Clay County, Illinois Genealogy

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

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

Historical Facts
Clay County is named for who is known for authoring the "Missouri Compromise."

Description
The county was named for Henry Clay, famous American statesman, member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State in the 19th century. The County Seat is Louisville and was founded 1824. It is located in the Central area of the state.

Boundary Changes

 * 23 December 1824: -- Clay County was created from Wayne, Lawrence and Fayette Counties.

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

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

Biography

 * Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois (Google Books)
 * History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois (Google Books)

Cemeteries

 * Clay County Cemeteries by contributors and by township (Genealogy Trails)
 * Clay County Illinois Cemeteries (Linkpendium)

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

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, Clay County on page 186.]

Catholic
Parish records from two Clay County Catholic churches in the Diocese of Belleville are available online at FamilySearch.org. The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths:


 * , browsable online (no index); FamilySearch.
 * , browsable online (no index); FamilySearch.


 * 1893-1895 - Christian Church, Sailor Springs, Baptism Index 1893-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.
 * 1893-1895 - Christian Church, Sailor Springs, Marriage Index 1893-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch.

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 copies of original records may be accessed through the Family History Library.


 * 1825-1841 Illinois County Commissioner's Court (Clay County), Records, 1825-1841

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

Germans
Archives, Libraries, and Museums Biographies Church Records Cemetery Records Court Records Histories Immigration/emigration/migration Maps Newspapers Societies

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


 * 1825-1892 Deed Index IRAD-EIU Search for Clay County records. IRAD-EIU
 * 1825-1911 Deed Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1825-1911 Clay County, Illinois Recorder, Deeds, 1825-1911
 * Taylor, Lola B., Gleanings from old newspapers, Clay and Richland counties, Illinois (Olney, Illinois:Taylor Print Shop, c1975) ;
 * Rockford Map Publishers (Rockford, Illinois), Land atlas and plat book, Clay County, Illinois, 1986 (Rockford, Illinois:Rockford map Publishers,c1985) ;
 * Wabash, Sally, Miscellaneous records at court house, Clay County, Il., 1998 (Flora, Illinois:S. Wabash,1998.) ;

Online Resources


 * Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
 * Clay County Federal Township Plats
 * 1800s – Present - Use the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land Patent Index to obtain original federal land transfer records, including homestead, military warrants, and cash entry patents. These records help a researcher establish location and lead to National Archives’ records which may include genealogical information. Earlier land transfer records are at the National Archives.
 * 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * 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 ($)

Local Histories
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


 * Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois. Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen &amp; Co., 1909. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive.

Maps



 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)


 * Clay County Federal Township Plats

Civil War
Civil War service men from Clay 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 Clay County.


 * - 21st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
 * - 40th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
 * - 98th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and F.
 * - 111th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
 * - 136th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company F.
 * - 143rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company D.
 * - 152nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Company E.

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


 * 1868-1910 Naturalization Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1868-1904 Illinois County Court (Clay County), Naturalization records,
 * 1904-1904 Naturalization Record, Final IRAD-EIU
 * 1907-1927 Illinois Circuit Court (Clay County), Naturalization records,

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

Newspapers

 * Clay County, Illinois USGenWeb Obituaries
 * Clay County Newspaper Data (Genealogy Trails)

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 copies of original records may be accessed online, through the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Clay County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1837-1885 Probate Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1837-1925 Illinois. County Court (Clay County), Probate records, 1837-1925.
 * 1863-1877 Probate Administrator's Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1863-1894 Probate Guardian's Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1863-1919 Probate Executor's Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1865-1925 Probate Will Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1872-1885 Probate Appraisement Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1874-1896 Probate Widow's Relinquishment and Selection Record
 * 1874-1902 Probate Inventory Record, Guardians IRAD-EIU
 * 1879-1885 Probate Guardian's and Conservator's Account Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1884-1897 Probate Inventory Record IRAD-EIU
 * Bailey, Jean, editor; Rena Lents Thomas; Ann Hoyt, Abstracts of wills and probate records, Clay County, Illinois (Louisville, Illinois:Clay County Genealogical society (Illinois), 1998-2000) ;
 * Hoyt, Ann, Wills at the Clay County, IL., courthouse (Louisville, Illinois:A. Hoyt, 2000) ;

Online Resources


 * Clay County, Illinois USGenWebWills
 * Clay County Wills and Probates, Court News and Probate Notices (Genealogy Trails)

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

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 evenings 6:00 - 8:00; other times by appointment Closed: Closed Major Holidays  Vincennes Indiana Family History Center 1940 N Old Hwy 41 Vincennes, Knox, Indiana Phone: 812-882-4022 Hours: T, Thu 9am-12:30pm, 5pm-8:30pm Closed: Closed 1 1/2 weeks for Christmas  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 Clay 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
Flora Public Library 216 North Main Street Flora, IL 62839 Phone: (618) 662-6553

Societies
Clay County Illinois Genealogical Society PO Box 94 Louisville, ILL 62858 Telephone Number: 618-665-4544 Website

Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois has a page with details about its' activities.

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

Births
Copies of original Records


 * 1877-1918 Birth Record - IRAD-EIU
 * 1877-1904 Birth Record Index - IRAD-EIU
 * 1844-1944 Birth Record, Delayed- IRAD-EIU
 * 1862-1918 Clay County (Illinois) County Clerk, Birth records, 1862-1918.

Abstracts


 * 1842-1889 McPeak, Becky, Clay County, Illinois delayed births, 1842-1889 [i.e.1863-1889](Louisville, Illinois:Clay County Genealogical society, Illinois, 1997.) ;
 * 1886-1907 Hoyt, Ann Clay County, Illinois birth records:alpha (Louisville, Illinois :A Hoyt, 2000,2002.) ; Other Libraries
 * 1877-1885 McPeak, Becky Early birth records of Clay County, Illinois 1877–1885 (Louisville, Illinois: Clay County Genealogical Society, Indiana, 1994.)

Marriages
Copies of Original Records


 * 1825–1845 Marriage Record, Transcription IRAD-EIU
 * 1858–1919 Marriage Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1858-1919 Clay County, Illinois County Clerk, Marriage register and records, 1858-1919.

Abstracts


 * 1825-1845 Wiegant, Winifred, Seenah Fry, Berdella McGrew, Early Clay County marriage records, 1825-1845 (Salt Lake City, Utah:Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1976.)
 * 1825-1877 Clay County Genealogical Society, Clay County [Illinois] marriages (Louisville, Illinois:Clay County Genealogical Society, Illinois, 1989.) ;
 * 1874-1881 Frye, Mary Ann, Becky McPeak, Clay County, Illinois marriage book D (Louisville, Illinois:Clay County Genealogical Society, Indiana, 1977.) ;
 * 1877-1895 Tanner, John, Becky McPeak, Clay County, Illinois marriages (Louisville, Illinois:Clay County Genealogical Society, Indiana, 1990.) ;
 * 1895-1916 Clay County Genealogical Society; indexed by Becky McPeak, Clay County, Illinois marriages (Louisville, Illinois:clay County Genealogical Society, Illinois, 1994-1996.)
 * 1840-1899 Taylor, Lola B., Early marriages of Richland County, Illinois, 1840- (Olney, Illinois:Taylor Print Shop, c1970.) ; Includes Clay, Lawrence and Jasper Counties.

Illinois Marriages Clay County marriage records for 1860 and 1861 are interspersed with each other. Not overlapped at the end of the year. but mixed at other dates.

Online Resources


 * 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1810–1934 at FamilySearch — index and images.
 * Clay County, Illinois USGenWeb, Marriages with brides list and brooms list
 * 1825–1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 (1825-1900 for Clay County)
 * 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index

Deaths
Copies of Original Records


 * 1877-1918 Clay County, Illinois County Clerk, Death records.
 * 1877–1918 Death Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1877–1904 Death Record Index IRAD-EIU

Abstracts


 * 1877-1935 Clay County Genealogical Society; Ann Hoyt, Clay County, Illinois death records (Louisville, Illinois:Clay County Genealogical Society, Illinois, 1991-2006.) ;

Online Resources
 * 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
 * 1916–1950 Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916-1950 (1916-1950 for Clay County)
 * Clay County, Illinois USGenWeb, County Clerk Death Records Indexes
 * 1850–1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)

Websites
Databases Pertinent to Clay County


 * Clay County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Clay 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 Project, Clay County, Illinois (ILGenWeb)
 * Clay County, IllinoisGenealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * EveryNameIndex.com  Free online genealogy indexes for those big old county histories.