Piatt County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Piatt County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Piatt County, Illinois | |
| Map | |
| |
 Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded: | January 27, 1841 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Monticello |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Piatt County Courthouse 101 West Washington Street Monticello, Illinois 61856 (217) 762-9487 Piatt County Website |
Contents
- 1 Piatt 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 Land and Property
- 5.8 Maps
- 5.9 Military Records
- 5.10 Naturalization
- 5.11 Newspapers
- 5.12 Poorhouse
- 5.13 Probate Records
- 5.14 Repositories
- 5.15 Social Groups Online
- 5.16 Societies
- 5.17 Taxation
- 5.18 Vital Records
- 6 Places / Localities
- 7 Websites
- 8 References
Piatt County Organization[edit | edit source]
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1877 | 1841 | 1877 | 1841 | 1852 | 1841 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Piatt County are kept, see the Piatt County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
The county as named for James A. Piatt, Sr. who settled in the area of the present county in 1829. Jesse Warner also was instrumental in helping to form the county and the county was named for James after winning a coin flip against Jesse Warner.[2]
Parent County[edit | edit source]
- 1841--Piatt County was created 27 January 1841 from DeWitt and Macon Counties. County seat: Monticello [3]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for James A. Piatt, a local resident instrumental in formation of the county. The county seat is Monticello and the county was organized on 1841.[4] The County is located in the Central area of the state.[5]
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.
1839-1841 DeWitt
1831-1841 Macon
1831-1839 McLean
1827-1831 Shelby
1821-1827 Fayette
1819-1821 Clark
1816-1819 Crawford
1815-1816 Edwards
1812-1815 Madison
1801-1812 St. Clair
1790-1801 Knox, Northwest Territory
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]
The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Piatt County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Piatt County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Dewitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois 1891 (Internet Archive)
Piatt County Biographies Bibliography (WorldCat)
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 1,606 | — |
| 1860 | 6,127 | 281.5% |
| 1870 | 10,953 | 78.8% |
| 1880 | 15,583 | 42.3% |
| 1890 | 17,062 | 9.5% |
| 1900 | 17,706 | 3.8% |
| 1910 | 16,376 | −7.5% |
| 1920 | 15,714 | −4.0% |
| 1930 | 15,588 | −0.8% |
| 1940 | 14,659 | −6.0% |
| 1950 | 13,970 | −4.7% |
| 1960 | 14,960 | 7.1% |
| 1970 | 15,509 | 3.7% |
| 1980 | 16,581 | 6.9% |
| 1990 | 15,548 | −6.2% |
| 2000 | 16,365 | 5.3% |
| 2010 | 16,729 | 2.2% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
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 Illinois State University (ISU) - search for Piatt County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the ISU IRAD Wiki page.
1841-1911 Circuit Court Record - IRAD-ISU
1854-1878 Circuit Court Dockets - IRAD-ISU
1859-1878 Circuit Court Default Judgement Record - IRAD-ISU
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.
- African American Resources for Illinois
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.
1841-1918 Deed Index -IRAD-ISU
1840-1931 Deed Records -IRAD-ISU
18861-1874 Chattel Mortgage Records -IRAD-ISU
1865-1891 Mortgage Record - IRAD-ISU
Available at the Family History Library
1835-1854 Book of Taxable Lands and Patentees. Illinois Auditor's Office. FHL Collection Item 3
1841-1954 Deeds, Piatt County (Illinois) Recorder. FHL film 987233 first film of 46 microfilm. indexes included.
1859-1942 Sheriff's Certificate Sale record and Sheriff's deed record, 1868-1912. FHL film 988092
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]
For information about using Military records see Illinois Military Records
- 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]
Military Land Grants in Piatt County Illinois for Soldiers of the War of 1812 - USGenWeg
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Civil War service men from Piatt 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 Piatt County.
Cavalry
Infantry
- - 21st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C
- - 73rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D
- - 107th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C, Company E,
1860-1864 Enlisted Men in the Civil War. Piatt County Clerk. FHL film 988102 Items 2-8
1861 Soldiers' Enlistment. Piatt County Recorder FHL 988102 Item 1
Civil War Discharges, Piatt County Historical and Genealogical Society. FHL book 977.3673 M2ci
Civil War Veterans, Piatt County: an Information guide. By Dorothy Dowdle.FHL book 977.3673 M2c
1865-1920 Soldiers' Discharges. Piatt County Recorder. Includes index. FHL film 988102 Item 9
1883 List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883 (Internet Archive)
World War I[edit | edit source]
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Piatt County (Ancestry)
World War II[edit | edit source]
Army Casualties (U.S. National Archives and Record Administration)
Naturalization[edit | edit source]
Original naturalization records are held in the office of the County Clerk. See Illinois Naturalization Records for more information about using naturalization 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 Illinois State University (ISU) - search for Piatt County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the ISU IRAD Wiki page.
1858-1872 Naturalization Record, Circuit Court - IRAD-ISU
1864-1880 Naturalization Record Final, Circuit Court - IRAD-ISU
1864-1880 Naturalization Record Final, County Court - IRAD-ISU
1864-1888 Naturalization Record of Soldiers and Minors, Couty Court - IRAD-ISU
1870-1880 Naturalization Record of Minors, Circuit Court - IRAD-ISU
1888-1901 Naturaliation of Minors, County Court - IRAD-ISU
Naturalization Records availiable at the Family History Library
1858-1884 Naturalization Records. Circuit Court. FHL film 988112
1862-1906 Naturalization Records, Circuit Court. FHL film 988112 Items 2-4 and Item 6
Online Records
- 1800-1998 - Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — index and images
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Newspapers Published in Piatt County (Illinois Newspaper Project)
Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
Piatt County Republican and Piatt Independent. FHL film 225799 First film of 24.
Poorhouse[edit | edit source]
Almshouse Register FHL film 1598490 item 11 and FHL book: 977.3673 P3w
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 abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at theIllinois State University (ISU) - search for Piatt County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the ISU IRAD Wiki page.
1843-1901 Probate Record - IRAD-ISU
1850-1961 Probate Will Record - IRAD-ISY
1859-1915 Probate Guardian's Record - IRAD-ISU
1861-1869 Probate Inventory, Appraisement and Sale Record - IRAD-ISU
1869-1905 Probate Inventory Record - IRAD-ISU
Probate Records Availiable at the Family History Library
1843-1887 Probate Record. Piatt County Court FHL film 988103 first film of 7
1850-1918 Will Record. Piatt County Court. FHL films 988110 and 988111
Online Probate Records - at FamilySearch
1850-1918 Illinois Probate Records
Repositories[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. Illinois State University houses the records for Piatt County.
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 Piatt County are kept, see the Piatt County Courthouse page.
Family History Center[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
Family History Centers (FHCs) are branches of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah (United States) and are located all over the world. Their goal is to provide resources to assist you in the research and study of your genealogy. Currently there are no Family History Centers located directly in Piatt County.
You may search your address for a center near you on the FamilySearch site. The following centers are located in surrounding counties. Their wiki pages may supply hours and other information.
FamilySearch Centers (Family History Library)
Archives and Libraries[edit | edit source]
Public Libraries of Piatt County
Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)[edit | edit source]
Illinois State Universtiy (ISU)
2016 Warehouse Road Campus
Box 1520
Normal, Illinois 61802
Phone: 1-309-452-6027
Illinois Regional Archives Depository System - Local Governmental Records Listings Arranged by County
Public Libraries[edit | edit source]
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Piatt County Genealogical and Historical Society
PO Box 111
Monticello 61856
Piatt County Genealogical and Historical Society
1115 N. State Street, Suite 119
Monticello Illinois 61856
Telephone Number: 217-762-9997
E-mail:piatthistory@gmail.com
Website
Taxation[edit | edit source]
1835-1854 Taxable Lands Lists - IRAD-ISU
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.
Order Birth and Death Certificates Online
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1863-1936 Birth Certificates, Delayed IRAD-ISU
- 1877-1916 Birth Record IRAD -ISU
- 1877-1974 Birth Record Index IRAD-ISU
Available at the Family History Library
- 1877-1931 Birth Records. Piatt County Clerk. FHL 988094-988095 Includes index. Book: 977.3673 V22i
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810-1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
Available at the Family History Library
- 1841-1971 Marriage Register. Piatt County Clerk FHL 988101
- 1878-1938 Marriage Records. Piatt County Clerk. FHL film 988100
- 1841-1874 Piatt County Marriage Records. by Betty Varner and Linda Redmond.FHL fiche 6088847 FHL Book 977.3 A1 no. 236
- 1841-1853 Piatt County, Illinois Marriage and Cemetery Records (at Ancestry)
Death[edit | edit source]
- 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
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
- 1877-1915 Death Records, Piatt County County Clerk. FHL film 988098 and 988099 Includes index.
- 1841-1853 Piatt County, Illinois Marriage and Cemetery Records, 1841-1853. at Ancestry
Places / 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:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
| Historic communities | ||
|
|
|
Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Piatt County ILGenWeb
- Piatt County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Piatt County IL Genealogy
- Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
Databases Pertinent to Piatt County
Local Governmental Records Database
Name Index to Illinois Local Governments
Illinois Statewide Marriage Index
Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916–1950
Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
Federal Township Plats of Illinois
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Piatt 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.
- ↑ Piatt County, Illinois, www.wikipedia.org
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Piatt County, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/piatt/ accessed 04/19/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Piatt County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piatt_County,_Illinois 04/19/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Piatt County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piatt_County%2C_Illinois, accessed 17 March 2020.
