You are invited to participate in the
2026 ISGS Fall Conference!
The Illinois State Genealogical Society, along with our host, the St. Clair County Genealogical Society, are excited to announce our annual Fall Conference will be held on October 24, 2026, at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, Illinois. 
This year's theme is "Illinois 250: History in the American Bottom." This conference will focus on the deep and diverse history of southern Illinois. We are expecting approximately 100 dedicated family historians and researchers to attend. The full-day conference on Saturday, October 24, will feature three tracks of lectures from a variety of speakers, focusing on immigrant communities and ethnic heritage in southern Illinois, migration patterns, and military history, as well as a tech-focused AI worshop.
The conference will feature table space for vendors, societies, and other exhibitors. Every exhibitor will be listed in our syllabus, with a clickable link to their website or email. We will also have a door prize drawing, and encourage you to donate a prize for additional exposure.
Conference exhibitor rates are $35 per table, or $30 per table for ISGS Associate Members. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and ISGS will do our best to accommodate your requests. Lunch will be "on your own" for the conference, with a variety of options available nearby. There are also several hotels near the Gateway Convention Center. Additional details about dining and hotel accommodations will be provided once conference registration opens.
To participate as a Vendor for this event, click HERE to download the complete information package. We are also offering the opportunity to register and pay on-line for vendor table(s) – click HERE.
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Illinois State Archives
Welcome to the Illinois State Genealogical Society! As part of our mission, we aim to make archives, libraries, and other repositories easier to access and use throughout the state. Please enjoy the self-paced slide show on the Illinois State Archives to learn more about this facility and see a brief sample of what we do. Thank you for visiting the ISGS website.
Click HERE to view the slide show.
Library of Congress Illinois Genealogy Resources
At their 2025 conference, The Fox Valley Genealogical Society (FVGS) debuted a special video created by the librarians at the Library of Congress' History & Genealogy Section and American Folklife Center. This 33-minute video highlights Illinois genealogy resoures available through the Library of Congress. FVGS has made the video available to the public – click HERE to view the video. Thank you FVGS for sharing this wonderful presentation!
Update to the ISGS Lineage Certificate Programs
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ISGS is proud to announce Prairie Patriot Certificates have been issued for: |
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• Certificate #454 – O'HALORAN, Edward, Civil War, Co. B 90th IL Infantry, Jo Daviess County
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ISGS Lineage Certificate Programs
ISGS is proud to announce Prairie Pioneer Certificates have been issued for:
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• DECOUNTER, Peter Frederick – Cert. #4088 – 1828 – Schuyler County
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Visiting the ALPLM
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library – research is by appointment only.
- Operating days/hours: Monday thru Friday, 9am - 4:30pm.
- Appointments can be made by contacting the Reference Desk at: (217) 524-6358 or via email at alplm.reference@illinois.gov
- Additional information can be found on their website – click HERE.
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Did your Illinois ancestor fight in the Civil War? Commemorate their service with our Civil War Certificates.
Find out more about how you can help participate in this worthwile project to increase our valuable public collection.