Local and Family History Research

Basic Strategy

1. Gather Data
   
• Interview family members; take notes.
• Seek unofficial family archives.
• Document full names, dates, places.
• Record data in an ancestry chart.
• Visit a local library and use local resources such as newspapers and county histories to augent family information.
  
2. Use family information to delve deeper into family research.
   
• Establish "Vital Records"
• Birth
• Marriage
• Death
• Use print and online resources
3. Ask for help from librarians.

Helpful Online and Print Resources

1. Secondary Sources
   
• Online catalog
• Books, journals
• County Histories, City Directories, Passenger Lists
  
2. Primary Resources
   
   Many primary resources can be searched online. Illinois State Arhcives offers a number of databases to assist in research. Additional resources include the following:
   
1. Census Manuscript records
   
• Decennial population
• Clues in Census Records, National Archives and Records Administration
• See Guide to Milner Library's Holdings   Census manuscript page, 1880 (Need Adobe Acrobat)
• Census manuscript page, 1900 (Need Adobe Acrobat)
  
  Bloomington Public Library subscribes to a database called Ancestry Plus that provides online searching through the decennial censuses. Ancestry Plus is a broad-based collection of databases for experienced genealogists and beginning family historians. Search tips for Ancestry Plus.
  
2. Vital records
   
• Marriage
  
• Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
  
• Death
  
• Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
• Social Security Death Index
  
3. Probate records
• Regional Statewide Archives
• For example, some counties such as McLean have online indexes for probate records held in the archives.
  
4. Land records
• Federal and State General Land Office
• Bureau Of Land Management — General Land Office Records
  
5. Military records
• Federal Government Documents
• Official Records of the War of the Rebellion
  [Index located at Floor 2 Reference Desk] Floor 4--W 45.5:
• National and Regional Statewide Archives
  
6. Immigration records
• Regional Statewide Archives
  
7. Church and cemetery records
• Local or diocesian records
  
8. Migration routes and maps
• Plat maps

Miscellaneous

• Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
  Use this site to search from which county a town or city resides.
  
• U.S. Surname Distribution
  Data taken from decennial censuses of 1850, 1880, 1920, and 1990.