Our Core

The Library

Our (non-circulating) library currently houses more than 14,000 books, periodicals and microforms.  In addition, we have CDs, maps, directories and special collections manuscripts. While the collection focus is on our area of interest, we have considerable materials on northwestern Indiana, downstate Illinois, and the rest of the United States as well as general how-to genealogical books. We are a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. Ancestry Library Edition is available for use in the library. See What’s Inside.

The Pullman Collection

The Pullman Collection contains 200,000 employee files covering 50 years of the operations of the Pullman Car Corporation at 111th & Cottage Grove in Chicago. While the collection itself is not open to researchers, we offer a free records lookup, and copies of files may be purchased at a nominal fee. Note: We do not hold records from other Pullman plants, or records of Pullman porters.

Programs

Our monthly schedule of programs operates from February to November, and feature a mix of genealogical and historical topics. There are no general meetings in December and January.  Please see our Events for upcoming programs.

Outreach/Education

Genealogy classes are offered at intervals; check out Classes page to find out more.
We offer a members-only Writer’s Special Interest Group (SIG) and, starting in October 2023, offer two new members-only SIGs: New and Interesting Websites (via Zoom), and DNA Genealogy (in-person only at this time).  See our Events for upcoming meetings.

Our Services

Our Projects

  • Obituary and Cemetery Indexes
  • Publishing local and family history for SSGHS Journal, Where the Trails Cross
  • Reading, recording and publishing tombstone data from area cemeteries
  • Collecting local church and town records

Our Publications

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