Genealogy & Local History at Illinois Libraries (13 Verified)
Genealogy & Local History › Illinois
📜 Illinois · genealogy & local history
Genealogy & Local History at Libraries in Illinois
Looking to trace your family tree or explore local history in Illinois? These 13 public libraries have offering genealogy & local-history resources verified on their official pages — with genealogy databases, historical newspapers, local archives and staff who can help you get started.
13 librariesFamily history · Local archives
We have verified 13 public libraries in Illinois offering genealogy & local history, across 13 cities — including Altamont, Altona, Antioch, Ashton, Bartonville. Each links to that library’s page with its address, hours and phone so you can confirm the service and any fees.
A few worth knowing in Illinois:
- Peoria Public Library — Downtown · Peoria — Local History & Genealogy Room (Lower Level 1) — Peoria newspaper indexes from 1834, Civil War regimental histories, Sanborn fire-insurance maps, city directories 1844–1916, yearbooks 1901–2020, Famil
- Schaumburg Township District Library · Schaumburg — Local History & Genealogy — a Local History Digital Archive of 60,000+ items, local newspapers, and genealogy research support
- Mills & Petrie Memorial Library & Gymnasium · Ashton — Upcoming Blum History Center for exploring Ashton's early local history — a research destination for area genealogists
💡 Good to know: Ancestry Library Edition is free inside the library but not from home; HeritageQuest and many state databases do work remotely with your card — ask staff which resources you can access from home before you leave.
Illinois libraries with genealogy & local history — 13 verified
Altamont Public LibraryALTAMONT, Illinois · +1618-483-5457121 WEST WASHINGTON AVENUEGenealogy research collection →Ransom Memorial Public LibraryALTONA, Illinois · +1309-484-6193110 East Main StreetReference assistance for genealogy, local history and community research →Antioch Public Library DistrictANTIOCH, Illinois · +1847-395-0874757 MAIN STREETLocal history archives including the obituary database →Mills & Petrie Memorial Library & GymnasiumASHTON, Illinois · +1815-453-5048704 NORTH FIRST STREETUpcoming Blum History Center for exploring Ashton's early local history — a research destination for area genealogists →Alpha Park Public LibraryBARTONVILLE, Illinois · +1309-697-38223527 SOUTH AIRPORT ROADGenealogy research databases via IRIS →Sulzer Regional LibraryChicago, Illinois · (312) 744-76164455 N. Lincoln AvenueNorthside Neighborhood History Collection (local history and genealogy) →Lincoln Public Library DistrictLincoln, Illinois · (217) 732-8878725 Pekin StreetLocal history and genealogy collections, including Lincoln Courier newspaper on microfilm →Marshall Public LibraryMarshall, Illinois · (217) 826-2535612 Archer AvenueFamilySearch affiliate branch (genealogy support) →O'Fallon Public LibraryO'Fallon, Illinois · (618) 632-3783120 Civic PlazaIn-library databases including Ancestry Library Edition for genealogy research →Acorn Public Library DistrictOAK FOREST, Illinois · (708) 687-370015624 Central AvenueGenealogy research resources and databases →Peoria Public Library — DowntownPeoria, Illinois · (309) 497-2000107 NE MonroeLocal History & Genealogy Room (Lower Level 1) — Peoria newspaper indexes from 1834, Civil War regimental histories, Sanborn fire-insurance maps, city directories 1844–1916, yearbooks 1901–2020, Famil →Schaumburg Township District LibrarySchaumburg, Illinois · (847) 985-4000130 S Roselle RdLocal History & Genealogy — a Local History Digital Archive of 60,000+ items, local newspapers, and genealogy research support →St. Charles Public Library DistrictSt. Charles, Illinois · (630) 584-0076One South Sixth AvenueLocal history and genealogy research materials →
📝 How to research genealogy & local history in Illinois
- Start with what you already know. Write down names, dates and places for yourself and older relatives — that is your roadmap before you open any database.
- Use the library’s genealogy databases. Ancestry Library Edition is free but in-library only; HeritageQuest and many {state} state databases work from home with your library card.
- Search local archives & newspapers. Ask for the local-history room: city directories, microfilmed newspapers, obituaries, cemetery and church records, maps and photographs.
- Ask a librarian or local-history staff. Many {state} libraries offer one-on-one appointments, classes or genealogy-society partnerships — a big shortcut when you hit a brick wall.
- Save and cite your sources. Record where each fact came from so your tree holds up and you can find it again later.
New to this? See the national guide on how library genealogy research works.
Frequently asked questions
Which Illinois cities have libraries with genealogy & local history?
We have verified 13 across 13 cities in Illinois: Altamont, Altona, Antioch, Ashton, Bartonville, Chicago, Lincoln, Marshall and 5 more. Open any library’s page above for its address, hours and phone.
How many Illinois libraries offer genealogy & local history?
We have confirmed 13 Illinois public libraries with genealogy & local history, each verified from its official information. We add more as we confirm them, so the count can grow — or browse the full national list.
What makes Peoria Public Library — Downtown in Peoria notable for genealogy & local history?
Local History & Genealogy Room (Lower Level 1) — Peoria newspaper indexes from 1834, Civil War regimental histories, Sanborn fire-insurance maps, city directories 1844–1916, yearbooks 1901–2020, Famil. See its full page for hours, address and phone.
Is genealogy & local history available at Schaumburg Township District Library in Schaumburg?
Local History & Genealogy — a Local History Digital Archive of 60,000+ items, local newspapers, and genealogy research support. See its full page for hours, address and phone.
Keep exploring
Services verified from each library’s official information during our 2026 review. Fees and availability can change — confirm on the library’s page before visiting.