Illinois, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains church records from 1837 to 1995, from different denominations located in several counties in Illinois. Some representative churches include:
 * St. Paul United Church of Christ (Belleville)
 * St. John's United Church of Christ (Breese)
 * St. Paul United Church of Christ (Barrington)
 * First Zion Evangelical Church (River Forest)
 * Grantfork Evangelical Church (Highland)
 * Emmanuel Methodist Episcopal Church (Dwight)

What Can these Records Tell Me?
Church records may contain:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * Dates for significant events, such as birth, baptism, marriage, death, and burial
 * The names of parents
 * The names of witnesses, who may be relatives
 * The names of clergy

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. Keep track of your research in a research log.

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

 * Search for vital records such as birth, marriage, and death on the state and county level
 * 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 census records

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, or even initials

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Illinois.
 * Illinois Guided Research
 * Illinois Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

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.