Wabash County, Illinois Genealogy

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

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

Historical Facts
Wabash County is named for the Wabash River which is the English spelling of the French name "Ouabache." French traders named the river waapaahsiiki, a Miami Indian name for the river.

Parent County

 * 1824--Wabash County was created 27 December 1825 from Edwards County. County seat:  Mount Carmel

Description
The county was named for Wabash River. The county seat is Mount Carmel and the county was organized on May, 1826. 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
1857  A fire burned the courthouse on 5 April, destroying most of the records.

Biography

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

Cemeteries
The following web site has additional information on Wabash county cemeteries.
 * ePodunk list of Wabash County cemeteries gives the names of the cemeteries in the county with a link to more information such as address, phone number, and website.

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, Wabash County on page 188.]

Church Records

 * 1819–1860 Barney's Prairie Christia Church records

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


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

Lutheran

 * Jordan Creek (St. Peter's) Lutheran Church and Cemetery

Court Records

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

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

History

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

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.


 * [No land and property record holdings noted in IRAD-EIU Wabash County Listing.] Search for Wabash County records. Information about how to use IRAD

The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online sources and the Family History Library.

Copies of original records


 * 1865–1907 Deed records

Abstracts


 * 1970 Land atlas and plat book, Edwards–Wabash County

Online Resources


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

Maps



 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)


 * Wabash County Federal Township Plats

Military

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

Civil War
Civil War service men from Wabash 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 Wabash County.


 * - 40th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
 * - 66th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
 * - 115th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
 * - 130th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.

Naturalization
Online Records


 * 1800-1998 - at FamilySearch — index and images

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 or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Wabash County records. For information on how to use IRAD see theEIU IRAD Wiki page.


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

Copies of original records


 * 1853–1937 Will records
 * 1855–1913 Estate records
 * 1857–1935 Index to probate
 * 1857–1925 Probate records

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Wabash County probates may be found in the, and on 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 Wabash County are kept, see the Wabash 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 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 Wabash County, Illinois:

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 Wabash 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
Mt. Carmel Public Library 727 Mulberry St. Mt. Carmel, IL 62863 618-263-3531

HOURS Mon-Thu: 11am-7pm Fri-Sat: 11am-5:30pm Sun: 1pm-5:30pm

Museums
Wabash County Museum (Burkett House) Physical Address: 119 W. 3rd St (in the Burket House) Mailing Address: P.O. Box 512 Mt. Carmel, IL 62863

Societies
Wabash County Historical Society PO Box 911 Mt. Carmel, IL 62863

Wabash Genealogical Society Nancy Rayborn 102 Park Lane Allendale, IL 62410


 * Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois

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

Births
Copies of Original Records


 * 1857–1905 Birth Record, Delayed IRAD–EIU
 * 1870–1905 Delayed birth record books
 * 1877–1905 Birth Records
 * 1877–1905 Stillbirths
 * 1877–1916 Birth Record IRAD–EIU
 * 1877–1984 Birth Record Index IRAD–EIU

Marriages
Copies of Original Records


 * 1857–1930 Marriage records and index
 * 1857–1971 Marriage Record IRAD–EIU
 * 1857–1978 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


 * 1877-1955 Death Record IRAD–EIU
 * 1877-1984 Death Record index IRAD–EIU
 * 1912-1917 Death Record, Coroner's IRAD–EIU
 * 1878-1915 Death Record, Stillbirths IRAD–EIU

Online Resources


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

Additional Resources
Additional resources for Wabash County births, marriages and deaths 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.

Neighboring Counties

 * Edwards
 * Gibson County, Indiana
 * Knox County, Indiana
 * Lawrence
 * Richland
 * White

Websites

 * Wabash County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Wabash County IL Genealogy
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook

Databases pertinent to Wabash County


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