Illinois provides a wealth of immigration records that are invaluable for genealogical research. Key sources include passenger lists, naturalization records, and land grants. Passenger lists, particularly for arrivals at Chicago and other Illinois ports, can reveal important details like names, ages, and places of origin for immigrants, many of whom settled in Illinois' growing cities. Naturalization records, available through local courthouses and the Illinois State Archives, document the process of becoming a U.S. citizen and often contain crucial family information. Additionally, land records and township plats can show where immigrants settled and provide context about their early life in Illinois. These records are vital for tracing family histories and understanding the role immigrants played in the state’s development.
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