The Government Shutdown and Your Genealogy

While trying to do some research tonight, we've discovered that portions of the Library of Congress website and its digital collections are not accessible during the government shutdown. The National Archives website is still mostly accessible but the homepage has been changed and they've hidden most of their search features. Here's the direct link to the main search page. The page looks a little different but everything still works.

Also, the Great Lakes Regional Archive will be closed until the shutdown is resolved.

National Archives at Chicago

The National Archives in Chicago is another great location for a genealogical research trip.

The Regional Archives in Chicago have an extensive microfilm collection that includes:

• Federal Census Records
• Indian Census Rolls for Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota
• Naturalization Indexes
• Passenger Arrivals
• Military Service and Pension Records

The Archives also has paper records of:

• World War II Draft Cards
• Indian School Records
• Criminal, Civil, and Bankruptcy Case Files
• Farm Ownership Case Files

In addition, they store other historical records such as maps and photographs from 1800 to the 1990s for the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

It is suggested that you contact the Archives before visiting. You can also initiate research by phone, by email or by mail.

Great Lakes Archives, 2nd Saturday

Upcoming "Second Saturday" Research Hours: Saturday, August 14, and Saturday, September 11.

In addition to the National Archives at Chicago's regular hours of 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM, Monday through Friday, the Regional Archives in Chicago is also open to the public the second Saturday of every month from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM.

Researchers interested in using original historical records or microfilm held by the Regional Archives are encouraged to contact a reference archivist ahead of time by phone (773-948-9001) or email http://us.mc825.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=(chicago.archives@nara.gov ).

For event updates, highlights from our holdings, and rapid news stories, become a fan on Facebook. They are listed under National Archives at Chicago.

Temporary closure of NARA-Great Lakes Microfilm Room

Due to ongoing renovation projects, the microfilm research room at the National Archives-Great Lakes Region in Chicago will be closed on Wednesday, March 25. The room will re-open on Thursday, March 26. We regret the short notice for this announcement.

In order to bring the Regional Archives into compliance with updated security guidelines, we will need to be closed again in the future to complete several remaining renovation projects. The first phase of this project has been completed, but additional work is continuing, often on short notice. If you are planning to conduct research at the National Archives-Great Lakes Region in the near future, please contact us by phone (773-948-9001) or email (chicago.archives@nara.gov ) prior to your visit to ensure that the research room will be open on the day you will be visiting.

Douglas A. BickneseRegional Archives DirectorNational Archives and Records Administration-Great Lakes Region7358 S. Pulaski Rd.Chicago, IL 60629-5898(773) 948-9009douglas.bicknese@nara.gov

Saturdays at the Great Lakes Regional Archives

Upcoming "Second Saturday" Research Hours: Saturday, March 14 and Saturday, April 11.

In addition to the National Archives-Great Lakes Region's regular hours of 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM Monday through Friday, the Regional Archives in Chicago is also open to the public the second Saturday of every month from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM. Researchers interested in using original historical records or microfilm held by the Regional Archives are encouraged to contact a reference archivist ahead of time by phone (773-948-9001) or email (chicago.archives@nara.gov ).

If you are researching Naturalization records for your ancestors, this is a good place to go.

If you are new t o genealogical research, read the helpful Beginners' Guide provided by the National Archives.