Effingham County, Illinois Genealogy

Guide to Effingham County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records. 

County Organization

 * Incomplete birth and death before 1916

County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Effingham County are kept, see the Effingham County Courthouse page.

Historical Facts


Effingham County is named for who is noted for resigning his commission as general in the British army in 1775 and refusing to serve in the war against the colonies.

Description
The county was named for Gen. Edward Effingham. The county seat is Effingham and the county was organized on 1831. The County is located in the central part of the state.

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.


 * 15 February 1831: Effingham County was created from Fayette and Crawford Counties. ; Effingham not fully organized, parts attached to Crawford and Fayette until "organized." (Ill. Laws 1830-1831, pp. 50-52)
 * 20 December 1832: Fully organized, detached from Crawford and Fayette. (Ill. Laws 1832-1833, pp. 22-23)
 * 26 February 1845: Legislature authorized Effingham to gain from Shelby the northern half of township 9 north, ranges 4 to 6 east, dependent on local referendum that failed [no change]. (Ill. Laws 1844-1845, p. 164) (source: Newberry Library)

Records Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Biography

 * Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, also known as Effingham County, biographical ; pub. 1910 See the wiki page Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois for more information about this book.
 * Portrait and biographical record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland counties, Illinois pub. 1893
 * Portrait and biographical record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland counties; pub. 1893
 * Portrait and biographical record of Effingham County, Illinois; reprint 2004 of 1893 edition

Census
For information and tips on using and accessing online census records, see Illinois Census.

Federal
1840-1850  1840-1850 Effingham County census

1840

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, Effingham County on page 186.];

1850 United States census 1850; pub. 1979

1860 1860 census of Effingham County, Illinois; pub. 1983

1870 1870 Effingham County census; pub. 1984

1880 Effingham County, Illinois 1880; pub. 1990 Vol. 1. Banner, Bishop, Douglas, Jackson, Liberty &amp; Lucas townships Vol. 2. Mason, Moccasin, Mound, St. Francis, Summit, Teutopolis, Union, Watson &amp; West townships.

1900 1900 federal census; pub. 1999

State

 * 1855, State Census FamilySearch Index only
 * 1855, Name index to early Illinois records
 * 1855, State Census
 * 1865, State Census

Correctional Institutions
Register of prisoners, 1898-1933; also known as Effingham County (Illinois) County Jail

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 Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1833-1874 Circuit Court Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1833-1882 Circuit Court Execution Dockets IRAD-EIU
 * 1833-1925 Circuit Court Index IRAD-EIU
 * 1838-1880 Justice of the Peace Dockets IRAD-EIU
 * 1858-1870 County Court Execution Dockets IRAD-EIU
 * 1859-1870 County Court Fee Books IRAD-EIU
 * 1864-1910 Circuit Court Record, Chancery IRAD-EIU
 * 1868-1972 Circuit Court Record, Criminal IRAD-EIU
 * 1872-1964 Jail Registers IRAD-EIU
 * 1872-1917 County Court Record, Criminal IRAD-EIU
 * 1874-1973 Circuit Court Judgment and Execution Dockets IRAD-EIU
 * 1875-1919 Circuit Court Record, Common Law IRAD-EIU
 * 1893-1911 Insanity Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1897-1901 Circuit Court Dockets IRAD-EIU
 * 1958-1968 Circuit Court Case Files IRAD-EIU

Directories
Effingham County, Illinois city and county directories, 1924 &amp; 1925: each directory in alphabetical order, surname index in back; pub. 1990

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

Genealogy

 * Estate settlements &amp; genealogy; pub. 2008
 * The Hirtzel family of Effingham County, Illinois; pub. 1999

Periodicals

 * Crossroad trails
 * Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society newsletter See note.

History

 * The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Effingham County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Effingham County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.
 * Effingham Co., Illinois, historical and biographical, pub. 1910 note: no circulation to FHCs.
 * Effingham County, Illinois, past and present; reprint 2000
 * Effingham, Illinois fiftieth anniversary, 1853-1903; reprint 1984
 * Fair history, Effingham County, Illinois; pub. 1995
 * Historical postcards of Effingham County, Illinois; pub. 2003
 * History of Effingham County, Illinois; pub. 1883
 * History of Effingham County, Illinois; reprint with index (1972?);
 * Making a living in the good old days; pub. 1975
 * Old settlers' annual and home coming reunion : history, biography, reminiscences, etc.; pub. 1987
 * The sesquicentennial of Effingham County, 1831-1981; pub.1982
 * Towns of Effingham County, Illinois; pub. 1975
 * Townships of Effingham County, Illinois; pub. 1975
 * Index to History of Effingham County, Illinois, 1883; pub. 1987
 * Bits of Effingham County, Illinois history The articles in this book were written as columns for the “Effingham Daily News” from 1967 to 1988, under the general heading “Bits of Illinois History” — Introd., p. 3.

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 Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of Originals


 * 1829-1895 Effingham County (Illinois) Recorder, Land Book.
 * 1833-1889 Deed Index IRAD-EIU
 * 1833-1936 Deed Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1833-1945 Effingham County (Illinois)Recorder, Deeds and Mortgages, 1833-1945; index 1833-1895.
 * 1854-1905 Mortgage Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1875-1895 Mortgage Index IRAD-EIU
 * 1859-1867 Swamp Land Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1945-1962 Chattel Mortgage Index and Record IRAD-EIU

Abstracts


 * 1836-1899 Effingham County Genealogical Society, Effingham County, Illinois public domain land sales, 1836-1899 (Effingham, Illinois:Effingham County Genealogical Society, 1990.) ;
 * 1845-1855 Osborne, Arnetia Bannick, Eleanor Poe Bounds, Effingham County Genealogical Society (Effingham, Illinois), Delinquent tax records, 1845 through 1855, Effingham County, Illinois: these records include owner's names, parts of section, section nos., range, acres, valuation, year tax due, state revenue, state special tax, county tax, poor tax, and total amount due (Effingham, Illinois:Effingham County Genealogical Society, 1995.) ;
 * Family Maps. Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Effingham County, Illinois (Norman, Oklahoma: Arphax Pub. Co., c2007.)
 * 1986 Rockford Map Publishers (Rockford, Illinois), Land Atlas and plat book, Effingham County, Illinois, 1986 (Rockford, Illinois:Rockford Map Publishers, c1986.) ;

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 ($)
 * Illinois Public Land Purchase Records This record extract includes over 538,000 land sales from the 19th Century. Each entry includes the purchaser's name, purchase date, number of acres, price per acre, and in some cases the purchaser's sex and residence. Available at www.ancestry.com ($)
 * Effingham County Federal Township Plats

Maps

 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
 * GIS Search
 * 1899 plat index of Effingham County, Illinois townships and towns
 * Family maps of Effingham County, Illinois
 * Land atlas and plat book, Effingham County, Illinois, 1986
 * Effingham County Federal Township Plats
 * Township Map of 1870 Effingham County, Illinois with numerous small settlements. (My Genealogy Hound)

Military

 * The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Effingham County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Effingham County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.
 * Veteran burials, Effingham County, Illinois, 1862-1955

Civil War
Civil War service men from Effingham 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 Effingham County.


 * - 5th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company L.
 * - 10th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company L.
 * - 11th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (3 months, 1861), Company G.
 * - 11th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E, F, and G.
 * - 26th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A
 * - 35th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
 * - 38th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
 * - 54th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and I.
 * - 62nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
 * - 71st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
 * - 98th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies C and K.
 * - 135th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies C and D.
 * - 143rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company F.
 * - 154th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.


 * [http://civilwar.illinoisgenweb.org/county/effingha.html Civil War Companies

Organized in Effingham County, Illinois] Effingham Co ILGenWeb

Military Records


 * The Adjutant General's Report of Effingham County, Illinois soldiers, 1831-32, 1846-48 and 1861-66, 1898-99


 * Civil war soldiers from Effingham County

World War II

 * World War II veterans, Effingham County, Illinois

Naturalization and Citizenship
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 Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of Original Records


 * 1840-1905 Naturalization Papers IRAD-EIU
 * 1857-1906 Naturalization Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1859-1892 Naturalization records.
 * 1859-1892 Naturalization Declarations of Intent and final record IRAD-EIU
 * 1870-1888 Naturalization Record of Soldiers and Minors IRAD-EIU
 * Naturalization records: Files 166 through 182 (no years given)

Abstracts


 * 1849-1906 Osborn, Arnetia Bannick, Mary Brown and Rose Shadwell, Naturalization records, 1849-1906 (Effingham, Illinois: Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society.) ;

Online Records
 * 1800-1998 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Newspapers and Obituaries
Newspaper clippings and obituaries from Clay and Effingham counties, Illinois and Yakima County, Washington

Populated Places
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:

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

Probate Records
Online Probate Records
 * 1772 - 1999 Illinois Wills and Probate Records 1772-1999 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 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 Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of Original Records


 * 1834-1920 Probate Will Record
 * 1835-1893 Probate Record
 * 1838-1964 Probate Record Index
 * 1848-1926 Probate Claim Dockets
 * 1851-1932 Probate Accounts Current Record
 * 1853-1853 Probate Administrator's and Executor's Bonds and Letters
 * 1854-1939 Probate Administrator's Record
 * 1854-1935 Probate Sale Record, Personal Property
 * 1855-1939 Probate Appraisement Record
 * 1858-1896 Probate Settlements Due Dockets
 * 1862-1927 Probate Judgment Dockets
 * 1871-1894 Probate Guardian's Record
 * 1873-1914 Probate Inventory Record, Guardians
 * 1874-1895 Probate Sale Record, Real Estate, Guardians
 * 1889-1891 Probate Guardian's Report Record
 * 1890-1904 Probate Inventory Record
 * 1838-1920 Probate records

Abstracts


 * 1836-1882 Sargent, W.F., Wills and estate settlements, 1836-1882 (Effingham, Illinois:Effingham County Geneal. Society, [198-?].) (
 * Garbe, Audrey and Eleanor Poe Bounds, Estate settlements and genealogy: Effingham County, Illinois (Effingham, Illinois: Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society, c2008.) ;

Online Resources


 * 1849-1920 Probate records are also available in . Click on the browse through images link, select Effingham County, and select the record type you are interested in. Includes, Guardianship records, probate records and wills.

Archives
Inventory of the county archives of Illinois, no. 25, Effingham County (Effingham), pub. 1940

County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Effingham County are kept, see the Effingham 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. Some microfilms may be available at local family history 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 Effingham 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.

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 Terre Haute Indiana Family History Center  1845 N 6 1/2 St Terre Haute, Vigo, Indiana Phone: 812-234-0269 Hours: Tue 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Closed: Mondays after 6:00 p.m., all major holidays, inclement weather, whenever Vigo schools are on delays or early dismissals. Attention: The Center is also available by appointment. 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 Edwards 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
Beecher City Branch Library 108 North James Street, Beecher City, IL 62414 (618) 487-9400 ‎ Altamont Public Library 121 West Washington Altamont IL 62411 618-483-5457

Helen Matthes Library 100 E. Market Ave. Effingham, IL 62401-3499 Phone: 217.342.2464 Fax: 217.342.2413 Email: hmlib@effinghamlibrary.org

Schools
Effingham County school history, centennial 1918

Societies
County Genealogical and Historical Society PO Box 1166 Effingham, Il 62401 facebook

Taxation
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 Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1845-1855 Delinquent tax records, 1845 through 1855, Effingham County, Illinois
 * 1851-1853 Collector's Books IRAD-EIU
 * 1852 Tax records 1852
 * 1853-1965 Assessor's Books IRAD-EIU
 * 1853-1886 Tax Sale and Redemption Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1854-1858 Tax records 1854-1858
 * 1854-1861 Collector's Receipt Record for Tax Books IRAD-EIU
 * 1890 tax lists v. 1. Banner, Bishop, Douglas, Jackson, Liberty &amp; Lucas townships v. 2. Moccasin, Mound, St. Francis, Summit, Teutopolis, Union, Watson and West townships.

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 Clinton 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 Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

Births
Copies of Original Records


 * 1877-1916 Birth Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1877-1915 Birth Record Index IRAD-EIU
 * 1877-1916 Birth records, 1877-1916, stillbirths are included. Index 1877-1915 - Film 1010043 Vol. 1-2 1877-1901 - Film 1010043 Vol. 3-4 1902-1914 - Film 1010044 Vol. 5 1911-1916 - Film 1010045 

Marriages
Copies of Original Records


 * 1839–1920 Marriage Record- IRAD-EIU
 * Marriage records, 1839-1920 Vol. A-B 1839-1877 - Film 1010047 Vol.1-2 1878-1908 - Film 1010048 Vol. 3 19908-19220 - Film 1010049
 * Effingham County, Illinois marriages Vol. 1-2 1833-1877 - 6104306 Vol. 3 1878-1882 - 6104307 Vol. 4 1889-1894 - 6104308 Vol. 5 1895-1900 - 6104309 Vol. 6 1901-1905 - 6104310 Vol. 7 1906-1910 - 6110728 Vol. 8 1911-1915 - 6067339 Vol. 9 1916-1920 - not available on fiche

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 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1810–1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index

Deaths
Copies of Original Records


 * 1869-1934 Coroner's Inquest Record IRAD-EIU'''


 * 1878-1915 Death Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1878-1915 Death Record Index IRAD-EIU
 * 1878-1901 Death Record, Stillbirths IRAD-EIU
 * 1878-1915 Death records, 1878-1915

Abstracts
 * 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1860, 1870, 1880 Richland County Genealogical Society, Mortality schedules, 1860, 1870, 1880 ([S.I.:s.n.] 1978.)

Online Resources


 * 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
 * Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
 * 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)

Websites
Databases pertinent to Effingham County


 * Effingham County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Effingham County IL Genealogy
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Local Governmental Records Database IRAD
 * Name Index to Illinois Local Governments IRAD
 * USGenWeb, Effingham County, Illinois (ILGenWeb)
 * Effingham County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)