St. Joseph, Missouri: Online Genealogy Databases through the St. Joseph Public Library

If you live in or near St. Joseph, Missouri and are interested in genealogy you don’t want to forget to sign up for access to the online databases through the St. Joseph Public Library. You need to check with the librarian at the branch nearest you to activate your online access. You can find the opening page showing the general databases that are available and of interest to patrons in general at this page:
http://sjpl.lib.mo.us/index.php?sitearea=general&areapage=searchpage&id=23
Those specifically of interest to genealogists are:
Ancestry Library Edition – available only at the library
Heritage Quest – contains:
• Revolutionary War Pension Files
• Census images
• Freedman’s Bank
• Persi
• Books such as genealogies, county histories, etc

Illinois State Archives – Online Records

The Illinois State Archives has had an online presence for many years. It is a must for researchers who have Illinois ancestors to check out their website for information. They also have an excellent series of “Pamphlets” for new researchers needing to know what to expect to find in the various genealogical record groups that they archive. In addition to the records they archive they several very useful online databases.

Frequently asked questions and answers about the Illinois State Archives:

Q: Where is the state archives located?

Illinois State Archives
Norton Building
Capitol Complex
Springfield, IL 62756

Q: How do I contact the Illinois State Archives?

Telephone:  (217) 782-4682
Fax: (217) 524-3930

Q: What are the hours of operation?

A: The archives is open:

Monday – Friday:  8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

1st Saturday of month:  8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (except holiday weekends)

Q: What type of records can you expect to find in the Illinois State Archives?

A: The state Archives is the official depository of public records for the State of Illinois. They also archive records for local governmental agencies too. You can find:

• Land sales records
• Probate records
• Military records
• Census records
• Death Records

Q: What don’t they have?

A: They do not archive:

• Manuscripts
• Newspapers
• Non-official documents
• Published genealogies
• Church records
• Cemetery records

Q: What is IRAD?

A: IRAD is the Illinois Regional Archives Depositories. It is made up of 7 regional sites that are located on the campuses of state universities around the state of Illinois. The local and county records such as deeds, wills, and marriages are archives by IRAD.

Q: Does the Illinois State Archives have online databases?

A: Yes – there are several online databases that are very useful to genealogists researching Illinois ancestors. Some of the most useful databases for genealogists are:

• Vital Records: Marriage Index 1783-1900
• Vital Records: Death Index Pre-1916
• Vital Records: Death Index 1916-1950
• Public domain Land Tract Sales
• Illinois Servitude and Emancipation Records
• Illinois Veteran’s History Project
• Illinois War of 1812 Veterans
• Illinois Black Hawk War Veterans
• Illinois Mexican War Veterans
• Illinois Civil War Muster & Descriptive Rolls
• Illinois Civil War Veterans serving in the U.S. Navy
• Illinois Spanish American War Veterans
• 1929 Illinois Roll of Honor
• Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home Residents

To learn more about the holdings of the Illinois State Archives and the 7 regional depositories check out the Home page and other links for the Illinois State Archives. http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/archives.html