IL has changed how you order copies of various records in the last few years. You used to be able to search an index online before ordering snailmail. Now the index has gone away and you have to send them the names you want via snail mail and have them do the search. You can only send five at a time within each region and wait until they've done those to send more. I'm sure that will take more time.

For Shelby Co. you go thru SIU at Edwardsville.

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/irad/...

gives the policy on fees. Go backward and forward from this page to get what you need. They'll charge you after they've done the search. You can give them up to five names, tell them which searches you want within the region--there is a map telling you which counties you can get from that center. It seems not to be that expensive, as they'll just do it if it's under $5 unless you tell them what your upper limit is.

Look at their site to make sure you understand the fee structure and when to pay. You might want to tell them a higher figure if you need five. If you just want that one birth record, $5 if probably enough. Be sure to read the various kinds of birth records available, as there's more than one. I need more than 5, so I haven't narrowed it down and sent them off yet. I wanted to search their old index, which was really nice. Don't know why they got rid of it.

If the URL doesn't work, google IRAD.

Hope this is helpful.

Doris