Wayne County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Wayne County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Wayne County, Illinois | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Illinois, United States Genealogy | |
 Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded: | March 26, 1819 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Fairfield |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Wayne County Courthouse 301 E. Main Street Fairfield, IL 62837 {618) 842-5182 Wayne County Website |
Contents
- 1 Wayne County Organization
- 2 Historical Facts
- 3 Boundary Changes
- 4 Record Loss
- 5 Places / Localities
- 6 Resources
- 6.1 Biography
- 6.2 Cemeteries
- 6.3 Census
- 6.4 Church Records
- 6.5 Court Records
- 6.6 Ethnic Research
- 6.7 Genealogy
- 6.8 History
- 6.9 Land and Property
- 6.10 Maps
- 6.11 Military Records
- 6.12 Naturalization
- 6.13 Newspapers and Obituaries
- 6.14 Periodicals
- 6.15 Probate Records
- 6.16 Repositories
- 6.17 School Records
- 6.18 Social Groups Online
- 6.19 Societies
- 6.20 Taxation
- 6.21 Vital Records
- 7 Websites
- 8 References
Wayne County Organization[edit | edit source]
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1886 | 1886 | 1886 | 1819 | 1865 | 1886 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Wayne County are kept, see the Wayne County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
The county is named after Revolutionary War General "Mad" Anthony Wayne (1745-1796).[2]
Parent County[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Gen. "Mad Anthony" Wayne, an officer in the Revolutionary War and Northwest Indian War. The county seat is Fairfield and the county was organized on 1819.[4]The County is located in the Southeast 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]
1886 A fire at the courthouse on 17 November destroyed all 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 | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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|
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| Townships | ||
Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Biography[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web sites have additional information on Wayne county cemeteries.
- Wayne County, Illinois Cemetery Map (Genealogy Trails)
Census[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1820 | 1,114 | — |
| 1830 | 2,553 | 129.2% |
| 1840 | 5,133 | 101.1% |
| 1850 | 6,825 | 33.0% |
| 1860 | 12,223 | 79.1% |
| 1870 | 19,758 | 61.6% |
| 1880 | 21,291 | 7.8% |
| 1890 | 23,806 | 11.8% |
| 1900 | 27,626 | 16.0% |
| 1910 | 25,697 | −7.0% |
| 1920 | 22,772 | −11.4% |
| 1930 | 19,130 | −16.0% |
| 1940 | 22,092 | 15.5% |
| 1950 | 20,933 | −5.2% |
| 1960 | 19,008 | −9.2% |
| 1970 | 17,004 | −10.5% |
| 1980 | 18,059 | 6.2% |
| 1990 | 17,241 | −4.5% |
| 2000 | 17,151 | −0.5% |
| 2010 | 16,760 | −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, Wayne County on page 188.]
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), early church records and history
- Wayne County, Illinois Church Records (Genealogy Trails)
- 1845-1874 Hopewell Baptist Church, records and registers
- 1853–1958 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church FHL film 984189
- 1868–1934 Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Dry Fork Branch FHL film 1954900 Item 13
Catholic[edit | edit source]
Church Records of St. Edward Parish, Fairfield, Wayne County, Illinois 1881-1956 are included in the Illinois, Diocese of Belleville, Catholic parish records, 1729-1956 collection at FamilySearch.org. The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths. There is no name index to this collection, but the register books can be viewed in chronological order.
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 Wayne County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
- 1915–1928 Circuit Court Record, Criminal IRAD–EIU
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]
- Every Name Index to History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois Every Name Index compiled by Cathy L. O'Connor, 2010, original text by Globe Publishing Company, Historical Publishers, 1884, reproduction by Unigraphic, Inc., 1970. EveryNameIndex.com
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 Wayne County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
- 1836–1854 School Land Sale Petitions IRAD–EIU
- 1837–1854 School Land Sale Record IRAD–EIU
- 1851–1898 Deed Index IRAD–EIU
- 1851–1912 Land records - Indexes and deeds FHL film 1391823 Item 2 (first of 19 films)
- 1915–1961 Chattel Mortgage Record IRAD–EIU
- 1910–1917 Stallion Registration Record IRAD–EIU
- 1987 Land atlas and plat book FHL book 977.3792 E7w
Online Resources
- Beginning 1820 Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
- 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Illinois Public Land Purchase Records This record extract includes over 538,000 land sales from the 19th Century. Each entry includes the purchaser's name, purchase date, number of acres, price per acre, and in some cases the purchaser's sex and residence. Available at www.ancestry.com ($)
- Wayne County Federal Township Plats
Additional Resources
Additional resources for Wayne 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
- USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), 1875 Township Map
- USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illiniois (ILGenWeb), Illinois County Boundaries, 1790 - Present
- Wayne County, Illinois Cemetery Map (Genealogy Trails)
- 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 Wayne 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 Wayne County.
- - 5th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies D and M.
- - 18th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies F and G.
- - 40th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and E.
- - 56th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- - 60th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies G and H.
- - 61st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- - 87th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- - 110th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- - 111th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies C, E, and K.
- - 136th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company C.
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]
- USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illinios (ILGenWeb), obituaries and death notices
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 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 Wayne County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
- [No probate record holdings noted in IRAD-EIU Wayne County Listing.] Search for Wayne County records. Information about how to use IRAD
The following abstracts or indexes are available:
- USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illiniois (ILGenWeb), will index books C and D
Copies of original records
- 1852–1865 Miscellaneous newspapers (includes probate) FHL film 1769730 Item 2
- 1861–1950 Will index FHL book 977.3792 P22b
- 1880–1932 Wills FHL first film 1409190 Item 4 (first of 2 films)
- 1886–1925 Probate records FHL first film 1409168 Items 2–3 (first of 4 films)
Additional Resources
Additional resources for Wayne County probates may be found in the Illinois, Wayne – Probate, Illinois, Wayne – Probate newspapers, and on Illinois, Wayne – 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 Wayne County are kept, see the Wayne 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 4500Family History Centersworldwide 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. Microfilm and microfiche may be ordered from the FHL collection at a nominal cost. 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 Wayne 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
Foxcroft Illinois Family History Center
17947 Rt 37 North
Johnston City, Williamson, Illinois
Phone: 618-937-4755
Hours: Tuesday 9am-4pm; & other times by appt
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 Wayne 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]
Fairfield Public Library
300 South East Second Street
Fairfield IL 62837
(618) 842-4516
Wayne City Public Library
103 East Mill Street
Wayne City, IL 62895
(618) 895-2661
|
Brehm Memorial Library |
The Genealogy Department collections include more than 14,750 volumes and 3,900 microform. They also house the 2,600 item library collection for the Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution (IDAR). |
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois
Taxation[edit | edit source]
- 1899 Tax Assessment Abstracts IRAD–EIU
- 1884–1901 Tax Lists, Delinquent 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 Wayne 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 Wayne County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
Births[edit | edit source]
Abstracts
- USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), County birth Indexes, beginning 1886
- USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), County birth Indexes, beginning 1886
Copies of Original Records
- 1860–1910 Birth Record Index, Delayed IRAD–EIU
- 1860–1906 Birth Record, Delayed IRAD–EIU
- 1861–1905 Birth Records FHL film 1426347 Item 2
- 1867–1905 Birth records FHL film 1307970 Item 1–4
- 1867–1908 Birth Record IRAD–EIU
- 1870–1906 Delayed birth record books FHL first film 1307970 Item 5 (first of 3 films)
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 ($)
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810-1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
- USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), marriage indexes
Copies of Original Records
- 1855–1886 Marriage Certification Record, Pre-Fire IRAD–EIU
- 1879–1976 Marriage Record Index IRAD–EIU
- 1879–1952 Marriage Record IRAD–EIU
- 1886–1930 Index to marriages FHL film 1391819 Item 4
- 1886–1930 Marriage records FHL first film 1391819 Item 5 (first of 2 films)
Deaths[edit | edit source]
Online Resources
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)
- USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), death indexes
- 1888-1960 Wayne County Coroner's Inquest Record Index Illinois State Archives.
Copies of Original Records
- 1880-1955 Death records FHL film 1426346 (first of 2 films)
- 1886-1955 Death records IRAD–EIU FHL first film 1391820 Item 4 (first of 9 films)
- 1888-1960 Coroner's Inquest Record IRAD–EIU
Additional Resources[edit | edit source]
Additional resources for Wayne County births, marriages and deaths may be found in the Illinois, Wayne – Vital Records, and the Illinois, Wayne – 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]
|
- Wayne County Illinois Genealogy - ILGenWeb
- Wayne County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History Linkpendium
- Wayne County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy - Genealogy Inc.
- Wayne County IL Genealogy - LDS Genealogy
- Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
Databases pertinent to Wayne County
- Name Index to Illinois Local Governments IRAD
- FamilySearch Catalog
- EveryNameIndex.com Free online genealogy indexes for those big old county histories.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Wayne 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.
- ↑ "Anthony Wayne," Wikipedia.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Wayne County, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/wayne/ accessed 04/20/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Warren County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_County,_Illinois 04/20/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Wayne County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_County%2C_Illinois, accessed 10 March 2020.
