Online Research Resources
Looking for more research options and primary sources? Try these web sites that focus on historical and genealogical research.
Des Plaines Resources
Des Plaines Memory
Des Plaines Memory, an online digital collection, is a collaboration between the Des Plaines Public Library and the Des Plaines History Center. You will find digital images made from photographs, local newspapers, telephone directories, diaries, and more.
Des Plaines Memory, an online digital collection, is a collaboration between the Des Plaines Public Library and the Des Plaines History Center. You will find digital images made from photographs, local newspapers, telephone directories, diaries, and more.
Illinois Research Resources
Illinois Digital Archives
IDA is a repository for the digital collections of the Illinois State Library as well as other libraries and cultural institutions in the State of Illinois. This web site also includes a collection of photographs from the Des Plaines History Center that are also featured on Des Plaines Memory.
IDA is a repository for the digital collections of the Illinois State Library as well as other libraries and cultural institutions in the State of Illinois. This web site also includes a collection of photographs from the Des Plaines History Center that are also featured on Des Plaines Memory.
National Archives - Regional Archives at Chicago
The National Archives web site contains online research tools for the General Public, Genealogists, Veterans and their Families, and Educators & Students.
The National Archives web site contains online research tools for the General Public, Genealogists, Veterans and their Families, and Educators & Students.
Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)
For local governmental records from counties, townships, municipalities and school districts.
The nearest IRAD collection is located at the Ronald Williams Library at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. Please see the web site link above for more information and call in advance for available hours, if you plan to visit the depository.
The IRAD holdings at NEIU include: Cook County birth records, outside the City of Chicago for 1878-1894; Cook County death certificates, outside the City of Chicago, 1878-1909; Cook County marriage licenses, 1871-1900, and index, 1871-1904.
The depository also holds naturalization, probate, and other county and local governmental records from the late 19th and early 20th century.
For local governmental records from counties, townships, municipalities and school districts.
The nearest IRAD collection is located at the Ronald Williams Library at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. Please see the web site link above for more information and call in advance for available hours, if you plan to visit the depository.
The IRAD holdings at NEIU include: Cook County birth records, outside the City of Chicago for 1878-1894; Cook County death certificates, outside the City of Chicago, 1878-1909; Cook County marriage licenses, 1871-1900, and index, 1871-1904.
The depository also holds naturalization, probate, and other county and local governmental records from the late 19th and early 20th century.
Illinois State Archives Online Databases
The databases include Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900; Illinois Statewide Death Indexes, for 1877-1915 and 1916-1950; and war veterans records, pre-World War II.
The databases include Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900; Illinois Statewide Death Indexes, for 1877-1915 and 1916-1950; and war veterans records, pre-World War II.
The Illinois Newspaper Project
Maintained by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, this online database is funded by NEH grants to digitize culturally significant Illinois newspapers. The database contains a catalog of newspapers found in collections statewide, and has begun digitizing images of selected publications.
Illinois Historic Cemetery Preservation
Maintained by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, this online database is funded by NEH grants to digitize culturally significant Illinois newspapers. The database contains a catalog of newspapers found in collections statewide, and has begun digitizing images of selected publications.
Illinois Historic Cemetery Preservation
Chicago and Cook County Resources
Cook County vital records
Cook County's online vital records database.
Your House Has a History
"Your House Has A History" (PDF document, published by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks and City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development), serves as an example of the process for researching the history of your house. It was written specifically for Chicago residences and does not cover suburban areas. However, this guide will provide readers with an idea of the general steps involved in doing their own research.
Genealogy and Local History at the Newberry Library
The Newberry’s rich collections include family histories; local histories; censuses, probate, deed, court, tax, and cemetery records; military rosters; periodicals; genealogical guides; and reference works.
Chicago Ancestors
The Newberry Library's online genealogical and local history web site for the Chicago area.
Cook County's online vital records database.
Your House Has a History
"Your House Has A History" (PDF document, published by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks and City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development), serves as an example of the process for researching the history of your house. It was written specifically for Chicago residences and does not cover suburban areas. However, this guide will provide readers with an idea of the general steps involved in doing their own research.
Genealogy and Local History at the Newberry Library
The Newberry’s rich collections include family histories; local histories; censuses, probate, deed, court, tax, and cemetery records; military rosters; periodicals; genealogical guides; and reference works.
Chicago Ancestors
The Newberry Library's online genealogical and local history web site for the Chicago area.