History in Your Backyard
Learn about the history of Wheaton and DuPage County or research the history of your home using resources at the library.
Access historic newspapers, phone books, yearbooks, census records, and more!
Research Help
We can help you get started using the library’s resources. Contact our Genealogy & Local History Specialist at genealogy@wheatonlibrary.org to set up an appointment.
The library collects published cemetery indexes for DuPage County.
The library has DuPage County federal census records in print for 1840-1870, as well as microfilm records for DuPage County in the 1860-1880, 1910, and 1930 federal census, the 1850-1880 U.S. Agricultural Census, the 1860-1870 U.S. Census of Industry, and the 1865 Illinois State Census.
The library collects published histories of DuPage County as well as cities and towns in DuPage County. Circulating copies of many titles are located in the non-fiction section. Non-circulating copies are located in a locked case in the Genealogy Center. Please visit the Reference Desk for access.
The library has vertical files containing newspaper clippings, pamphlets, letters, and other documents related to the history of the library. Please visit the Reference Desk for access.
Back issues of periodicals including Illinois Heritage, the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, and the DuPage County Genealogical Society Review are available in the Genealogy Center.
The library has print telephone books for Wheaton covering 1951-2016. The majority of these directories also include surrounding communities such as Glen Ellyn, Warrenville, West Chicago, and Winfield.
The print collection also contains a 1924-1925 DuPage County directory, 1940 and 1950 Wheaton city directories, a 1999 Wheaton-Warrenville Polk City Directory, West Suburban Haines Criss-Cross Directories covering 1988-2021, and Near West Suburban Haines Criss-Cross Directories covering 2004-2021.
The library has Chicago suburban telephone directories on microfilm for the years 1920-1971, covering the majority of Chicago suburbs.
The library collects yearbooks for Wheaton high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. All yearbooks are kept in a locked case in the Genealogy Center. Please visit the Reference Desk for access.
Our collection currently includes the following yearbooks:
Edison Middle School (formerly Edison Junior High School): 1978, 1983-1984, 1987, 1993, 1996, 2005-2007
Franklin Middle School (formerly Franklin Junior High School): 1952, 1954, 1960-1964, 1968, 1971, 1977-1979, 1982, 1990
Hawthorne School: 1980
Hubble Middle School: 1993-1994, 2008-2009
Wheaton Community High School: 1909, 1911, 1913-1915, 1918, 1921-1964
Wheaton Central High School: 1965-1971, 1973-1985, 1987-1991
Wheaton North High School: 1965-1972, 1974-2019
Wheaton-Warrenville Middle School: 1986
Wheaton-Warrenville High School: 1974-1983
Wheaton-Warrenville South High School: 1993-2001, 2003-2013, 1997 video yearbook
Whittier Elementary School: 2000-2002, 2004, 2007
Bower Junior High School (Warrenville): 1979
The collection also includes the following publications:
2003 Alumni Directory covering Wheaton Central High School, Wheaton Community High School, Wheaton-Warrenville High School, and Wheaton-Warrenville South High School
Wheaton North High School newsletter 1983-1986
Wheaton-Warrenville High School newsletter 1973-1979
The library has vertical files containing newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and other documents related to Wheaton’s history, prominent citizens, and institutions, arranged by topic. Please visit the Adult Services Desk for access.
Census Records
Ancestry Library Edition
Premier genealogy resource with federal and state census records, military and immigration records, birth, death, and marriage records, and other reference sources such as high school yearbooks. In-library use only.
FamilySearch
As a FamilySearch affiliate library, we provide access to worldwide genealogical records, images, and documents.
HeritageQuest
Search primary sources such as census records, city directories, family and local histories, Revolutionary War files, and Freedman’s Bank Records. Includes resources on towns and families from all 50 states, Canada, and the British Isles.
Community Resources
DuPage County Genealogical Society
Provides education for genealogists and assists in preserving and making available local records of genealogical interest.
DuPage County Historical Museum
Dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of material culture documenting DuPage County.
DuPage County Historical Society
Promotes and preserves the history of DuPage County through publications, lectures, and cooperation with other county historical organizations.
Local History Websites
Illinois Digital Archives
Houses the digital collections of Illinois libraries and cultural institutions, including photographs, oral histories, and more.
Illinois State Archives
Houses the digitized public records of Illinois state and local governmental agencies.
Wheaton Register of Historic Places
Digitized Local History Books
Bumstead’s Directory of Wheaton City and DuPage County, 1915-1916
DuPage County Directory, 1925-26
City directories for 22 cities in DuPage County, includes County and Township officials.
