Local History & Genealogy header

Reference & Research Assistance

Library staff are available to help you find the answers you need in person, online, or by calling (319) 291-4476.

Local History

Located on the second floor of the library, our Local History & Genealogy Room features:

  • A microfilm reader with file saving, emailing, and printing capabilities
  • Microfilm copies of the Waterloo Courier (1859-present), Waterloo Times-Tribune (1901-1922), Waterloo City Directories (1873-1991), and more
  • A computer for genealogy research*
  • Local & historical articles, books, Waterloo City Directories (1950-present) and more

​​​*Patrons who wish to conduct research on the computer or use the microfilm computer must present their library card.

Genealogy Databases

Ancestry.com

Ancestry.com logo

Discover your family history and start your family tree.

This database may only be accessed inside the library.

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Enslaved

Enslaved logo: Peoples of the Historical Slave Trade

Explore or reconstruct the lives of individuals who were enslaved, owned slaves, or participated in the historical trade.

Access

Heritage Quest

Heritage Quest logo

Discover digital, searchable images of U.S. federal census records with the digitized version of the popular UMI® Genealogy and Local History book collection.

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HeritageHub

HeritageHub

Provides comprehensive coverage of obituaries and death notices from 1704 through today.

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Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier Archives

Courier Archives

Search Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier content from 2001 to present.

Access