[This post has been submitted for the Carnival of Genealogical Societies, 3rd Edition at the California Genealogical Society and Library blog, California Ancestors.]
The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) provides several unique offerings and services to the genealogy community. These programs along with a dedicated group of board members and volunteers, makes for a dynamic group of genealogists committed to helping others locate their Prairie State ancestors.
- 1916 - 1947 Death Certificate Project: In 2002, the Illinois State Archives launched a searchable index of of Illinois death certificates from 1916 - 1950. In addition, free uncertified copies were provided upon request. Well, as you can imagine, the response who overwhelming - so much so that the program was discontinued within six months. While the certificates are still accessible by visiting the archives, ISGS stepped in to make it easier to obtain these certificates through the 1916 - 1947 Death Certificate Project. For a small fee ($6.00 for members and $10.00 for non-members), ISGS will retrieve an uncertified copy of the certificate for researchers.
- Prairie Pioneer Certificates: descendants of Illinois pioneers can apply for a Prairie Pioneer certificate through ISGS. Three catagories of certificates are issued to descendants of pioneers who resided in Illinois (1) prior to statehood, (2) 1819-1850, and (3) 1851-1880. Documentation showing a date in Illinois is required. After eligibility has been determined there is a small fee for each certificate. Besides maintaining a searchable index of Prairie Pioneer certificates which have been issued, ISGS also has published two volumes on the first 2,830 pioneers in Illinois.
- Civil War, World War I and World War II Certificates: another certificate program of ISGS involves the issuance of certificates for the Civil War, World War I and World War II for those Illinois veterans who lived, died or are buried in the state.
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