Mapping Your Past

              Old census information
The Archives has both state and
federal census records spanning more
than 100 years.
1810-1860: Indexes are available covering state
and decennial federal census records. The only
reasonably complete state census for this period,
1855, has only names of the heads of house-holds;
other family entries are simple tallies.
This is true for all pre-1850 federal censuses.
1865: Because this final state census is only
partially indexed, Archives staff also needs
county and township names when using it.
Unindexed schedules of cities cannot be
searched by staff. This census lists only
names of heads of households.
1870: A published index, providing the
names of heads of households, is available.
1880: The index for this census lists only
households with children under age 11. The
index can be searched for names of heads of
households. If the county and township
names are provided, staff can search those
having populations of less than 2,500. No
city searches.
1890: The federal census was lost in a Wash-ington,
D.C., fire in 1921.
1900-1910-1920: Indexes can be searched for
names of heads of households (an index to
each census exists).
1930: This unindexed census is available on
microfilm for visiting patrons to use, but
cannot be searched by Archives staff.
The Archives also has the special federal de-cennial
censuses for 1850-1880. Two are pro-fession-
specific: agriculture (1850-1880) and
industry (1850-1870). The 1880 census also
profiles persons with disabilities as well as
dependents and delinquents.
Births, deaths and
wedding bells
In 1877, births and deaths were first recorded
with county clerks. The Department of Public
Health (605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL
62702; 217-782-6553) also maintains such rec-ords
after 1916. Illinois death certificates for
1916-1947 are available at the Archives on mi-crofilm.
The Archives also has complete federal mortal-ity
schedules for 1850, 1860 and 1880. For 1870,
the federal mortality schedules are available
only for those counties alphabetically listed af-ter
Kankakee County. In all four mortality
schedules, the records reflect only those deaths
occurring during the year before enumeration.
Marriage records are available through the Illi-nois
Statewide Marriage Index database created
in cooperation with the Illinois State Genealogi-cal
Society. The index focuses on marriage
records from pre-1818 to 1900.
Those who served
in wars of old
Interested in the Illinois units fight-ing
during the War of 1812? Or the Black
Hawk War, Mexican War, Civil War, or
Spanish-American War? The Archives has
name indexes for Illinois units serving dur-ing
these conflicts. Also available are federal
World War I draft registration records.
Post-war information on veterans and
spouses may be found in the Archives’ resi-dent
files of the Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’
Home (1887-1967) and the Illinois Soldiers’
It is my pleasure as Secretary of State
to serve as State Archivist. The Illinois
State Archives houses the official
memories of our great state. More
than 250 years of history are preserved
in valuable government documents,
land titles, militia roll books and
historic photographs. Each document
and photograph reveals something
unique about past life in Illinois and
may be of help in your genealogical
research.
I encourage you to take advantage of
the tremendous wealth of information
at the Illinois State Archives. By
learning about family heritage and the
history of our state, we grow not only
in understanding but also in apprecia-tion
for who we are as individuals and
citizens of Illinois.
Jesse White
Secretary of State
and State Archivist
....Turning
back the hands
of time
Our doors are open
When extensive research is involved,
many genealogists find it’s best done
in person at the Illinois State Archives —
and our reference staff is here to help.
The Archives is located just south of the
State Capitol and is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.,
Mon.-Fri., and Sat., 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (except
holiday weekends).
Drop us a line
The Archives staff will do research based
on mail requests, charging only for pho-tocopies.
Please follow these guidelines:
• Request no more than two specific names
or items per mailing.
• Doing a name search? Try to provide: (1)
the individual's complete name, age and
birthplace. Include the same information
for spouse and children if possible, (2)
county and township names, (3) the name
of the record to be searched as well as its
date span.
• Wait until you receive a response to
your request before submitting addi-tional
ones.