Illinois Genealogy Search at a Glance
Illinois genealogy search, look up ancestors, browse IL archived records, history, census information and more online
1Illinois Genealogy
Illinois statewide genealogy links
- Family History Resources in Illinois Regional Archives Depositorieswww.ilsos.govFamily History State Archives
- State and Federal Governmental Records in the Illinois State Archiveswww.ilsos.govGovernment Archival Records
- Illinois State Archives Local Governmental Records Holdings Databaseapps.ilsos.govSearch Genealogy Archives Database
- Illinois State Archives and Libraries Searchwww.ilsos.govIllinois Archives and Libraries Search
- University of Illinois Newspaper Projectwww.library.illinois.eduIllinois Newspapers Database
- Illinois State Librarywww.ilsos.govIllinois State Library Genealogical Resources
- Genealogy at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Librarypresidentlincoln.illinois.govLincoln Presidential Library Genealogy Resources
- USGenWeb Archives Illinoisilgenweb.netSearch Illinois GenWeb Archives
- National Archives Great Lakes Region in Chicagowww.archives.govIllinois Genealogy Research at the National Archives
2Federal & National Authoritative Sources
These federal and national sources complement Illinois's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when Illinois state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
The federal government's primary archive. Holds the U.S. census (1790, 1950), ship passenger lists, naturalization records, military service files, and land entry files.
https://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy (archives.gov)
Free online genealogy platform operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Digitized microfilm copies of many county and state records worldwide.
https://www.familysearch.org/ (familysearch.org)
The LoC's research guides, city directories, newspapers, and Civil War records, most accessible free online through loc.gov.
https://guides.loc.gov/genealogy (loc.gov)
Illinois Genealogy Search, FAQ
Is the 1950 census released?
Yes. Under the 72-year rule, the 1950 U.S. Census was released by NARA on April 1, 2022 and is free to search on archives.gov and familysearch.org.
How do I request a military service record?
NARA's National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis holds military service records. Requests use SF-180 and are free for the veteran or next of kin.
Do I need a paid subscription to do genealogy?
No. FamilySearch, Archives.gov, the Library of Congress, and most state archives provide substantial free access. Commercial services (Ancestry, MyHeritage) add convenience and private trees but not exclusive records.
Where are vital records for the 1800s kept?
Before state-level vital registration (roughly 1890, 1920 depending on state), most births, deaths, and marriages were recorded only by the county, the church, or the family Bible. State archives and FamilySearch are the primary starting points for that era.