For those of you who might want to find marriages in IL, here is GREAT news. Now an online searchable MARRIAGE database! But keep in mind this isn't complete yet, see below. Hope you find one! Mary Ann >> >> >>> 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 >>> kmoore@ccgate.sos.state.il.us >> Mary Ann Kaylor Morgan County ILGenWeb Coordinator & Mail List http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmorgan/morgan.htm Sangamon County ILGenWeb Coordinator, Mail List & GenConnect Cluster Boards http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilsangam/sangamon.htm Menard County ILGenWeb Mail List MENARD-L-request@rootsweb.com - ------------------------------------------------ KAYLOR-L-request@rootsweb.com & GenConnect Cluster Boards KALER-L-request@rootsweb.com TEDROW-L-request@rootsweb.com