Local History and Geneology

The library has a small collection of reference books, Heyworth memorabilia, and genealogical records in the Alexander Room. There is also a microfilm reader/printer available. Microfilm copies are 15 cents per page. (Children in 8th grade and under must be accompanied by an adult.)

History Mystery Photos

As the library’s archives are organized, we occasionally come across old photos. If you have any information as to the occasion or date of the photos, we would appreciate it. Click on the “History Mystery Photos” link below to view the pictures.

History Mystery Photos

Photos and Oral Histories

Use the link below to view photos and oral histories. The link includes an interview that Sue Lichty conducted with Paul Petry, local Heyworth resident, for The Library of Congress Veterans History Project. (This is a work in progress. Items will be added periodically as staff works on local history.)

Local History Photos, Interview with Paul Petry

Digitized Local History Books

Hosted by Archive.org

“A History of Heyworth” by Charles A. Marker, 1926

“On Randolph Hills” by Clark E. Stewart, 1981

History of McLean County, Illinois by Jacob Louis Hasbrouck

Links to Resources

Coal Reports of Illinois

The purpose of this website is to provide easy access to the names of coal miners who were injured or killed in mining accidents within the First District of Illinois between 1882 and 1927. This database also lists the names of workers certified as hoisting engineers, mine managers, and mine examiners for the same time period and locale.

HPLD Oral History Videos

The Illinois Newspaper Project

This project is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and administered by the Library of Congress as part of the U.S. Newspaper Program and the National Digital Newspaper Program. Both programs involve a cooperative effort between the states and the federal government designed to preserve the nation’s historic newspaper heritage.

Illinois State Genealogical Society

“The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) was formed in 1968 through the cooperative effort and forward thinking of Illinois genealogical society representatives, who envisioned a statewide genealogical organization. ISGS is a not-for-profit, nonsectarian, educational organization.

ISGS was established for the following purposes:

To stimulate an interest in the people who contributed to the establishment and development of the State of Illinois.

To seek, preserve, and make available data pertaining to individuals, families, and groups who lived in Illinois and to events which took place therein.

To inform people of the value of, and need for, preserving family and local history for posterity.

To encourage the formation of local genealogical societies and to coordinate and disseminate information.”

Map of Shiloh Cemetery

McLean County Genealogical Society