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Illinois History
A Guide to Selected Government Information Available at WIU's Government Publications Library (Prepared by William Cook- revised 12/02 Web version of this guide includes links to web resources. Federal Government Information
U.S. Serial Set. This collection of Congressional
journals, reports, and miscellaneous documents can be used to find federal
relief of individuals and companies, activities on federal land (e.g. the
Rock Island Arsenal), river improvements, petitions to congress, donations
of cannons to municipalities--in short, anything that would involve
congress in state or local affairs. The serial set covers 1789-present.
Geologic Atlas of The United States. This series from the
Department of the Interior (US Geological Survey) contains topographical
and geological maps and descriptions of a specified quadrangle. Aside from
comparing modern topography to the survey year, the descriptions provide
an understanding of mineral deposits and subsequent economic activity.
Dates vary, but are early 20th Century. An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial structures within the
Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. This book gives a description of the structures
and often having a picture as well. The book goes on with giving a description of the history of each structure. Inventory of the County Archives of Illinois. This Illinois
Historical Records Survey Project of the Works Progress Administration
(WPA) compliments the holding lists from the Illinois Regional Archives
Depository (see below). Unlike IRAD, these reports only cover individual
county-level records accessible during the survey period. Dates for the
surveys vary, but were completed ca. 1937-1942. Illinois Government Information
Illinois
State Archives. Try this site, or the print version cited below,
for the most current state archives descriptive inventory. Records include
those from constitutional offices, such as the governor; departments and
divisions created by state code; state institutions; and various boards
such as non-regulatory, regulatory, higher education, internal
improvement, and temporary. Types of records include minutes,
correspondence and administrative files, and more. Includes some federal
holdings.
Illinois Links Under Genealogy/ Local History
links to Chicago Historical Society, Early Women in Illinois, Illinois involvement in the Civil War,
Illinois State Historical Society, Illinois State Archives and Regional Archives Depositories,
Illinois History Resource Page, and many more helpful sites.
Index to the Transactions of the Illinois State Historical
Society. This 1953 two-volume work indexes various series of the State
Historical Society: Publications of the Illinois State Historical Library
(volumes 1-3), Transactions of the State Historical Society (volumes
4-43), Papers in Illinois History (volumes 43-49), and Occasional
Publications of the Illinois State Historical Library (volume 50).
Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities. While most of
a given annual report focuses on state institutions--the insane asylums
and special schools--another section contains short reports on the
conditions of county almshouses and jails. In addition, essays on subjects
pertinent to both state and local facilities are included. WIU has
scattered reports from 1870-1916. Illinois Documents: A Checklist 1812-50. This 1965 book is an
"assemblage" of Illinois Libraries articles that originally
appeared in 1950-51. This is one of the few such lists for published
Illinois documents. Illinois State Library Special Report Series. This 1994 report
presents newspaper holdings at the Illinois State Historical Library in
Springfield. Municipalities, then newspaper titles, are listed
alphabetically. Inclusive dates for each paper are provided as well as a
list of missing issues; holdings are fragmentary, but generally good
statewide. Interlibrary loan of microfilm can be arranged. A
Summary Guide to Local Records in the Illinois Regional Archives.
This lists the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) holdings for
county, township, and municipal records as of 1999. Included are minutes,
ordinances records, treasurer's account books, deeds, justice of the peace
dockets, and numerous other record groups and series. Coverage is uneven
from ca. 1710-1993. Illinois History: An Annotated Bibliography. Although not
comprehensive, this 1995 work includes primary and secondary sources ca.
1678-1995. Omitted sources are listed, but among the periodicals included
were: the Western Illinois Historical Quarterly, Collections of
the Illinois State Historical Library, Illinois Historical
Journal, Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society,
Western Illinois Regional Studies, and others. The bibliography
also includes monographs from university presses and reputable commercial
printers. Excellently indexed by author and subject; cross-referenced by
chronological period, subject, biography, general and regional histories
and reference sources, and historic sites. Coal Report. This annual report divides the state into
districts, then lists basic data by district, county, and individual mine.
Information includes the number of employees, tons of coal mined, fatal
and non-fatal accidents, months in the year the mine operated, and so on.
WIU is missing some reports, but generally has coverage from 1889-1986.
Volumes prior to 1930 cannot be checked out. Annual Report of the State Food Commissioner of Illinois. This
annual report reprinted statutes on food adulteration, shop and store
cleanliness, and truthful labeling regarding meat, fruits, and dairy
products. Among other things, it also listed creameries and food dealers
inspected by the state and court cases involving food alteration or
misrepresentation. WIU has print and microfiche from
1900-1915. Journal of Illinois History. A continuation of the Illinois
Historical Journal, published quarterly. Illinois School Directory. Included are faculty and
administration for the state Office of Superintendent of Public
Instruction; the University of Illinois; the state teacher's colleges; the
various County Superintendents of Schools; and elementary and high schools
(elementary school entries only list the superintendent). WIU has
1910-1920 (incomplete) and 1930-1977 (complete). Centennial History of Illinois. This five-volume set from 1920
is dated, but is a good general history. Legal Information
Illinois Statutes at Large. From 1818-1869 the
General Assembly passed a number of special (or local) laws dealing with
individual counties, municipalities, corporations, and persons.
Information included municipal government and private organization
incorporations, monetary relief for individuals, granting of licenses and,
more widely, areas such as river improvements and roads. The Constitution
of 1870 forbade the legislature from passing special laws.
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