Illinois Compiled Genealogies

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.

Nationwide Indexes

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

• Ancestral File ("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 Catalog Surname Search ("Introduction" and "Genealogy" sections. Also available on FamilySearch™ Internet Genealogy Service.)
• Genealogical Index of the Newberry Library ("Genealogy" section)
• Index to American Genealogies ("Genealogy" section)
• Index to National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC) ("Genealogy" section. Also available on the Internet at http://lcweb.loc.gov/coll/nucmc/nucmc.html .)
• International Genealogical Index ("Genealogy" section. Also available on FamilySearch™ Internet Genealogy Service.)
• 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 Indexes 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 for information about this collection.

Champaign County Historical Archives. Family Files. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1978. (FHL films 1026779–786 and 1027162–165.) 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, Illinois: The Society, 1994–95. (FHL book 977.3 C4g.) 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, Illinois: The Society, 1986. (FHL book 977.3 A3s.) 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, Illinois: Illinois State Genealogical Society, 1981. (FHL book 977.3 D2L; film 1421706, item 4.) 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. Seven volumes. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois State Genealogical Society, 1988–1992. (FHL book 977.3 D2i).

Pioneers Certificate Applications

The Illinois State Genealogical Society also compiled the following:

Applications for Illinois Prairie Pioneer Certificates. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987–89. (On 27 FHL microfilms beginning with 1513611, item 2.) 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, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987. (FHL films 1514164 and 1514155–161.)

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, Texas: Curtis Media, 1986. (FHL book 977.3 D2h.) This book gives a short history of farming in Illinois and contains family histories and property descriptions of the centennial farms.

For genealogy sources for the United States, see the "Genealogy" section of the United States Research Outline.

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

ILLINOIS- GENEALOGY

ILLINOIS- SOCIETIES- GENEALOGY

ILLINOIS, [COUNTY]- GENEALOGY

ILLINOIS, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- GENEALOGY

Web Sites

www.familyhistory.com/state.asp?/state=IL

http://ilgenweb.rootsweb.com/

http://www.iltrails.org/

http://www.ancestorhunt.com/illinois-genealogy.htm

http://www.outfitters.com/illinois/history/family/

International Genealogical Index (FamilySearch) - free

Family History Library (FHL); now called, FamilySearch Library (FSL)