R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Illinois
Research Outline
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Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Familysearch™
     Familysearch At Family History Centers
     Familysearch™ Internet Genealogy Service
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
     National Archives
     State Archives, Libraries, And Societies
     Illinois Regional Archives Depository System
     Another Important Library
     Computer Networks And Bulletin Boards
Bible Records
Biography
     Major Biographical Collections
     Biographical Encyclopedias
Cemeteries
     Locating Cemeteries
     Internet Tombstone Transcripts And Index
     Print And Microfilm Abstracts
Census
     Federal Censuses
     Mortality Schedules
     Territorial And State Censuses
     Census Substitutes
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
     City Directories
     Business Directories
     Locating Directories
Divorce Records
Emigration And Immigration
     Immigration And Migration
     Records
     Histories
Funeral Homes
Gazetteers
Genealogy
     Nationwide Indexes
     Statewide Indexes And Family Group Collections
     Pioneers Certificate Applications
     Centennial Farms
History
     State Histories
     Federal Papers Regarding Illinois
     The Draper Manuscript Collection
     Kaskaskia And Cahokia Records
     Local History Bibliographies
     County And Local Histories
Land And Property
     Early Settlers
     Government Land Transfers
     Individual Land Transfers
Maps
     Statewide Atlases
     County Atlases
     City Maps
Military Records
     Records Covering More Than One War
     Revolutionary War (1775 –1783)
     War Of 1812 (1812–1815)
     Civil War (1861–1865)
     Spanish-american War (1898–1899)
     World War I (1917–1918)
     Additional Military Records
Minorities
Native Races
Naturalization And Citizenship
     Guide Book
     Card Index, 1840–1950
     Availability
Newspapers
     Inventory On The Internet
     Published Inventories
     Birth, Marriage, And Death Notices In Newspapers
     Availability
Obituaries
Occupations
Periodicals
Probate Records
Public Records
Societies
Taxation
Vital Records
     Birth And Death Records
     County Records Of Births And Deaths
     State Records Of Births And Deaths
     Marriages
     Chicago And Cook County
     Guide To Vital Records
Voting Registers
Other Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

GENEALOGYLook this term up in the glossary.


Most archives, historical societies, and genealogical societies have special collections of previous research and indexes of genealogical value. You must usually search these in person.


NationwideLook this term up in the glossary. Indexes

You can find information on the following nationwide genealogical indexes in the indicated sections of the United States Research Outline (30972).

  • Ancestral FileLook this term up in the glossary. (“Genealogy” section. Also available on FamilySearch™ Internet Genealogy Service.)
  • FamilyFinder™ Index (“Census” section. Also available on the Internet at www.familytreemaker.com/allsearch.html. FamilyTreeMaker and FamilyFinder are trademarks of Brøderbund Software, Inc.)
  • Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary. Surname Search (“Introduction” and “Genealogy” sections. Also available on FamilySearch™ Internet Genealogy Service.)
  • Genealogical Index of the Newberry LibraryLook this term up in the glossary. (“Genealogy” section)
  • Index to American Genealogies (“Genealogy” section)

  • Old Surname Index File (“Genealogy” section)

  • Periodical Source Index (PERSI) (“Periodicals” section. Also available on the Internet at www.Ancestry.com/ancestry/search/3165 for a subscription fee.)


Statewide IndexesLook this term up in the glossary. and Family Group Collections

Some important collections of compiled genealogies and genealogical source material for Illinois in the Family History Library include:

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) (Illinois) Genealogical Collection. See the “Cemeteries” section of this outline for information about this collection.

Champaign County Historical Archives. Family Files. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1978. (FHL films 1026779–786 and 1027162–165; computer number 190543.) This alphabetical collection of family group records, typescript genealogies, and newspaper clippings was microfilmed in 1978 at the Champaign County Courthouse.

Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois Ancestor Charts. Carterville, Ill.: The Society, 1994–95. (FHL book 977.3 C4g; computer number 742955.) Pedigree charts of the ancestors of members of the society from 28 southern Illinois counties are included in this work.

Mathis, Linda Gale. Surname Index of the Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois. Carterville, Ill.: The Society, 1986. (FHL book 977.3 A3s; computer number 493338.) This index to the ancestors of members of the society includes the names of the submitters. It contains dates and places of birth, marriage, and death, and names of spouses.

Lunde, Mrs. O.B. Illinois State Genealogical Society Surname Index. Decatur, Ill.: Illinois State Genealogical Society, 1981. (FHL book 977.3 D2L; film 1421706, item4; computer number 198229.) This contains information about ancestors of ISGS members and gives birth and marriage dates and names of spouses.

Indexed five-generation pedigree charts of members of the same society are in:

Illinois State Genealogical Society Ancestor Charts of Members. 7vols. Springfield, Ill.: Illinois State Genealogical Society, 1988–1992. (FHL book 977.3 D2i; computer number 559708.)


Pioneers Certificate Applications

The Illinois State Genealogical Society also compiled the following:

Applications for Illinois Prairie Pioneer Certificates. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987–89. (On 27 FHL microfilms beginning with 1513611, item2; computer number 84897.) This collection contains two series of applications alphabetized by the surname of the pioneer ancestor. “Pioneers” are defined as those who arrived in Illinois before 1880. It includes lineage charts tracing the applicant’s pedigree to pioneer ancestors and shows supporting documents such as marriage and death certificates, obituaries, and census abstracts.

Applications for Illinois Prairie Pioneer Certificates: Certificates Issued on Previously Approved Pioneers. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987. (FHL films 1514164 and 1514155–161; computer number 84898.)


Centennial Farms

A “centennial farm” is one owned for 100 years or more by lineal descendants of the same family. Histories of families who owned centennial farms in Illinois can be found in:

Illinois Centennial Farm Heritage Association. The History of Illinois Centennial Farms. Dallas, Tex: Curtis Media, 1986. (FHL book 977.3 D2h; computer number 714938.) This book gives a short history of farming in Illinois and contains family histories and property descriptions of the centennial farms.

For genealogyLook this term up in the glossary. sources for the United States, see the “Genealogy” section of the United States Research Outline (30972).

Other genealogical records of Illinois can be found in the Family History Library Catalog by using a Locality Search under:

ILLINOIS- GENEALOGYILLINOIS- SOCIETIES- GENEALOGYILLINOIS, [COUNTY]- GENEALOGYILLINOIS, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- GENEALOGY

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