ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES

Descriptive Inventory of the Archives of the State of Illinois, Second Edition (1997)

View the Descriptive Inventory of the Archives of the State of Illinois, Second Edition

The Descriptive Inventory covers state governmental records as well as some related federal governmental records held by the State Archives at the Margaret Cross Norton Building in Springfield. State Archives holdings of local governmental records in its regional depository system are itemized elsewhere in A Summary Guide to Local Governmental Records in the Illinois Regional Archives (1992) and in the IRAD Local Governmental Records Database. The Descriptive Inventorycarries descriptions of 2,443 individual record series from 191 record groups and 85 additional modifications of pre-existing series.

Use of the Descriptive Inventory

• Record Groups — Each record group control number consists of three digits followed by a decimal point and three zeros. Each record group entry includes an administrative history which describes the agency's creation, its major functions or responsibilities, transfers of functions to or from the agency, and its dissolution if no longer in existence. In most cases citations are given to laws which effected change.
• Record Series — A record series is a body of documents sharing common arrangement and function. Record series are ordered under record groups or governmental agencies. Series control numbers consist of the first three numerals of the record group number followed by a decimal point and three digits of sequentially ordered numbers. Each series description includes a series title, inclusive dates, physical quantity, indication if a series specific index exists, and a narrative description of the series itself. The goal in drafting series descriptions was to include all types of data contained in series. In preparing the descriptions the language used in the records themselves was retained, even when such language was obsolete, racist, or sexist by today's standards. Impositions of current terms would only be subject to constantly changing contemporary usages.
• Restricted Records — In cases where access to records has been restricted by law, statements to this effect have been inserted in italics immediately following administrative histories. While such restrictions usually are imposed to protect individuals' rights to privacy, the terms of the restrictions vary from group to group and series to series. Persons interested in gaining access to specific record series in record groups which have restriction clauses should direct inquiries to the State Archives.

Suggested Form for Citations to the Descriptive Inventory

When making citations to records listed in this inventory, please provide the following information: record group name, record series title and control number, and name of depository.
example: Board of Administration, "Reports of Official Visits," Record Series 351.003, Illinois State Archives

Abbreviations

Download or Order the Descriptive Inventory

• Download the Descriptive Inventory of the Archives of the State of Illinois, Second Edition (1997) as a PDF file (2.5 MB).
• Order the paperback edition of The Descriptive Inventory of the Archives of the State of Illinois, Second Edition (1997).
  Descriptive Inventory of the Archives of the State of Illinois, Second Edition (1997), 940 pages. $20
  Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Illinois Secretary of State and mailed to:
  Illinois State Archives
  Reference Unit
  Margaret Cross Norton Building
  Capitol Complex
  Springfield, IL 62756

For more information, please contact the Illinois State Archives, Norton Building, Springfield, IL, 62756, 217-782-4866, 217-524-3930 (fax).