>> GOOD NEWS FROM THE ARCHIVES: >> >> Although this will remain "unofficial" for a short >> time, the Statewide Marriage Index worked on for so >> many years by the ISGS, State Archives, and Secretary >> of State Information Systems Services Department is now >> available on the Secretary of State web site. >> >> There is now a link to the marriage database on the >> Archives' homepage which may be reached at the >> following address: >> www.sos.state.il.us/depts/archives/arc_home.html >> Look under the "Search Our Online Databases." >> >> An official announcement concerning the database will >> be pending until more formal arrangements can be made. >> In the meantime, you are invited to give the database a >> test run and report any problems you might experience. >> >> There are currently a little over one million records >> in the online database. Plans are to update the >> database every 6 months or so. Eighty-four counties are >> represented in the online database. Data entry is >> complete for 43 of those counties. Please check out the >> supplemental information that is reached by links on >> the introductory page and the search entry and search >> results pages. >> >> We have tried to make it as clear as possible what >> records are included in the database and how to obtain >> copies of marriage records from IRAD or county clerks. >> IRAD currently has marriage records from 61 of the 84 >> counties represented in the database and we will soon >> accession marriage records from several others. >> >> Karl Moore >> Illinois State Archives >> 217-785-1266 >> [email protected]