MAIN HOURS: Mon-Thur: 9am-9pm / Fri-Sat: 9am-5:30pm / Sun: 1pm-5:30pm ADDRESS/PHONE: 270 N. Grove / Elgin, IL 60120 / Phone: 847-742-2411
RAKOW BRANCH HOURS: Mon-Weds: 9am-8pm / Sat: 9am-5:30pm / Sun: 1-5:30pm ADDRESS/PHONE: 2751 W. Bowes / Elgin, IL 60124 / Phone: 847-531-7271
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Genealogy Resources Print
Located on the second floor, the genealogy collection contains over 4,400 books and hundreds of reels of microfilm. The collection concentrates on Elgin and Kane County, Illinois, but also contains materials relating to twenty-five other states, mostly east of the Mississippi River, and five European countries.

Library Resources

  • how-to guides
  • name indexes
  • family and county histories
  • cemetery indexes
  • census records
  • death records
  • over one hundred thirty-five years of local newspapers on microfilm.
  • electronic and online resources

Where to Find Genealogical Materials

Where to Find Genealogical Materials is an online guide to finding library and other resources for genealogical research in our vicinity.

Elgin Newspaper and Vital Record’s Index

The Elgin Newspaper and Vital Record’s Index is a searchable database of articles from the Courier News and Daily Herald for articles concerning Elgin.


Electronic Resources

Heritage Quest Online
Requires a Gail Borden Public Library Card Number if accessed from outside the library.

Ancestry Library Edition
Can only be accessed within the Gail Borden Public Library.

Illinois Digital Archives

Illinois Digital Archives is the library's online archive of historical Elgin photographs.

Area Genealogical Groups

Elgin Genealogical Society

Kane County Genealogical Society

Recommended Links

Rootsweb
The oldest and largest free genealogy site. Databases, internet mailing lists, and ways to contribute to others' research.

USGenWeb
The best one-stop source for genealogy information on the state and county levels.

Cyndi's List
The most comprehensive list of genealogy links on the World Wide Web. Covers all family history subjects.


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