Illinois Genealogy Local Resources

Find genealogy records: vital records (birth, marriage, and death), census, cemeteries, probate, land, libraries, societies, churches, newspapers, etc. for Illinois, the Land of Lincoln.

United States  Illinois Genealogy Research Abraham Lincoln, 1864 Records are being posted online at an increasing rate by archives, libraries, societies, and by universities, commercial enterprise, and countless others.

The records online are only a fraction of the genealogy- and history-rich records available through archives and the local resources listed below.

Archives
Archives have the responsibility of preserving the historical records — our heritage — while allowing reasonable access to them. In the past few years, posting original records online has vastly increased both access and preservation!

Still, virtually untapped collections are available for research through archives. These can be accessed through online catalogs or published guides to their collections. See Get A Copy for additional ways to obtain the records.

The Illinois Regional Archives Depository System (IRAD) includes seven regional depositories for the historical records of the counties of Illinois.

Libraries
Most libraries have online catalogs and resources such as maps, gazetteers, and other place-finding aids to help you locate information about Illinois. Local libraries often have manuscript or published collections of previous research, such as family and local histories and biographies.

Libraries located near state boundaries usually collect records relating to the adjacent states.

Directories
 * Illinois libraries on the Internet: Federal, state, consortia, academic, public and private. Online.


 * Volkel, Lowell M., ed. Illinois Libraries with Genealogical Collections
 * This directory provides names, addresses, and telephone numbers of many archives, libraries, and genealogical and historical societies.
 * This directory provides names, addresses, and telephone numbers of many archives, libraries, and genealogical and historical societies.


 * Newberry Library, 60 West Walton Street, Chicago, IL 60610. Phone: (312) 943-9090, Reference desk: (312) 255-3512.
 * This library has research guides on various subjects related to genealogy and library holdings cataloged from 1978.
 * A surname index to genealogical periodicals and local history books in the Newberry Library was completed in 1915 and published as The Genealogical Index of the Newberry Library Since this index is old, be sure to use the online guide sheet to this collection before using the source.
 * For further details see the Newberry Library Wiki page.


 * Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, Denkman Memorial Library Augustana College, 639 38th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201-2296. Telephone: 309-794-7204, Fax: 309-794-7443, E-Mail: [mailto:sag@augustana.edu sag@augustana.edu]

Major Online Catalogs

Family History Centers
See Family History Center Locator and search "Illinois."

Social Networking Groups
Share findings, scan through comments, ask questions. Let's learn from one another!

Societies
Genealogical, historical, lineage, veteran, and ethnic societies often collect, transcribe, and publish information that can be helpful to genealogists.

Lineage societies, such as the DAR, Colonial Dames, and the Sons of the American Revolution, require members to prove they are descended from people such as colonists or soldiers. National lineage societies such as the DAR are described in United States Societies.

Genealogical and historical societies can provide historical information about families in the area or ancestors of society members. They may sponsor such activities as The History of Illinois Centennial Farms and Applications for Illinois Prairie Pioneer Certificates, cited in Genealogy.

Genealogical and historical societies occasionally publish transcriptions of original records. Most publish quarterly periodicals, a few of which are listed in Periodicals. Use the Periodical Source Index (Persi) to find periodicals and articles for Illinois localities.

Many counties and some cities have historical and genealogical societies, most of which will be listed in the Directory of Illinois Museums and the book by Reithmaier, both cited in Illinois Archives and Libraries. See United States Societies for a national directory of genealogical and ethnic societies. Also see Illinois Ethnic Groups for additional ethnic organizations.

Statewide Societies

 * Illinois State Genealogical Society Illinois State Archives Building, 2nd Floor Norton Building Capitol Complex 400 E. Spring Street Springfield, Illinois 62756
 * The Society is active in preserving and making available data pertaining to individuals, families, and groups who lived in Illinois. They have lists of research resources and databases to find information on Illinois ancestors.
 * Webinars by Illinois State Genealogical Society


 * Illinois State Historical Society 210 1/2 S. 6th Street, Suite 200 Springfield, Illinois 62701 217-525-2781 P.O. Box 1800 Springfield, Illinois 62705-1800
 * The Society promotes awareness, understanding, research, preservation, and recognition of history in Illinois. The location and text of state Historical Markers are online at their website.


 * Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)
 * The GAR is the largest Union veterans organization in the country. Over 715 post were organized in Illinois. In 1888 Illinos had 552 post with a membership of 30,293 veterans. List of Illinois posts. Library of Congress has additional information on Illinois posts.

Regional Societies

 * Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois John A. Logan College Library 700 Logan College Road Carterville, Illinois 62918 Telephone: 618-985-2828, Ext. 8338 Hours: vary by season, see website
 * The Society focuses on Alexander, Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, St. Clair, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, and Williamson counties. The Society's book and microfilm collection is housed at the John A. Logan College Library. The Society publishes a newsletter (click here for recent issues) and a quarterly journal The Saga of Southern Illinois (click here for a topical index that breaks down what has been published county-by-county).


 * Chicago Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1160 Chicago, Illinois 60690-1160
 * The Society collects and preserves the records of Chicago ancestors, and is working to stimulate an interest in those who contributed to the establishment of Chicago and the surrounding area. The Society has extracted vital records from Chicago-area newspapers that are indexed online. They publish a quarterly Chicago Genealogist (click here for a topical index).


 * Tri-State Genealogical Society c/o Willard Library 21 First Avenue Evansville, IN 47710 Telephone: 812-425-4309
 * This Society focuses on families in Southeast Illinois, Southwest Indiana, and Western Kentucky. The Tri-State Packet is published quarterly.

Additional Resources for Societies
Additional resources for Illinois societies may be found in the Illinois-Societies topic page of the Family History Library catalog (FHLC). Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche can be ordered for viewing at FamilySearch Centers. Also find Illinois society resources available at other libraries (WorldCat). Explore how to search WorldCat and the FHLC.

See also:


 * http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilsgs/ilsocieties.html
 * http://www.daddezio.com/society/hill/SH-IL-NDX.html
 * http://geneasearch.com/societies/socil.htm
 * GenealogyInc
 * scroll down to links to Illinois Historical and Genealogical Societies (Regional, State, County, Township, City and religious/ethnic)

Websites
Explore these websites for additional databases and items pertaining to Illinois.