Guides: Local and Family History Research: Home

Visitors to Milner Library

Access and Hours
Milner Library is open to the general public and visitors are welcome to explore and use our collections. Library hours will vary on the time of year. Summer hours are shorter than semester hours. There will also be occasional special hours when a library may be open longer (for example, the week before and during finals) or closed (such as on holidays).
Computers and Wireless Access
Library visitors may use one of the three guest computers on the main floor of the library to access online or electronic resources. Request a guest logon at the reference desk. Visitors may also use the free campus wifi with personal devices to access selected online sources.
Library Catalog
Milner Library's holdings are cataloged in our library catalog. We provide unrestricted access to our catalog on and offsite.
Requesting a Courtesy Card
Milner Library provides community residents the opportunity to borrow library materials and to use a limited number of library resources and services.
Copying/Scanning/Printing
Photocopying is available in Milner Library on floors 2 and 6. Black and white copies are ten cents per page. We offer scanners allowing visitors to scan and save or email files. There is no charge for this service. Printing from library computers is also available. A campus print card is used for purchase and may be acquired at the RedBird Card machine on the main floor of the library..
Microform Readers, Printers, & Scanners
Basic instructions can be found at each of the machines available on floors 2, 4 and 6. Further assistance is available at the reference desk.

Basic Strategy

Gather data

Interview family members; take notes.
Document full names, dates, places.
Record data in an ancestry chart.

Use family information to delve deeper into family research

Establish "Vital Records" [What are vital records?]
- Birth
- Marriage
- Death

Many primary sources can be searched online. Illinois State Archives offers a number of databases to assist in research. Some counties such as McLean have online indexes for records at the county level. Many states offer digitized records.

Examples of Vital records

Marriage
- Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
Death
- Social Security Death Index, 1962-2014
- Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950

Ask for help from librarians!

Visit local libraries--particularly genealogical, county, and state libraries--to take advantage of local resources and local expertise! It's likely these local libraries will have sources that can augment what you've learned from family members.

Subject Guide

Angela Bonnell

Email Me

Contact:

Milner Library, Office #417

309 438-2354

Subjects:Government Documents, Kinesiology, Recreation & Park Administration