Crawford County, Illinois Genealogy

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Guide to Crawford County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Crawford County, Illinois
Map
Map of Illinois highlighting Crawford County
Location in the state of Illinois, United States Genealogy
Map of the U.S. highlighting Illinois
Location of Illinois in the U.S.
Facts
Founded: December 31, 1816
County Seat Robinson
Courthouse
Crawford County Courthouse.gif
Photo courtesy Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD), Illinois State Archives
Address Crawford County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Robinson, Illinois 62454
(618) 546-1212
Crawford County Website


County Organization[edit | edit source]

Known Beginning Dates for Major County Records[1]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1877 1817 1877 1817 1816 1818 1810
*Statewide registration for births and deaths started 1916. General compliance by 1922.

County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Crawford County are kept, see the Crawford County Courthouse page.

Historical Facts[edit | edit source]

WilliamHCrawford.png

Crawford County was named for William H. Crawford who was a United States Senator, and in 1824 was a candidate for United States President.

Description[edit | edit source]

The county was named for William H. Crawford, from Georgia, who was serving as Secretary of War and Secretary of the Treasury at the time. The County Seat is Robinson and was founded 1816. It is located in the East Central area of the state.[2]

Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]

  • 31 December 1816: Crawford County was created from Edwards County. [3]

For animated maps illustrating Illinois county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Illinois County Boundary Maps" (1790-1869) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.


Record Loss[edit | edit source]

1999 The courthouse burned on 28 March and some records were lost or damaged.

For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:


Records and Resources[edit | edit source]

Bible Records[edit | edit source]

A Family Bible belonging to the Fitch family of Crawford County is included in an Ancestry database ($).[4]

Biography[edit | edit source]

The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Crawford County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Crawford County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.

Cemeteries[edit | edit source]

Cemeteries of Crawford, Illinois online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online
TombstoneTranscriptions in Print (Often more complete)
List of Cemeteries in the County
See Illinois Cemeteries for more information

Census[edit | edit source]

Federal[edit | edit source]

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1820 3,022 —
1830 3,117 3.1%
1840 4,422 41.9%
1850 7,135 61.4%
1860 11,551 61.9%
1870 13,889 20.2%
1880 16,197 16.6%
1890 17,283 6.7%
1900 19,240 11.3%
1910 26,281 36.6%
1920 22,771 −13.4%
1930 21,085 −7.4%
1940 21,294 1.0%
1950 21,137 −0.7%
1960 20,751 −1.8%
1970 19,824 −4.5%
1980 20,818 5.0%
1990 19,464 −6.5%
2000 20,452 5.1%
2010 19,817 −3.1%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

State[edit | edit source]

1840 Pensioners[edit | edit source]

  • A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. Washington, D.C., 1841. FHL 973 X2pc 1840; FHL 2321; digital version at Google Books. [See Illinois, Crawford County on page 186.]

Church History and Records[edit | edit source]

List of Churches and Church Parishes

Copies of Original records

  • 1847–1883 Grand Prairie Christian Church FHL film 874276 Item 4
  • 1871–1971 Oak Grove Federated Church of LaMotte Prairie,1971: 100 years Oak Grove Church, 100 years Brethren Church, 10 years Federated Church. FHL film 874276 Item 7
  • 1878–1938 Society of Friends-Pleasant Grove Monthly Meeting was originally known as Union Monthly Meeting FHL film 1535523 Items 7–9

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Crawford County church records may be found in the FamilySearch Catalog - church records. Histories of area churches may be found in the FamilySearch Catalog - church histories section. Online microfilm are indicated by the camera icon in the catalog entry. Copies of books found in the FamilySearch Catalog may be found in WorldCat catalog and ordered from your local library through interlibrary loan. Explore how to search the FamilySearch Catalog and the WorldCat Online Catalog.

Court Records[edit | edit source]

Original court records are held in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk. See Illinois Court Records for more information about using court records.

The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

  • 1817-1958 Circuit Court Index and Record IRAD-EIU
  • 1912-1958 Circuit court Record, Common Law IRAD-EIU
  • 1931-1957 Circuit Court Record, Criminal IRAD-EIU
  • 1922-1960 Jail Registers IRAD-EIU

Directories[edit | edit source]

Ethnic Research[edit | edit source]

African American[edit | edit source]

The following have information concerning African American research.

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

Mailing Lists[edit | edit source]

Message Boards[edit | edit source]

History[edit | edit source]

The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Crawford edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Crawford County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.


Land and Property[edit | edit source]

Original land records are held in the office of the County Clerk . See Illinois Land and Property for more information about using land records.

The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online sources, the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of Original Records

Abstracts

  • 1850, 1854-1867 Crawford County Illinois, County Court, Land records: abstract, sales, plats, etc., ([Springfield, Illinois]:Office of the Secretary of State, Micrographics Division, Source Documents Unit, 1980-1981.) FHL Film 1688802 item 1
  • 1980-1981 Rockford Map Publishers, Rockford, Illinois, Land atlas and plat book, Crawford County, Illinois (Rockford, Illinois:Rockford Map Publishers, c1966.) FHL Book 977.375 E7c; WorldCat 8345128

Online Resources

Maps[edit | edit source]

Cumberland CountyClark CountyJasper CountyRichland CountyLawrence CountySullivan CountyKnox CountyIL CRAWFORD.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources


Military Records[edit | edit source]

The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Crawford County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Crawford County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.

General[edit | edit source]

  • 1919-1958 Military Discharge Record and Index IRAD-EIU

Civil War[edit | edit source]

Civil War service men from Crawford County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies or regiments that were formed from men of Crawford County.

- 5th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company F.
- 21st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I
- 30th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- 38th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- 62nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
- 63rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- 79th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
- 98th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and E.
- 135th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company H.
- 152nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Company H.
- 155th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.

Naturalization[edit | edit source]

Online Records

Newspapers and Obituaries[edit | edit source]

  • The Robinson Constitution was a newspaper printed in Robinson, the county seat of Crawford County. This link features editions of the paper from Mar 15, 1877 - Apr 21, 1894. Newspapers are very important sources for glimpses into our ancestor's daily lives.


Places and Localities[edit | edit source]

Populated Places[edit | edit source]

For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[5]

Cities
Villages
  • Lamotte
  • Licking
    		•
    Unincorporated communities
    Census-designated places
    Townships
    Ghost towns

    ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

    Probate Records[edit | edit source]

    Online Probate Records


    Original estates and wills are held in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk. See Illinois Probate Records for more information about using probate records.

    The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

    Copies of Original Records

    Online Resources

    Crawford County Will and Estate Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives Illinois.

    Repositories[edit | edit source]

    County Courthouse[edit | edit source]

    County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Crawford County are kept, see the Crawford County Courthouse page.

    Family History Centers[edit | edit source]

    Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
    FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.

    Local Centers and Libraries

    There are over 4500 Introduction to Family History Centers worldwide which serve as branch facilities of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Volunteers provide research assistance to help patrons identify their ancestors. Some microfilms may be available at your local family history center. Locate your nearest Family History Center at the FamilySearch website. Call ahead to verify operating hours. All are welcome.

    The following centers are accessible to residents of Crawford County, Illinois:

    Linton Indiana Family History Center
    1000 W Lone Tree Rd
    Linton, Greene, Indiana
    Phone: 812-847-9044
    Hours: Wed. 6 - 9 pm, Sat 9 - 2

    Terre Haute Indiana Family History Center
    1845 N 6 1/2 St
    Terre Haute, Vigo, Indiana
    Phone: 812-234-0269
    Hours: Tue 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
    Closed: Mondays after 6:00 p.m., all major holidays, inclement weather, whenever Vigo school are on delays or early dismissals.
    Attention: The Center is also available by appointment. 

    Vincennes Indiana Family History Center
    1940 N Old Hwy 41
    Vincennes, Knox, Indiana
    Phone: 812-882-4022
    Hours: T, Thu 9am-12:30pm, 5pm-8:30pm
    Closed: Closed 1 1/2 weeks for Christmas

    Please note: Addresses posted are not mailing addresses. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries.

    Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)[edit | edit source]

    The Illinois State Archives administers a system of Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD) to manage the archival records of local governments.  Local governments which have transferred records to the regional depositories include counties, townships, municipalities, and school districts.  The records of Crawford County come under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) regional depository.

    Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)
    Booth Library
    Eastern Illinois University (EIU)
    600 Lincoln Avenue
    Charleston, IL 61920
    Telephone: (217) 581-6093

    Hours: Monday – Friday, except state holidays
    9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    Note: The depository is staffed by graduate student interns. Because of class scheduling conflicts, hours may vary somewhat from the published schedule. Researchers are urged to call before planning a visit.

    Libraries[edit | edit source]

    Robinson Public Library District
    606 N Jefferson St.
    Robinson, IL 62454
    618-544-2917

    Oblong Public Library
    110 E Main St.
    Oblong, IL 62449
    Phone and FAX: 618-592-3001
    E-mail: dpoblibrary2@hotmail.com


    Hutsonville Public Library
    101 S. Main Street
    Hutsonville, IL 62433
    Phone and Fax: 618-563-9603
    E-Mail: hutsonvillepubliclibrary@yahoo.com

    Susie Wesley Memorial Library
    105 S Main St.
    PO Box 185
    Flat Rock, IL 62427
    Phone and FAX: 618-584-3636
    E-mail: swlib@frtci.net

    Schools[edit | edit source]

    Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]

    Societies[edit | edit source]

    Crawford County Historical Society
    PO Box 554
    Robinson, IL 62454-0554
    Website

    Crawford County Museum
    Former Schmidt Clinic
    408 S. Cross St.
    Robinson, IL
    Hours: 2 - 4 p.m. Sat
    2 - 4 p.m. Sun
    or by appointment
    Facebook

    Taxation[edit | edit source]

    Vital Records[edit | edit source]

    See Illinois Vital Records for more information about Vital records in Illinois. See also How to order Illinois Vital Records or order electronically online.

    Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Original birth and death certificates recorded until the year 1916 are kept by the Crawford County Clerk while those recorded after 1916 are kept by the Illinois Department of Public Health with a copy to the County Clerk. Original marriage records are usually kept by the County Clerk from the establishment of the county to the present. Original divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.

    The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online databases, the Family History Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

    General[edit | edit source]

    • Bailey, Chris H. Scrapbook of Robinson, Illinois, newspaper clippings (Salt Lake City, Utah:Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1972.) FHL Film 874276 item 1
    • Bailey, Imogene; Flat Rock Journal (Illinois), Crawford County, Illinois newspaper genealogical information. FHL Film 874275 items 1–2 Primarily a collection of obituaries, historical and genealogical information from the Flat Rock Journal, newspaper. Also, many biographical sketches of prominent persons of Crawford County, Illinois, of that era.

    Births[edit | edit source]

    Copies of Original Records

    • 1877-1915 Birth Record - IRAD-EIU
    • 1877-1957 Birth Record Index - IRAD-EIU
    • 1878-1981 Crawford County (Illinois) Clerk of County Court, Vital records. Including Birth index 1878-1981 and Birth record Books 1 and 2 1877-1902. FHL Film 1310117–1310119

    Marriages[edit | edit source]

    Copies of Original Records

    • 1817-1851 Crawford County (Illinois) Clerk of County Court, Crawford County, Illinois marriage register, Feb. 1817-Jan. 1851. FHL Film 874276 item 10
    • 1817-1981 Crawford County (Illinois) Clerk of County Court, Vital records. Including marriage indexes, male and female 1817-1981 and marriage record books A,B,C and 1. FHL Film 1310115–1310116
    • 1817–1934 Marriage Record IRAD-EIU
    • 1817–1958 Marriage Record Index IRAD-EIU

    Abstracts

    Online Resources

    Deaths[edit | edit source]

    Copies of Original Records

    Abstracts

    Online Resources

    Websites[edit | edit source]

    Databases pertinent to Crawford County

    References[edit | edit source]

    1. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Crawford County, Illinois. Page 192-199 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 194-197.
    2. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Crawford County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_County,_Illinois 4/11/2017.
    3. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.; Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002 WorldCat 50140092, FHL Book 973 D27e 2002
    4. ↑ Illinois Miscellaneous Genealogical Records: From Counties, Bond, Boone, Calhoun, Cook, Crawford, Du Page, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Will, Pope: Kentucky county, Mercer: Missouri county, Ralls. Evanston, Ill.: Illinois Society, D.A.R., 1946. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
    5. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Crawford County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawford_County,_Illinois, Last accessed 19 December 2019.

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