Digital Resources

Access over a billion names in hundreds of databases, including U.S. Census records (1790-1930); military records; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories and passenger lists. Only accessible inside the library.

Explore Rock Island history through local news, events and people with The Dispatch-Argus Collection. Search current and archived issues with full-color newspaper pages, full-text articles and content only published online. Also available remotely 24/7 on any device.

Discover your amazing family history. You can use this service from home with an Internet connection and a valid Rock Island Library card or from computers at Rock Island Libraries.

Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 – today. HeritageHub helps you easily identify relatives, uncover new information and potentially unknown family members. Includes deep coverage from all 50 states, hard-to-find content from the mid 1900’s, and original obituary images.

Rock Island High School Watchtower Yearbooks Online - 1911 to present.

Digital collection of treasures found in the Rock Island Public Library Historical Room. 

Explore the region as seen through the eyes of the late 19th and early 20th century people who lived here.  Our archive currently features photographs from the collections of Davenport Public Library, Augustana College, Buffalo Historical Society, Galesburg Public Library, Putnam Museum, Rock Island County Historical Society, Rock Island Public Library, and Musser Public Library in Muscati