The Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois (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.

GSSI includes in its geographic area 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 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 now partially catalogued and may be searched through the JALC Library Catalog.

 The Society issues a monthly Newsletter, and publishes a quarterly journal, The Saga of Southern Illinois, both of which are distributed to all members of the society. 

The current Newsletter is published on line in pdf format.  You may read it here.  Indexes to Saga Articles 1974-2006 and to Obituaries in the Jonesboro Gazette, 1858-1900 are also on line. We invite you to use the Search Box below to search this index and other pages of this site, including the extensive list of GSSI book publications relating to Southern Illinois.