Edwards County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Edwards County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
Edwards County, Illinois | |
Map | |
![]() Location in the state of Illinois, United States Genealogy | |
![]() Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
Facts | |
Founded: | November 28, 1814 |
---|---|
County Seat | Albion |
Courthouse | |
Address | Edwards County Courthouse 50 E. Main Street Albion, Illinois 62806 (618) 445-2115 |
Contents
- 1 County Organization
- 2 Historical Facts
- 3 Boundary Changes
- 4 Record Loss
- 5 Records and Resources
- 5.1 Biography
- 5.2 Cemeteries
- 5.3 Census
- 5.4 Centennial Celebrations, etc
- 5.5 Church History
- 5.6 Court Records
- 5.7 Emigration and Immigration
- 5.8 Ethnic Research
- 5.9 Funeral Homes
- 5.10 Genealogy
- 5.11 History
- 5.12 Land and Property
- 5.13 Maps
- 5.14 Military History and Records
- 5.15 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 5.16 Newspapers
- 5.17 Obituaries
- 5.18 Photographs and Post Cards
- 5.19 Places and Localities
- 5.20 Probate Records
- 5.21 Repositories
- 5.22 Schools
- 5.23 Social Groups Online
- 5.24 Societies
- 5.25 Taxation
- 5.26 Vital Records
- 5.27 Voting Registers
- 6 Websites
- 7 References
County Organization[edit | edit source]
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1877 | 1815 | 1877 | 1815 | 1827 | 1827 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Edwards County are kept, see the Edwards County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
Edwards County is named for Ninian Edwards who was the Governor of the Illinois Territory (1809-1818) and third Governor of the State of Illinois (1826-1830). His son Ninian Edwards Jr., is married to Elizabeth Todd, sister of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of Abraham Lincoln.
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Ninian Edwards, the Territorial Governor of Illinois. The county seat is Albion and the county was organized on 1814.[2] The County is located in the south-eastern part of the state.[3]
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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.
- 28 November 1814: -- Edwards County was created 28 November 1814 from Madison and Gallatin Counties. [4]
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Records and Resources[edit | edit source]
Biography[edit | edit source]
- Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois: with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers; pub. 1883, reprint 2001 WorldCat 47069814, FHL Film 924407 Item 2, FHL Book 977.37 H2co
- USGenWeb Archives
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census[edit | edit source]
For information and tips on accessing census records online, see Illinois Census.
Historical populations | ||
---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± |
1820 | 3,444 | — |
1830 | 1,649 | −52.1% |
1840 | 3,070 | 86.2% |
1850 | 3,524 | 14.8% |
1860 | 5,454 | 54.8% |
1870 | 7,565 | 38.7% |
1880 | 8,597 | 13.6% |
1890 | 9,444 | 9.9% |
1900 | 10,345 | 9.5% |
1910 | 10,049 | −2.9% |
1920 | 9,431 | −6.1% |
1930 | 8,303 | −12.0% |
1940 | 8,974 | 8.1% |
1950 | 9,056 | 0.9% |
1960 | 7,940 | −12.3% |
1970 | 7,090 | −10.7% |
1980 | 7,961 | 12.3% |
1990 | 7,440 | −6.5% |
2000 | 6,971 | −6.3% |
2010 | 6,721 | −3.6% |
Source: "Wikipedia.org". |
Federal[edit | edit source]
1830
- Edwards County, Illinois 1830 Federal census (heads of family only); pub. 1968, Decatur Genealogical Society
1880
- 1880 census by the United States of America of Edwards County Illinois, pub. 1981 WorldCat 8343939
State[edit | edit source]
1825
- 1825 state census of Edwards County, Illinois, Illinois State Archives FHL Film 976178 Item 1, 980805 Item 2
- Edwards County, Illinois 1825 census record; pub. 196?, Bond, Corene FHL Film 908855 Item 2, Book 977.3791 X2p
- Edwards County, Illinois: 1825 state census, early history, marriages, and patron list from 1813 to 1880; pub. 1973; Eberhart, Elsie Swartz FHL 924423 Item 16, Book 977.3 A1 no. 78
Centennial Celebrations, etc[edit | edit source]
Edwards County sesquicentennial 1814-1964; pub. 1964?; Edwards County Historical Society FHL Book 977.3791 H2e
Church History[edit | edit source]
Churches of Edwards County; pub. 19??; WorldCat 38125327, FHL Book 977.3 A1 no. 127, FHL film 983673 Item 3
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
- Guardian index to files, Albion, Illinois : includes insolvents, adoption and insane persons from circuit clerk's office, Edwards County, Illinois, pub. 19??, ECHS FHL film 2055210 Item 6, book 977.3791 P22g
- USGenWeb Archives
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
- Report of aliens, 1818-1822; filmed 1981, IRAD-EIU, FHL film 1688799 Item 2
- Encyclopedia of American immigration, pub. 2001 WorldCat 43552479, FHL Book 973 W26c v. 1-4
Edwards County is mentioned in this series.
Ethnic Research[edit | edit source]
African American[edit | edit source]
The following have information concerning African American research.
- 1815–1860 Database of Servitude and Emancipation Records. Also available at Ancestry ($).
- African American Genealogy (US) has more information about the kinds of records
- Illinois State Archives pamphlet on African American Research describes what records are at the State Archives with an online method for ordering records.
- African American Resources for Illinois
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Ingram Funeral Home records, 1939-1971, Albion, Illinois; filmed 2005 FHL Film 1426344-1426345
note: the records were filmed in Wayne County, Illinois courthouse.
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
A History of Edwards County, Illinois; pub. 1980, 1993 FHL Books 977.3791 H2h v. 1 and 2
Mailing Lists[edit | edit source]
Message Boards[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
- Edwards County Historical Society journal FHL Book 977.3791 D25k
- Edwards County Historical Society newsletter FHL films 1927936 Items 64-79, 1927937 Items 1-7, 8 fiches 6007312-14
- Edwards County Historical Society quarterly FHL Book 977.3791 D25e
History[edit | edit source]
- Edwards County (Ill.)--History - pamphlet
- Pictures from the past-- Edwards County, Illinois. Volume 1; pub. 2003 WorldCat 58541529
- Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois: with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, pub. 1883, reprint 2001 WorldCat, Internet Archive, HathiTrust Digital Library, FHL film 924407 Item 2, FHL Book 977.37 H2co
- Edwards County sesquicentennial 1814-1964, WorldCat, FHL Book 977.3791 H2e
- Edwards County, Illinois, 1825 census with additions, early history beginnings of pioneers, marriages and patrons lists from 1813 to 1880; pub. 1973; WorldCat, FHL Film 924423 Item 16, book 977.3 A1 no. 78
- A History of Edwards County, Illinois, pub. 1980, 1983 WorldCat 7402093, FHL Book 977.3791 H2h v. 1 & 2
- History of the English settlement in Edwards County, Illinois, founded in 1817 and 1818; pub. 1882, Birkbeck and Flower; (alternative title: Prairie Albion: an English settlement in pioneer Illinois), Ebookee, Questia, WorldCat 45843670, FHL 5 fiches 6078649, FHL Film 934982 Item 7, book 977.3791 H2f
- Real estate & personal property assessment of Edwards County, Il., 1899 from the Albion Journal, Edwards County justices of the peace, 1814-1849, historical articles on early Edwards County justice & West Salem, Il. from Richland County newspapers; pub. 1996, WorldCat 81145417, FHL Book 977.3791 R4c
- Yester years in Edwards County, Illinois: a simple tale for simple people; pub. 1948-1950; WorldCat FHL film 962424 Item 2, books 977.3791 H2d vol 1 and 2
- Barns of Edwards County, pub. 2008 WorldCat 318541776
- A history of southern Illinois: a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests; Internet Archive, WorldCat
Volume 1 FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Digitized Books,
Volume 2 FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Digitized Books,
Volume 3 FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Digitized Books. - USGenWeb Archives
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
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 online, through the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at Eastern Illinois University - search for Edwards County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
Unlike most Illinois counties, Edwards is divided into Road Districts, as opposed to Townships found in other counties.
Copies of Original Records
- 1815–1888 Deed Indexes, Deed Record 1815-1890 FHL 16 films
Grantees
Grantors
Deed records
Warranty deeds - 1815-1978 Deed Record IRAD-EIU
- 1888–1900 Grantee and Grantor Index FHL film 1418412 Items 2-3
- 1888-1899 Deed Index IRAD-EIU
- 1890-1902 Land and Deed Records FHL films 1418412-1418414
Grantees
Grantors
Deed records - 1855–1874 Land Records, 1855-1874 FHL film 1688788 Item 1 Record of swamp and overflow lands
- 1874 Plat Record, Original Survey IRAD-EIU
- 1815–1888 Deed Indexes, Deed Record 1815-1890 FHL 16 films
Abstracts
- 1814 Edwards County Historical Society. Original Land Sales, Edwards County, Illinois, beginning 1814. Albion, Illinois: Edwards County Historical Society (IL), 1983. WorldCat 13860466, FHL book 977.3791 R2
Online Resources
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
- 1804-1891 Edwards County Federal Township Plats (Called Road Districts in Edwards)
- 1816–1865 Deed Grantee Index Genealogy Trails
- 1800s – Present - Use the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land Patent Index to obtain original federal land transfer records, including homestead, military warrants, and cash entry patents. These records help a researcher establish location and lead to National Archives’ records which may include genealogical information. Earlier land transfer records are at the National Archives.
Maps[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Edwards County, Illinois. Norman, Oklahoma: Arphax Pub. Co., 2007. WorldCat 166255924, FHL book 977.3791 E7
- W. W. Hixson Map, 1919, showing schools, churches and cemeteries WorldCat 48459409
- W. W. Hixson Map, 1926 WorldCat 191736240
- Land atlas and plat book, Edwards - Wabash County, Illinois, 1970, FHL Book 977.37 E7e
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Military History and Records[edit | edit source]
- 1860s - 1960s Illinois, Military Discharge Records, ca.1862 - ca.1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
War of 1812[edit | edit source]
Some Military Land Grants USGenWeb Archives
Blackhawk War[edit | edit source]
Detachment of Capt. Hunter's Company, Detachment of Capt. Champion S. Mading's Company, Captain Solomon Hunter's Detachment USGenWeb Archives
Indian Wars[edit | edit source]
Some Military Land Grants USGenWeb Archives
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Civil War service men from Edwards 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 Edwards County.
- - 6th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company E.
- - 7th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company E.
- - 26th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- - 38th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
- - 40th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
- - 56th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- - 63rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
- - 87th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B and H.
- - 136th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company H.
- - 152nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Company F.
World War II[edit | edit source]
Army Enlistment Records USGenWeb Archives
Pensions[edit | edit source]
1883 Pension Roll USGenWeb Archives
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Online Records
- 1800-1998 - Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — index and images
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- Index to the newspapers, Albion Journal and Albion Pioneer, 1869-1906, filmed 1975 FHL film 983671 Item 1
- Gleanings of old newspapers, pub. 2009 WorldCat 672352608
Newspaper clippings from various newspapers in Clay, Richland, Edwards, Lawrence, Wabash and Wayne Counties in Illinois. Include obituaries, birth announcements, weddings, court news and articles of general interest on those counties. - USGenWeb Archives
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- Edwards County, Il obituaries; DAR, pub 1994; from the Albion journal-register, Albion, Illinois, 1941; More libraries
- Edwards Co., Illinois, obituaries, filmed 1975, manuscript FHL film 983676 Item 29
- Obituaries from Richland & Edwards Counties; pub. 2001 WorldCat 48716554
- USGenWeb Archives
Photographs and Post Cards[edit | edit source]
- Photographs USGenWeb Archives
- Post Cards USGenWeb Archives
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 | ||
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Villages | ||
Unincorporated communities | ||
Ghost towns | ||
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‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate Records
- 1772 - 1999 Illinois Wills and Probate Records 1772-1999 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
- 1819 - 1988 Illinois Probate Records 1819-1988 at FamilySearch.org — images
- See Illinois Probate Records for more information.
For information and tips about records, see IRAD-EIU
1817–present — The original Edwards county probate records are housed at the County Courthouse.
- 1815–1916 Probate Will Record; IRAD-EIU
- 1815–1871 Probate Case Files; IRAD-EIU
- 1831–1885 Probate Record; IRAD-EIU
- 1815–1922 Will RecordsFHL Film 977995
- 1815-1869 Probate Court Files Index to administrations FHL Film 978630
- 1815-1869 Probate Court Files Index FHL Film 978630 (first of 64)
- USGenWeb Archives
Guardianships[edit | edit source]
- 1815-1869 Probate Court Files Guardian Index FHL Film 978630
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 Edwards County are kept, see the Edwards 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 Affiliate 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 to view at various family history centers. 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 Edwards County, Illinois:
Centralia Illinois Family History Center
Leafland & 3rd Street
Centralia, Marion, Illinois
Phone: 618-532-3482
Hours: Wednesday 2-6pm
Attention: We have temporarily moved to this new location while our building is being remodeled.
Eldorado Illinois Family History Center
103 Grayson Rd
Eldorado, Saline, Illinois
Phone: 618-273-8172
Hours: By appointment. Please call 618-276-4283
Evansville Indiana Family History Center
8020 E Covert Ave
Evansville, Vanderburgh, Indiana
Phone: 812-471-0191
Hours: First Wednesday of every month 10:00 - 12:00, Tues & Wed evening 6:00 - 8:00; other times by appointment
Closed: Closed Major Holidays
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 Eastern Illinois Regional Archives Depository is located at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. See the IRAD–EIU wiki page for more about this depository and its holdings.
Public Libraries[edit | edit source]
Albion Public Library
6 North 4th Street
Albion, IL 62806
Phone: (618) 445-3314
Facebook
West Salem Public Library
112 West South Street
West Salem, IL 62476
Phone: (618) 456-8970
SILNET (Southern Illinois Library Network)
The following libraries are outside of Edwards County, containing genealogical collections pertaining to the county.
Schools[edit | edit source]
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
- Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois has a page with details about its' activities.
- Edwards County Historical Society quarterly periodical (different libraries)
Taxation[edit | edit source]
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Illinois Vital Records for more information. See also How to order Illinois Vital Records or order electronically online.
Births[edit | edit source]
1877–present - The original Edwards County birth records 1877-present are housed at the County Clerk's office. The following copies are available:
- 1877-1933 - IRAD-EIU Search for Edwards records. Information about how to use IRAD
- 1877-1933 Index - IRAD-EIU Search for Edwards records. Information about how to use IRAD
- 1877-1933 Birth index – FHL Film 1401778 Item 1
- 1877-1900 Births –FHL Film 1401778 Items 2-4
- 1877-1900 Delayed births –FHL Film 1401781 Items 2-3
- 1886-1900 Delayed births – FHL Film 1401782 Item 1
- 1901-1905 Delayed birth cerificates – IRAD-EIU Search for Edwards records. Information about how to use IRAD
Marriages[edit | edit source]
For information and tips about records, see IRAD-EIU
1815–present — The original Edwards County marriage records 1815-present are housed at the County Clerk's office. The following copies are available:
- 1815–1968 Marriage Record; IRAD-EIU
- 1815–1968 Index; IRAD-EIU
- 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810–1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1815–1900 Edwards County Marriages Index A–G, H–Z (Genealogy Trails)
- 1815–1820 Oldest county marriage records FHL film 982051 Item 11
- 1815–1936FHL 4 Films
- 1815–1926 Ancestry ($) Indexed
- 1832–1910 Index – FHL Film 1401778 Item 5
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
The following abstracts are available:
- 1815–1900 Illiniois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 (1815-1900 for Edwards County); IRAD
- 1815–1844 Early marriages, includes index to 1831, and bride's index to 1844 FHL book 977.3791 V29
- 1845–1855 Goodson, Lois Jean. Marriage Book B, Edwards County Illinois, 1845–1855: Complete Alphabetical Listing of Males and Females. Albion, Illinois: Edwards County Historical Society, 1992. FHL book 911.3791 V29
- USGenWeb Archives
Deaths[edit | edit source]
For information and tips about records, see IRAD-EIU
1877-present - The original Edwards County death records 1877-present are housed at the County Clerk's office. The following copies are available:
- 1877-1950 Death Record; IRAD-EIU
- 1877-1933 Death index; IRAD-EIU, FHL film 1401831, book 977.3791 V22i
- 1877-1901 Register of deaths FHL Film 1401831, book 977.3791 V22i
May be included in 1877-1950 Death Record, too.
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1916-1947 Deaths and Stillbirths (Historical Records Collection)
- 1880 Mortality Schedule Index listed by Road District (Genealogy Trails)
- USGenWeb Archives
The following abstracts are available at state IRAD site:
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 (No data for Edwards County as of Aug 2011. Check back again as records are being added.)
- 1916-1950 Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916-1950 (1916-1950 for Edwards County)
Voting Registers[edit | edit source]
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Edwards County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Edwards County IL Genealogy
- Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- Edwards County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Edwards 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.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Edwards County, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/edwards/ accessed 04/12/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Edwards County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwards_County,_Illinois 04/012/2017.
- ↑ WorldCat 50140092, FHL Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.] (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002)
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Edwards County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwards_County,_Illinois, Last accessed 2 January 2020.
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