Wayne County, Illinois Genealogy

United States Illinois Wayne County

Guide to Wayne County Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy research page. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

{{Infobox U.S. County }}
 * seal =
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 * county = Wayne County
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 * county_map = Wayne_County_Illinois.png
 * state = Illinois
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 * founded title=Founded:
 * founded year=1819
 * founded date=March 26
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 * seat={{wpd|Fairfield,_Illinois|Fairfield}}
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 * building image = Wayne County Courthouse.gif
 * building image size = 200px
 * building image cap = Photo courtesy Illinois Regional Archives Depository, Illinois State Archives
 * building address = Wayne County Courthouse 301 E. Main Street Fairfield, IL 62837 {618) 842-5182 Wayne County Website
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Wayne County Organization
Wayne County's civil records start the following years:

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


The county is named after Revolutionary War General "Mad" Anthony Wayne (1745-1796).

Parent County

 * 1819--Wayne County was created 26 March 1819 from Edwards County. County seat: Fairfield

Boundary Changes
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
For a list of record loss in Illinois counties see: Illinois Counties with Burned Courthouses

November 17, 1886 -- Courthouse burned and many records were damaged.


 * USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), Wayne County's Great Loss

For further information on researching in burned counties, see the following:


 * Burned Counties Research
 * http://blogs.ancestry.com/circle/?p=2424

Neighboring Counties

 * Clay
 * Edwards
 * Hamilton
 * Jefferson
 * Marion
 * Richland
 * White

Cemeteries
Illinois Cemeteries for more information. Illinois cemetery records often identify birth, death, relationship, and military information, as well as religious affiliation.


 * Find A Grave can be searched by the name of a person or family to find where a person is buried. Usually gives birth and death dates often with a picture of the tombstone.  May give obituaries, names of family members and links to their information in Find A Grave.


 * Find A Grave also gives a list of cemeteries in Wayne County and links to the information for the individuals buried there.


 * Wayne Co. IL USGenWeb Tombstone Project usually gives the names of the deceased in alphabetical order by last name with birth and death dates plus any remarks.


 * Illinois Cemeteries by county.


 * The Catalog/frameset_fhlc.asp FamilySearch Catalog lists . Some of the books or others may be on Google Books or available at public libraries.


 * ePodunk list of Wayne County cemeteries gives the names of the cemeteries in the county with a link to more information such as address, phone number, and web site.


 * USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), cemetery index


 * Wayne County, Illinois Cemetery Map (Genealogy Trails)

1840 Pensioners

 * 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. ; ; digital version at Google Books. [See Illinois, Wayne County on page 188.]

Church Records

 * 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
 * 1868–1934 Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Dry Fork Branch

Catholic
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
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

African American
The following have information concerning African American research.


 * African American Research (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

History

 * 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
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
 * 1915–1961 Chattel Mortgage Record IRAD–EIU
 * 1910–1917 Stallion Registration Record IRAD–EIU
 * 1987 Land atlas and plat book

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 in the. Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche can be ordered for viewing at Family History Centers. 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

 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
 * Wayne County Federal Township Plats
 * 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)

Civil War
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.

Newspapers and Obituaries

 * USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illinios (ILGenWeb), obituaries and death notices

Probate Records
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)
 * 1861–1950 Will index
 * 1880–1932 Wills
 * 1886–1925 Probate records

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Wayne County probates may be found in the, , and on topic pages of the FamilySearch Catalog. Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche can be ordered for viewing at Family History Centers. 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
See also a List of Illinois Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical & Genealogical Societies

County Courthouse
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
There are over 4500 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. 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 &amp; 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 &amp; 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; &amp; 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)
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
Fairfield Public Library 300 Sout East Second Street Fairfield IL 62837 (618) 842-4516

Wayne City Public Library 103 East Mill Street Wayne City, IL 62895 (618) 895-2661

School Records

 * 1826–1968 School teachers' daily registers IRAD–EIU
 * 1836–1854 School Land Sale Petitions IRAD–EIU
 * 1837–1854 School Land Sale Record IRAD–EIU

Societies
Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois

Taxation

 * 1899 Tax Assessment Abstracts IRAD–EIU


 * 1884–1901 Tax Lists, Delinquent IRAD–EIU

Vital Records
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
Abstracts


 * 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
 * 1867–1905 Birth records
 * 1867–1908 Birth Record IRAD–EIU
 * 1870–1906 Delayed birth record books

Marriages
Online Resources


 * 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
 * 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage indexfound at Ancestry.com ($)
 * 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
 * 1886–1930 Marriage records

Deaths
Online Resources


 * 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
 * 1886–1955 Death records IRAD–EIU
 * 1888–1960 Coroner's Inquest Record IRAD–EIU

Additional Resources
Additional resources for Wayne County births, marriages and deaths may be found in the, and the topic pages of the FamilySearch Catalog. Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche can be ordered for viewing at Family History Centers. 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.

Web Sites

 * Wayne County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook

Databases pertinent to Wayne County


 * Local Governmental Records Database IRAD
 * Name Index to Illinois Local Governments IRAD
 * USGenWeb, Wayne County, Illinois (ILGenWeb)
 * Wayne County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History(Linkpendium)
 * EveryNameIndex.com   Free online genealogy indexes for those big old county histories.
 * EveryNameIndex.com   Free online genealogy indexes for those big old county histories.