Shelby County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Shelby County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Shelby County, Illinois | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Illinois, United States Genealogy | |
 Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded: | January 23, 1827 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Shelbyville |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Shelby County Courthouse 301 E. Main Street Shelbyville, Illinois 62565 (217) 774-4421 Shelby County Website |
Shelby County Organization[edit | edit source]
| Marriage | Court | Land | Probate | Census | ||
| 1848 | 1827 | 1878 | 1827 | 1833 | 1831 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Shelby County are kept, see the Shelby County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
The county is named after Kentucky's First Governor Isaac Shelby (1750-1826).[2]
Parent County[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky and hero of the Revolutionary War. The county seat is Shelbyville and the county was organized on 1827. [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.
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
1894 Fire burned the courthouse on 17 November and destroyed or damaged some records. For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
- Burned Counties. By Michael John Neill at 24-7 Family History Circle.
- When the Records are Gone. By Arlene Eakle at Arlene Eakle's Tennessee Blog.
- Burned Counties Research in the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
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 | ||
| Towns | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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|
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| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Biography[edit | edit source]
- The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Shelby County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Shelby County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web sites have additional information on Shelby county cemeteries.
- Confederate Soldiers Buried in Shelby County, Illinois (Genealogy Trails)
Census[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 2,972 | — |
| 1840 | 6,659 | 124.1% |
| 1850 | 7,807 | 17.2% |
| 1860 | 14,613 | 87.2% |
| 1870 | 25,476 | 74.3% |
| 1880 | 30,270 | 18.8% |
| 1890 | 31,191 | 3.0% |
| 1900 | 32,126 | 3.0% |
| 1910 | 31,693 | −1.3% |
| 1920 | 29,601 | −6.6% |
| 1930 | 25,471 | −14.0% |
| 1940 | 26,290 | 3.2% |
| 1950 | 24,434 | −7.1% |
| 1960 | 23,404 | −4.2% |
| 1970 | 22,589 | −3.5% |
| 1980 | 23,923 | 5.9% |
| 1990 | 22,261 | −6.9% |
| 2000 | 22,893 | 2.8% |
| 2010 | 22,363 | −2.3% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
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, Shelby County on page 188.]
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Timeline of some of the major churches in Shelby County: [7]
- 1825 - Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) Church in Shelbyville was the pioneer church in the county
- 1832 - Church of Christ (Baptist) in Shelbyville. Their first meetinghouse was built in 1843. 1839 - Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church. This congregation did not thrive.
- 1832 - Ash Grove Baptist Church south of Windsor
- 1834 - Sand Creek
- 1843 to 1852 - Shelbyville Presbyterian Church
- 1844 - Union Church, aka Union Predestinarian Baptist Church, aka Flat Branch Church located at Pleak (or Pleak's Corner), Flat Branch Township
- 1850 - St. Paul's Reformed Church located northwest of Shelbyville
- 1852 -Shelbyville Presbyterian Church organized at Prairie Bird. First building condtructed in Shelbyville in 1856
- 1859 - Windsor Baptist Church
- 1860 - Antioch Baptist Church
- 1860 - Bethany Baptist Church
- 1860 - Welborn Creek Baptist Church
- 1860 - West Okaw Presbyterian Church in Prairie Home.
- 1862 - Shelbyville Baptist Church was the second Baptist Church organized in the County after the original Church of Christ created in 1832
- 1867 - Tower Hill Presbyterian Church
- 1867 - Moweaqua Presbyterian Church .
- 1875 - African Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) Church in Shelbyville
- 1881 - Cowden Free Methodist was the first Free Methodist church organized in the county. Several others have been organized since.
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 Shelby County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Resources
- 1828-1871 Shelby County Circuit Court Case Files Index (Illinois State Archives)
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
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
History[edit | edit source]
- The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Shelby County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Shelby 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 Shelby County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
Copies of original records
- 1827–1926 Deed records and indexes FHL film 1009141 (first of 53 films)
- 1827-1926 Deed Record IRAD-EIU Search for Shelby County records.
- 1828-1892 Deed IndexIRAD-EIU Search for Shelby County records. Information about how to use IRAD
- 1833–1891 Land book: record of taxable lands FHL film 1008413
- 1985 Land atlas and plat book At other Libraries(WorldCat) FHL book 977.3798 E7s
Abstracts
- Family Maps. Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Shelby County, Illinois. Norman, Oklahoma: Arphax Pub. Co., c2007. WorldCat 86121235FHL book 977.3798 E7b
Online Resources
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
- 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Shelby County Federal Township Plats
- 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.
Additional Resources
Additional resources for Shelby County land and property may be found online in the FamilySearch Catalog. 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.
Maps[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Military[edit | edit source]
- The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Shelby County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Shelby County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Civil War service men from Shelby 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 Shelby County.
- - 3rd Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company M.
- - 5th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company G.
- - 7th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company H.
- - 14th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
- - 7th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company H.
- - 35th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
- - 41st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- - 53rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- - 54th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies F and H.
- - 115th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B and G.
- - 116th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- - 126th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- - 143rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company G.
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 Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Shelby County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Records
- 1800-1998 - Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — index and images
Newspapers and Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- USGenWeb, Shelby County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), Obituaries and Death Notices
Poor House records[edit | edit source]
- 1870–1942 Almshouse Registers IRAD–EIU
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate Indexes and 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 the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Shelby County records. For information on how to use IRAD see theEIU IRAD Wiki page.
Copies of original records
- 1828–1922 Probate records FHL film 1008423 (first of 13 films)
- 1839–1869 Probate Record IRAD–EIU
- 1854–1890 Probate MinutesIRAD–EIU
- 1859–1894 Probate Administrator's RecordIRAD–EIU
- 1859–1905 Probate Executor's Record IRAD–EIU
- Browse images of Shelby County probate records at Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970.
- 1869–1873 Probate Inventory, Appraisement and Sale Record IRAD–EIU
- 1870–1918 Probate Will Record IRAD–EIU
- 1872–1895 Probate Guardian's RecordIRAD–EIU
- 1872–1894 Probate Inventory RecordIRAD–EIU
- 1872–1922 Probate Miscellaneous RecordIRAD–EIU
- 1874–1881 Probate Sale Record, Real Estate IRAD–EIU
- 1884–1889 Probate Administrator's and Executor's Final Reports IRAD–EIU
Additional Resources
Additional resources for Shelby County probates may be found in the Illinois, Shelby – Probate, and on the Illinois, Shelby – Probate record indexes topic pages of the FamilySearch Catalog . 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.
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 Shelby County are kept, see the Shelby County Courthouse page.
Family Search Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- 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 4500Introduction 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 microfilm and microfiche may be available at local family histroy 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 Shelby County, Illinois:
Champaign Illinois Family History Center
604 W Windsor Rd
Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
Phone: 217-352-8063
Hours: Thur-Sat 9:30-12:30pm; Thur 7pm-9pm; or by appt
Decatur Illinois Family History Center
3955 Lourdes Ln
Decatur, Macon, Illinois
Phone: 217-875-9396
Hours: T, Sat 10am-3pm; Th 6pm-9pm
Springfield Illinois Family History Center
3601 Buckeye Dr
Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois
Phone: 217-529-7930
Hours: T 6pm-9pm; W 10am-2pm, 6pm-9pm; Sat 10am-2pm
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 Shelby 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]
Dry Point Township Library
County Highway 651
Cowden, IL 62422
Phone: (217) 783-2616
Facebook
Herrick Township Public Library
303 North Broadway
Herrick, IL 62431
Phone: (618) 428-5223
Moweaqua Public Library District
600 North Putnam Street
Moweaqua, IL 62550
Phone: (217) 768-4700
Shelbyville Public Library
154 North Broadway
Shelbyville, IL 62565
Phone: (217) 774-4432
Windsor Storm Memorial Public Library District
102 South Maple
Windsor, IL 61957
Phone: (217) 459-2498
School Records[edit | edit source]
- 1891–1971 School teachers' daily registers IRAD–EIU
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
- Moweaqua Historical Society
129 S Main Street
Moweaqua, IL 62550
Phone 217-768-3019
Facebook - Shelby County, Illinois Historical and Genealogical Society
PO Box 286
143 E. Main St.
Shelbyville, IL 62565
Telephone Number: 217-774-2260
E-mail:shelbycounty@consolidated.net
Facebook
Website
Taxation[edit | edit source]
- 1828–1891 Taxable Lands Lists IRAD–EIU
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 Shelby 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 Shelby County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
Births[edit | edit source]
Copies of Original Birth Records
- 1848–1915 Birth Certificates and index FHL film 1008032 (first of 31 films)
- 1848-1915 Birth Certificates - IRAD-EIU Search for Shelby County records. How to use IRAD
- 1848-1906 Birth Record Index - IRAD-EIU Search for Shelby County records.
Marriages[edit | edit source]
Copies of original Marriage Records
- 1827–1831 Marriage licenses FHL film 7710
- 1827–1922 Marriage records and index FHL film 1008065 Item 1 (first of 4 films)
- 1827-1922 Marriage Record IRAD-EIU Search for Shelby County records.
- 1854–1871 Marriage records FHL films 7710
- 1871–1876 Marriage License Applications IRAD-EIU Search for Shelby County records. How to use IRAD
- 1878-1906 Marriage Record Index - IRAD-EIU Search for Shelby County records.
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 ($)
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810-1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
Deaths[edit | edit source]
Copies of Original Death Records
- 1878-1917 Death records and index FHL 1008063–4
- 1878-1917 Death Record IRAD-EIU Search for Shelby County records. How to use IRAD
- 1878-1902 Death Record Index IRAD-EIU Search for Shelby County records.
- 1919-1984 Coroner's Inquest Files IRAD–EIU
- 1926-1975 Coroner's Inquest Record IRAD–EIU
- 1952-1955 Death Certificates, Coroner - IRAD-EIU Search for Shelby County records.
Online Resources
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)
Additional Resources[edit | edit source]
Additional resources for Shelby County births, marriages and deaths may be found in the Illinois, Shelby – Vital Records, the Illinois, Shelby – Vital Records - indexes, and the Illinois, Shelby – Vital Records - newspapers topic pages of the FamilySearch Catalog . 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.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Shelby County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Shelby County IL Genealogy
- Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
Databases pertinent to Shelby County
- Local Governmental Records Database IRAD
- Name Index to Illinois Local Governments IRAD
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Shelby County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- USGenWeb, Shelby County, Illinois (ILGenWeb)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Shelby 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.
- ↑ "List of Counties in Tennessee," Wikipedia.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Shelby County, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/shelby/ accessed 04/20/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Shelby County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_County,_Illinois 04/20/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Shelby County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_County%2C_Illinois, accessed 14 March 2020.
- ↑ Historic sketch and biographical album of Shelby County, Illinois : embellished with portraits of well-known residents of Shelby County, Illinois. (Shelbyville, Ill. : The Wilder Pub. Co., 1900.)p 179-204
