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.

Ecclesiastical Records and Sources
Because of French colonization, some parish registers for colonial Illinois are available, however, they are scattered in different locations.
 * National Archives of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario. Copies of Illinois Mission parish registers are available at the archives, originals are located at the French National Archives in Section Outre-Mer, Parish.
 * Diocese of Vincennes. This Diocese covered both Illinois and Indiana.
 * Kaskaskia Parish Registers

Civil Records and Sources

 * Private Land Claims related to Kaskaskia, 1723-1809. These are in the Bureau of Land Management Records (RG 49.12) at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
 * Consolidated index for the Raymond H. Hammes Collection at the Illinois State Genealogical Society, land records, 1678-1814 by Raymond H. Hammes, film 1543598). This collection includes Cahokia land records, 1790-1797, entries made regarding Illinois villages, 1790-1795; Kaskaskia land records, 1804-1814; Randolph county land records, 1768-1815; Cahokia land records, 1800-20; Historical material, 1671-1819; Illinois land transaction typescripts/printouts, 1720-1866; Miscellaneous land records. Except the Illinois land transaction records, these records are available on film1543598.