Find Your Illinois Roots

Illinois holds a wealth of records that can unlock your family’s history. This course explores the key repositories, unique record sets, and historical context that make Illinois research both rewarding and challenging. Learn how to locate and interpret vital, land, court, and more records; navigate state and county resources; and overcome common obstacles, including record loss and shifting boundaries. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, you will gain the skills to uncover and tell your Illinois ancestors’ stories–digging deep into your roots in the Prairie State and in the heart of the Windy City.

Experience Interactive Learning with an Expert

Katharine Andrew MS/LIS is a professional genealogist, author and speaker based in the Chicagoland area and a digital editor for Family Tree Magazine. She specializes in US and Germanic genealogy, researching elusive female ancestors and the stories of those commonly overlooked, specifically individuals in residential institutions. Katharine regularly speaks on a variety of genealogy and history topics at the local, state and national level.

From the ancient Cahokia Mounds to the skyscrapers of Chicago, Illinois has always been home to remarkable people. Learn how to uncover your ancestors among them.

This live, two-hour session is designed to immerse you in a hands-on learning experience. Led by genealogy expert and Family Tree Magazine digital editor, Katharine Andrew you’ll benefit from:

Expert Guidance: Learn directly from a renowned genealogy professional.
Practical Handouts: Access downloadable resources to enhance your learning.
PLUS - Registrants receive the digital Illinois State Research Guide ($9.99 value) FREE

What You’ll Learn

How to identify, locate and access Illinois-specific genealogical records at the local, county and state level
Techniques for overcoming common Illinois research challenges, including record loss and boundary changes
Strategies for using the Illinois State Archives and its regional depositories, and historical societies effectively
Methods for tracing migration into, within and out of Illinois using multiple record types (whether it’s on prairie trails or on the L tracks)
How to apply historical context to better understand and interpret ancestors’ lives in Illinois
Practical tips for organizing findings and planning next research steps

By the end of this course you'll be able to:

Navigate Illinois's unique genealogical landscape with confidence.
Overcome common research obstacles like lost records and shifting county boundaries.
Find and use Illinois records scattered across various repositories.
Develop clear strategies for your family history research in the state.
Access insider knowledge of repositories, digital resources, and specialized collections.
Save countless hours of frustrating dead-end research with expert guidance.

In Illinois, history is preserved in both grand institutions and small-town archives. Knowing where to look makes all the difference.

Learn

Illinois Ancestry: Research Techniques and Resources - August 2026