Illinois Colonial Records

History
French missions were founded in Illinois during the late 17th century; Fort Crevecoeur (Peoria) in 1680, Cahokia in 1699, and Kaskaskia in 1703. Illinois was controlled by the French until 1763 when it was ceded to England. Illinois was a county of Virginia from 1778-1784, and became part of the Northwest Territory in 1787. It became the Illinois Territory in 1809 before becoming a state in 1818.