Heritage Books — About Us
Preserving family stories since 1976
Founded in 1976 by Laird and Marlene Towle, Heritage Books began as a small family venture with a big mission: to make genealogy and local history easier to discover. In 2002, the Towles passed the torch to Craig R. Scott of Willow Bend Books, who continues that legacy today.
What we do
Heritage Books is one of America’s leading distributors of genealogy and history titles. Our curated online catalog features over 10,000 books that we have published, as well as 6,000 titles from other publishers, spanning the United States and select works from Canada, Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean. Whether you’re tracing a single surname or mapping an entire migration, you’ll find resources to move your research forward.
- Deep catalog: hard-to-find reprints, regional histories, record abstracts, research guides, and more.
- Careful curation: we focus on accuracy, usability, and sources that save you time.
- For every researcher: beginners, seasoned genealogists, librarians, and educators.
Learn & travel with us.
We’re also known for our genealogy cruises—friendly, immersive learning at sea. Up next in November 2026: a Panama Canal Cruise—A DNA-Focused Journey Through History. Join expert-led sessions, connect with fellow researchers, and explore ports rich with story.
Our promise
- Helpful humans: real support from people who love this work.
- Reliable selection: titles chosen for relevance and research value.
- Heritage-first mindset: we exist to help you preserve your past.
From a kitchen-table business to a trusted resource for thousands of researchers—thank you for being part of the Heritage Books story.