Westchester Illinois Family History Center

Welcome to the Westchester Illinois Family History Center:

The Westchester Illinois Family History Center was first established in February of 1999. It was primarily an extraction or indexing library. Researchers would use microfiche and then later microfilm to extract family information and create indexes to help other researchers.

Today, the Westchester Illinois Family History Center is a computer research center. Our center is equipped with computers that have the most current software updates, a scanner, digital camera and copier. We still have two microfilm readers and some microfilms in the center available for viewing, but microfilm ordering is no longer available, because most films are now digitized online.

Patrons are welcomed during walk-in hours the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, from 7pm-8:30pm and are encouraged to call for an appointment.

Center Contacts and Hours
Language: English is the primary language spoken. Spanish speaking consultants are also available by appointment.

Location: 1550 Haase Ave, Westchester, IL 60154 United States


 * Location Map

Phone: 708-409-8412

E-mail: [mailto:IL_westchester@ldsmail.net IL_westchester@ldsmail.net]

Walk-in Hours: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 7:00pm - 8:30pm. Please call ahead for current hours.

Appointments: Please call for appointments.

Leave your name, phone number, day and time requested.

2018 Closures:

Call ahead as severe weather conditions may cause closures.

The center is closed for all Federal Holidays.

Sunday, October 21st for Stake Conference

Wednesday, December 26th for Christmas

Databases and Software

 * FHC Portal This center has access to the Family History Center Portal page which gives free access in the center to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions.

Hardware and Equipment

 * The center is equipped with computers that have the most current software updates, 2 microfilm readers, a digital camera for the microfilm readers, a printer/scanner, and wifi connection.

Staff Research Specialties
Evelin Ullrich- Hungarian Research  (available the 2nd or 4th Wednesday of each month or by appointment)

Available by appointment:

Helga Silski-German and Polish Research

Franzosenbusch Heritage Project

 * Names and histories of early residents and settlers of the mid-nineteenth century community of German immigrants located around 22nd Street and Wolf Road

Chicago Portage
 * Brief summaries of the lives and relevant accomplishments of the people who explored, settled, and built the city of Chicago

Czech & Slovak American Genealogy Society of Illinois (CSAGSI) Paul M. Nemecek Collection at Riverside Public Library
 * Open to public


 * Research volunteers available Tuesday, Thursday, and 2nd/4th Saturday of each month from 10AM-2PM

1 Burling Rd, 1st Floor
 * Riverside Public Library

Riverside, IL 60546

(Times and availabilty may vary. Contact CSAGSI at [mailto:csagsi.library@gmail.com csagsi.library@gmail.com] or by phone at (708) 442-6366 for the most updated information).

Elmhurst, Illinois Historical Society

LaGrange, Illinois Historical Society

Links

 * Cook County, Illinois Genealogy
 * National Archives at Chicago
 * Illinois Archives and Libraries

Volunteer at the Center
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us by phone or email and ask for Vicki Young.