The Marissa Historical & Genealogical Society (MHGS) in Marissa, Illinois, was organized in 1969 with the goal of nurturing in others an interest in history and genealogy. MHGS serves three Illinois counties: southern St. Clair, Randolph, and Washington. Currently, an individual membership is $25/year. Members receive the society's quarterly publication and can use the library at their convenience.
The Society Library/Museum is located at 608 South Main Street in Marissa. It is open on Wednesday afternoons from 12 to 3 PM. However anyone wanting to do research at other times may call for an appointment (618-295-2562 or 618-295-2559). Library holdings include:
- Newspapers for Sparta, Marissa, and Nashville on microfilm
- Censuses on microfilm
- Various county histories
- Cemetery records
- Church records
- Family histories
- Family file, containing information submitted by other researchers
Their newspaper collection, along with the obituary indexes to the Marissa and Sparta newspapers, are among the most popular library resources. For additional details on the library's holdings, refer to the Resources page of the MHGS website. The Society also has a small museum containing many artifacts from the area, including a display of old Bibles.
MHGS has several publication for sale, including two of their newest, WWI Marissa Area Veterans and "Branching Out" Surname Index & Table of Contents 2009-2012. They are also working on an obituary index for Sparta newspapers from 1931 to 1941. For a complete list of publications, refer to the Books – Sale Items page of their website.
For additional information about the Society, visit their website, or contact them by email at marissahgs@frontier.com.
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