Lake County History Archives

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the town of Half Day named for being a half-day's ride from Chicago?

Actually the town of Half Day was named for the Native American leader, Aptakisic. His name translates to "half day" or "sun at meridian." Aptakisic had moved his village from Indiana to the Half Day area in about 1831. He was known as an orator and was considered a man of "fine figure."

The explanation that the town was named for being a half-day's journey from Chicago probably began as Chicagoans came to Lake County for recreation and eventually to live. Since Half Day never had train service (the nearest depot was the Wisconsin Central in Prairie View which opened in the 1890s) it probably was close to a half-day's ride by horse drawn vehicle.

Do you have a photo of my house?

The Lake County History Archives does have photos of some historic homes in Lake County, views of main streets, and some residential districts in select towns, but the collection does not have a photo of every historic house in the county. The Archives does accept donations of photos and postcards, so the collection continues to grow.

Do you have genealogy records?

Yes, we have copies of indexed census records, marriage records and cemetery records as compiled by the Lake County Genealogical Society. We also have historic plat maps for the entire county dating back to 1861 that show land ownership.

How should I store my family photographs and heirlooms?

For starters, family photographs and heirlooms should not be stored in attics or basements. The extremes in temperature and humidity in these locations are damaging to materials. Invest in archival storage boxes instead of using shoe boxes or cardboard boxes that off-gas and are damaging to materials. Many craft centers now stock archival supplies such as paper and boxes and there are also companies that specialize in archival supplies.

For more information on preservation tips please contact the Museum's Collections Department staff at 847-968-3381.

Do you accept donations of objects and photographs?

Yes, the Lake County Discovery Museum collects materials that document the development and growth of Lake County, Illinois.

Items are considered for their complete history and their distinct relationship to Lake County either in use or manufacture. Items are also considered based on their ability to strengthen established collection areas, their condition, if similar or duplicate items are already in the collection, if there is available space to store and exhibit the items, and the possible use of the items either in research or exhibition.

For more information on donating items to the Museum's collections please contact the Collections Department staff at 847-968-3381.

Why can't I find any census records for 1890?

The United States census for 1890 was destroyed in a basement fire in the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C. in 1921.

Is it true that there are no early records for Lake County because they were destroyed in a fire?