Re: Finding IL Birth Records (1880-1900's)
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In reply to:
Finding IL Birth Records (1880-1900's)
Melissa Walton 8/30/01
Melissa,
Send to one of the two addresses below, and ask for the BIRTH INDEX for 1871 to 1916.(there is another index for 1916 to 1947).
If the name is on the index, it will tell you which county.(The birth index will list all persons by that name, their date of birth, and in which county they were born.)Not all names are on the index, because, although the index goes back to 1871, record keeping in Illinois was not "mandatory" until 1916.Therefor, some records just do not exist.
If the name IS on the index, you can send for a birth certificate. If the name is NOT on the index, then no Illinois birth record exists at vital records.(You may find a record of the birth at a Church, if you can find out which church the family belonged to.Churches kept records long before the state did.)
I'd send for the birth index first.It only costs $1 for two requests.Then you will know whether or not there is a birth record.If you send $7 for a copy of a birth record that does not exist, they will keep your money for a search fee.I wouldn't send the $7 until you first find out from the index list, whether or not a birth record exists.
Good luck,
Diane G.
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For a Birth or Death INDEX, for the years 1871-1916, & for the years 1916-1947
( 2 Index requests = $1):
Write to one of the two addresses below for an Illinois INDEX:
Illinois State Archives
Margaret Cross Norton Building
Capitol Complex
Springfield, IL 62756
Telephone: (217) 782-4682
Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)
Ronald Williams Library
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 N. St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625-4699
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For Vital Records (birth, marriage, death) from "any county" in Illinois, write to:
Illinois Dept. of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
605 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, Il. 62702-5097
ph # 217-782-6553
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More Replies:
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Re: Finding IL Birth Records (1880-1900's)
Melissa Walton 8/30/01