The Fayette County Genealogical & Historical Society was organized in 1971 with 45 charter members: Deanne Austin, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bauer, Buddy Beck, Mary Ida Beck, Ellen L. Black, Edith C. Boley, Ella Braun, Irene Brookshier, Glenora Cole, Ralph Cowgill, Mr. and Mrs. Kermit Davies, Noel Dicks, Camilla Diveley, Rollie Harris,Jr., Esther Hoffman, Henrietta Jesse, Walter Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. John Kistler, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Lape, Ruth Long, Helen Lambert, Alenia McCord, Grace Middlesworth, Richard Paul, Mr. and Mrs. John Palecek, Richard Perry, Adele Sears, Amanda Sefton, Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Walton and Daisylee White.

The society now boasts a membership of 375. A 2000-volume genealogical reference library housed in the Evans Public Library is regarded as one of the best in Southern Illinois by researchers who use it. The collection includes microfilm records. In 1992 the Society installed a security system in the library. Ongoing projects include cleaning cemeteries, publishing county records and preserving historical documents and newspapers.

In 1976 the Society dedicated a memorial to Revolutionary Soldiers buried in Fayette County. It stands on the court house grounds.

The Society prints its own materials. Fayette Facts, a genealogical quarterly magazine published by the Society, is edited by Linda Hanabarger.