Sources checked October 28, 2026. Holdings checked against official catalogs and repository descriptions. Staff-confirmed details are identified below; other holdings are based on published sources. No name-level search; dates do not guarantee complete coverage or online images.
STOP 01 / EIU IRAD
Daily classroom registers and school schedules
Start with a school, district and short date window to locate a manageable classroom record request.
School Teachers' Daily Registers 1914–1944 · Accession 5/0094/10
School Schedules 1891–1937 · Accession 5/0094/13
A focused question to ask
Which schools or districts are represented for [year], and what does the catalog title “School Schedules” mean in this collection?
Evidence limit: The title and date range do not establish every school, child or day. Confirm the format and surviving volumes before ordering.
STOP 02 / EIU IRAD
School censuses and district administration
Compare the census reports with district records to clarify the administrative unit behind an apparent school reference.
School Census Reports 1928–1936 · Accession 5/0094/15
School District Record 1918–1939 · Accession 5/0094/03
A focused question to ask
Are the census reports nominal lists or statistical totals, and which district record covers [locality] in [year]?
Evidence limit: A school census may summarize counts without naming children. District boundaries must be established for the relevant date.
STOP 03 / EIU IRAD
Lukin and Russell Township disputes
Township justice-of-the-peace dockets provide a local court trail that deserves a separate search from county circuit-court files.
Lukin Twp: Justice of the Peace Dockets 1864–1879 · Accession 5/0136/01
Russell Twp: Justice of the Peace Dockets 1867–1883 · Accession 5/0136/02
A focused question to ask
Is there a party-name index for [person] around [year], and does the docket reference any surviving associated papers?
Evidence limit: A docket may summarize proceedings without retaining testimony or case papers. Distinguish claims, judgments and later enforcement.
IRAD is an Illinois Secretary of State program administered by the Illinois State Archives. Depository location: Eastern Illinois University, Charleston. Direct IRAD research requests to the regional depository, not the university’s separate archives or special collections.
Request research by telephone or mail to IRAD, Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920. The depository is on Booth Library’s first level near the south entrance. Call before visiting to confirm access, university closures, seasonal hours, copying charges and accessible arrival arrangements. Follow the statewide telephone/mail research policy.
Start with no more than two names, approximate dates, the county and the record type. Include the township or school where known and the accession number above. Ask whether an index exists, which volumes survive and what copying will cost. For an unindexed series, agree on a manageable search before requesting a long period. The statewide policy directs research requests to telephone or mail rather than email; wait for a response before sending another request. See the statewide research policy ↗.
Request template: I am researching [person or place] in [locality] around [years]. Your catalog lists [title], accession [number]. Which volume covers that period, is it indexed, and how can I consult or obtain the relevant pages? Please let me know any gaps, restrictions and copying charges.
Collection dates at a glance
The table lists IRAD series with verified date spans. Community collections above may have different or unspecified coverage and separate access rules. Catalog spans are starting points, not guarantees of every year, locality or individual. Use the Research Planner to compare your years with these cataloged series.
Selected cataloged series for Lawrence County
Record series
Catalog dates
Accession
School Teachers' Daily Registers
1914–1944
5/0094/10
School Schedules
1891–1937
5/0094/13
School Census Reports
1928–1936
5/0094/15
School District Record
1918–1939
5/0094/03
Lukin Twp: Justice of the Peace Dockets
1864–1879
5/0136/01
Russell Twp: Justice of the Peace Dockets
1867–1883
5/0136/02
Keep the record and your interpretation separate.
Save the depository, collection, accession number, volume, page, dates and any copy correspondence. Record uncertain names as uncertain. A shared road, school or signature can suggest an association; it does not establish a family relationship.
Suggest a correction, an overlooked collection or an updated access detail. An official link or source helps us check it before making a change. Please leave out private family documents and sensitive personal information.