This file is as complete and accurate as possible, however if you should find errors, have additions or deletions, send them to me and I will update the file. Bill Green bgreen@milo.nodak.edu bill90@Delphi.Com Date of last update: 4 November 1993 ************************************************************************ GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF ILLINOIS 5 March 1989 Robert McLaren 7810 Kincardine Ct. Alexandria, VA 22310-4025 The following file contains a listing of genealogical and historical societies in Illinois. Included in the listing, where known, are telephone numbers and yearly dues. This listing is donated to the public domain and may be freely copied. Under no conditions can this listing be sold or used in any other commercial fashion. If you think this list has any value, then donate that value in helping your local genealogical society (or the National Genealogical Society). If you write to any of the societies on this list for information, remember to include a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE). Many of these societies work with a limited budget, supplemented by volunteers, and can not afford to respond unless a SASE is included in your letter. Illinois State Genealogical Society P.O. Box 10195 Springfield, IL 62791 Dues: $15.00 per year (single); $16.00 per year (family) Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois c/o Mrs. Judith R. Frazin 1025 Antique Lane Northbrook, IL 60062 Dues: Illinois Mennonite Historical and Genealogical Society P.O. Box 819 Metamora, IL 61548 Dues: Adams County Great River Genealogical Society c/o Quincy Public Library 526 Jersey Street Quincy, IL 62301 Dues: Alexander County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Bond County Bond County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 172 Greenville, IL 66246 Dues: $10.00 per year Boone County Winnebago and Boone Counties Genealogical Society P.O. Box 10166 Rockford, IL 61131-0166 Dues: $7.00 per year North Central Illinois Genealogical Society 8301 Cherry North Drive Rockford, IL 61108 Dues: $10.00 per year (single); $12.00 per year (family) Brown County Versailles Genealogical Society P.O. Box 9 Versailles, Illinois 62378 Calhoun County Pike and Calhoun Counties Genealogical Society Box 104 Pleasant Hill, IL 62366 Dues: Carroll County Carroll County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 347 Savanna, IL 61074 Dues: Cass County Cass County Historical Society 421 East Union Street Virginia, IL 62691 Dues: Champaign County Champaign County Genealogical Society c/o Urbana Free Library 201 South Race Street Urbana, IL 61801 Dues: Christian County Christian County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 174 Taylorville, IL 62568 Dues: $10.00 per year Clay County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Clinton County Clinton County Historical Society 1091 Franklin Street Calyle, IL 62231 Dues: Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Coles County Coles County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 225 Charleston, IL 61920 Dues: Cumberland and Coles County of Illinois Genealogical Society Rt. 1, Box 141 Toledo, IL 62468 Dues: Cook County Chicago Genealogical Society Box 1160 Chicago, IL 60690 Dues: Chicago Historical Society North Avenue and Clark Street Chicago, IL 60614 Dues: Des Plaines Historical Society P.O. Box 225 Des Plaines, IL 60017 Dues: Dunton Genealogical Society 500 North Dunton Arlington Heights, IL 60004 Dues: North Suburban Genealogical Society Winnetka Public Library 768 Oak Street Winnetka, IL 60093 Dues: South Suburban Genealogical & Historical Society P.O. Box 96 South Holland, IL 60473 Dues: Thornton Township Historical Society Genealogical Section 154 East 154th Street Harvey, IL 60426 Dues: Crawford County Fort La Motte Genealogical and Historical Society c/o LaMotte Township Library Palestine, IL 62451 Dues: Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Cumberland County Cumberland County Historical and Genealogical Society of Illinois Greenup, IL 62428 Dues: Cumberland and Coles County of Illinois Genealogical Society Rt. 1, Box 141 Toledo, IL 62468 Dues: DeKalb County Genealogical Society of DeKalb County, Illinois P.O. Box 295 Sycamore, IL 60178 Dues: DeWitt County DeWitt County Genealogical Society Box 329 Clinton, IL 61727 Dues: Douglas County Douglas County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 113 Tuscola, IL 61953 Dues: $6.00 per year DuPage County DuPage County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 133 Lombard, IL 60148 Dues: $7.00 per year Fox Valley Genealogical Society 705 North Brainard Street Napervillle, IL 60540 Dues: Edgar County Edgar County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 304 Paris, IL 61944 Dues: $7.00 per year (single); $8.00 per year (family) Edwards County Edwards County Historical Society P.O. Box 205 Albion, IL 62806 Dues: Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Effingham County Effingham County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1166 Effingham, IL 62401 Dues: $10.00 per year Fayette County Fayette County Genealogical Society Box 177 Vandalia, IL 62471 Dues: Franklin County Frankfort Area Genealogical Society P.O. Box 463 West Frankfort, IL 62896 Dues: $10.00 per year Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Fulton County Fulton County Historical and Genealogical Society c/o Mrs. Lawrence I. Bordner 45 North Park Drive Canton, IL 61520 (309) 647-0771 Dues: $10.00 per year (single); $16.00 per year (family) $2.00 per year (student) Gallatin County Decatur Genealogical Society P.O. Box 2205 Decatur, IL 62526 Dues: Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Grant County Grant County Genealogical Society Bernita Jenkins, Secretary-Treasurer 1162 Hiawatha Drive East Dubuque, IL 61025 Dues: $3.00 per year (single); $4.00 per year (family) Greene County Greene County Illinois Historical and Genealogical Society P.O. Box 137 Carrollton, IL 62016 Dues: Grundy County Will-Grundy Counties Genealogical Society P.O. Box 24 Wilmington, IL 60481 Dues: Hamilton County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Hancock County Tri-County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 355 Augusta, IL 62311 Dues: LaHarpe Historical and Genealogical Society Box 289 LaHarpe, IL 61450 Dues: Hardin County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Henry County Henry County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 346 Kewanee, IL 61443 Dues: Iroquois County Iroquois County Genealogical Society Old Courthouse Museum 103 West Cherry Street Watseka, IL 60970 Dues: Iroquois County Historical Society 103 W. Cherry Street Watseka, IL 60970 Dues: Jackson County Jackson County Historical Society P.O. Box 7 Murphysboro, IL 62966 Dues: Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Jasper County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Jefferson County Mount Vernon Genealogical Society c/o Mount Vernon Public Library 101 South 7th Mount Vernon, IL 62864 Dues: $5.00 per year Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Jo Davies County Dubuque County - Key City Chapter Iowa Genealogical Society P.O. Box 13 Dubuque, IA 52004-0013 Dues: $6.00 per year (local); $4.00 per year (distant) Johnson County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Kane County Kane County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 504 Geneva, IL 60134 Dues: 5.00 per year Dundee Township Historical Society 426 Highland Avenue Dundee, IL 60118 Dues: Elgin Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1418 Elgin, IL 60121 Dues: Kankakee County Kankakee Valley Genealogical Society c/o Kankakee Public Library 304 South Indiana Ave. Kankakee, IL 60901 Dues: Kendall County Kendall County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1086 Oswego, IL 60543 Dues: $12.00 per year Oswego Roots Genealogical Society 328 Boulder Hill Pass Oswego, IL 60543 Dues: Knox County Knox County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 13 Galesburg, IL 61402-0013 Dues: Lake County Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society 413 North Milwaukee Avenue Libertyville, IL 60048 Dues: Zion Genealogical Society c/o The Zion Benton Public Library 2400 Gabriel Avenue Zion, IL 60099 Dues: $7.00 per year (single); $8.00 per year (family) LaSalle County LaSalle County Genealogical Guild P.O. Box 534 Ottawa, IL 61350 Dues: LaSalle County Historical Society Box 278 Utica, IL 61373 Dues: Lawrence County Lawrence County Genealogical Society c/o Mrs. Geraldine Satterthwaite R #1, Box 44 Bridgeport, IL 62417 Dues: Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Livingston County Odell Historical and Genealogical Society P.O. Box 82 Odell, IL 60460 Dues: Logan County Logan County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 283 Lincoln, IL 62656 Dues: Macon County Decatur Genealogical Society P.O. Box 2205 Decatur, IL 62526 Dues: Macoupin County Staunton Area Genealogical Society Box 95 Staunton, IL 62088 Dues: Madison County Madison County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 631 Edwardsville, IL 62025-0631 Dues: Lewis and Clark Genealogical Society P.O. Box 485 Godfrey, IL 62035 Dues: Marion County Marion County Genealogical and Historical Society P.O. Box 342 Salem, IL 62881 Dues: Marion Area Genealogical Society Box 844 Marion, OH 43302 Dues: Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Marshall County Marshall County Historical Society c/o Eleanor Bussell 566 North High Street Lacon, IL 61540 Dues: Henry Historical and Genealogical Society 1022 Green Street Henry, IL 61537 Dues: Mason County Mason County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 246 Havana, IL 62644 Dues: Mason County Genealogical and Historical Society Box 106 Kilbourne, IL 62655 Dues: Massac County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year McDonough County McDonough County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 202 Macomb, IL 61455 Dues: McHenry County McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society 1011 N. Green St. McHenry, IL 60050 Dues: Greater Harvard Area Historical Society 301 Hart Blvd. P.O. Box 505 Harvard, IL 60033 Dues: McLean County Bloomington-Normal Genealogical Society P.O. Box 488 Normal, IL 61761 Dues: Lexington Genealogical and Historical Society 318 West Main Street Lexington, IL 61753 Dues: Mercer County Mercer County Historical Society Aledo, IL 61231 Dues: Montgomery County Montgomery County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 212 Litchfield, IL 62056 Dues: Morgan County Jacksonville Area Genealogical and Historical Society P.O. Box 21 Jacksonville, IL 62651 Dues: Waverly Genealogical and Historical Society c/o Mrs. Louise M. Dennis Waverly, IL 62692 Dues: Moultrie County Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society P.O. Box MM Sullivan, IL 61951 Dues: Ogle County Ogle County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 251 Oregon, IL 61061 Dues: Ogle County Historical Society 6th and Franklin Streets Oregon, IL 61061 Dues: North Central Illinois Genealogical Society 8301 Cherry North Drive Rockford, IL 61108 Dues: $10.00 per year (single); $12.00 per year (family) Peoria County Peoria Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1489 Peoria, IL 61655 Dues: $9.00 per year Peoria Historical Society 942 NE Glen Oak Ave. Peoria, IL 61600 Dues: Perry County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Piatt County Piatt County Historical and Genealogical Society Box 123 Monticello, IL 61856 Dues: Pike County Pike and Calhoun Counties Genealogical Society Box 104 Pleasant Hill, IL 62366 Dues: Pope County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Pulaski County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Putnam County Henry Historical and Genealogical Society 1022 Green Street Henry, IL 61537 Dues: Randolph County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Richfield County Richfield County Genealogical Society Box 202 Olney, IL 62450 Dues: Richland County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Rock Island County Blackhawk Genealogical Society P.O. Box 912 Rock Island, IL 61204-3912 Dues: $6.00 per year (adult); $7.00 per year (family); $2.00 per year (student) Rock Island Historical Society P.O. Box 632 Moline, IL 61265 Dues: St. Clair County St. Clair County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 431 Belleville, IL 62222 Dues: $9.00 per year (single); $14.00 per year (family); $5.00 per year (student) Freeburg Historical and Genealogical Society c/o Frank Heiligenstein Box 69 Freeburg, IL 62243 Dues: Marissa Historical and Genealogical Society P.O. Box 27 Marissa, IL 62257 Dues: Mascoutah Historical Society Mascoutah, IL 62258 Dues: Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Saline County Saline County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 4 Harrisburg, IL 62946 Dues: $10.00 per year Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Sangamon County Sangamon County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1829 Springfield, IL 62705 Dues: Schuyler County Schuyler Jail Museum Historical Society 200 South Congress Rushville, Illinois 62681 (restored jail and genealogical center) Shelby County Shelby County Historical and Genealogical Society 151 South Washington Shelbyville, IL 62565 Dues: $10.00 per year Stark County Stark County Historical Society c/o Ben Parker West Jefferson Toulon, IL 61483 Dues: Stephenson County Stephenson County Genealogical Society Box 514 Freeport, IL 61032 Dues: Stephenson County Historical Society 110 Coates Pl. Freeport, IL 61032 Dues: North Central Illinois Genealogical Society 8301 Cherry North Drive Rockford, IL 61108 Dues: $10.00 per year (single); $12.00 per year (family) Tazewell County Tazewell County Genealogical Society Box 312 Pekin, IL 61554 Dues: Union County Union County Genealogical and Historical Committee 101 East Spring Street Anna, IL 62906 Dues: Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Vermilion County Illiana Genealogical and Historical Society Box 207 Danville, IL 61834-0207 Dues: $10.00 per year Wabash County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Warren County Warren County Illinois Genealogical Society Box 240 Monmouth, IL 61462 Dues: Washington County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Wayne County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year White County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Whiteside County Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society 1005 East 3rd Street P.O. Box 65 Sterling, IL 61081 Dues: Will County Will-Grundy Counties Genealogical Society P.O. Box 24 Wilmington, IL 60481 Dues: Williamson County Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois c/o John A. Logan College Rte. 2 Carterville, IL 62918 Dues: $12.00 per year Winnebago County Winnebago and Boone Counties Genealogical Society P.O. Box 10166 Rockford, IL 61131-0166 Dues: $7.00 per year North Central Illinois Genealogical Society 8301 Cherry North Drive Rockford, IL 61108 Dues: $10.00 per year (single); $12.00 per year (family) ************************************************************************* VITAL RECORDS County Records of Births and Deaths A few county clerks kept vital records as early as 1838. The law required the filing of vital records in 1877 but few counties complied. Archives have film copies of these documents for about half of the counties. Delayed registrations of births are available from the county where the birth occurred. State Records of Births and Deaths In Illinois the statewide registration of vital statistics began in 1916 and was generally complied with by 1922. These records are closed to the public. However, the state registrar of vital records issues uncertified photocopies for genealogical research. Members of any Illinois genealogical society generally have access to vital record indexes in the state. The registrar's office has a statewide index on microfiche. To obtain copies and more information, write to: Office of Vital Records State Department of Public Health 605 West Jefferson Street Springfield, IL 62702 An exact photographic copy of the original (also called A FULL CERTIFIED COPY) is $15.00. Or you can get A CERTIFICATION for $10.00. It shows only the name, sex, place and date. Make checks payable to Illinois Department of Public Health. They search 5 years for this price. Each additional year to be searched is $1.00. From: clc5q@virginia.edu (Clark L. Coleman) Marriages A county clerk usually kept marriage records from the time each county was organized. A few records date from the 1790s, but couples were not required to obtain a marriage license until 1877. The Illinois State Archives has microfilm copies of the records up to approximately 1920 from about half of the counties. The counties continued to record marriages until 1 January 1962 when statewide registration of marriages began. The county clerks have the original records up to 1962. Copies can usually be obtained for a fee. You can obtain certificates of marriage from 1962 to the present, for a fee, from the Office of Vital Records (see address above). The Illinois State Archives and the Illinois State Genealogical Society are creating a computerized index to all marriages in Illinois from its earliest settlement to 1900. When completed, this index will contain approximately 2,000,000 names. The estimated completion date is 1990. Divorces In the early 1800s, the legislature and the circuit courts granted divorces. Circuit or city courts have handled most divorce proceedings. The Superior Court of Cook County in Chicago also has jurisdiction over divorces. The court clerks of each county have custody of these records. Chicago and Cook County The records for Chicago and Cook county are available for as early as 1871. Earlier records were destroyed by fire. (Source: FHC Research Guide) ************************************************************************* STATE ARCHIVES Illinois State Archives Archives Building Springfield, IL 62756 Illinois Regional Archives Depository System (IRAD) Archives Building Springfield, IL 62756 The IRAD system is collecting and preserving local government records of genealogical and historical value at the following depositories: Eastern Illinois University Illinois State University Northern Illinois University Sangamon State University Southern Illinois University Western Illinois University Illinois State Historical Society Old State Capitol Springfield, IL 62701 (Source: FHC Research Guide) ************************************************************************* NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS Climbing the Cowden Family Tree Helen Cox Tregillis P. O. Box 107 Cowden, IL 62422 published in "Beecher City Journal" -- **************************************************************************** * Bill Green Minot, North Dakota 58701 * Home of the * * bgreen@milo.NoDak.Edu * NORSK H0STFEST * * Bill90@Delphi.Com * Velkommen! * ****************************************************************************