National Archives at Chicago

Genealogy

The National Archives at Chicago has numerous records and other resources that can be used for genealogical and family history research.

Types of Holdings

Digitized Records

At our facility, researchers can access our partner websites Ancestry.com, Fold3.com, and Familysearch.org* for free. Many of NARA’s most frequently used records for genealogical research have been digitized and are available on one or more of these websites, including:

Federal Population Census for all States, 1790-1940 Selected Military Enlistment and Draft Registration
Passenger Arrival Records

Selected Military Service and Pension Records, and Bounty Land Warrant Applications

Selected Naturalization Records and Indexes Military Headstone Applications
Passport Applications Selected Indian Census Rolls
Freedmen's Bureau Records U.S. Homestead Records
Internal Revenue Tax Assessment Lists And many more

*Familysearch.org is available for free from any location, though they require researchers to create an account to access records. Ancesty.com and Fold3.com are subscription-based websites.

Microfilm Holdings

The Chicago facility has extensive microfilm holdings of value for genealogical research (including many series that are available online as well as on microfilm), among them:

Federal Population Census for all States, 1790-1930 Registers of Lighthouse Keepers
Passenger Arrival Records Selected records of the U.S. Post Office
Naturalization Indexes Selected Bureau of Indian Affairs Records

Selected Military Service and Pension Records, and Bounty Land Warrant Applications

 

See more at NARA's Online Microfilm Catalog  Note that not all microfilm listed in the online catalog is available at our facility. Check the “Viewing Location” and/or contact us prior to visiting to view microfilm.

Textual Records

The Chicago facility also has a diverse collection of textual records that can be of value for genealogical research, among them:

Federal Criminal, Civil, and Bankruptcy Court Records Naturalization Records
Internal Revenue Tax Assessment Lists  Chinese Exclusion Case Files
Bureau of Indian Affairs Records U.S. Soldier's Home Case Files
Indian School Records Farm Ownership Case Files

Find more on our online Finding Aids page and on the National Archives Catalog!

Additional Information

 

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