local

Local resources

There are a number of excellent resources for family history research in and around Naperville.  

  • Naperville Family History Center                                                                                                1320 Ridgeland Rd, Naperville, IL  60565  630-505-0233                                                    The hours vary, but they are almost always CLOSED on Sundays & Mondays.  Call to verify the hours as they are dependent upon the availability of volunteers.  They have a number of databases that are available to access via the computers including Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, Fold3, NewspaperArchives, Fold3, etc.  They have a selection of books, including maps, local histories for various parts of the world.  The records for the Archdioces of Chicago are also housed at the FHC on microfilm.  The volunteers have a range of experience including, Italian research and slavery records.
  • Naperville Public Library                                                                                                              The library has a number of databases that can be accessed while at the library, including Fold3, HeritageQuest, and the Chicago Tribute Historical Archive (1849-1989).  The Library Edition of Ancestry.com is available from home computer with your Naperville Library Card number.                                
  • Wheaton Public Library                                                                                                           225 N Cross ST, Wheaton, IL 60187 https://www.wheatonlibrary.org/browse/genealogy        They have a large genealogical section of their library encompassing Civil War History, local records, and reference information.  I have found a number of books on German immigrants that were useful in a research project I was working on.