This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: chatterchit Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.illinois.unknown/12430.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Here are a couple things you could try: 1) Contact the church directly: Centennial United Methodist Church 219 S 2nd St Rockford, IL 61104 (815) 965-8611 2) Find books and records at libraries (As far as I know, none are available in bookstores.) There are several books that have been written, along with records that have been compiled. To see a detailed list of these and the libraries in which they are located, go to www.worldcat.org. If your local library does not have copies of the books, you may be able to borrow them via InterLibrary Loan - ask your librarian. For the archival materials, email/contact the libraries directly on how you can gain access. You might have to contact local genealogy societies to see if they have volunteers (or paid genealogists) who can access archives. Note: When searching for books/materials watch out for "centennial" - sometimes it refers to a church's 100-year Centennial Celebration, not the actual name of the church. (It can be confusing.) Here's the list of available materials (again, use worldcat.org to see full details/locations): 1. Third Street Church of Centennial United Methodist Church, Rockford, Illinois: bk. 1, 1857-1866, bk. 2, 1868-1876. by Daughters of the American Revolution. Rockford Chapter (Rockford, Ill.) Book Publisher: Rockford, Ill., 1974. 2. Centennial United Methodist Church records : copied from handwritten record book. by Centennial United Methodist Church (Rockford, Ill.); Daughters of the American Revolution. Rockford Chapter (Rockford, Ill.) Book Publisher: Rockford, Ill. : Rockford Chapter, DAR, 1973. 3. The story of Centennial : one hundred and forty-five years of Methodism in Rockford, 1836-1981 by Benard F Andersen, Mrs.; Martha J Hazen; Sam Allspaugh; Betty Hartman; Centennial United Methodist Church (Rockford, Ill.); Book Publisher: [Rockford, Ill. : The Church, 1981] 4. Centennial United Methodist Church records. by Centennial United Methodist Church (Rockford, Ill.); Daughters of the American Revolution. Rockford Chapter (Rockford, Ill.) Book : Manuscript Archival Material Publisher: [Rockford, Ill., 1973] 5. Rededication service, September 11, 1983. by Centennial United Methodist Church (Rockford, Ill.); Book Publisher: Rockford, Ill. : Centennial United Methodist Church, [1983] 6. Records of Centennial United Methodist Church ... 1902-1915. by Centennial United Methodist Church (Rockford, Ill.); Daughters of the American Revolution. Rockford Chapter (Rockford, Ill.) Book : Manuscript Archival Material Publisher: Rockford, Ill. [1974] 7. Centennial United Methodist Church : one hundred forty years of Methodism in Rockford, Illinois, 1836-1976 7. Centennial United Methodist Church : one hundred forty years of Methodism in Rockford, Illinois, 1836-1976 by Charles Vaccaro, Mrs.; Hazel M Hyde; Centennial United Methodist Church (Rockford, Ill.); Daughters of the American Revolution. Illinois. Rockford Chapter, Rockford. Book Publisher: [Rockford] : Rockford Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1976. 8. Centennial United Methodist Church records, Rockford, Illinois. by Centennial United Methodist Church (Rockford, Ill.); Daughters of the American Revolution. Rockford Chapter (Rockford, Ill.) Book : Manuscript Archival Material Language: English Publisher: Rockford, Ill. [1974] I think that the Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church is the same church.....?? There are a couple of sources for it as well: 1. Directory of Centennial M.E. Church by Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church (Rockford, Ill.) Book Publisher: Rockford, Ill. : The Church, [1910] 2. Directory of the Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church. by Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church (Rockford, Ill.) Book Publisher: Rockford, Ill. : The Church, [1936] I haven't checked the locations of everything listed above, but I'm guessing that most of these are at the Rockford Public Library. See www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org for info. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.