Illinois Cemetery Transcriptions - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes cemetery records from Illinois. The records span from 1853 to 2009. This is an ongoing project, and more cemeteries will be added as they are transcribed.

What Can This Collection Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:


 * Deceased’s Name
 * Birth Date
 * Death Date
 * Burial Date
 * Father’s Name
 * Mother’s Name
 * Cemetery Where Buried
 * Veteran Status
 * Mortuary Name
 * Undertaker’s Name
 * Burial Plot or Lot Number

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The date of death
 * The approximate birth date
 * The names of other family members and their relationships

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select the Record Description to view the images.

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.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s burial record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Burial records are often brief so it can be easy confuse individuals. Compare what is information is given with what you already know about your ancestor to make sure it is the correct person.

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

 * Use the birth date or year to search for birth records
 * Use the birth date along with your relative’s names to find the family in census records
 * Compile the entries for every person with the same surname. This is especially helpful for rural areas or unusual surnames
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives of the deceased who may have been buried in the same cemetery or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify

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

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for an index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby cemeteries

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