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Community History Archives

Community History Archive Partner

McDonough County Genealogical

Macomb, Illinois

Explore this community history collection to discover the people, places, organizations, and events of Macomb.

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16Titles

Explore publications and collections from the past.

1851 to 1981Dates represented

See individual titles for available dates.

310,188Archive pages

Historical pages reported for this collection.

Explore local history

Discover the people, places, and stories of Macomb, Illinois.

Explore the past of Macomb, Illinois through newspapers in the McDonough County Genealogical's digital archive. Its sixteen titles include material from 1851 to 1981.

You can open the archive using the link below.
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  • Selected titles

    The collection from McDonough County Genealogical includes “Blandinsville Gazette” and “The McDonough News”.

  • Free and open access

    No subscription or payment required.

  • A closer look

    A familiar name or event takes on another dimension in the newspaper coverage of its time, alongside the stories that mattered to the readers of that issue.

Reporting from the time can reveal how people described the events, work and concerns of their day, placing a local story within the history unfolding around it. Whether you are tracing a family connection, exploring a local event or sharing history with a class, there is more to discover than names and dates alone. Explore the archive online for free, without a subscription.

Explore the collection

Titles in this collection

Browse sixteen titles and 310,188 digitized pages, with material from 1851 to 1981. This collection is shared through McDonough County Genealogical's partnership with Advantage Archives. Some years or items may be missing between the dates shown.

Explore the titles below for a closer look at the places, people and everyday life of earlier generations.

Blandinsville Gazette

2,544 pages from 1896 to 1900

Blandinsville Star Gazette

70,488 pages from 1904 to 1981

Colchester Independent

17,802 pages from 1880 to 1913

M Donough Democrat

490 pages from 1855 to 1857

M Donough Independent

1,252 pages from 1851 to 1854

M Donough Independent And Democratic Review

248 pages from 1854 to 1855

Macomb Daily Journal

116,096 pages from 1868 to 1931

Macomb Weekly Journal

1,372 pages from 1861 to 1865

The Adair Weekly Beacon

5,582 pages from 1918 to 1924

The Bardolph News

39,752 pages from 1893 to 1946

The Bushnell Record

36,252 pages from 1881 to 1923

The Industry Press

7,188 pages from 1916 to 1924

The Macomb Daily By-Stander

1,234 pages in 1925

The Macomb Eagle

4,040 pages from 1858 to 1868

The Macomb Journal

5,080 pages from 1865 to 1878

The McDonough News

768 pages from 1929 to 1930

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About the Society

About The McDonough County Genealogical Society

The McDonough County Genealogical Society serves as a vital resource for individuals seeking to explore their ancestral roots and learn more about the history of McDonough County, Illinois. Established with the purpose of preserving and promoting genealogical records, the society engages with the community to enhance historical understanding and encourage research endeavors. By collecting and safeguarding historical materials, the society plays an essential role in the ongoing effort to document and celebrate the rich heritage of the region.

McDonough County Genealogical photo 1

Institution History

The History Of The McDonough County Genealogical Society

Founded to support genealogical research and historical preservation, the McDonough County Genealogical Society has grown into a respected institution within the community. Over the years, the society has expanded its collections and resources, facilitating access to vital records and historical documents. With a focus on education and outreach, the society hosts events and workshops that foster a deeper understanding of genealogy and local history, ensuring that the stories of McDonough County’s residents are preserved for future generations.

About the Community

About McDonough County, Illinois

McDonough County, located in west-central Illinois, is rich in history and cultural heritage. Originally settled in the early 1800s, the area has evolved from its agricultural roots into a vibrant community that values its past. The county is home to several historical landmarks and institutions, including the McDonough County Genealogical Society, which serves as a gateway to the region's rich history. As a community committed to preserving its local history, McDonough County provides resources and support for individuals seeking to connect with their ancestral lineage.

Local History

Did You Know?

Did you know that the McDonough County Genealogical Society offers numerous resources for researchers, including access to rare historical newspapers? The society plays a critical role in preserving these materials, enabling community members to explore their heritage and learn about the lives of those who came before them. Additionally, the society actively participates in educational initiatives, furthering the mission to promote genealogy and historical awareness within the community.

More ways to explore and share local history

Research Guidance

Trace a name across nearby issues

A family name, a familiar street or a story passed down through generations can lead to a closer look at the history of Macomb. The digital archive shared by the McDonough County Genealogical offers a place to begin. When using historical newspapers, try alternate spellings and nearby dates, then read the surrounding page to place a local story in its time. Compare later reporting or another available title to explore different perspectives rather than treating one account as the whole story.

If a name does not appear, try an alternate spelling or a related term, then read around any match. Note the issue date and page so a result stays connected to its context. Use those details to follow a story without treating one search result as a complete answer.

Build a trail through the past that someone else can follow: record the title, date, page or item reference, and a link when available. Keep historical quotations distinct from your own interpretation. If accounts disagree, note what each source supports before deciding how the details fit together in a family or community story.

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Community Partnership

Keeping local history a community resource

This community archive is made possible by the collaboration of the McDonough County Genealogical, its community, and Advantage Archives. Together, these partnerships preserve local sources and give people a way to explore, learn from, and share the history around them.

Advantage Archives covers ongoing archive hosting, storage, development, and maintenance. The institution and its community do not pay a subscription, seat license, annual support contract, or other recurring archive-service charge. Local history remains a community resource, not a subscription to maintain.

Would you like to see more of your community's history preserved and accessible? Start a conversation with your library, newspaper publisher, historical or genealogical society, museum, or school about the materials they would like to share and a possible partnership with Advantage Archives.

Learn about partnerships
Read All About It

Stories, research tips, and archive news

Read All About It connects archive research with the people and institutions preserving local history. Explore partner and community stories, project updates, research ideas, and perspectives on digitization, education, and working with primary sources. Use the articles as a starting point for your next question or a new way to share a discovery.

Newest published articles

March 18, 2025

It’s Your Community’s History, So Why Rent Something You Own?

We believe that history belongs to the communities where it was made - not locked behind paywalls or inaccessible due to budget restrictions. Subscription-based services and large content aggregators are generally more concerned with "content" and less concerned with the history that content contains. Their models typically involve a reoccurring charge for a plan that renews annually or licensing agreements with the library based on population served or circulation numbers. You are essentially Renting Access To YOUR History.
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