volunteers of the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County. The indexes point to source material located in the Local History & Genealogy Division.
Local History & Genealogy
H
Health and Wellness
Find up-to-date information on a range of health care topics. Best for students, researchers, and health care professionals.
Science & History
HeritageQuest
A partner of Ancestry that provides access to genealogical and historical resources for more than 60 countries, with coverage dating back to the 1700s. Access from home with your library card.
Local History & Genealogy
Historic Map Works In-library Only [Local History & Genealogy Division]
This website contains the world’s largest online historical map collection spanning several centuries of cartographic information, including antique maps, nautical charts, celestial maps, and more.
Local History & Genealogy
Hoopla *City Residents Only*
Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music, and more with your library card – stream right away or download to watch later!
Media
I
InnovationQ In-library Only [Business Insight Center]
Research patents and the competitive landscape.
Business
L
Life Records
Index of birth, marriage and death notices published in Rochester, NY, newspapers ca. 1960-2016.
Local History & Genealogy
LitFinder *City Residents Only*
Includes short stories, speeches, plays, and over 130,000 full-text poems.
Literature
Local History Digital Collections
The page on the Rochester Public Library’s website where you can find links to many of the digitized materials and collections held in the Local History & Genealogy Division.
Local History & Genealogy
Local History Pathfinders
These guides point to information and resources that are useful in researching particular topics in the history of the Rochester area. Many of the resources identified can be found in the collections of the library and the Local History & Genealogy Division.
Local History & Genealogy
Local History Special Collections
The page on the Rochester Public Library’s website where you can find information about the special collections held in the Local History & Genealogy Division and how to access them.
Local History & Genealogy
LOTE4Kids
A collection of digital books for kids in world languages created for children to enjoy books and learn languages through storytelling in 65+ languages with English translations.
Children’s Division
M
Medici.tv
The largest online catalogue of classical and jazz music, opera, and dance videos.
Media
Mergent Intellect In-library Only [Business Insight Center]
Information on more than 245 million businesses worldwide. Advanced search functionality allows you to build custom lists.
Business
Mintel In-library Only [Business Insight Center]
Experts in what consumers want and why. Mintel’s predictive analytics have enabled clients to make better decisions.
Business
Mitchell1 ProDemand In-library Only [Science Division]
A fully searchable, comprehensive database of automotive repair industry service manuals for vehicles 1960-present. Includes shortcuts for common specs, common symptoms, technical bulletins, wiring diagrams, component tests, estimates, maintenance tasks, and more. Information and graphics can be printed, saved, or emailed. Full access for free in the library.
Automotive
N
New York Times *City Residents Only*
Rochester City residents can now enjoy complimentary access to the New York Times for 72 hours.
Newspaper
NOVELny
See a list of all databases included in the NOVELny program. *NOVELNY
General Reference
Nursing and Allied Health
Research full-text titles cited in CINAHL and other resources to support specialized care, treatment, and patient management.
Science & History
NY Heritage
A website containing digitized materials from repositories from across New York State, including several collections from the Rochester Public Library’s Local History & Genealogy Division.
Local History & Genealogy
P
Pronunciator *City Residents Only*
Pronunciator is a fun way to learn any of 163 languages with self-directed lessons, live teachers, movies, music, and more. Learn online and get the app for your mobile device!
Language
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: U.S. Northeast Collection *City Residents Only*
This collection of historical newspapers provides genealogists, researchers and scholars with online, easily-searchable first-hand accounts and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society and events of this region. Full access for free in the library. Coverage: 1785 – 2010.
Newspaper
ProQuest Recent Newspapers: U.S. Northeast Collection *City Residents Only*
This collection of digitized newspapers provides genealogists, researchers and scholars with cover-to-cover access to recent newspaper content. Every page image is full-text searchable. Full access for free in the library. Coverage: 2008 – recent (3 month embargo).
Newspaper
R
Rochester City Directories
The Local History & Genealogy Division holds the full set of bound volumes of the Rochester’s city directories and house directory supplements dating back to 1827. Several of the volumes in the collection have been digitized and can be accessed here. The physical collection is held in the Local History & Genealogy Division. Access to fragile volumes is limited.
Local History & Genealogy
Rochester Newspaper Index
This database is organized by subject and contains references to articles published in Rochester-area newspapers between 1818 and 1897. After using the index to identify an article, researchers can request a copy or access the full text of the article on microfilm in the Local History & Genealogy Division.
Local History & Genealogy
Rochester Voices
A place for K-12 students (and adults, too!) to learn about the past through the stories of Rochesterians who experienced it first-hand. Access primary sources online!
Local History & Genealogy
S
Sokol High School Literary Awards
Search the SUNY Brockport Open Repositories for “Sokol” to see a list of all winning entries from 2001 to 2022 and read the full text.
Literature
Statista In-library Only [Business Insight Center]
Insights and facts across 600 industries and more than 50 countries.
Business
T
TM TKO In-library Only [Business Insight Center]
Trademark research.
Business
U
Udemy *City Residents Only*
Online training site with over 20,000 video courses covering topics including cloud computing, marketing, and project management.
General Reference
V
VIN Decoder
Enter your vehicle’s 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to receive an instant report on its manufacturer, brand, make and model, body style, engine size, assembly plant, and model year.
Automotive
W
Weiss Financial Ratings
Tools to protect your finances, invest wisely, grow your wealth, and learn more about your finances. Take a tour through some of the functionality of the Weiss Financial Ratings database with these presentations and videos.
Business
