Henderson County, Illinois Genealogy

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

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

Historical Facts
Large numbers of Kentuckians settled in frontier Henderson County, Illinois. The name of the county (Henderson) is reminiscent of Henderson County, Kentucky - the previous residence of many pioneer settlers.

Description
The county was named for the Henderson River. The county seat is Oquawka and the county was organized on 1841. The County is located in the Western part of the state.

Parent County

 * 1841--Henderson County was created 20 January 1841 from Warren County. County seat: Oquawka

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.

Biography

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

Cemeteries
Online Gravestone Transcriptions


 * GenealogyTrails.com. Provides listing of for Henderson County Cemeteries.


 * Illinois Ancestors Tombstone Project. Find or submit Henderson County tombstone photos.


 * Linkpendium. Has links to several Henderson County Cemetery related websites.

Cemetery Gazetters


 * Epodunk has a list of Henderson County Cemeteries. The website provides name of cemetery, address and telephone number when available, Google Map with cemetery marker, and other helpful Internet links.


 * The Illinois State Genealogical Society's "Cemetery Location Project" has identified many Henderson County Cemeteries.

Church 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.


 * 1834–1861 Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of South Henderson minutes
 * 1846–1884 Marriages performed by Rev. W.S. Campbell
 * 1865–1900 Parsons, Mary Lou and Ethel Ketchum Trego. Smith Creek United Presbyterian Church, Henderson County, Illinois, 17 June 1865-1900. [S.l.: s.n., 1996?].

Court Records
Abstracts


 * 1841–1853 Warren County, Illinois Genealogical Society. Early court commissioner's records of Henderson County, IL: 1841-1853. [S.l.]: Warren County, Illinois Genealogical Society, 1992. Digital version at

Copies of original records


 * 1843–1928 Probate records and index
 * 1856–1944 Naturalization records
 * 1859–1939 Miscellaneous probate records and bonds

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

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 or the Family History Library.


 * 1841–1886 Grantee index
 * 1841–1887 Grantor index
 * 1841–1902 Deed records
 * 1982–1983 Land atlas and plat book Many libraries (WorldCat)

Online Resources


 * Beginning 1820 Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
 * Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
 * 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * Illinois Public Land Purchase Records This record extract includes over 538,000 land sales from the 19th Century. Each entry includes the purchaser's name, purchase date, number of acres, price per acre, and in some cases the purchaser's sex and residence. Available at www.ancestry.com ($)
 * Henderson County Federal Township Plats

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Henderson 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.

Local Histories

 * History of Mercer and Henderson Counties Together with Biographical Matter, Statistics, Etc. Chicago, Illinois: H.H. Hill and Company, 1882. ; digital versions at Ancestry ($), and Internet Archive (free)

Maps

 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)

Civil War

 * Civil War service men from Henderson 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 Henderson County.


 * - 10th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E and G.
 * - 16th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
 * - 65th Reigment, Illinois Infantry, Company A.
 * - 84th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies G and K.
 * - 91st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B and C.
 * - 118th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
 * - 138th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company D.


 * Despite the destruction of the 1890 Federal Census, a few 1890 Census Veterans Schedules for Henderson County survived. They are available on roll 118 of "Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War" (NARA M123). The schedules list veterans and their widows who served as Union soldiers in the Civil War. For more information on the 1890 Veterans Schedules see Union Census Records.

Naturalization
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 Family History Library.


 * 1856–1944 Naturalization records

Online Records
 * 1800-1998 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Newspapers and Obituaries

 * NewspaperArchive.com ($) has historical newspapers online including Burlington, Iowa newspapers dating back to the mid 1800's that may have included Henderson County residents. This database is free at some libraries.

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:

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

Neighboring Counties

 * Des Moines County, Iowa
 * Hancock
 * Lee County, Iowa
 * Louisa County, Iowa
 * McDonough
 * Mercer
 * Warren

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

Online Resources


 * 1841–1939 Probate records, wills, administratiors' records, executors' records, guardianship records, and widows relinquishment records for Henderson County probate records are also available in . Click on the browse through images link, select Henderson County, and select the record type you are interested in.

Copies of original records


 * 1841–1923 Probate Record
 * 1843–1928 Probate records and index
 * 1859–1939 Miscellaneous probate records and bonds

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Henderson 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.

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

Family History Center
There are over 4500 Family History Centers in more than 80 countries offering public access to genealogical records from all over the world. Family History Centers provide patrons with access to over a billion online records and approximately 2.5 million circulating microfilms. Centers are staffed by local volunteers who are eager to provide genealogical research assistance. Currently there are no Family History Centers located directly in Henderson County. To find the nearest Family History Center, check out the Family Search Centers page on the FamilySearch.org website.

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 Henderson County.

Public Libraries
Henderson County Public Library District 110 Hill Crest Drive Biggsville, IL 61418 Telephone: 309-627-2830 Fax: 309-627-2830 Email: [mailto:hcp161418@hotmail.com hcp161418@hotmail.com]

Social Groups Online
Henderson County Genealogical Society 110 Hill Crest Drive Biggsville, IL 61418 Email: [mailto:hencogen@hotmail.com hencogen@hotmail.com]

The Henderson County Genealogical Society meets in the Henderson County Public Library in Biggsville.

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

Births
Copies of Original Birth Records


 * 1877–1901 Birth register IRAD–WIU
 * 1877–1915 Birth Record Index IRAD–WIU
 * 1878–1887 Index to births

Online Resources


 * Miscellaneous Births From Henderson County Register of Births, courtesy USGenWeb Archives.

Marriages
Copies of original Marriage Records


 * 1841–1934 Index to Marriages IRAD–WIU
 * 1841–1901 Marriage register IRAD–WIU

Online Resources


 * 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
 * 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage indexfound at Ancestry.com ($)
 * 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1810–1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
 * Henderson County, Illinois Marriage Records, courtesy USGenWeb Archives Illinois.

Deaths
Copies of Original Death Records


 * 1878–1915 Death Record index IRAD–WIU
 * 1878–1900 Death index
 * 1878–1902 Register of deaths, v. 1 IRAD–WIU and

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 ($)
 * 1999, Stronghurst, Henderson County, Illinois Deaths listed in the Hancock-Henderson Quill, courtesy genealogybuff.com
 * 2000, Stronghurst, Henderson County, Illinois Deaths listed in the Hancock-Henderson Quill, courtesy genealogybuff.com
 * 2001, Stronghurst, Henderson County, Illinois Deaths listed in the Hancock-Henderson Quill, courtesy genealogybuff.com
 * 2002, Stronghurst, Henderson County, Illinois Deaths listed in the Hancock-Henderson Quill, courtesy genealogybuff.com
 * 2003, Stronghurst, Henderson County, Illinois Deaths listed in the Hancock-Henderson Quill, courtesy genealogybuff.com
 * 2004, Stronghurst, Henderson County, Illinois Deaths listed in the Hancock-Henderson Quill, courtesy genealogybuff.com

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

 * Henderson County, Illinois ILGenWeb
 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Henderson County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Henderson County IL Genealogy
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Henderson County, IllinoisGenealogy and Family History(Linkpendium)
 * Henderson County, IllinoisGenealogy and Family History(Linkpendium)