GSSI was organized in Carterville, Illinois in March 1973 for the purpose of encouraging the science of genealogy; helping others gather genealogical information; and preserving, protecting and publishing information of importance to Southern Illinois genealogy. Our geographic area includes the twenty-eight counties of Illinois south of Interstate 70: Alexander, Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, St. Clair, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, and Williamson.

 

 

The GSSI Genealogy Collection, located at the John A. Logan College Library, consists of more than 1000 books and several hundred reels of microfilm. The collection does not circulate, but it is catalogued and can be searched through the JALC Library website.

 

Meetings are held quarterly on the second Saturday of the month at libraries and other sites in the GSSI 28-county service area. Dates, times and places of these meetings will be announced on our Events page on this site and in local media. All general meetings of GSSI are open to the public. Members of GSSI are encouraged to bring guests to the meetings.