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Local History & Public Records


Rolling Meadows History

Scroll through our brief virtual tour of the history of the City of Rolling Meadows. 

Online Resources

You will need your Rolling Meadows Library card to access many of our online resources if you are not using them in the Library. Need help? Stop by or call the Reference Desk at 847-259-6050 x130.

See every online resource the Library has to offer on the A–Z Online Resources page.


Use from home = Use from home

Library Card Required = Library card required

Popular = Popular

Staff Favorite = Staff Favorite


Ancestry Library Edition

Popular  View records from the United States Census; military records; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories; passenger lists and more! In Library use only.

In Library External LinkNeed Help External Link

Chicago Sun-times

Use from home Library Card Required  Explore Chicago history through local news, events and people. Search this database for articles from the Chicago Sun-Times, from 1986 to current.

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Chicago Tribune Historical

Use from home Library Card Required  Search this database for past articles from 1849-1997. Full-text obituaries and death notices from 1860-1984. Major stories of events and issues from 1920-1984.

From Home External LinkIn Library External Link

Chicagoland Newspapers

Use from home Library Card Required  Archives of the Chicagoland newspapers including: Chicago Sun Times, Rolling Meadows Review, Daily Herald and more.

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Daily Herald Collection

Use from home Library Card Required  Explore Rolling Meadows area history through local news, events and people. Search current and archived issues from 1995 to current with full-color newspaper pages, full-text articles and content only published online.

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Heritage Hub

Use from home Library Card Required  Explore genealogical records from 1704 – today, including hard-to-find obituary content from the mid 1900's, coverage from all 50 states, and original obituary images from historical newspapers

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Heritage Quest

Use from home Library Card Required  Provides genealogy articles and records, including census records dating back to 1790.

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Illinois Public Record

Use from home Library Card Required  Database of public records including real estate transfers, new businesses, bankruptcies, and foreclosures. See records on individuals and businesses based in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.

From Home External LinkIn Library External Link

Reference Solutions

Use from home Library Card Required  Research data on businesses and individuals to profile a neighborhood, city or state by type of business, size of business or household median income, spending habits and more.

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World Book Advanced

Use from home Library Card Required  Learn all about Illinois with this powerful reference tool. Includes primary and secondary source content, related media, and interesting facts.

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Catalog Spotlight

To browse books on local history in the library, ask for help at the Adult Reference Desk.

Images of America : Rolling Meadows
They took the challenge : the story of Rolling Meadows
Munching in the Meadows : a collection of recipes by Rolling Meadows Historical Society

Website Links

Chicago History Museum External Link
To share Chicago stories, the Museum collects and preserves millions of artifacts, documents, images, and other items that are relevant to the city’s history.

Chicago Tribune History Photos External Link
Online gallery of Rolling Meadows photos published in the Chicago Tribune from 1957-1996.

Cook County Court Records and Archives External Link
The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County provides on-line case information as a public service.

Cook County Government External Link
Cook County Historic Archives and Records Office. Currently closed to the public but accepting email inquires to cookcounty.archives@cookcountyil.gov.

Digital Public Library of America External Link
Provides public access to digital holdings in order to create a large-scale public digital library.

Illinois Digital Archives External Link
A repository for the digital collections of the Illinois State Library and other cultural institutions in the state.

Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections External Link
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library has digitized over 200,000 pages of pre-1922 historically significant newspapers.

Illinois Public Records Links External Link
Comprehensive list of links to Illinois public record information. Not affiliated with any government agencies.

Illinois State Archives External Link
Depository of Illinois state and local records for administrative, legal, or historical research.

Illinois State Historical Society External Link
Not-for-profit promoting the study of Illinois history across Illinois groups, communities, regions, organizations, eras, leaders and events.

Library of Congress External Link
Find a digitized a wealth of unique and historical visual materials important when researching local and family history.

Rolling Meadows Historical Museum External Link
Visit the 1950s House to be transported back in time with this authentic replica home. Learn more at their Education Center.

Midwestern History Association External Link
Dedicated to rebuilding the field of Midwestern history and advocates for greater attention to Midwestern history among professional historians.

Past Virtual Events

Watch all recorded events on the RML YouTube Channel External Link

Chicago’s Mysterious Lakefront Carvings
Thousands of magnificent rock carvings stretch 22 miles from the Indiana state line through Chicagoland.

Watch Now External YouTube Video Link


Coal Swamps, Coral Reefs and Continental Glaciers
A geologist's travelogue of Illinois based on Raymond Wiggers' popular book Geology Underfoot in Illinois.

Watch Now External YouTube Video Link


Hauntings of the Midwest
Chad Lewis will take us on a scary journey through the Midwest: from haunted cemeteries and wandering spirits of the Northwoods to cursed rivers and back roads legends.

Watch Now External YouTube Video Link


Upcoming Events

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