Research Requests

The Rock Island County Historical Society offers professional research services for individuals who are unable to visit in person or who would benefit from staff-assisted research. These services support genealogists, historians, authors, and community members seeking reliable information drawn from our extensive archives.
Research requests are fulfilled by knowledgeable staff and volunteers who carefully search relevant holdings and provide thoughtful guidance for continued discovery. Research findings are preserved in our vertical files, strengthening the library for future researchers.

Research Request Form

Research fees

  • $15 per hour for non-members
  • $12 per hour for members

A one-hour, non-refundable fee is required to initiate all research requests. Most projects require approximately two hours of research. Postage and copying fees are not included in the hourly rate and will be calculated once research is complete. Researchers will be contacted with final costs prior to delivery.
Along with research results, we provide recommendations for additional sources to support continued or independent research.
Please allow 2–4 weeks for completion.

Obituary research

  • $5 per obituary when the exact day, month, and year of death is known, or when a book and page number is provided from our obituary index
  • Requests with incomplete or incorrect information are subject to the standard hourly research fee

Obituaries are delivered electronically by email. Printed copies may be mailed when a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) is provided along with the obituary fee. A separate Research Request Form is required for each individual obituary request.

How to submit a request

Before research begins, we ask that you submit a written request including names, dates, locations, and any background information already known. Providing detailed information helps our researchers work efficiently and accurately.
You may submit your request in one of two ways:
Option 1: Online submission (preferred)

  • Download and complete the Research Request Form
  • Email the completed form to research.richs@outlook.com
  • Submit the required initiation fee via PayPal

Option 2: Mail submission

  • Complete the Research Request Form
  • Include the $15.00 initiation fee
  • Mail to:

Rock Island County Historical Society
ATTN: Research Request
822 11th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265-1221
Members are always welcome to conduct their own research on site at no charge, with staff available to assist. Donations in support of our research services and collections are always appreciated.
Questions may be directed to us by email or by phone at (309) 764-8590.

Common types of research requests

  • Obituary – Exact Date Known
    Requires exact month, day, and year, or a book and page number from the obituary index.
  • Obituary – Date Unknown
    Researchers must allow additional time for completion.
  • Historical Research
    Information related to businesses, homes, organizations, or events within Rock Island County.
  • General Genealogy
    Research to determine whether an individual was born, lived, married, worked, or died in Rock Island County.
  • Specific Genealogy
    Focused research confirming a known connection to Rock Island County. Requests must clearly identify the information sought.