Located in Chatham, Illinois

Local History and Genealogy

Local history and genealogy room filled with book collection and table and chairs

Getting Started
Collection with stack of books
Friends of Genealogy with Tree
Memory lab
Elected Officials

Genealogy Resources

historical documents and photos with pocket watch
Unlock the story of your family through census data, vital records, directories, photos, and more. Available for in-library use only.
black and white photo of reenactors of the Civil War
Access to US military records, including the stories, photos and documents of the men and women who served. Contains millions of records from world-class archives.
handwritten historical documents
HeritageQuest provides access to thousands of local and family histories, the complete U.S. Federal Census, Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, Freedman's Bank Records, city directories, and more.
close up of a headstone

All names of obituaries that we have digitized are indexed. 

There are two tabs: "Archived Obituaries" & "Obits 6-16-2022 through present". SJR - State Journal Register -- CC - Chatham Clarion. 

Call the library or email us for a copy of the obituary. 

Old State Capital in Springfield, Illinois

Full-text local news in The State Journal-Register, with coverage from 1985 to the present.

Two silhouettes are sitting down, one interviewing the other. Below them text reads "Oral Histories"

A series of local history interviews conducted by the Chatham History Club between 1986-1992.

Historical deed record books

This FREE site provides access to a growing collection of databases of digitized records for genealogical research. Users are required to create a free account. Using the website in the Library allows access to many digital images that cannot be viewed at home.

Who was Opal Lee?

Opal LeeOpal A (Young) Lee was the unofficial historian of Chatham. She was well qualified for the role as a life long resident of Chatham.  Opal was born Feb. 12, 1920 and married her high school sweetheart, Vernon Lee, in 1942.  She worked at the Chatham Grain Elevator before her retirement and served as village clerk.  Throughout her life, she dedicated her life to collecting and preserving the history of Chatham via photographs, artifacts and documentation for local businesses, the Library, and other organizations. The  Library celebrates her life and dedication to Chatham through the Opal Lee Chatham History and Genealogy Room.