Illinois, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains church vital records from 1837-1995. They are from different denominations located in several counties in Illinois. Records may include: births, baptisms, marriages, banns, deaths, and burials.

What Can these Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in a birth record: The following information may be found in a baptism record:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The date of birth
 * The names of parents
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The date of birth
 * The date of baptism
 * The names of parents

The following information may be found in a marriage record: The following information may be found in a death record:
 * Names of bride and groom
 * Date of Marriage
 * Birthplaces and residences of bride and groom
 * Ages of bride and groom
 * Occupation of groom
 * Name
 * Spouse
 * Death date

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before using this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The approximate date and or location of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images.

I Found the Person I was Looking For, What Now?

 * Copy the citation below, in case you need to find this record again later.
 * Search for other church and vital records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death records.
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records.
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in censuses. Witnesses were usually family members.
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family.

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives.
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county.
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well.
 * Check the info box above for additional FamilySearch websites and related websites that may assist you in finding similar records.

Citing this Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.


 * Collection Citation: