Our Archives
The AAGHSC Archives preserve the records, documents, photographs, publications, and institutional history that reflect both the work of our Society and the communities we serve. These collections safeguard valuable materials—ensuring that family histories, local records, and organizational memory are not lost to time.
More than storage, our Archives represent stewardship. They provide researchers with access to preserved knowledge while protecting the legacy of generations whose stories might otherwise remain hidden.
Through our Archives, AAGHSC ensures that African American history is preserved, accessible, and carried forward with purpose.
AAGHSC Archives and Member Papers
How to Access
- Location: Woodson Regional Library, 9525 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60628.
- Contact: harshcollection@chipublib.org or (312) 745-2080.
Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago Archives
Dates: 1980-2003. Size: 15 linear feet. Accession #2000/12. Chicago Public Library > Woodson Regional Library > Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago was formed to preserve and perpetuate the historic records of African American ancestors and to promote the study of history and genealogy. The collection contains organizational files, annual reports, conference files, reports, family newsletters, reunion books and funeral programs. [Partially processed]
>> Black Metropolis Research Consortium Descriptive Summary (38 Boxes)
Black, Timuel D., Jr. Papers
Dates: 1918-2010. Size: 336 linear feet. Accession #2003/08. Chicago Public Library > Woodson Regional Library > Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Professor emeritus at City Colleges of Chicago, Timuel Black is a prominent historian, author, human rights activist and expert on Chicago’s African American history. During the 1960s, he was president of the Negro American Labor Council, Chicago Chapter and organizer of Chicago participation in the 1963 March on Washington. Black was active in more than 100 organizations over seven decades. The collection includes extensive organizational files, correspondece, manuscripts, subject files, oral histories, audiovisual materials, photographs and memorabilia. Additional papers relating to the life and work of his children, Timuel Kerrigan Black (1963-1993) and Ermetra Black-Thomas, were accessioned in 2007. Selected items from the collection are available online in the Timuel D. Black Jr. Digital Collection. [Finding aid]
Harris, Adlean Papers
Dates: 1965-2005. Size: 105 linear feet. Accession #1993/02. Chicago Public Library > Woodson Regional Library > Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Adlean Harris, a librarian at Governor’s State University, was a founding member of all three Chicago-based African American genealogical societies. She was a leader in the Chicago chapter of the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History and a participant in a host of other black history and civil rights organizations. Her papers include an unusually wide range of organizational files, flyers, programs, correspondence, serials, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Husband, Lori Papers
Dates: 1965-2003. Size: 40 linear feet. Accession #2004/01. Chicago Public Library > Woodson Regional Library > Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Lori Husband was a leading researcher, teacher and author in the field of African American genealogy. The author of three studies of genealogical information found in the Chicago Defender newspaper, Husband also taught genealogical methodology. Her papers include research materials, subject files, curricula, serials, organizational minutes and programs. [Unprocessed]
Jones, Jeanne Boger Papers
Dates: 1845-2000. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #20001/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Jeanne Boger Jones is a genealogist and descendant of abolitionist minister Abraham T. Hall of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church. Her papers contain materials relating to her family’s genealogy, World War II black naval veterans of Great Lakes and records of the Chicago chapter of the Idlewild Lot Owners Association, Inc. Included in the papers are genealogical charts, newspaper clippings, videotapes, correspondence and photographs. [Finding aid]
Patricia Liddell Researchers (PLR) Archives
Dates: 1920-2006. Size: 150 linear feet. Accession #1994/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Patricia Liddell Researchers is an African American genealogical society co-founded by Adlean Harris and Thelma Eldridge. The PLR’s initial donation of 2 linear feet has grown exponentially along with the surge in interest in genealogy. The PLR archive includes over 10,000 funeral programs, surname indexes, organizational files, program materials, conference workshops, meeting records, genealogical serials and a wide variety of national genealogical information. [Finding aid]
Saunders, Doris E. Papers
Dates: 1920-2006. Size: 75 linear feet. Accession #1994/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Doris Saunders served as a librarian at the Hall Branch during World War II. In 1949, she went to work at Johnson Publishing Company, establishing its corporate library and later directing its Book Publishing Division. From the 1970s through the 1990s, she was chair of the Department of Mass Communications at Jackson State University. Her papers include correspondence, manuscripts, Bronzeville-era memorabilia, subject research files, rare serials, programs and memorabilia. Selected items from this collection are available in the Library’s Chicago Renaissance Digital Collection. [Partially processed]
Skinner, Clementine Papers
Dates: 1930-2002. Size: 22 linear feet. Accession #1993/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Clementine Skinner was a Chicago Public Schools assistant principal, teacher and librarian. She was active during four decades in the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and served as president of the Chicago branch. She was also active in the YWCA, the NAACP and genealogical organizations. Her papers include manuscripts, monographs, correspondence, organizational records, yearbooks, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Wilson, Muriel Papers
Dates: 1975-2000. Size: 8 linear feet. Accession #2002/04. Chicago Public Library > Woodson Regional Library > Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Muriel Wilson is a founding member of the African American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago, an activist in the Episcopal Church and a prominent genealogical scholar. Her papers include research materials in African American history and genealogy, subject files, genealogical serials, workshop guides and event programs, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]