Databases

Visitors to the library have access to a wide variety of electronic databases; however, remote access to subscription databases is restricted to State Library authorized users: state employees and, unless otherwise noted, Thomas Edison staff and students. Authorized users needing a State Library access card, should complete the appropriate online registration form.

New Jersey residents should use JerseyClicks to access databases licensed  for statewide use.

Transmission or reproduction of items beyond that permitted by fair use requires the permission of the copyright owners. It is the user's responsibility to determine and comply with all restrictions based upon the intended use of the materials.  All users are expected to respect the intellectual property rights of licensed material. Failure to do so will result in loss of access.

You can browse through our databases below, or use the following menus to narrow your search:

Database Search Results

Accessible Archives

Search or browse the full text of select histories, magazines, and newspapers. Works are in the public domain, but unlike free copies, all text is correct and searchable.

American County Histories includes county histories of new Jersey and other states, useful for researching local history, genealogy, public officials, data, and roadworks. Also available: African American Newspapers (1827-1919), Abolitionist newspapers, Women’s Suffrage newspapers, World War I: American Military Camp Newspapers (1916-1923), Frank Leslie’s Weekly (1855-1922), American Inventor (1878-1887), Godey’s Lady’s Book (1830-1898), The Pennsylvania Gazette (1728–1800), The Virginia Gazette (1736-1780), South Carolina Newspapers (1732-1780). Topics: Anatomy of Protest in America (1701-1928), The Civil War Collection (1855-1869), and Quarantine and Disease Control in America (1736-1928).

On-site Access: yes
Remote Access: authorized users
Go To Database

America: History and Life (EBSCO)

Use America: History and Life with Full Text to find journal articles on the history, society, and culture of the United States and Canada, selected from over 1,200 peer-reviewed national and international journals.

On-site Access: yes
Remote Access: authorized users
Go To Database

Ancestry Library Edition

Ancestry Library Edition offers a wide range of materials for those interested in genealogy and history. Categories include the census; vital and church records; military records; court, land and probate records; passenger lists and much more.

On-site Access: yes
Remote Access: no
Go To Database

Biography Reference Bank (EBSCO)

Provides in-depth, original profiles from the Current Biography, World Authors and Junior Authors & Illustrators series, plus biographical full text articles, page images and abstracts from today’s leading magazines and journals—providing the most current coverage of an individual’s life and work.

On-site Access: yes
Remote Access: authorized users
Go To Database

FamilySearch

FamilySearch provides access to millions of index entries and document images for genealogy records from around the world, including many New Jersey birth, marriage and death records. Create a free account to access.

On-site Access: yes
Remote Access: free
Go To Database

HeritageQuest

Find primary sources for genealogical and historical research. Besides federal census records, search Freedman’s Bank records (1865-1874), the U.S. Serials Set (1789-1969), and over 25,000 genealogy and local history books. Its content is similar, but unlike Ancestry can be accessed remotely.

On-site Access: yes
Remote Access: authorized users
Go To Database

New Jersey State Archives Searchable Databases

The New Jersey State Archives provides access to thirteen databases containing over one million entries (indexing names and other information) in nearly 500,000 documents and photographs in the State Archives’ collections.  Includes index entries for many marriage records, death records and military records.

On-site Access: yes
Remote Access: free
Go To Database

Open Dissertations (EBSCO)

Indexes content from Doctoral Dissertations Accepted by American Universities, 1933-1955, as well as available records for dissertations and theses from 1955 to the present.

On-site Access: yes
Remote Access: free
Go To Database

Reference Solutions

Use this popular database to search for commercial and residential addresses and phone numbers, company information, employment and business opportunities, and job listings. Available searches include U.S. Businesses, U.S. New Businesses, U.S. Historical Businesses, U.S. Jobs/Internships, U.S. New Movers/Homeowners, U.S. Healthcare, U.S. Consumers/Lifestyles, U.S. Standard White Pages, Canadian Businesses and Canadian White Pages. Learn more on our blog “Research Businesses with Reference Solutions”.

You can also use the Jerseyclicks link to login without a library card if you are within the State of New Jersey (authenticated by geolocation).

Former name: ReferenceUSA

On-site Access: yes
Remote Access: authorized users
Go To Database

Sanborn Maps – New Jersey (ProQuest)

This digital collection of Sanborn maps charts the growth and development of New Jersey’s towns and cities during the period 1867-1970. They are large-scale plans drawn at a scale of 50 feet to an inch.  The maps list street blocks and numbers.

For another set of maps that includes a Google overlay, see
Fire Insurance Maps Online

On-site Access: yes
Remote Access: state employees
Go To Database