National Archives - Great Lakes Region, Chicago, Illinois
The National Archives web site also contains online research tools for the General Public, Genealogists, Veterans and their Families, and Educators & Students.
Online Research Resources
Illinois Research Resources
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.
Chicago and Cook County Resources
Chicago Ancestors
The Newberry Library's online genealogical and local history web site for the Chicago area.
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 the reader with an idea of the general steps involved in doing your own research.
The Newberry Library's online genealogical and local history web site for the Chicago area.
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 the reader with an idea of the general steps involved in doing your own research.