Illinois History Research Guide: Illinois Reference Works

Norton, Margaret Cross. History of State Departments, Illinois Government, 1787-1943. [Springfield, IL]: [Illinois State Archives]. This volume lists Illinois government agencies, their duties and the laws that established the agencies and duties.

The Illinois Blue Book provides information about the state’s officials, government, services, history and statistics. The Blue Books for Illinois have been digitized and are available online in the Illinois Digital Archive.

Fitzsimons, Gray and Hanson, Lee H. An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Structures within the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service. 1995 (from: Hathi Trust Digital Library)

Warner & Beers. Atlas Of The State Of Illinois: to which are added various general maps, history, statistics and illustrations. Chicago: Union Atlas Co. 1876. This early atlas of Illinois includes a map of each county and additional information.

Writers’ Program of the Work Projects Administration in the State of Illinois. Illinois: A Descriptive And Historical Guide. Chicago : A.C. McClurg, 1939. During the Depression, the Works Projects Administration hired writers to document the history of states and towns within them.

Historical Records Survey, Works Progress Administration. Inventory of the County Archives of Illinois. Chicago: The Survey. GOVPUBS Y 3.W 89/2:43/IL 6/ - The Historical Records Surveys were done during the Depression to provide employment to needy unemployed historians, lawyers, teachers, and research and clerical workers. It was organized to compile inventories of historical materials, particularly the unpublished government documents and records in local archives. Some of the Inventories have been digitized and are available online: