mollykennedy
Illinois genealogical & historical research
473
Reviews
mollykennedy
Illinois genealogical & historical research
473
Reviews
mollykennedy
Illinois genealogical & historical research
473
Reviews
Molly Kennedy
Springfield, Illinois
$28.00 /hour
Response Rate |
100% |
Response Time |
1 days |
Featured Offering
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Illinois Post-1947 Death Certificate ...
Statewide Illinois death certificates, issued after Dec 31, 1947, but BEFORE (current date, 20 years ago). I can obt...
$22.00
Document Retrieval Offering Details
Illinois Post-1947 Death Certificate Search
$22.00/record
Description
Statewide Illinois death certificates, issued after Dec 31, 1947, but BEFORE (current date, 20 years ago).
I can obtain and upload the research results within 3 business days after I’ve received your request through Genlighten – but ONLY IF you provide me accurate death date & death locale.
If the info is already documented (obits, etc) – send them to me!
If no obit – I can help with that, too!
Ordering Instructions
Please provide as much info that you know to be TRUE!
INCLUDING: Surname; given name; middle name/initial; maiden name (for females); and any/all spelling variations & nicknames.
I will treat your request as if it was for my own family.
9 people favorited this profile
About Me
I've been researching in/around central Illinois for almost 40 years, and on a budget that could squeeze a penny so tight to get juice (my Grandma's words). If there was a less-expensive resource for the EXACT SAME document - I made it a personal project to find `em - and then spread the word about the varied options, fees, and response times.
That is how I first met Cyndy, back in late-1990's/early 2000's.
(Note: C and her husband ARE Genlighten).
As of 2017, I've been mentioned as researcher in the Acknowledgements section of over 38 published books, including "Stealing Lincoln's Body" by Thomas Craughwell.
Education/Training
I am only a genealogical & historical researcher - a bit OCD (as most genealogical researchers seem to be).
I do NOT give up, if the 1st or 2nd (or 3rd or even 14th) research resource option doesn't pan out.
If you choose to research me - ask Thomas Craughwell (author of "Stealing Lincoln's Body" - - or Rick (Richard) D. Barrett - for whom I found the 1853 published confession of the guy who caused the FIRST KIA Chicago PD officer. (CPD FINALLY honored Constable Quinn. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-constable-quinn-chicago-police-edit-1227-jm-20151225-story.html
I learn and keep trying to learn. I survived TBI in 2005 -- but the part of my brain that was NOT lost/deleted - was the part of me that still allows me to figure out what & when & where & why.
People -who lived long before we were even a twinkle.. I NEED to help tell their stories.
Research Services
Illinois death certificates, 1916 up through (20 yrs ago) current date;
Illinois birth certificates, 1916 - ? (
Illinois newspaper research (obits, births, marriages, news articles, advertisements, etc);
If something else is desired, message me! If I can be of help, I will do so; if not, then I might be able to refer you to someone (whom I trust) who CAN help with your research project.
molly
Research Specialities
- Vital Records
Research Localities
- Illinois, USA
- Springfield, IL
- Chicago, IL
Research Repositories
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) at UIS
- Illinois State Archives
- Illinois Department of Public Health
- Sangamon County Courts Complex
- Lincoln Library (Springfield, IL)
| Lineage determination/pedigree documentation | |
| Determining descendants of a specific individual | |
| Brick Wall analysis and formulation of a research plan | |
| Single surname studies | |
| Preparation of lineage society membership requirements | |
| Retrieval of vital record (BMD) copies from nearby archives | |
| Obituary research in historical newspapers | |
| Cemetery photos | |
| Military service/pension record retrieval | |
| Naturalization record retrieval | |
| Court/probate record retrieval | |
| Divorce record retrieval | |
| Land/tax record retrieval | |
| Photo restoration | |
| Translation/transcription of historical documents | |
| Preparation of family history manuscripts for publication | |
| Preparation for analysis of results from DNA testing |
How to Hire mollykennedy for Your Genealogy Research Project
To request a no-obligation quote for a custom genealogical research project, click the red "Submit Research Request" button to the left.
To message the provider before ordering, click the brown "Ask a Question First" button.
If you're looking for assistance with straightforward document retrieval tasks, consider ordering one of the fixed-fee offerings below.
Fixed-Fee Document Retrieval Offerings
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Illinois Obituary Research
I have Monday – Friday access to over 5,000 Illinois-published newspapers, spanning over 100,000 microfilm rolls, through the h...
$7.75
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Statewide Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1947
I will find and print, as legibly as possible, any death certificate issued anywhere in Illinois during the years 1916 through ...
$7.00
-
Illinois Post-1947 Death Certificate Search
Statewide Illinois death certificates, issued after Dec 31, 1947, but BEFORE (current date, 20 years ago). I can obtain and up...
$22.00
-
Illinois Birth Certificates, 1916-forward (75 y...
My resource, Illinois Department of Public Health, has separate forms (and separate applicant criteria) for those wanting to ob...
$28.00
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Stillbirth 1916-1947 in Illinois (NOT Chicago),...
Offer includes Illinois stillbirth cert search for years spanning 1916 through 1942, and 1946-1947. 1943-1945 – stillbirth cer...
$9.00
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Stillbirth Certificates, CHICAGO (city), 1922-1...
Stillbirth certificates issued in IL 1916-1947 were a combination of birth/death certificate, for an infant who was born, but t...
$9.00
Document Retrieval Offering Details
Illinois Obituary Research
$7.75/record
Description
I have Monday – Friday access to over 5,000 Illinois-published newspapers, spanning over 100,000 microfilm rolls, through the holdings of the A. Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum.
If death date AND locale (both death locale and residential locale) is known, I will search the appropriate local-area newspaper for obituaries, death/funeral notices, for 7 days following the death date (7 days for daily issues; 4 weeks for weekly issues).
Publication citation will include city, name of publication, day/date of issue, plus section/page/column numbers. My fee is for each newspaper to be searched, and includes parking fees.
Ordering Instructions
Please provide name of deceased; date & locale of death, and where he/she resided before death. If the death was accidental, or the person of high regard in his/her community, please let me know, as the obit might be in the form of a dramatic news article, instead of a simple death/funeral notice! PLEASE advise if you have specific newspaper ideas!
Document Retrieval Offering Details
Statewide Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1947
$7.00/record
Description
I will find and print, as legibly as possible, any death certificate issued anywhere in Illinois during the years 1916 through 1947, based on IL Death Index database research. Usual response time 2 business days.
IF specific info provided in request, and requested document does not match, the “Not Found” fee will apply.
Ordering Instructions
Please provide information from IL Death Index: surname, first name, date of death, certificate number, county and city/township where death occurred.
If not found in IL Death Index, provide as much information as possible, and I will do my best to find the right certificate!
Document Retrieval Offering Details
Illinois Post-1947 Death Certificate Search
$22.00/record
Description
Statewide Illinois death certificates, issued after Dec 31, 1947, but BEFORE (current date, 20 years ago).
I can obtain and upload the research results within 3 business days after I’ve received your request through Genlighten – but ONLY IF you provide me accurate death date & death locale.
If the info is already documented (obits, etc) – send them to me!
If no obit – I can help with that, too!
Ordering Instructions
Please provide as much info that you know to be TRUE!
INCLUDING: Surname; given name; middle name/initial; maiden name (for females); and any/all spelling variations & nicknames.
I will treat your request as if it was for my own family.
Document Retrieval Offering Details
Illinois Birth Certificates, 1916-forward (75 years ago or older)
$28.00/record
Description
My resource, Illinois Department of Public Health, has separate forms (and separate applicant criteria) for those wanting to obtain IL birth certificates.
My offer is ONLY for Birth Certificates issued in Illinois AFTER Dec 31, 1915 – but BEFORE (today’s date), 75 years ago (approx 1939).
IF the birth certificate is for person who might still be alive, the birth certificate might not include parental information; it might just be a transcribed & computer-printed birth “verification," as to date, name & city/county of record.
IF the birth certificate is for a person who is now deceased – AND you can provide me SOME “proof of death” THEN I can obtain a complete (true) genealogical copy of the original Illinois birth certificate.
IL Dept of Public Health accepts the following “proofs”:
– death certificate (messaged copy ok)
– obituary (scan OR copied/pasted from online resources)
– www.findagrave.com citations/printouts
– www.va.gov – nationwide gravesite locator – citations/printouts
If you’ve ever tried to order an Illinois-issued 1916-1938 birth certificate – paying VitalChek’s $40+ fee - OR waited for weeks for IDPH snail-mailed results then received the WRONG document. What did you do?
When I submit – in person, face-to-face – to IDPH Vital Records office – WITH the right backup documentation – they know that I will be returning, in person, face-to-face, to pick up the requested documents, within 2 days (and every business day thereafter). IF the documents don’t match up with your info, I immediately resubmit for additional searches (rinse & repeat). My record is 11 re-submissions for same document – after which it was finally found!.
Ordering Instructions
Please provide the name, birth date, parent names, and any other relevant information/documentation (see above).
Document Retrieval Offering Details
Stillbirth 1916-1947 in Illinois (NOT Chicago), 1916-1942 and 1946-1947
$9.00/record
Description
Offer includes Illinois stillbirth cert search for years spanning 1916 through 1942, and 1946-1947.
1943-1945 – stillbirth certs issued “downstate” (anywhere in IL except city of Chicago) for the years 1943 through 1945 (WWII years) – are not complete.
Ordering Instructions
Please provide the year and month (if known/calculated) – and locale (county/city) in which the stillbirth probably occurred.
[NOTE: Before requesting a Stillbirth cert – PLEASE check the family’s surname, at http://www.ilsos.gov/isavital/idphdeathsrch.jsp.
The infant who was recorded in family stories as a Stillbirth – might actually have been an infant mortality (live birth but died within minutes/hours).]
Document Retrieval Offering Details
Stillbirth Certificates, CHICAGO (city), 1922-1942 and 1946-1947
$9.00/record
Description
Stillbirth certificates issued in IL 1916-1947 were a combination of birth/death certificate, for an infant who was born, but the infant did not “take breath” after birth (at that time, the qualifying factor for a “live” birth in Illinois).
If you’ve found citations on familysearch.org, and the LDS/FHC microfilm numbers include #1983619 through #1983904, my Springfield Illinois main research facility does NOT have those film #’s.
Ordering Instructions
Please provide what you know to be true – and what you think might be helpful.
NOTE: Before requesting a Stillbirth cert – PLEASE check the family’s surname (or partial) at IL State Archives’ website given below:
http://www.ilsos.gov/isavital/idphdeathsrch.jsp.
The infant who had been was recorded in family stories as a Stillborn – might actually had been officially recorded (in civil records) as a live birth, but died within a few minutes/hours afterwards.
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Example Death Certificate 1929
I consider each research request as if it's for my own family lineage; it's much more fun that way!
25 Reviews
448 Legacy Reviews
100% positive
charlenekobessimpson
Molly is one of the best researcher's out there.
You will not be disappointed in what she can find.
Molly has been the biggest help, mentor I have ever known.
Love you Ms. Molly
Charlene
Juhlman1407
Wonderful. Very fast. I am a repeat customer.
chicagogenealogy
Molly is my go-to person when I need a record from Springfield. I know I can count on her to do exactly as I ask and to do it quickly! Many thanks! :)
gfrere
5 stars as always!
charlenekobessimpson
Molly always comes though...super fast results
Many, many thanks Molly.
Simply. The. Best.
charlenekobessimpson
Love working with Molly, always finds what you are looking for, and fast turn around.
She's the best!!!
credwine
Molly is so very quick and efficient. Our firm has used her many times. Highly recommend.
charlenekobessimpson
All I can say again is thank you Molly for your very fast and great research work.
charlenekobessimpson
Molly will not disappoint on your research needs.
charlenekobessimpson
ONE.OF.THE.BEST.RESEARCHERS OUT THERE!!!!!
If Molly hadn't figured out that one of my husband's Chicago ancestors had actually died in Kankakee, I'd probably still be looking for that record!
I offered document retrieval services in Chicago for 10+ years. When her clients needed city records that she couldn't access, she'd refer them to me. When my clients needed statewide records that I couldn't get, I referred them to her.
Although we've only met in person once, I've known Molly as a colleague for many years and I can say, without hesitation, that she is an extra-mile researcher who has retrieved thousands of Illinois vital records and obituaries and she will use the expertise she's gained from that to do whatever it takes to find the information that her clients nees. And, she turns things around quickly!
Cynthia Richardson
Colleague
Molly is one of the best researcher's out there.
You will not be disappointed in what she can find.
Molly has been the biggest help, mentor I have ever known.
Love you Ms. Molly
Charlene