Illinois FAQ

Please add questions and/or answers

Birth, Marriage, Death Indexes

 * Q: How complete are the indexes?
 * A: "Complete" is an interesting word. For example, all but 28 counties are included in the {{{RecordSearch|1676968|Births and Christenings Index, 1824-1940}}. The years included vary, however, for those counties which are in the index.
 * Best practice: Search all available indexes. If you find the person, that index was complete enough. If you don't find the person, try a different spelling. Indexers do have difficulty reading some names.


 * Q: If I don't find the person in an index, how else can I find the information?
 * A: Many records will be mentioned on the county level under Vital Records. Also search library catalogs and IRAD holdings (Illinois Regional Archives Depository System).

Census

 * Q: Do any state censuses exist for Illinois, or are there only Federal censuses?
 * A: Yes, several state censuses were taken by Illinois, usually between Federal census years. Click for a list of State, territorial, and colonial censuses, several of which are online.

Migration

 * Q: How can I find out how my people came to Illinois?
 * A: The article Illinois Migration lists canals, waterways, and trails to and through Illinois.

Military

 * Q: Were there any soldiers in the Revolutionary War (1776-1783) from Illinois?
 * A: No, since Illinois was not created until many years later. However, many veterans and pensioners from the War settled in Illinois.
 * See Illinois Military Records


 * Q: In the Civil War, did anyone from Illinois serve in the Confederacy?
 * A: There were no official Confederate units raised in Illinois. Those who wished to serve in the Confederacy joined in Missouri, Kentucky, and perhaps Arkansas and Tennessee.
 * Don't miss Illinois in the Civil War for lists of regiments, rosters and more.

Wiki Volunteers

 * Q: What is available to do?
 * A: See Get Involved and Project Hub


 * Q: Do I have to commit to a certain number of hours?
 * A: No. We welcome both your ideas and whatever time your circumstances and interests allow. There are a variety of guided tasks and projects. Some can be completed quickly and on your own. Others will allow you to work with others on an ongoing basis.
 * Click


 * Q: Is training available, and how much will I need?
 * A: Yes, training is available from the wide range of simple edits through the most complicated ones.