The Regional Collections include original manuscripts and records generated by private individuals, institutions, and organizations from throughout the eighteen northern Illinois counties. The collections span the period from 1800 to the present and focus on several major themes in the region's history: agriculture, politics, ethnic heritage, commerce and industry, the role of women, and urban expansion. To provide documentation in these areas of interest the Center actively collects the historical records of farmers and their organizations, businesses and retail stores, state and local politicians, churches, cemeteries, civic agencies, individuals, women's organizations, and labor unions. In addition, the Center holds vertical file manuscripts, county and local histories, atlases and plat books, city directories, maps, broadsides, posters, photographs, oral histories, genealogical journals, and core reference printed materials on the history of northern Illinois that complement the manuscript collections.
(Regional Manuscript Collections (RC) - The RC's refer to the private manuscript collections as described above. Each Regional Collection has a Collection Inventory that may include an Introduction, Scope and Content, Historical Sketch, Subject Tracings, and an Inventory Listing. The Inventory Listing consists of a box by box, folder by folder listing of what is held in each Regional Collection. )
(Vertical File Manuscripts (VFM) - The VFM's are similar to the Regional Manuscript Collections but usually consist of only one or two folders.)
(Thesis and Dissertations (Thesis) - The Theses and Dissertations included here were written by NIU graduates and deal with subjects in the Regional History Center's collecting scope.)
(Genealogy Vertical File Manuscripts (GVFM) - The GVFM's are generally publications written by family historians, local genealogical, or historical societies. )
(Index - The Index to the Regional Collections is similar to an index in a book. The subject listing will lead you to the specific type of material such as RC, VFM, Thesis, or GVFM. )
A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|R|S|T|U|V|W
A - Back to Top
Afton Community Club Records (Elva), 1934-1980 (RC 95)
Afton Township Women's Club Records, 1919-1971 (RC 229)
All Rockford Party Records, 1957-1967 (RC 175)
Almanac Collection, 1862-1961 (RC 219)
Altrusa Club Records (DeKalb-Sycamore), 1960+ (RC 165)
American Association of University Women Records (DeKalb), 1934-1996 (RC 56)
American Association of University Women/Rockford Branch Records, 1881+ (RC 248)
American Interprofessional Institute Records, 1924-1995 (RC 162)
American Legion Post No. 66 - DeKalb Records, 1919-1979 (RC 154)
American Legion Post No. 864 Records (Rockford), 1937-1986 (RC 194)
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Blackhawk Chapter Records, 1980-2000 (RC 255)
Aurora League of Women Voters Records, 1947-1982 (RC 151)
Aurora Trades and Labor Assembly Records, 1901-1984 (RC 182)
B - Back to Top
Baldwin Family Papers (DeKalb), 1853-1954 (RC 41)
Beaver Valley Grange Records (Boone County), 1916-2003 (RC 142)
Belvidere Business and Professional Women's Club Records, 1932-1980 (RC 122)
Biester-Davis Papers (Belvidere-Elgin), 1885-1887 (RC 35)
Blackhawk Trails Club Records (Rockford), 1926-1987 (RC 133)
Bonus Grange Records (Boone County), 1910-2002 (RC 281)
Boone County Pomona Grange Records, 1897-1982 (RC 134)
Borden, Robert, Papers (Rockford), 1944-1991 (RC 186)
Borggren, Hilmer, Collection (Rockford), 1905-1977 (RC 12)
Bradt, Bertha G., Collection (DeKalb), 1830-1954 (RC 46)
Bryant Family Collection (Princeton), 1767-1966 (RC 27)
Burlington Railroad Strike Collection (Aurora), 1916-1982 (RC 217)
Business and Professional Women's Club, District VI Records, 1945-1982 (RC 148)
Byron Grange #1810 Collection, 1921-1992 (RC 210)
C - Back to Top
Camp Fire Girls, Salt Creek Council Records, (LaGrange)
1911-2006 (RC 274)
Carpenters Auxiliary #280 Collection (Rockford), 1941-1971 (RC 198)
Carroll County Farm Bureau Records, 1921-1973 (RC 96)
Case, John P., Collection (Naperville), 1922-1965 (RC 86)
Castle, Latham, Papers (Sandwich), 1952-1976 (RC 73)
Central Labor Union of Freeport Records, 1901-1983 (RC 177)
Central Market Records (Geneva), 1902-1977 (RC 72)
Chicago and North Western Railway Historical Society Records, 1836+ (RC 51)
Civil Air Patrol, DeKalb Area Composite
Squadron No. 11271 Records, 1963-2003 (RC 272)
Colehour Grain Elevator Records (Mt. Carroll), 1864-1950 (RC 91)
Collins, Dennis J., Papers (DeKalb),1931-1974 (RC 5)
Colwill, H.W., Collection (Creston), 1926-1977 (RC 47)
Commonwealth Edison Company Records, 1911-1967 (RC 176)
Congregational Church of Batavia Records, 1835-1993 (RC 82)
Cooper, Laura, Collection (Byron), 1892-1965 (RC 44)
Corcoran, Thomas, Papers (Ottawa), 1977-1984 (RC 234)
Cryor, Clark C. Collection (RC 279)
D - Back to Top
DeKalb AgResearch Records, 1911-1989 (RC 190)
DeKalb Area Alliance for Responsible Energy (DARE) / Sinnissippi Alliance For the Environment (SAFE) Collection (DeKalb/Rockford), 1969-2001 (RC 212)
DeKalb Area Garden Club Records, 1983-2006 (RC 245)
DeKalb Area Women's Center Records, 1994+(RC 236)
DeKalb Business and Professional Women's Club Records, 1927-1981 (RC 99)
DeKalb, City of, Collection, 1913+ (RC 139)
DeKalb County Centennial/Bicentennial Records, 1903-2006 (RC 9)
DeKalb County Farm Bureau Collection, 1913+ (RC 52)
DeKalb County Farmland Foundation Records, 1997-2006 (RC 283)
DeKalb County Fine Arts Association Collection, 1961-1979 (RC 205)
DeKalb County Historical Society Records, 1865+ (RC 3)
DeKalb County Migrant Ministry Records, 1964-1980 (RC 251)
DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center Auxiliary Records, 1978+ (RC 252)
DeKalb County Senior Citizens Club Collection, 1974-1986 (RC 197)
DeKalb Daughters of Veterans Records, 1885-1909 (RC 127)
DeKalb Drama Club Records, 1914-2000 (RC 214)
DeKalb First United Methodist Church Records, 1854-1978 (RC 24)
DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace and Justice, 1982-2004 (RC 264)
DeKalb Kiwanis Collection, 1921-1996 (RC 18)
DeKalb Landmarks Commission Records, 1971-2001 (RC 239)
DeKalb League of Women Voters Records, 1924-1998 (RC 118)
DeKalb Milk Consumers Association Records, 1922-1971 (RC 15)
DeKalb-Ogle County Labor Council Records, 1964-1983 (RC 170)
DeKalb-Pond-Fisk Neighborhood Redevelopment Project Records, 1988-1993 (RC 237)
DeKalb Post Office Records, 1888-1960 (RC 21)
DeKalb Public Hospital Records, 1911-1981 (RC 224)
DeKalb Public Speaking and Discussion Club Records, 1932-1966 (RC 30)
DeKalb Rotary Club, 1930-2005 (RC 230)
DeKalb Streetscapes Collection, 2006 (RC 276)
DeKalb Township High School Collection, 1864-1982 (RC 53)
DeKalb Township Records, 1851-1939 (RC 158)
DeKalb Wagon Company Records, 1902-1957 (RC 254)
DeKalb Women's Club Records, 1889+ (RC 211)
DeKalb World Day of Prayer Collection, 1946-1989 (RC 213)
Democratic National Convention Collection (Chicago), 1968 (RC 28)
Denton Family Papers (Maple Park), 1895-1965 (RC 191)
Dixon Chamber of Commerce Records, 1887-1980 (RC 173)
DuPage Building & Construction Council Records, 1955-1984 (RC 58)
DuPage County Farm Bureau Records, 1913-1976 (RC 87)
E - Back to Top
East Oswego Farmers Club Records, 1919-1959 (RC 141)
Eaton-Luff Collection (Lindenwood), 1868-1907 (RC 45)
Ebbesen, Joseph B., Papers (DeKalb), 1975-1984 (RC 168)
Elgin Community College Board Records, 1974-1995 (RC 226)
Elgin Trades Council Records, 1967-1979 (RC 153)
Ellwood Family Collection (DeKalb), 1820-1978 (RC 1)
Embree, W.W., Collection (DeKalb), 1881-1966 (RC 2)
Embree Lumber Company Records (DeKalb), 1886-1953 (RC 7)
Etna Grange #1890 Records (Malta Township), 1937-1961 (RC 63)
F - Back to Top
Fairview Park Cemetery Association Records (DeKalb), 1903-1982 (RC 49)
Farmers Elevator Company Records (Yorkville), 1908-1985 (RC 109)
Fawell, Harris W., Papers (Naperville),1963-1977 (RC 4)
Fay, H.W., Portrait Collection, 1864-1945 (RC 26)
Finch-Marshall Railway Collection, 1887-1999 (RC 54)
First Congregational Church Records (DeKalb), 1856-2002 (RC 17)
First Congregational Church Records (Sterling), 1857-1982 (RC 155)
First Methodist Church of Kirkland Records, 1859-1985 (RC 146)
First National Bank of Wilmington Records, 1863-1988 (RC 201)
Flora Grange Records, 1894-2002 (RC 263)
Forest City Wholesale Grocery Company Records (Rockford), 1907-1974 (RC 132)
Franklin Grove Collection, 1844-1995 (RC 115)
Friends in Council Records (Princeton), 1880-1980 (RC 129)
G - Back to Top
Gen-E-Dek Club Records (DeKalb), 1949-1992 (RC 215)
Genesee Grange Records (Coleta), 1931-1979 (RC 102)
Geneva-St. Charles League of Women Voters Records, 1921-1980 (RC 149)
Genoa Afternoon Homemakers Extension Unit Records, 1937-1998 (RC 259)
Genoa Women's Club Records, 1947-1984 (RC 192)
George Heyward Company Records (Kirkland), 1882-1919 (RC 69)
Gilbert, Eli B. Family Collection (DeKalb), 1844-1996 (RC 277)
Giorgi, E.J. “Zeke”, Papers (Rockford), 1965-1981 (RC 136)
Glidden, J.F., Papers (DeKalb), 1869-1955 (RC 6)
Good Roads Movement Collection, 1903-1923 (RC 243)
Grand Army of the Republic Records (DeKalb), 1881-1941 (RC 126)
Grand Army of the Republic Records (Mendota), 1868-1933 (RC 85)
Griffith, F.E., Family Correspondence (Sandwich), 1794-1938 (RC 89)
Griffith Letters Collection (Sandwich), 1861-2004 (RC 270)
Groenewold Business Collection (Forreston), 1932-1954 (RC 36)
Grotberg, John E., Papers (St. Charles), 1949-1992 (RC 240)
Grundy County Farm Bureau Records, 1853-1989 (RC 106)
Gurler Family Papers (DeKalb), 1840-1990 (RC 25)
H - Back to Top
H.H. Wagner Dry Goods Store Records (DeKalb), 1866-1922 (RC 23)
Haish, Jacob Memorial Hospital Corporation Records (DeKalb), 1944-2007 (RC 286)
Halcyon Club of Polo Records, 1898-1996 (RC 232)
Hall Family Collection (Sycamore), 1824-1946 (RC 117)
Hanover Scenic Grange #1935 Records (Jo Daviess County), 1964-1978 (RC 64)
Hare, Forrest, Papers (Algonquin Township), 1960-1982 (RC 207)
Harmony Grange #957 Records (Caledonia), 1874-1968 (RC 108)
Hauswald Family Account Books Records (Sycamore), 1932-2000 (RC 253)
Hoffman, Gene L., Papers (Elmhurst), 1966-1990 (RC 208)
Howard Center for the Family, Religion & Society/Rockford Institute Records (Rockford), 1911+ (RC 238)
Huntley Park Neighborhood Association Records (DeKalb), 1994-1996 (RC 241)
I - Back to Top
Illinois Art Education Association, 1948-2001 (RC 235)
Illinois Industrial Education Association Records, 1935-1973 (RC 92)
Illinois National Guard, 3rd Regiment Collection, 1898-1916 (RC 204)
Illinois Nurses’ Association, District Two Records, 1914-1995 (RC 144)
Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Records (LaSalle), 1946-1980 (RC 156)
Illinois Valley Industrial Association Records (LaSalle County), 1913-1968 (RC 140)
International Organization of Good Templars Collection, 1865-2003 (RC 66)
J - Back to Top
Jacobs, Leonard J., Collection (Cornhusking), 1922-1992 (RC 193)
Johnson Family Records (DeKalb County), 1917-1969 (RC 231)
Johnson Family Records (Rock Falls), 1877-1978 (RC 100)
Johnston, Dr. James Alba, Collection (Byron), 1875-1949 (RC 181)
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry Records, 1917-1979 (RC 157)
Joliet Region League of Women Voters Records, 1950-1981 (RC 143)
Jolly Neighbors Club Records (Prophetstown), 1915-1980 (RC 112)
Jordan Hardware Company Records (Ottawa), 1852-1983 (RC 166)
Joseph Llewellyn Company Collection, 1903-1923 (RC 202)
Joslyn, Harry A., Collection (DeKalb County), 1860-1905 (RC 183)
K - Back to Top
Kable Printing Company Records (Mt. Morris), 1898-1974 (RC 20)
Kane County Development Department Records, 1950-1980 (RC 164)
Kane County Farm Bureau Records, 1919-1971 (RC 76)
Kavadas Family Collection (DeKalb), 1908-1963 (RC 50)
Kendall County Farm Bureau Records, 1919-1970 (RC 103)
Kendall-Grundy Farm Service Company Records, 1928-1978 (RC 105)
Kennedy, Judge A.G., Papers (DeKalb), 1941-1944 (RC 124)
Kishwaukee Audubon Society Records (DeKalb), 1960-1989 (RC 107)
Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club Records (DeKalb), 1969-2006 (RC 278)
Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra Records (DeKalb County), 1977-1998 (RC 223)
Kishwaukee Valley Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society Records (DeKalb County), 1962-2007 (RC 284)
Knoch, Win G., Papers (Naperville), 1893-1983 (RC 179)
L - Back to Top
Lahti Family Collection (Sycamore), 1913-1997 (RC 189)
Lanan, Guy, Farm Records (Kingston), 1848-1978 (RC 111)
League of Women Voters of Elgin Records, 1929-2001 (RC 137)
Library Whist Club Records (DeKalb), 1898-1993 (RC 225)
LeRoy Community Grange #1873 (Boone County), 1933-2000 (RC 260)
Lindenwood Grain Co-Op Records, 1919-1956 (RC 11)
Lovering Family Collection (Shabbona), 1876-1965 (RC 29)
Lutheran Campus Ministry Records (DeKalb), 1955-1996 (RC 222)
M - Back to Top
Malta Congregational Church Records, 1858-1991 (RC 218)
Maple Grove Grange #1746 Collection (Winnebago County), 1872-1982 (RC 209)
Marengo Grange Records, 1950-1980 (RC 135)
Marshall, Florence Collection (DeKalb County), 1800s-1990s (RC 261)
Matthiessen-Hegeler Zinc Company Records (LaSalle), 1858-1978 (RC 167)
Mayfield Cemetery Association Records (DeKalb County), 1844-1966 (RC 65)
Mayfield Center School Records, 1882-1990 (RC 203)
Mayfield Congregational Church Records, 1849+ (RC 185)
McGaw, Robert, Papers (Rockford), 1972-1981 (RC 150)
McHenry County Pomona Grange Records, 1952-1977 (RC 128)
Mendota Business and Professional Women's Club Records, 1937-1979 (RC 120)
Metcalf Family Records (Riley Township, McHenry County), 1832-1916 (RC 246)
Mid-West Dairymen's Company Records (Rockford), 1924+ (RC 81)
Mighell and Wakefield Smithy, Grain, and Coal Company Records (Waterman) 1851-1943 (RC 22)
Milledgeville Grange Records, 1936-1996 (RC 101)
Morris, John K., Papers (Chadwick), 1919-1989 (RC 161)
N - Back to Top
National Chair Company Records (Rockford), 1927-1954 (RC 59)
Nineteenth Century Political Cartoons Collection, 1808-1869 (RC 249)
Nisbet Homestead Farm Records (DeKalb County), 1837-1972 (RC 216)
Norris Family Collection (Kane County), 1864-1932 (RC 74)
North Central Illinois Genealogical Society Collection (Winnebago County) 1986-1988 (RC 188)
North Corn Belt Seed Growers, Inc. Records (Naperville), 1938-1967 (RC 90)
Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission Records, 1960-1980 (RC 159)
Northern Illinois Granges Records, 1872-2004 (RC 262)
O - Back to Top
Ohio Grove Grange #1842 Records (DeKalb County), 1928-1991 (RC 227)
Oversize Collection - Maps, Posters, Photographs, Calendars, Drawings (RC 200)
P - Back to Top
Parke, H.H., Collection (Genoa-Sycamore), 1894-1973 (RC 43)
PEO Sisterhood, Chapter DX Records (DeKalb), 1933-2005 (RC 221)
People for Public Access, Inc. Records (DeKalb), 1973-1988 (RC 147)
People Who Care Records (Rockford), 1969-2003 (RC 271)
Piper Business Collection (Byron), 1882-1972 (RC 78)
Platte River Development Association Records (Monroe Center), 1911-1926 (RC 31)
Pocket Travel Map Collection, 1835-1916 (RC 220)
Postcard Collection (RC 199)
Prairie State Canoeists Records, 1971+ (RC 244)
Prairie View Grange Records (Pecatonica), 1915-1970 (RC 14)
Princeton Game and Fish Club Records, 1877-2006 (RC 113)
Pure Milk Association Records (Chicago), 1924-1969 (RC 62)
Putnam Family Collection (Harvard), 1940-1952 (RC 71)
R - Back to Top
Ransom, Giles Paddock Family Collection (Roscoe), 1839-1946 (RC 275)
Read, Gordon John, Papers (DeKalb), 1930-1994 (RC 258)
Reed, Chauncey W., Collection (West Chicago), 1856-1956 (RC 67)
Reed and Delong Pharmacy Records (DeKalb), 1877-1893 (RC 39)
Rochelle Business and Professional Women's Club Records, 1968-1980 (RC 98)
Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce Records, 1956+ (RC 172)
Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce Records, 1910+ (RC 180)
Rockford Building and Construction Trades Council Records, 1937-1981 (RC 138)
Rockford Chair and Furniture Company Records, 1882-1977 (RC 42)
Rockford Council of Social Agencies Records, 1930-1945 (RC 125)
Rockford First Lutheran Church Records, 1853-2005 (RC 83)
Rockford Harmony Singing Society Records, 1923-1969 (RC 40)
Rockford Historical Society Records, 1941+ (RC 268)
Rockford League of Women Voters Records, 1922+ (RC 178)
Rockford Magazine, 1986-1996 (RC 256)
Rockford Mitten and Hosiery Company Records, 1881-1957 (RC 38)
Rockford Peace and Justice Records, 1980-2005 (RC 267)
Rockford Small Business Collection, 1906-1961 (RC 57)
Rockford Photo Services A-V Collection, 1950’s (RC 282)
Rockford United Labor, AFL-CIO Records, 1940-1978 (RC 145)
Rockford Urban Ministries Records, 1962-2005 (RC 266)
Rolfe, Ray Diaries (DeKalb), 1884-1909 (RC 280)
Round Grove Grange Records, 1872-1975 (RC 68)
S - Back to Top
Sabin and Van Arsdale Collection (Aurora), 1856-1960 (RC 32)
Salem Lutheran Church Records (Sandwich), 1904-1978 (RC 84)
Sandrock, J.W., Farm Records (Reynolds Township, Lee County), 1937-1992 (RC 233)
Sandwich State Bank Records, 1866-1956 (RC 70)
Scott, Ray “Dutch”, Papers (DeKalb), 1964-1977 (RC 75)
Senachwine Club Records (Putnam County), 1886-1986 (RC 187)
Shapiro, David C., Papers (Amboy), 1966-1981 (RC 174)
Shimer, Francis W., College Collection (Mt. Carroll), 1838-1980 (RC 77)
Silver Star Grange #1868 Collection (DeKalb County), 1932-1992 (RC 257)
Skinner, Jr., Calvin L., Papers (Crystal Lake), 1963-2000 (RC 196)
Smith Oil and Refining Company Records (Rockford), 1918-1970 (RC 48)
Soderboom, Fred C., Papers (Rockford), 1901-1957 (RC 33)
Sons of Norway, Valhall Lodge #168 Records (Rockford), 1907-2004 (RC 265)
South Grove Grange #1838 Records (DeKalb County/Ogle County), 1925-1939 (RC 61)
Spring Creek United Church of Christ (Rockford) (RC 287)
St. Paul's Episcopal Church Records (DeKalb), 1911-1987 (RC 55)
Stage Coach Players Records (DeKalb), 1953-2000 (RC 184)
Star Reporter, The (McHenry County), 1965-1981 (RC 131)
Starline, Inc. Records (Harvard), 1902-1973 (RC 114)
Stephenson County Pure Milk Association Collection, 1928-1957 (RC 93)
Sterling Chamber of Commerce Records, 1910-1982 (RC 171)
Sterling-Rock Falls Ministerial Association Records, 1948-1978 (RC 130)
Stillman Valley Woman’s Club Records, 1899-1988 (RC 242)
Swedish Cultural Society Records (Rockford),
1971-2005 (RC 273)
Sycamore Business and Professional Women's Club Records, 1926-1978 (RC 97)
Sycamore-DeKalb Panhellenic Records (DeKalb County), 1995-2005 (RC 285)
T - Back to Top
Taylor, Ella Hume, Collection (Geneseo), 1881-1940 (RC 34)
Taylor Farm Records (Franklin Grove), 1944-1977 (RC 37)
Thurow Family Records (Plano), 1890-1965 (RC 10)
Thursday Arts Club Records (DeKalb), 1925-2001 (RC 250)
Trinity Lutheran Church Records (Mt. Morris), 1857-2004 (RC 104)
U - Back to Top
Unitarian Fellowship Records (DeKalb), 1961-1971 (RC 13)
United Methodist Church of Batavia Records, 1844-1976 (RC 160)
Uplinger Lumber, Grain, and Coal Company Records (Kingston), 1882-1920 (RC 16)
V - Back to Top
Vanderhoof Family Papers (Kane County), 1853-1962 (RC 228)
Veterans of W.W.I Records (Rockford), 1953-1987 (RC 195)
VietNow National Records (Rockford), 1986+ (RC 247)
W - Back to Top
W.F. and John Barnes Company Records (Rockford), 1878-1963 (RC 123)
Wanner, Lucinda O., Collection (Glen Ellyn), 1900-1976 (RC 163)
Westclox, Inc Records (LaSalle), 1885-1971 (RC 116)
Westfield Grange #1764 Records (Winnebago County), 1911-1972 (RC 88)
Wheatland Plow Match Association Records, 1898-1978 (RC 110)
Wheatland-Salem United Methodist Church Records, 1860-1981 (RC 119)
Will-DuPage Service Company Records, 1927-1973 (RC 94)
Will-Grundy Building Trades Council Records, 1934-1979 (RC 152)
Willowdale Grange Records (Fairdale), 1914-1962 (RC 80)
Wilson, George H., Papers (DeKalb), 1881-1932 (RC 206)
Winnebago County Farm Bureau Co-op Records, 1946-1974 (RC 79)
Winnebago Mutual Insurance Company Records (Loves Park), 1974-1997 (RC 269)
Wirtz and Wirtz Company Records (DeKalb), 1920-1970 (RC 60)
Woodbury-Forsythe Diaries (Sandwich), 1876-1928 (RC 8)
Woodstock Business and Professional Women's Club Records, 1934-1980 (RC 121)
Wurlitzer Company Records (DeKalb), 1860-1986 (RC 169)
