About Us

The Zion Genealogical Society was founded in February 1979 under the sponsorship of the Zion-Benton Public Library. Our Mission is to preserve and promote family history research. Our earliest meetings were held in the basement of the Zion-Benton Public Library which was located in a Zion Park District building on 27th Street by the lagoon. Founding members included Connie Allen, Joanne Layne, Rosalie Bosner, and Susan Clark, to name a few. Due to library space limitations, in about 1981 the society meetings were held in an outreach building used by the library. As the library moved, the Zion Genealogical Society moved. We celebrated our 45th year in 2024. The society is growing and still active.

This premier society, of friendly and knowledgeable people, offers genealogical skill development through information, publications, networking opportunities, and research assistance to everyone from beginner to the most advanced family historian. ZGS strives to increase public interest in the field of genealogy by providing professional genealogical speakers at their monthly meetings. Meetings are designed to motivate the genealogist to learn and achieve research goals, identify opportunities to discover their family history, and encourage the writing of their own life story.

Download the Genealogical Society Bylaws.