Digital Resources

Whelden Memorial Library maintains a collection of historical documents, photographs, and other materials related to the history of West Barnstable and surrounding communities.

An index to our collection of West Barnstable historical documents is available here. While the documents themselves are not available online, they may be viewed and copied or scanned at the library during regular hours.

Many of the photographs in our collection have been digitized and are available for browsing on our Flickr page. Images may be viewed, downloaded, and printed directly from Flickr

Researchers are encouraged to review available indexes and digital collections prior to visiting and to conduct their own research using the materials available at the library.

Those seeking more extensive genealogical or local history resources may also wish to contact Sturgis Library, which maintains significant archival and local history collections and offers research support services. Cape Cod Community College's Higgins Art Gallery and Tilden Arts Center archives may also be of interest to researchers exploring Cape Cod history.

For specialized research related to Barnstable history, the Barnstable Historical Society is an excellent resource. The Society maintains historical collections, publications, and research materials relating to the Town of Barnstable and its villages.

Familysearch.org is a free website maintained by the LDS church. You must create an account to use the site but there is no charge to access many of their materials.

The Cape Cod Gravestones website lists early gravestones, with some photos, of the earliest graves across the Cape.

Many Massachusetts towns have added their records to CemeteryFind.com, including all the Barnstable cemeteries. They are searchable by name.

Findagrave is a volunteer effort to document all graves before they are lost. Though incomplete, you will find many graves listed here, some with photographs.