Helpful Resources
The Winnebago Community Historical Society Local Area History Collection focuses on the people and history of Winnebago Township and the area immediately surrounding the Township in northern Illinois.
It does not focus on Rockford or other Townships in Winnebago County Illinois.
Local Area History Collection
Materials in the Local Area History Collection are being inventoried, organized, digitized, and conserved. Resources are added to this section as they become available.
Listing of Books, Manuscripts, Scrapbooks in the LAHC
Listing of Atlases, Plat Books, Maps in the LAHC
Listing of Artwork, Artifacts, Memorabilia in the LAHC
Outside of Winnebago Township
For those seeking information about individuals from or the history of the Rockford area or Winnebago County outside of Winnebago Township, the resources listed below may be helpful.
Rockford Public Library Local History & Genealogy Department
Hart Interim Library
214 N. Church St., Rockford, IL 61101
815-965-7606
The Local History & Genealogy Department, part of the Adult Services Department, exists to provide materials and support for those interested in the history of Rockford and Winnebago County and for those who are doing research in family history. The collection has over 9,000 volumes of books. The genealogical collection is focused on materials from the United States east of the Mississippi River, particularly those areas people came from when they came to Illinois.
Midway Village Museum Research Library
6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford, IL 61107
815-397-9112
[email protected]
The Collections at Midway Village Museum include photographs, postcards, paper materials and objects pertaining to the history of Rockford from the 1830s to the present. These resources are available for researchers by appointment only. Appointments must be made in advance and are scheduled with the Curator of Collections and Exhibits. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
North Suburban Library
6340 N. Second St., Loves Park, IL 61111
815-633-4247
North Suburban Library District collects and preserves primary documents, photos, and records in various formats that are of historical significance to the communities of Loves Park, Machesney Park, Argyle, Harlem, and Roscoe.
Rockford Historical Society
211 N. Main St., Rockford, Illinois 61101 [email protected]
The Rockford Historical Society is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to helping preserve the history of the Rockford area. The society does not have an archive. They will try to help with a history question by offering connections to others.
Veteran’s Memorial Hall & Museum
211 N. Main St., Rockford, IL 61101
815-969-1999
The mission of Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum is to preserve, display, and share the artifacts of Rockford and Winnebago County veterans who served in branches of the military.