The McDonough County Genealogical Society was formed in 1979 by a small group of folks dedicated to tracing ancestry of their families and preserving documents to help others. We currently have over 200 members and a library with over 1,000 volumes and other records of McDonough County and surrounding areas.
Our Mission:
The purpose of the society shall be to preserve, add, and perpetuate ancestral records of past or present residents of McDonough County, Illinois, and Society members; to assist each other in genealogical research for educational and historical purposes; to collect and preserve any materials which may help to establish or illustrate the history of McDonough County and adjoining counties; to encourage the preservation and safeguarding the municipal, township, county, and state records of educational and historical significance; and to publish related materials for public use.
2025 Board Members:
| President | Allen Nemec | Vice President | Judy Brooks |
| Secretary | Sarah Gates | Treasurer | Marla Vizdal |
| New Board Members (2025) | Lori Boyer | Brenda Sayre | Judy Yeast |
| Committee Chairs | John Carson | ||
| Membership | Lin Stults | Research | Sarah Gates, Judy Brooks |
| Cemetery | OPEN | Obituaries | Sarah Gates |
| Technology | Jason Clark | Volunteers | Judy Brooks |
| Publications | OPEN | First Citizens | Julie Terstriep |
| Newsletter | Marla Vizdal, Julie Teristriep | Librarian |
