The Illinois State Archives maintains state records of permanent, legal, administrative or historical value dating back to 1734.  More than 76,000 cubic feet of materials are stored at the Margaret Cross Norton State Archives Building in Springfield, Illinois. The Archives are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Information available through the State Archives includes materials relating to the Illinois Territory, state and federal censuses, death certificates, military records, election results, public land sales, and prisoner records. We also maintain business incorporations, as well as professional and occupation registries.

The Archives preserve records of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government. Its collections do not include manuscript, newspaper, or other nonofficial sources. The State Archives website contains 57 indexes or record series, as well as a finding aid to its materials.

The Archives also maintains Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRADS) at seven universities throughout the state, where local government records of historical and administrative value are preserved and made available to the public. These records include naturalization records; vital records such as marriage, birth and death records; land deeds; and mortgage and tax sale records. These depositories include poll books and voter registrations; probate records including wills; and coroner’s inquest files. Also found here are the miscellaneous records of municipalities, counties, townships and school districts. Access the Archives website for more information at: https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/home.html

The Illinois State Archives will be present at the  “Society Showcase” on Tuesday, 07 May from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm in the Grand Ballroom Foyer. For a complete list of participants in the Showcase, please click HERE. We look forward to seeing you there.

Illinois State Archives – Norton Building, Springfield, Illinois