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Genealogy at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
ALPL Published Materials Collection
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library holds printed and published resources that are useful to genealogical researchers. These resources include material on most Illinois counties, with the amount and depth of information varying from county to county. However, these resources are predominantly pre-twentieth century.
The published collection of genealogical resources at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is continually updated by donations received through the ALPL Book Project of the Illinois State Genealogical Society. Donations from ISGS members are combined with those made by the society to purchase new additions to the ALPL genealogical collections on a regular basis. A bibliography of these New Genealogy Resources at the ALPL is posted each quarter to the ALPL Genealogy website.
Holdings
Holdings of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library are included on the Illinois Newspaper Project database, Rolling Prairie Library System Online Catalog, OCLC, an online catalog of library holdings worldwide, and on Find It! Illinois.
The printed and published materials useful for genealogical research include: family genealogies; county histories, atlases and plat books; census schedule indexes and/or particular county transcriptions of enumeration records; cemetery inscriptions; and birth, death, naturalization and marriage transcriptions and/or indexes. Selected family histories/genealogies are available through inter-library loan.
The library does not have manuscript legal records such as birth, death, marriage, divorce, naturalization, military, land, court, or other state, county, and local records. The majority of our published materials deal with the time period prior to 1900. Official state records are under the control of the Illinois State Archives. County and other local government records are held at the appropriate local office, or may have been transferred to one of the Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (for more information contact the Illinois State Archives).
Vital Records
The ALPL does not have original birth, death, marriage, naturalization or adoption records although the library does have a variety of indexes in the county collections. The following governmental institutions will provide certified copies of these original vital records:
Prior to 1877, Illinois counties voluntarily kept their own vital statistics. Their success varied from county to county. After 1876, the Illinois General Assembly mandated that all counties keep birth, death, and marriage records. This practice continued until the end of 1916 when the Illinois Department of Public Health began keeping those records. These records are kept by the County Clerk of each county unless the county received permission to transfer their records to the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD).
The Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records located at 925 East Ridgely, Springfield, IL 62702 has birth and death records, 1917-present; a marriage records index, 1962-present; and Illinois adoption registry, 1917-present. Fees will vary. Their telephone number is (217) 782-6553.
Census Reports
Computer terminals in the Steve Neal Reading Room provide access to census schedules through the library’s subscription to Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest databases.
The Library does not hold census schedules in microfilm format. The Illinois State Archives, Norton Building, Springfield, IL 62756, has indexed federal and state census reports from 1820 until 1850 and a partial index for the 1865 state census. The Archives has a published index of the 1870 federal census and Soundexes for 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920. The 1930 federal census is available but not indexed.
Census microfilm is available for interlibrary loan from the Illinois State Library.
Location
The Library is located on the corner of 6th and Jefferson in downtown Springfield. Parking is available in the public garage beneath the Old State Capitol Plaza or in an above ground facility just past the Presidential Museum. The mailing address is:
112 N. 6th St
Springfield, IL 62701-1507
Telephone (217) 524-7216
http://www.presidentlincoln.org
Library Hours
PUBLIC AND RESEARCH HOURS
MONDAY – FRIDAY 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
SATURDAY – CLOSED
SUNDAY – CLOSED
Contact Information
Dennis E. Suttles
Genealogical Research Librarian
112 North Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62704
Telephone: (217) 558-8869
Email: dennis.suttles@illinois.gov
Requests for Genealogical Research
Illinois Residents
Cost: $0.25 per copy
Limited to: One family, one county
Include: Your name, address, and telephone number on all correspondence. Please provide as much specific information as possible. State what specific kinds of information you wish to gather about the family.
Mail to:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Reference Department
112 N. 6th St
Springfield, IL 62701-1507
The Library staff will research one family (husband/wife/children) in one county upon request via letter or Email Reference Form only. Provide as much information as you can, including place of residence (county, city, township), time period in question, and full name (i.e., first, middle initial or name, and last name including maiden name, if appropriate and known). Do not send family group sheets, charts, pedigrees, etc. when making your request. The Library will honor only one family search per contact. Do not send additional queries until your initial query is answered. Please be patient. The Library receives scores of requests and each request requires thorough research and the composition of a written reply. E-mail requests are accepted by Email Reference Form only.
You will be sent a bill for any photocopying that the Library provides at the rate of $0.25 per photocopy, plus postage.
The sources used to conduct this search are the following published materials, if available:
Illinois county histories
indexes of marriage records
indexes of census records
cemetery inscriptions (if township provided)
We do not own indexes of marriage, census, or other records for every county in Illinois.
This search does not include searches of Illinois newspapers, including obituary searches. Newspaper searches are available for a separate fee from our Newspaper/Microfilm Department.
Due to limited genealogical collections from Cook County and the twentieth century we can provide limited searches (except newspaper searches) of these materials.
Non-Illinois Residents
Cost: $10.00 (checks payable to Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library)
Limited To: One family, one county
Includes: Up to 10 photocopies
Include: Self addressed, stamped envelope with research request
Please include as much specific information as possible. State what specific kinds of information you wish to gain about the family.
Mail to:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Reference Department
112 N. 6th St
Springfield, IL 62701-1507
The $10 non refundable fee will be charged to research one family (husband/wife/children) in one county upon request via letter or Email Reference Form only. Provide as much information as you can, including place of residence (county, city, township), time period in question, and full name (i.e., first, middle initial or name, and last name including maiden name, if appropriate and known). Do not send family group sheets, charts, pedigrees, etc. when making your request. The Library will honor only one family search per contact. Do not send additional queries until your initial query is answered. Please be patient. The Library receives scores of requests and each request requires thorough research. E-mail requests are accepted by Email Reference Form only.
We will provide up to 10 photocopied pages of information if appropriate and if available.
The sources we use to conduct this search are the following published materials, if available:
Illinois county histories
indexes of marriage records
indexes of census records
cemetery inscriptions (if township provided)
We DO NOT own indexes of marriage, census, or other records for every county in Illinois.
This search does not include searches of Illinois newspapers, including obituary searches. Newspaper searches are available for a separate fee from our Newspaper/Microfilm Department.
Due to limited genealogical collections from Cook County and the Twentieth Century we provide limited searches (except newspaper searches) of these materials.
For information on the use or reproduction of images or text, please see our policy. |
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