United States. Surveyor General

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Terrier of grants made to Potawatomi Indians, 1834. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38063185

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Indiana border survey field notes and plat, 1821. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38063393

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Register of field notes of boundary lines and subdivisions of townships, ca. 1804-1839. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38062028

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Field notes indexes and reference maps, ca. 1857-1861. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38062070

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Swamp land selection lists, 1853-1854. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38063368

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Abstract of conditions of surveys of Indian grants and reservations, 1850. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38063339

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Outgoing correspondence, 1819-1857. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38035973

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Federal land surveyors' field notes, 1804-1856. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38036090

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Copies of correspondence concerning the survey of Shawneetown lots, 1810-1814. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38035994

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Incoming correspondence, ca. 1816-1862. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38035940

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Field notes of private surveys, 1809-1837. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38036193

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Plats of meanders of Wabash River, n.d. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38063283

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Maps showing yearly progress of Illinois surveys, 1837-1852. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38063305

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Terriers of private surveys, 1837. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38062215

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Meanders of various bodies of water and islands, ca. 1830-1855. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38063251

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U.S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U.S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U.S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Transcripts of field notes for previously unsurveyed islands and lakes, 1868-1891. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38036227

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883); the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957); and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Transcripts of field notes and plats for previously unsurveyed islands claimed by the state of Illinois under Swamp Land Act of 1850, 1926-1956. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38036491

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Unaccepted copies of federal land surveyors' field notes, 1857-1872. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38036114

Federal land surveys in Illinois were authorized by Congressional act (March 26, 1804), when the U. S. Surveyor General was given jurisdiction over all public land north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers. Surveys began in the western Vincennes Tract (1804) and southern Illinois (1806), then proceeded northward; covering all but most northern Illinois by 1831. When the Illinois surveys began, the Surveyor General was an independent officer under the President's direct supervision but a Congressional act (July 4, 1836) placed the office was under the U. S. General Land Office. Congress authorized funds to complete surveys in various districts (June 12, 1840) with the requirement that each district's Surveyor General deliver all survey records (i.e., field notes; maps) to the appropriate state, provided the state met Congressional guidelines (Jan. 22, 1853) for document safekeeping.

The Illinois surveys were completed in 1855, and survey records were to be deposited with the Auditor of Public Accounts but the General Assembly did not enact the legislation required by Congress until 1861. Record custody was transferred to the Secretary of State (1861-1865); then to the Governor (1865-1883) where they were maintained by the Custodian of the U. S. Surveys for the State of Illinois; the Auditor of Public Accounts (1883-1957), who also had custody of the U.S. General Land Office records for Illinois; and finally back to the Secretary of State for deposit at the Illinois State Archives (1957- ). Field notes and plats for federal surveys on previously unsurveyed Illinois land (1855-1970) were forwarded to the designated state custodian upon survey completion.

From the description of Contracts with surveyors, 1806-1855. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 38036012