The Lawrence J Martin Heritage Center–Home of the KCGS Office and Library
The Kane County Genealogical Society (KCGS) is a non-profit, volunteer organization working to gather and preserve regional historical records and serve as an educational resource for those interested in genealogy.
During the summer of 1977 the Kane County Genealogical Society was organized from a small group. Since that time, the society has grown into a preeminent resource for those conducting historical and family research in Kane County, Illinois.
Unique to KCGS is the Master Every Name Index, a database produced from the work of members and friends of the society indexing private and public records. This database, currently comprised of approximately 1.2 million individual entries from 350 plus resources, is accessible by paid query only. Patrons submitting queries are provided with copies of the originating or indexed resource information available from the society library.
Sample of content available at the Martin Heritage Center
To enhance the preservation and access of Kane County records and promote interest in family history, KCGS has entered in to a partnership with the Town and Country Public Library (TCPL) of Elburn to make the contents of the Lawrence J Martin Heritage Center available to the public. In July 2022, KCGS relocated its society office and library from its long-time home at the Geneva History Museum to the Martin Center. As part of its joint effort with TCPL, KCGS is working to serve the public by collating, curating, and caring for a unique community collection. The public is invited to visit and research within the Martin Center during KCGS office hours.
Membership
The Kane County Genealogical Society has established itself as a county leader in preserving and gathering regional historical records and making them available to genealogists world-wide. Being a member of KCGS means you have a local connection to the growing genealogical world.
Members receive the Kane County Chronicles the quarterly newsletter; free query publications, inclusion in the member surname list, discounts on publications and free access to the KCGS Library.
Membership is $25.00 / year and includes email delivery of the quarterly newsletter.