The Forsyth Historical Archives promotes the collection, preservation, and digitization of historical materials from Forsyth and the surrounding rural areas. The Archives holds yearbooks, community newsletters, photographs, videos, community-related ephemera, records dating back to the late 1800s, and much more with the goal of increasing public access through social media, web access, and in-person events.

The Archives rooms is staffed on Monday from 10-1 and Wednesday from 10-1 or by appointment.

Community members and researchers are welcome to contact the Archives at FPLArchives@Forsyth-IL.gov for research questions.

NEW IN 2025: Forsyth Public Library is excited to offer our community access to Ancestry for Libraries.

Explore the amazing history of you. Answers await everyone—whether professional or hobbyist, expert or novice, genealogist or historian—inside the more than 7,000 available databases. Here, you can unlock the story of you with sources like censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, directories, photos, maps and more.

To access Ancestry for Libraries, you must use a library computer or be on your own device that is connected to our library wifi.

Have questions or need guidance when using Ancestry? Contact us at at FPLArchives@Forsyth-IL.gov to set up an appointment.