Marion County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Marion County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
Marion County, Illinois | |
Map | |
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![]() Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
Facts | |
Founded: | January 24, 1823 |
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County Seat | Salem |
Courthouse | |
Photo courtesy Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD), Illinois State Archives | |
Address | Marion County Courthouse 101 E. Broadway Salem, Illinois 62881 {618) 548-3400 Marion County Website |
Contents
- 1 Marion County Organization
- 2 Historical Facts
- 3 Parent County
- 4 Boundary Changes
- 5 Records and Resources
- 5.1 Biography
- 5.2 Cemeteries
- 5.3 Census
- 5.4 Church Records
- 5.5 Court Records
- 5.6 Ethnic Research
- 5.7 Genealogy
- 5.8 History
- 5.9 Land and Property
- 5.10 Maps
- 5.11 Military Records
- 5.12 Naturalization
- 5.13 Newspapers and Obituaries
- 5.14 Periodicals
- 5.15 Probate Records
- 5.16 Repositories
- 5.17 Social Groups Online
- 5.18 Societies
- 5.19 Taxation
- 5.20 Vital Records
- 6 Places/Localities
- 7 Websites
- 8 References
Marion County Organization[edit | edit source]
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1878 | 1821 | 1877 | 1858 | 1823 | 1840 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Marion County are kept, see the Marion County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
The county is named after "The Swamp Fox" Revolutionary War Brigadier General Francis Marion (c1732-1795).[2]
The first permanent settlers arrived in 1811, seven years prior to Illinois’s acceptance to statehood. Captain Samuel Young of Virginia and his nine year old son were traveling home to Tennessee after exploring Illinois when they made camp for winter near a local Indian tribe and just six miles southwest of Salem Township, the future county seat. The Young’s arrival hinted at quickly approaching migration swell that would be the official end of the Indian tribes who had lived in the area for centuries. From approximately 1795 to 1834, the final Indian removal west of the Mississippi river occurred leading to the disappearance of the loosely organized Illinois Confederation; Illinois lacks a Native American presence even today.[3]
Upon spring’s arrival, Samuel returned to Tennessee and brought his wife and children back to Salem Township.[4] The Young family was soon joined by more migrants. Salem and the surrounding areas developed as people continued to migrate into the frontier. At the conclusion of the War of 1812 and with the signing of the Louisiana Purchase, the population of Illinois grew from just over 10,000 to over 50,000 as migrants rushed to settle the newly available land that was rumored to be rich in nutrients and as cheap as $1.25 per acre.[5] Although the state experienced growth, it was still heavily rural and lacked necessary markets to sustain local economies. There were enough harvests to feed one’s family and participate in small trade, but it was important to settle near rivers to have access to more distantly located markets. Since rivers were vital to trade and living, the southern portion of the state was the most densely settle area due to the close proximity to the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.[6]
Living on the frontier may have given settlers freedom, but it also provided great difficulties. For example, Salem, the county seat of Marion, was on the border between the forest and the open prairies that were filled with green-headed flies that tormented horses. The weather was often extreme and ranged from hot humid summers, to violent hailstorms, and bitter cold winters.[7] Additionally, settlers were met with rampant diseases, personal desolation and isolation, and other issues such as faulty land titles and high interest rates.[8]
Marion County helped open the Illinois frontier to new settlers and growth. Although the increase in population contributed to the removal of Native Americans, it did increase trade and economic stability in the region. It remained predominantly rural with a heavy reliance on farming.
Parent County[edit | edit source]
- 1823--Marion County was created 24 January 1823 from Fayette and Jefferson Counties. County seat: Salem [9]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Revolutionary War General Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox". The county seat is Salem and the county was organized on 1823.[10] The County is located in the central part of the state.[11]
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.
Records 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]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1900 | 30,446 | ||
1910 | 35,094 | 15.3% | |
1920 | 37,497 | 6.8% | |
1930 | 35,635 | −5.0% | |
1940 | 47,989 | 34.7% | |
1950 | 41,700 | −13.1% | |
1960 | 39,349 | −5.6% | |
1970 | 38,986 | −0.9% | |
1980 | 43,523 | 11.6% | |
1990 | 41,561 | −4.5% | |
2000 | 41,691 | 0.3% | |
IL Counties 1900-1990 |
For tips on accessing census records online, see Illinois Census.
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, Marion County on page 187.]
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Catholic[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch has made parish records from five Belleville Diocese Catholic churches in Marion County available online. The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths:
- Church Records of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Centralia, Marion County, Illinois 1857-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (a.k.a. St. Philomena) Parish, Kinmundy, Marion County, Illinois 1900-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. John the Baptist and St. Matthew the Apostle Parish, Odin, Marion County, Illinois 1864-1891, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. Lawrence Parish, Sandoval, Marion County, Illinois 1868-1957, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. Theresa of Avila Parish, Salem, Marion County, Illinois 1873-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Ethnic Research[edit | edit source]
African American[edit | edit source]
The following have information concerning African American research.
- 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.
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
History[edit | edit source]
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois. Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1909. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive. FHL Film 825601
- Brinkerhoff, J. H. G. Brinkerhoff's History of Marion County, Illinois. Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1909. Digital versions at FamilySearch Digital Library and Ancestry ($). FHL Film 1000502 Item 3
Land and Property[edit | edit source]
Original land records are held in the office of the County Recorder. See Illinois Land and Property for more information about using land records.
The following abtracts and copies of original records may be accessed through the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Marion County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Abstracts
- 1892 Kilmer, W. A. and Gerald Don Kilmer. Marion County, IL landowners index, 1892. Lubbock, Texas : Craftsman Printers, c1985. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3794 R2m
- Rockford Map Publishers. Land atlas & plat book retrospect: property information from the past, Marion County IL. Rockford, IL: Rockford Map Publishers, [20--]. Other libraries (WorldCat)
Copies of original records
- 1823–1901 Grantee index FHL films 1010520–4
- 1823–1903 Deeds FHL films 1010398–1011161
- 1824–1901 Grantor index FHL films 1010392–7
- 1832–1900 Land entry books and tract books FHL films 1011186
- 1857–1916 Mortgages FHL films 1011165–82
- 1870–1904 Miscellanious record FHL films 1011162–4
- 1873–1901 Release FHL films 1011183–5
- 1985 Land atlas and plat book Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3794 E7m, and fiche 6100712
Online Resources
- Beginning 1820 Land Patent Search
- 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
- Marion County Federal Township Plats
Maps[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Civil War service men from Marion 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 Marion County.
- - 11th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (3 months, 1861), Company C.
- - 11th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
- - 21st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G
- - 22nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies C and G.
- - 31st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- - 40th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
- - 111th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, D, E, F, G, H, I, and K.
- - 115th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E.
- - 136th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company E.
- - 152nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Company F.
Naturalization[edit | edit source]
Online Records
- 1800-1998 - Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — index and images
Newspapers and Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
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
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 copies of original records may be accessed through the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Marion County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
- 1823–1909 Probate records FHL films 1010803 (first of 20 films) IRAD (SIU)
- 1846–1860 Probate sale record, personal property IRAD (SIU)
- 1850–1973 Estate index FHL film 10111196 IRAD (SIU)
- 1854–1917 Probate will record IRAD (SIU)
- 1857–1917 Wills FHL films 1011190-92
- 1866–1890 Probate executor’s record IRAD (SIU)
- 1866–1898 Probate inventory record IRAD (SIU)
- 1866–1909 Guardian FHL film 10111197–8 IRAD (SIU)
- 1868–1911 Probate guardian’s dockets IRAD (SIU)
- 1870–1886 Probate widow’s relinquishment and selection record IRAD (SIU)
- 1888–1906 Probate appraisement record IRAD (SIU)
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 Marion County are kept, see the Marion 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
Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)[edit | edit source]
IRAD is a system of Illinois Regional Archives Depositories managed by the Illinois State Archives, housing the archival records of local Illinois counties, townships, municipalities and school districts. The seven Regional Depositories are housed on state university campuses scattered throughout Illinois. Southern Illinois University houses the records for Marion County.
Public Libraries[edit | edit source]
Allen Mccarthy Branch Library
1500 Case
Centralia, IL 62801
(618) 533-9625
Bryan-Bennett Library
217 W Main Street
Salem, IL 62881
(618) 548-3006
Central City Branch Library
141 N Harrison
Centralia, IL 62801
(618)533-7721
Centralia Regional Library District
515 E. Broadway
Centralia, IL 62801
(618)5325222
(Hoffman Area Branch Library
100 N. Broadway
Hoffman, IL 62250
(618)495-9955
Irvington Branch Library
500 Superior
Irvington, IL 62848
(618) 249-8243
Kinmundy Public Library
111 S. Monroe
Kinmundy, IL 62854
(618)547-3250
Patoka Public Library
210 W. Bond
Patoka, IL 62875
(618)432-5019
Sandoval Branch Library
101 N. Broadway
Sandoval, IL 62882
(618)247-3873
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Marion County Genealogical and Historical Society
PO Box 342
Salem, Illinois 62881
E-mail:editor_mcghs@yahoo.com
Website
Central Area Historical Museum
240 South Locust Street
PO Box 1343
Centralia, IL 62801
Telephone Number: 618-545-0657
E-mail:cahs@netwitz.net
Website
Kimmundy Historical Society
408 S. Washington St.
Kinmundy, IL 62854
E-mail:gsee49@yahoo.com
Website
Genealogical Society of Marion County
9370 East Washington St
Memorial Park Cemetery
Indianapolis, IN 46229
Telephone Number:317-891-4762
E-mail:Info@GenealogyIndy.org
Website
Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois has a page with details about its' activities.
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 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 vital records may be accessed through online databases, the Family History Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Marion County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
Births:[edit | edit source]
Copies of Original Records
- 1815–1944 Birth certificates, delayed IRAD (SIU)
- 1854–1915 Birth certificates IRAD (SIU)
- 1854–1915 Birth certificates and delayed births FHL film 1011125 (first of 21 films)
- 1877–1915 Birth record IRAD (SIU)
- 1877–1904 Birth record index IRAD (SIU)
- 1878–1904 Birth index FHL film 1009948
- 1878–1916 Birth records FHL film 1011122–4
Marriages:[edit | edit source]
Online Resources
- 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
- 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry.com ($)
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810–1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
Abstracts
- 1821-1859 Marion County Genealogical and Historical Society. Marion County, Illinois marriages, 1821–1859. Book A, B, C, book #1. Salem, Ill.: Marion County Genealogical and Historical Society, [1995]. Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1888-1931 Marion County Genealogical and Historical Society. Marion County, Illinois marriages : 1888-1931 book E & F - Book #2.Salem, IL Marion County Genealogical Historical Society, ©1997. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL books 977.3794 V22m 1888-1931
Copies of Original Records
- 1821-1910 Index to marriage records FHL films 1010514 index IRAD (SIU)
- 1821–1919 Marriages FHL films 1010514–9
- 1821–1931 Marriage record IRAD (SIU)
- 1887–1891 Marriage license applications IRAD (SIU)
- 1887–1893 Marriage applications FHL film 1010517
Deaths:[edit | edit source]
Online Resources
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
Copies of original records
- 1877-1909 Death record index IRAD (SIU)
- 1877-1915 Death records index FHL film 1010512
- 1877-1915 Death records FHL films 1010512-3IRAD (SIU)
- 1878-1914 Death certificates IRAD (SIU)
- 1878-1915 Deaths FHL films 1011187–9
Places/Localities[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:[12]
Cities | ||
Villages | ||
Unincorporated communities | ||
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Townships | ||
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Marion County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Marion County IL Genealogy
- Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Marion 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), Marion 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.
- ↑ "Francis Marion," Wikipedia.
- ↑ John Allen, History and Families: Marion County, Illinois (Turner Publishing Company: 1995), 9-10.
- ↑ Dennis Sweatman, “Comparing the Modern Native American Presence in Illinois with Other States of the Old Northwest Territory,” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 103, no. 3/4, (Fall/Winter 2010), 252.
- ↑ Adam Rowe, “The Republican Rhetoric of a Frontier Controversy: Newspapers in the Illinois Slavery Debate, 1823-1824,” Journal of the Early Republic 31, no. 4 (Winter 2011): 674-675; Patricia L. Goitein, “Meet Me in Heaven: Confronting Death along the Galena Trail Frontier 1835-1855,” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 102, no. 3/4 (Fall/Winter 2009): 251.
- ↑ Adam Rowe, “The Republican Rhetoric of a Frontier Controversy: Newspapers in the Illinois Slavery Debate, 1823-1824,” Journal of the Early Republic 31, no. 4 (Winter 2011): 674-675.
- ↑ John Allen, History and Families: Marion County, Illinois (Turner Publishing Company: 1995), 10.
- ↑ Patricia L. Goitein, “Meet Me in Heaven: Confronting Death along the Galena Trail Frontier 1835-1855,” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 102, no. 3/4 (Fall/Winter 2009): 251.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002), 196. (FHL Collection Ref Book 973 D27e 2002). WorldCat entry.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Marion, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/marion/ accessed 04/17/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Marion County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_County,_Illinois 04/17/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Marion County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_County,_Illinois, accessed 22 March 2020.