Richland County, Illinois Genealogy

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

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

Historical Facts
Richland County is named for Richland County, Ohio which is where many of the settlers of this area originated.

Parent County

 * 1841--Richland County was created 24 February 1841 from Clay and Lawrence Counties. County seat:  Olney

Description
The county seat is Olney and the county was organized on 1841. The County is located in the southeast 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.

Places / Localities
To see a list of places in Richland County, click on [Show], in the bar above. The preceding list of places includes incorporated cities and towns, unincorporated towns and communities, and place names that may have been used in family histories. Some have well-organized records and even have websites. Some are simply social communities with no official records, but which may be referenced in small-town newspapers. The list is provided to help researchers identify localities within the county. As records or histories of these localities are identified, a page will be added for each of these place names.

Census
The Genealogy Library has County Census books from 1850 to 1940

Church Records
Abstracts


 * 1869–1959 Scherer, Mary. St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1869-1959, Richland County, Illinois. Olney, Illinois: Mary Scherer, 1985.

Catholic
FamilySearch has made parish records from two Belleville Diocese Catholic churches in Richland County available online. The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths:


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

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 Family History Library

Abstracts


 * 1841–1852 Richland County Genealogical &amp; Historical Society. Richland County, Ill. board minutes. Olney, Illinois: Richland County Genealogical &amp; Historical Society, [1985?].

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

Local Histories

 * 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.

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


 * 1829-1974 Deed Indexhttp://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/iradsrch.html IRAD-EIU]:*1840–1863 Grantor and grantee indexes
 * 1840–1901 Deeds
 * 1841-1975 Deed Record http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/iradsrch.html IRAD-EIU]
 * Family Maps. Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Richland County, Illinois.  Norman, Oklahoma: Arphax Pub. Co., c2007.

Online Resources


 * Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
 * 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * Richland 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.

Additional Resources

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

Maps

 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)


 * Richland County Federal Township Plats
 * USGenWeb, Richland County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), Maps

Civil War
Civil War service men from Richland 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 Richland County.


 * - 5th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company F.
 * - 6th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company E.
 * - 8th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (3 months, 1861), Company D.
 * - 8th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
 * - 13th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company E.
 * - 21st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
 * - 60th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
 * - 63rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, C, E, and I.
 * - 98th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, G and H.
 * - 130th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
 * - 136th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies C and G.

World War II

 * USGenWeb, Richland County, Illinois, (ILGenWeb), WWII Honor List of Dead and Missing

Naturalization
Online Records


 * 1800-1998 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Newspapers and Obituaries
The Richland Co Genealogy Society has microfilm of newspapers and thousands of fully searchable obits.

Questions can be directed to: richlandcogensoc@hotmail.com

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.


 * [No probate record holdings noted in IRAD-EIU Richland County Listing.] Search for Richland County records. Information about how to use IRAD

Copies of original records


 * 1841–1917 Probate records
 * 1855–1938 Will and guardian records

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Richland County probates may be found in the topic pages 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.

County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Richland County are kept, see the Richland 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 microfilm and microfiche may be available at various 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 Richland 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.

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 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 Richland 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.

Public Libraries
Olney Public Library 400 West Main Olney, IL 62450 618-392-3711 HOURS Mon-Thurs 10am-7pm Fri-Sat 10am-5pm Sun- Closed

Societies
Richland County Genealogical and Historical Society] PO Box 202 Olney IL 62450 E-mail:[mailto:richlandcogensoc@hotmail.com richlandcogensoc@hotmail.com] Website

Illinois Newspaper Project Located in the Olney Central College Library

Richland County Genealogy Society

2019 Society Officers

 * President - Kathy Hursta
 * Vice-President - Jan Crites
 * Secretary - Shelley Steber
 * Treasurer - Becky Pipher
 * Footprints Editor - Teresa Hunt
 * Genealogist/Archivist - Barb Bromm
 * Trustees -

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

Births
Copies of original Records


 * 1859-1904 Birth Record, Delayed - IRAD-EIU Search for Richland County records.
 * 1877–1916 Index to births IRAD-EIU
 * 1877–1972 Birth records book
 * 1885–1972 Delayed birth record books
 * 1889-1905 Birth Record - IRAD-EIU Search for Richland County records. How to use IRAD

Marriages
Copies of original Records


 * 1840–1950 Marriage records
 * 1841–1950 Marriage RecordsIRAD-EIU
 * 1841-1950 Marriage Record Index IRAD-EIU

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
 * 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index

Deaths
Copies of original Records


 * 1877-1950 Death Record - IRAD-EIU Search for Richland County records. How to use IRAD
 * 1877-2003 Death Record Index - IRAD-EIU Search for Richland County records.
 * 1878-1940 Index of death records
 * 1883-1904 Still Births
 * 1884-1904 Death Record, Stillbirths - IRAD-EIU Search for Richland County records.

Online Resources


 * 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
 * Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
 * 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)

Additional Resources
Additional resources for Richland County births, marriages and deaths may be found in the, 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.

Websites

 * Richland County, IL Genealogy Society
 * USGenWeb, Richland County, Illinois (ILGenWeb)
 * Richland County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Richland County IL Genealogy
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Richland County Network Group on Facebook

Databases pertinent to Richland County


 * Local Governmental Records Database IRAD
 * Name Index to Illinois Local Governments IRAD
 * Richland County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Richland County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)