The Past At Your Fingertips
Looking to trace your family's roots in Adams County? Curious about the history of your historic home? Or perhaps you're interested in exploring Quincy's rich past? Our Research Library at the Visitors Center is here to help.
With more than 20,000 items in our collection, we preserve the stories of Quincy and Adams County families, homes, and significant moments in our community's history. Browse through our old photographs, property records, family histories, and local newspapers. Our collection even includes personal items like handwritten diaries and letters that bring times gone by to life. Whether you're researching the Underground Railroad, riverboat days, Quincy's early industries, or your own personal ties, you'll find resources to support your journey into local history.
Begin Your Journey
We're here to support your research. Visit our Research Library in person for hands-on access to our collections, or begin your exploration online from the comfort of your home.
On-Site Research
Address: 425 S 12th St, Second Floor
Our knowledgeable staff and volunteers are ready to guide your research Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We recommend scheduling an appointment so we can prepare materials tailored to your interests.
We offer professional assistance with:
- Document scanning and reproduction
- Historic photograph duplication
- Property history research
- Family history investigation
- Local history research projects
- Architectural history documentation
Research fees for non-members: $15 per hour | includes postage for one letter-size envelope and up to six photocopies. Additional copies and postage available for a nominal fee. The fee applies for staff time, regardless of whether relevant information is found.
Online Research
HSQAC has a vast online collection that can be accessed for free by members and the public alike. Begin exploring our collections from home:
- Search our digital catalog of over 6,000 records, including historic photographs and documents
- Access our special collections database of tax records and property inventories
- Browse digitized maps and architectural drawings
- View historical photographs of Quincy's people, places, and events
Need help navigating our online resources? Call us at 217-222-1835 for friendly guidance.
This resource is made possible by a grant from the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board using funds awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Please note: All materials must remain in our facility. We maintain strict preservation standards to protect these irreplaceable historical resources for future generations. HSQAC reserves the right to inspect all containers (handbags, computer bags, etc.), outerwear, and persons upon their departure from the campus. Inquiries about our holdings will be answered without charge by email or telephone. Photocopies may be made on a fee-for-page basis with permission of the staff. The Historical Society enforces its rights of ownership, copyright, and other title of materials in its research collection.
Requesting Historical Photos
Looking to get a copy of a historic photo from our collection? We’re happy to make reproductions for personal use, such as family albums or research. If you're planning to use the image in a publication, website, or framed display, permissions may be needed and additional fees may be incurred. Our staff can create high-quality scans for you, or for specialized needs, we'll work with professional photographers to ensure you get the perfect print.
Members Research Free
Join the Historical Society of Quincy & Adams County to unlock premium research benefits. While non-members pay a research fee of $15 per hour, members enjoy:
- Free access to our full Research Library
- Complimentary research assistance from our experienced staff
- Basic photocopying services at no charge
- Priority response to research inquiries
- Expert guidance for family history, house research, and local history projects
Your membership helps preserve our community's history while giving you the tools to explore it.
For Family Historians
Discovering your family's story? Our archives hold many resources that can help piece together your family's history in Adams County. You might find your ancestors in our collection of local newspapers, city directories, and letters. Our historical photographs, documents, and records can reveal details about where your family lived, worked, and worshiped in Quincy. Many researchers have even uncovered valuable clues about their family's past through our various collections of local historical objects.
Whether you're just beginning your family research or filling in missing branches of your family tree, our archives might hold the answers you're seeking.
Research Broader Topics
Quincy's story is filled with fascinating chapters waiting to be explored. From the bustling days of river commerce to our industrial giants, from early settlers to Civil War heroes, our archives help tell tales of Quincy, Adams County, and the nation at large. Our collections include:
- Maps spanning from early settlements to modern times
- Business and industry records
- Civil War documents and photographs
- Architectural drawings
- Personal diaries and letters
- Social club records and event programs
Whether you're writing a book, planning a presentation, or simply curious about our city's past, our staff is ready to help you uncover the stories that interest you most.
Beyond Our Collection
Enrich your research with these complementary local resources:
Quincy Historical Newspaper Archive
Historical Quincy newspapers published in 1835 to May 1926 are available on the Quincy Public Library’s website. The archive can be searched by date, name or keyword, or by using a combination of search terms. Archives can be viewed, saved, pasted into a document, or emailed.
Quincy Public Library
Our friends at the Quincy Public Library have various online research tools, including an ancestry library and archive of historic Quincy area photos.
Illinois State Archives
The Illinois State Archives is the depository of public records of Illinois state and local governmental agencies that have permanent administrative, legal, or historical research values.
Illinois Digital Archives
The Illinois Digital Archives is a repository of digital collections of the Illinois State Library, as well as other Illinois libraries and cultural institutions and includes searchable photos of local historical businesses, homes and residents.
