McDonough County, Illinois Genealogy

Guide to McDonough County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records. Illinois Online Genealogy Records

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

Historical Facts
McDonough County is named for Thomas McDonough whose most notable achievement was when, as commander of American naval forces during the War of 1812, he won the decisiveBattle of Lake Champlain.

Parent County

 * 1826--McDonough County was created 25 January 1826 from Schuyler County. County seat:  Macomb

Description
The county was named for Thomas Macdonough who defeated a British squadron in the decisive naval Battle of Lake Champlain in the War of 1812. The county seat is Macomb and the county was organized on 1826. The County is located in the West Central area 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.

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:

Neighboring Counties

 * Fulton
 * Hancock
 * Henderson
 * Schuyler
 * Warren

Biography

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

Census

 * 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com (Free)
 * 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 Allen, Margaret McKee. 1850-60-70-80 mortality schedules for McDonough County, Illinois. Macomb, Illinois : McDonough County Genealogical Society, [1982?].Many libraries (WorldCat)

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, McDonough County on page 187.]

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places


 * 1830–1991 Inventory of the McDonough County Genealogical Society's church records
 * 1846–1884 Marriages performed by Rev. W.S. Campbell
 * 1850–1874, 1940 Old Bedford Christian Church membership
 * 1855–1922 Methodist Episcopal Church
 * 1859–1992 New Salem Christian Church
 * 1866–1990 West Prairie Presbyterian Church
 * 1892–1928 Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church Minutes, baptisms, marriages, deaths


 * Methodist


 * Membership Book (1950-1969). Pennington Point Methodist Church.
 * Membership Record (1869-1882). Pennington Point Methodist Church.
 * Membership Record (1869-1902). Pennington Point Methodist Church.
 * Quarterly Conference Record (1860-1882). Pennington Point Methodist Church.
 * Membership Record (1902-1918). Pennington Point Methodist Church.

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 Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for McDonough County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1830–1908 Circuit Court case files IRAD–WIU
 * 1830–1937 Circuit Court Record, Common Law IRAD–WIU
 * 1831–1908 Circuit court Judgment dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1837–1851 Circuit Court dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1838–1937 Circuit Court Record, Chancery IRAD–WIU
 * 1840–1963 Justice of the Peace Dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1841–1844 Circuit court complete record, common law IRAD–WIU
 * 1849–1914 Circuit Court Execution dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1869–1875 Patent records
 * 1857–1869 Patent records
 * 1870–1937 Circuit Court record, criminal IRAD–WIU
 * 1872–1886 County Court Case Files IRAD–WIU
 * 1872–1890 County Court IndexI RAD–WIU
 * 1872–1957 County Court Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1873–1877 Circuit court indictment record IRAD–WIU
 * 1875–1935 Insanity Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1880–1941 County Court Miscellaneous Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1882–1938 County Court Fee Books IRAD–WIU
 * 1891–1954 Jury Registers IRAD–WIU
 * 1893–1925 Insanity Dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1914–1941 Mother's Pension RecordIRAD–WIU

African American
The following have information concerning African American research.


 * African American Research (US) has more information about the kinds of records
 * Illinois African-American Resource Guide by the Illinois State Archives describes what records are at the State Archives with an online method for ordering records.
 * African-American Resources for Illinois

Local Histories

 * Clarke, S. J. History of McDonough County, Illinois: Its Cities, Towns and Villages, with Early Reminiscences, Personal Incidents and Anecdotes, and a Complete Business Directory of the County. Springfield, Ill.: D.W. Lusk, State Printer and Binder, 1878. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Google Books; Internet Archive.
 * Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
 * History of McDonough County, Illinois: Together with Sketches of the Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History, Portraits of Prominent Individuals, and Biographies of the Representative Citizens: History of Illinois, Embracing Accounts of the Pre-historic and Historic Races and a Brief Review of Its Civil and Military History. Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Co., 1885. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive.
 * Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County. Chicago: Munsell Pub. Co., 1907. Digital version at Ancestry ($); USGenWeb (partial)

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 FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for McDonough County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1802–1938 Town lot abstracts
 * 1817–1962 Deed RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1831–1905 Grantor and grantee indexes
 * 1831–1847 School land record
 * 1831–1986 Deed IndexIRAD–WIU
 * 1831–1847 School Land Sale Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1831–1986 Land AbstractsIRAD–WIU
 * 1834–1975 Plat RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1836–1854 Mortgage RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1862–1878 Estray record, justice of the peace IRAD–WIU
 * 1864–1873 Plat record, schools IRAD–WIU
 * 1867–1880 Chattel mortgage record IRAD–WIU
 * 1881–1917 Chattel Mortgage Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1910–1918 Stallion Registration Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1913 Standard atlas - including plat book
 * 1945 Plat book of farm ownership of McDonough County, Illinois Many libraries (WorldCat)
 * 1954 Farm Plat book and business guide Many libraries (WorldCat)
 * 1969 Triennial atlas &amp; plat book Many libraries (WorldCat)
 * 1972 Atlas and plat book Many libraries (WorldCat)
 * 1986 Land Atlas and plat book Many libraries (WorldCat)
 * Boyd, Gregory A. Family maps of McDonough County, Illinois : with homesteads, roads, waterways, towns, cemeteries, railroads and more. Norman, Oklahoma: Arphax Pub. Co., 2008. Many libraries (WorldCat)

Additional Resources

Additional resources for McDonough County land and property may be found online in the. 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.


 * Beginning 1820 Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
 * 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry ($)
 * Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
 * McDonough County Federal Township Plats
 * Plat book of McDonough County, Illinois. Chicago : Occidental Pub. Co., 1893. Digital Version at Library of Congress.

Maps

 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)


 * Plat book of McDonough County, Illinois. Chicago : Occidental Pub. Co., 1893. Digital Version at Library of Congress.


 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Military

 * 1843–1846 Militia Roll Record IRAD–WIU

Civil War
Civil War service men from McDonough 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 McDonough County.


 * - 2nd Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company H.
 * - 7th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company L.
 * - 11th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company I.
 * - 16th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, B, and C.
 * - 21st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
 * - 28th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
 * - 55th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies F and G.
 * - 59th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
 * - 64th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (Yates’ Sharpshooters), Companies A and D.
 * - 65th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (Scotch Regiment), Company E.
 * - 78th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies C and I.
 * - 84th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, C and F.
 * - 119th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
 * - 124th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and I.
 * - 137th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies C, D, G, and I.
 * - 151st Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Company C.
 * - Engineer Regiment of the West, Missouri Volunteers (Union), Company C

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 Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for McDonough County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1854–1884 Naturalization Record, Final IRAD–WIU
 * 1856–1937 Naturalization Declarations of Intent IRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1913 Naturalization papers IRAD–WIU
 * 1866–1877 Naturalization Record of Soldiers and Minors IRAD–WIU
 * 1872–1892 Naturalization Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1889–1906 Naturalization Declarations of Intent IRAD–WIU
 * 1890–1904 Naturalization Record, Final IRAD–WIU
 * 1891–1904 Naturalization Record of Minors IRAD–WIU
 * 1907–1927 Naturalization Certificate stubs IRAD–WIU
 * 1907–1938 Naturalization Petition Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1856-1991 Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991 at Ancestry - index and images, ($)

Newspapers and Obituaries

 * 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and 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 FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for McDonough County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1833–1922 Probate record IRAD–WIU
 * 1833–1940 Probate Record Index IRAD–WIU
 * 1833–1925 Probate Case Files IRAD–WIU
 * 1834–1940 Probate Will Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1838–1933 Probate Case Files, Guardians IRAD–WIU
 * 1850–1859 Probate Administrator's and Guardian's Letters IRAD–WIU
 * 1854–1865 Probate Inventory, Appraisement and Sale Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1858–1921 Probate Administrator's Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1858–1926 Probate Executor's Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1858–1940 Probate Guardian's Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1924 Probate Appraisement Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1923 Probate Inventory Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1929 Probate Sale Record, Personal Property IRAD–WIU
 * 1872–1957 Probate Inventory Record, GuardiansIRAD–WIU
 * 1874–1953 Probate Widow's Relinquishment and Selection Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1883–1932 Probate Administrator's Record with Will Annexed IRAD–WIU
 * 1884–1932 Probate Administrator's Record De Bonis Non with Wills IRAD–WIU
 * 1884–1924 Probate Conservator's Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1885–1923 Probate Administrator's and Executor's Reports IRAD–WIU
 * 1885–1925 Probate Guardian's Report Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1885–1939 Probate Sale Record, Real Estate IRAD–WIU
 * 1901–1923 Probate Conservator's Report Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1914–1928 Probate Settlement Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1834–1857 McDonough County Genealogical Society. Abstracts of wills in McDonough County, Illinois 1834-1857: from will book I in the courthouse at Macomb, Illinois, page 1 through page 193. Macomb, Illinois : McDonough County Genealogical Society, 1980. Many libraries (WorldCat)
 * 1834–1851 Bell, Annie W. B. Record of wills in McDonough County, Illinois, 1834-1851.

Additional Resources

Additional resources for McDonough County probates may be found in the topic page 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.

Online Resources

McDonough County Probate Case Files Index, 1833-1925, courtesy: Illinois State Archives McDonough County Guardian's Case Files Index, 1838-1933, courtesy: Illinois State Archives

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

FamilySearch Centers

 * Macomb Illinois FamilySearch Center
 * Nauvoo Illinois FamilySearch Center
 * Peoria Illinois FamilySearch Center
 * Quincy Illinois FamilySearch Center


 * Athens Municipal Library - an affiliate library
 * Eureka Public Library District - an affiliate library
 * McDonough County Genealogical Society - an affiliate library

Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)
IRAD is a system of Illinois Regional Archives Depositories managed by the Illinois State Archives, housing the archival records of local Illinois counties, townships, municipalities and school districts. The seven Regional Depositories are housed on state university campuses scattered throughout Illinois. Western Illinois University houses the records for McDonough County.

Public Libraries
Blandinsville-Hire Public Library District PO Box 50 130 South Main Street Blandinsville, IL 61420 Phone 309-652-3166 Facebook Website Bushnell Public Library District 455 North Dean Street Bushnell, IL 61422 Phone 309-772-2060 Email:[mailto:plibrary@bushnell.net plibrary@bushnell.net] Website Colchester District Library 203 Macomb St. Colchester, IL 62326 Phone 309-776-4861 Email:[mailto:colchesterlibrary@yahoo.com colchesterlibrary@yahoo.com] Facebook Website Macomb Public Library 235 South Lafayette Macomb, Illinois 61455-2231 Phone 309-833-2714 Email:[mailto:library@macomb.com library@macomb.com] Facebook Website
 * Macomb library has a handout Genealogical Sources available in Macomb found here Handout

School Records

 * 1876–1948 School teacher's daily registers IRAD–WIU

Societies

 * McDonough County Genealogical Society PO Box 202 201 South Lafayette Street Macomb IL 61455 Telephone Number: 309-255-5161 E-mail:[mailto:mcgs@macomb.com mcgs@macomb.com] Facebook Website


 * McDonough County Historical Society] PO Box 83 Macomb, IL 61455 email:[mailto:mcdonoughhistoricalsociety@gmail.com mcdonoughhistoricalsociety@gmail.com] Facebook Website

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 McDonough 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 FamilySearch Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for McDonough County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.

Births

 * 1902–1941 Birth and Death Reporting Accounts IRAD–WIU

Marriages

 * 1830–1923 Marriage Licenses IRAD–WIU
 * 1830–1923 Marriage Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1881–1923 Marriage licenses applications IRAD–WIU
 * 1587-1959 Illinois, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
 * 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHertitage($)
 * 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry ($)
 * 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1810–1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1830–1900 Grimm, Libby, and Mary Hartmann. McDonough County marriages. Macomb, Illinois: McDonough County Genealogical Society, 1980-. Many libraries (WorldCat)
 * 1830–1851 Bell, Annie W. B. Record of marriages in McDonough County, Illinois, for the period of years, 1830-1851. Washington, D.C.: [s.n.], 1935. Many libraries (WorldCat)

Deaths

 * 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
 * 1844-1903 Coroner's Inquest Files IRAD–WIU
 * 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1860-1923 Coroner's Inquest Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1902-1941 Birth and Death Reporting Accounts IRAD–WIU
 * Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHertitage($)
 * 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950 at Illinois State Archives - index; ''Also at: genealogytrails.com.
 * 1916-1950 Illinois Deaths, 1916-1950 at MyHeritage - index, ($)
 * 1951-1971 Illinois Death Certificates, 1951–1971 at Illinois State Archives - index
 * 1966–1970 Foster, Virgil R. Index to Fulton, McDonough and Hancock counties, Illinois obituaries Salt Lake City, Utah : Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1993.

Additional Resources
Additional resources for McDonough births, marriages and deaths may be found in the topic page and the  topic page 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.

FamilySearch Centers

 * Introduction to FamilySearch Centers
 * Macomb Illinois FamilySearch Center

Websites

 * McDonough County ILGenWeb
 * McDonough County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * McDonough County IL Genealogy
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Mcdonough County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History(Linkpendium)
 * Mcdonough County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History(Linkpendium)