Bureau County Genealogical Society

If you are unable to travel to Princeton and wish to have individual resources checked, write to:

Bureau County Genealogical Society
629 S. Main Street
Princeton, IL 61356-2012
(815) 879-3133

Research Policy

Our society is willing to do a limited amount of Bureau County research for our out-of-town members as well as non-members. This means searching the vital and probate records at the courthouse and other sources in our collection. Once the research is done, a work sheet, including a list of the sources checked, will be sent to you. Fees for doing research are $8.00 per hour for members and $12.00 for non-members plus expenses for copies and any extra postage. Copies and postage average $2 for each hour of research. Please submit a check with your request.

Research of 15 minutes, such as a cemetery search, will cost only the price of copies and postage.

Vital records cost $7 (Birth and Marriage) and $9 (Death) each. We need your permission to purchase these. Since they may not exist, you do not have to pay for them until you know they are available. If you prefer, you may order these directly from the courthouse yourself, but keep in mind they charge a search fee ($7 - $9) that is not refundable if the record is not found.

Our volunteer researcher must know how many hours of research you want and either the information you are trying to learn or the sources you would like searched. Your check will not be cashed until the work is done unless you include membership dues as part of your check. Please state whether you are willing to pay for additional research beyond your current request if more information is available.

First requests for research have priority over requests for additional work. Members have priority over non-members.

Research money is used to preserver and index our records, making them available to the public.


For best results we suggest you follow these guidelines:

1. Ask only a few questions with a request and be specific. Make your request short and to the point. We can not undertake long, extensive research.

2. Give as much meaningful data as you can about the persons involved. Include approximate dates, locations, names of spouse and children, and any census information you have. This information should be put on a pedigree chart and one or more family group sheets so our researchers can quickly determine relationships.

3. State which sources you've already checked. We do not want to search these again and send you information you already have.

4. Include a business-size stamped, self-addressed envelope unless you have requested two or three hours of research.

5. Include your email address in case we have any questions.