The Illinois State Archives and State Genealogical Society came together on a project to compile pre-1901 Illinois Marriage Records of the state. Thanks to the project, Illinois marriage records from 1763 - 1900 are now available to the public. Anyone can access and view marriage records from the period and volunteers can also send data directly to it for inclusion over the internet.
This public service is meant to be easily available to users in general and that has been greatly boosted with the advent of the Internet. People can now obtain free marriage records information online without having to leave home or office, saving a great deal of time and costs in travelling and waiting in line. They only have to get onto a computer and log on to the Internet.
The main source of information is the offices of the respective County Clerks. It is derived from the original public marriage records which comprise of marriage registers, licenses, certificates and other documents and information. Information is also contributed by the county Genealogical societies and private citizens and can be uploaded directly by volunteers through the internet.
The basic information found in Illinois marriage records comprise of particulars of the couple, names of parents, witnesses and conducting official of the ceremony, date and county of marriage and issuance of license. If there were multiple marriages on the part of either the groom, bride or both, those that occurred in the state of Illinois will be produced. Getting married in a county other than the one of residence is allowed so if a search fails in a particular county, it's a good idea to try statewide search instead.
The Illinois Statewide Marriage Index lists information which have been officially kept since they were first documented and filed. The Great Fire of Chicago in 1871 did destroy a good many public records but the Illinois Regional Archives Depository System (IRAD) today still has in its holdings of more than 70 of the 102 counties in Illinois. The surest bet are the individual County Offices and they are the only authorized agencies for certified copies but fees are required.
Another increasingly popular option for marriage record search is the commercial record providers. These private enterprises operate record databases on a professional basis. On top of public sources such as the Illinois State Archives, universities and Genealogical societies, they also tap into private and proprietary networks. By and large, they are hassle-free and their coverage is nationwide. This is particularly handy when time is a factor and multiple states are concerned.
Hunting for Illinois Marriage Records from government agencies in USA is hardly ever fruitful. Learn all about Marriage Records and find them the smart way. Visit us for our specialist pointers at Marriage Records Search.
