Vital Records
IL Department of Public Health - Vital Records Administrative Code
Cook County Genealogy - BMD Database
IL Vital Records (Ordering Information)
IL Secretary of State Archives Databases
Earliest Records in County Courthouses
IL Records and Depository System
Illinois Vital Records - VitalChek
Land Records/Maps
Illinois Public Land Sales Database - IL State Archives
Public Domain Land Sale - IL State Museum
IL County Boundaries 1970 - Present
Historical Maps of the United States
Illinois Migrations Project - Internation Migrations Database - access Illinois entries
IL Cemeteries
Graveyards of Chicago - also has other IL cemeteries
Census
US Census Bureau - Interactive IL County Maps
US Census Bureau - IL Quickfacts
U. S. Gazetteer - Developed by the US Census Bureau. Enter city and state for 1990 population, location, zip codes, and map availability.
The first Federal Census for the state of Illinois was taken in 1820. The census records for 1810-1840 list only the head of household by name. Starting with the 1850 census, members of each household were enumerated. The type of information recorded on each individual varies from year to year. The 1890 census was destroyed by a fire in the Washington, D.C. repository where it was being stored. If your ancestors were in Illinois in 1807, check the Indiana Territory census for that year.
State Census - The state of Illinois conducted its own census enumeration in 1820, 1825, 1830, 1835, 1840, 1845, 1855, and 1865. Each of these enumerated only the head of household. The only census years for which nearly all the records still exist are 1820, 1855, and 1865. The other years are missing some or all of the records. For a more complete description of extant records, check the Genealogical Research Series Pamphlet No. 5: State Census Records from the Illinois State Archives.
Military Census - During the Civil War, state law mandated that township assesors enumerate every male between the ages of 18 and 45 who were fit for military service. These military census lists were compiled from 1861 to 1863, and record each person's name, age, birthplace, and occupation. This series of records is organized by county and township, but has not been indexed. This record series is held at the Illinois State Archives. In addition, it is available through the Family History Library and Heritage Quest.
History
Military
Obituaries
Contact the local library/libraries in the county you are researching.
Contact the local genealogy/historical society.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Adoptions