Research Resources for Grundy County

The following are a variety of resources to assist you further with your research into Grundy County Illinois.

Vital Records Info

Grundy County Clerk
Grundy County Courthouse, 111 E. Washington, Morris, IL 60450; (815) 942-9024. Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Grundy County Genealogy Indexes are available for public viewing. They are as follows:

  • Births 1877 thru 1915 – To be available to the public for genealogy the birth record must be 75 years or older.
  • Deaths – 1878 thru 1917 – The death record must be 20 years or older
  • Marriages – 1841 thru 1915 – The marriages have no date restriction, however a marriage must be 50 years or older to obtain the vital statistical information given on the back side of the license unless you are the bride or the groom.

Fees for research differ on whether you’re physically present or you request them through mail. All prices should be validated before either arriving at the courthouse or mailing your request in. At last check (6 June 2015) the prices were $3 for in-person searches, and $9 for mailed in requests. Get some more information including the form for mail in requests at the county clerks website.

Genealogy Search Hours: Monday thru Friday
8:00 am to 12 Noon
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm


Coal City Public Library

85 N. Garfield St.
Coal City, IL 60416
815-634-4552

The WGGS Collection is housed on the second floor at the Coal City Public Library District. It is limited to “In-Library Use” only.


Morris Area Public Library

604 Liberty Street
Morris, IL 60450
(815) 942-6880

The public library in Morris Illinois has a section devoted to the history and genealogy of the region.

The local history collection at the Morris Library contains non-circulating materials that may be of use in genealogical research. Of particular interest are:

  • Card file index of names and items appearing in the Morris Daily Herald from 1853 to 1930
  • Grundy County Cemetery Index
  • Census records for Grundy County

The library also has microfilm copies of local papers dating back to the late 19th/ early 20th centuries.


Three Rivers Public Library District

Main Library – Channahon
25207 W Channon Drive
PO Box 300
Channahon, IL 60410
Phone: 815-467-6200

Minooka Branch
109 N Wabena Avenue
PO Box 370
Minooka, IL 60447
Phone: 815-467-1600

Our Local History Collection is housed in the lower level of the Minooka Branch. Our collection contains historical information from Channahon, Minooka, Aux Sable and Channahon Townships. Our collection includes genealogical information, photographs, yearbooks, area maps and plat books, newspapers and clippings, church records and more.  You can visit in person by making an appointment or visit our Photobucket page to view some of our historical photos.

Open by appointment.  Please call 815-467-1600 x207 and ask for Michele.

Because of the limited hours of our collection, our local history clerk can do searches by email or phone:
Michele Houchens
Local History Librarian
815-467-1600 x207
email at [email protected]


Carbon Hill Historical Society and Museum

875 Second St, Carbon Hill
Open Mondays 12-4 pm
(815) 634-4213
Michele Micetich, Curator/Director

The original 1893 schoolhouse displays hundreds of original artifacts depicting immigrant turn-of-the-century life of families, businesses, and coal mines. Original items include the jailhouse iron doors, soccer trophies and bocce balls, coal mining tools, furniture and household items, old store supplies, Illinois coal reports, maps and plats, and plenty of family memories; there is something to interest everyone.

Online Newsletters


Will Grundy Counties Illinois Genealogical Society (WGGS)

The WGGS Collection is housed on the second floor at the Coal City Public Library District. It is limited to “In-Library Use” only. The list of available manuscripts and resources is available in the following pdf file: Catalog Will Grundy Genealogical Society

The Will/Grundy Counties Illinois Genealogical Society disbanded in June 2019. While it’s active contribution to the genealogy and history of both Grundy and Will counties has ended, their contribution is remembered in the collection at the Coal City Public Library.


Online Homepages

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.