Warren County, Illinois Genealogy

Guide to Warren County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records. Illinois Online Genealogy Records

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

Historical Facts


Warren County is named for Joseph Warren who had a leading role in the American patriot organizations in the early days of the Revolution. He was a General in the war, but during the battle of Bunker Hill he fought as a private soldier and was killed during this engagement.

Parent County

 * 1825--Warren County was created 13 January 1825 from Pike County. County seat:  Monmouth

Description
The county was named for Dr. Joseph Warren, killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. He is believed to have been the first officer to die in the Revolutionary War. The county seat is Monmouth and the county was organized on 1825. The County is located in the West central 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.

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:

Neighboring Counties

 * Fulton
 * Henderson
 * Knox
 * McDonough
 * Mercer

Biography

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

Cemeteries
The following web sites have additional information on Warren county cemeteries.


 * GenealogyTrails.com Warren County. Has a list of Warren County Cemeteries and links to tombstone transcriptions.


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


 * Interment.net. Has a link to Warren County Cemetery Records available online.


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


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

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, Warren County on page 188.]

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Abstracts


 * Parrish, Joyce W. United Brethern [sic] Ellison Circuit: includes Wassom Chapel (later, Sugar Grove); Roseville U. B. Mission, Fairview United Brethern (later, Fairview Center United Methodist). [Monmouth, Illinois] : Warren Co., Il. Geneal. Society, 1986.

Copies of Original records


 * Records of Olive Christian Church, Avon, Illinois
 * 1831–1922, some 1930s to 1950s Register of United Presbyterian Church
 * 1839–1910 First Meridian Christian Church
 * 1851–1906 Cameron/Berwick circuits, Methodist churches
 * 1955–1958, 1972–1984 Fall Creek Methodist Church
 * 1869–1945 Membership records of the Roseville Methodist Church, Roseville, Il : also contains records of Asbury and Point Pleasant

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 or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Warren County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of original records


 * 1831–1924 Probate records
 * 1832–1930 Circuit Court Execution DocketsIRAD–WIU
 * 1847–1907 Circuit Court Dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1856–1956 Justice of the Peace Dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1929 County Court DocketsIRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1922 County Court Execution Dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1869–1940 Jail Registers IRAD–WIU
 * 1872–1955 Justice's Transcript RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1872–1949 Jury ListsIRAD–WIU
 * 1873–1920 Jury RegistersIRAD–WIU
 * 1874–1950 Circuit Court Judgment Dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1893–1945 Insanity Dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1893–1964 Insanity Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1905–1942 Adoption, delinquent &amp; dependent records
 * 1905–1964 Dependent and Delinquent Children Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1916–1950 Feeble-Minded DocketsIRAD–WIU
 * 1916–1949 Feeble-Minded RecordIRAD–WIU

Additional Resources Additional resources for Warren County court records may be found 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.

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 Past and present of Warren County, Illinois: containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &amp;c., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, general and local statistics, map of Warren County, history of Illinois, Constitution of the United States, miscellaneous matters, etc., etc. Chicago: H.F. Kett &amp; Co., 1877. Digital version at Ancestry ($).


 * Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Warren County. Chicago: Munsell Pub. Co., 1903. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

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


 * Bounty register
 * 1817–1908 Deeds
 * 1830–1901 Entry book to the record of deeds
 * 1831–1884 Grantee index
 * 1831–1898 Grantor index
 * 1831–1854 Estray Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1855 Owners' descriptions index to lands listed for taxation
 * 1855–1882 Chattel mortgage records
 * 1855–1964 Chattel Mortgage Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1870–1962 Chattel Mortgage IndexIRAD–WIU
 * 1934–1958 Chattel Mortgage Releases IRAD–WIU
 * 1935–1945 Assessor's Books IRAD–WIU
 * 1940–1945 Chattel Mortgage Abstracts IRAD–WIU

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Warren 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.

Online Resources


 * Beginning 1820 Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
 * 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
 * Warren County Federal Township Plats

Maps

 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Civil War
Civil War service men from Warren 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 Warren County.


 * - 11th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies I and K.
 * - 12th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company L.
 * - 13th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company E.
 * - 17th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
 * - 36th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
 * - 50th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, B, C, D, and K.
 * - 59th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
 * - 61st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
 * - 83rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, B, C, F, and H.
 * - 102nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and B.
 * - 138th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies A and C.

World War I

 * Declaration of loyalty, 1918, Warren County. 8 volumes. Monmouth, Illinois : Warren County, Illinois Genealogical Society, 1991

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Records


 * 1800-1998 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1856-1991 - Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991 at Ancestry.com - index and images, ($)

Newspapers and Obituaries

 * 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * NewspaperArchive.com ($) has historical newspapers online including Burlington, Iowa newspapers dating back to the mid 1800's that may have included Warren County residents. This database is free at some libraries.

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and 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 Warren County records. For information on how to use IRAD see theWIU IRAD Wiki page.

Abstracts


 * 1844–1940 Warren County, Illinois Genealogical Society. Master index of will books. [Monmouth, Illinois : Warren County Geneal. Society], 1986.
 * 1831–1915 Bishop, Lois. Warren County, Illinois will index.

Copies of original records


 * 1831–1924 Probate records
 * 1831–1983 Probate index card file
 * 1849–1947 Probate Appraisement Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1850–1925 Will records
 * 1858–1927 Executor's records
 * 1858–1946Probate, guardian and related records
 * 1858–1969 Probate Executor's RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1916 Probate judgement dockets
 * 1859–1919 Estate inventory records A-G
 * 1859–1929 Estate appraisement records
 * 1859–1931 Sale bills of estates
 * 1859–1955 Probate Administrator's RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1961 Probate Inventory Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1868 Probate Judgment Docket Index IRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1915 Probate Judgment Dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1945 Probate Sale Record, Personal Property IRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1964 Probate Guardian's Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1861–1901 Probate Minutes IRAD–WIU
 * 1861–1864 Probate journal or minute book of the county judge
 * 1870–1888 Executor's ledger B
 * 1870–1886 Probate Executor's Accounts IRAD–WIU
 * 1871–1971 Probate Guardian's and Conservator's Account RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1872–1936 Widows relinquishment and selection records, and award and selection record
 * 1872–1943 Probate Widow's Relinquishment and Selection Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1873–1964 Probate Inventory Record, Guardians and Conservators IRAD–WIU
 * 1875 Probate Sale Petitions, Real Estate, Guardians IRAD–WIU
 * 1878–1950 Insanity and Conservator's Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1881–1901 Will probate docket of the county court
 * 1888–1963 Probate Conservator's Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1894–1946 Probate Guardian's and Conservator's Dockets IRAD–WIU
 * 1907–1968 Probate Conservator's and Insanity Proceedings Fee Books IRAD–WIU
 * 1911–1964 Probate Guardian, Adoption and Delinquent Fee Books IRAD–WIU
 * 1911–1951 Probate Heirship Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1912–1936 Heirship record [one record from 1911]
 * 1919–1958 Probate Administrator's Record De Bonis Non with WillsIRAD–WIU
 * 1920–1923 Executors and administrators report record
 * 1923–1931 Probate Conservator's Account Record IRAD–WIU

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Warren County probates may be found in the and on  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 Warren County are kept, see the Warren 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 Warren 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 Warren County.

Public Libraries
Warren County Public Library District 62 Public Square Monmouth, IL 61462 Telephone: 309-734-3166 Email: [mailto:lgood@wcplibrary.org lgood@wcplibrary.org] Facebook

Societies

 * Warren County Historical Society PO Box 761 238 South Sunny Lane Monmouth, IL 61462-0761 Phone 309-734-8433 Email:[mailto:director@wchistorymuseum.com director@wchistorymuseum.com] Facebook Website
 * Warren County Illinois Genealogical Society 62 Public Square Monmouth, IL 61462 Phone 309-734-3166 Email:[mailto:wcgs@wcplibrary.org wcgs@wcplibrary.org] Facebook
 * The Society's genealogy library and publications are located on the second floor
 * of the Warren County Public Library, 62 Public Square, Monmouth, Illinois.


 * Warren County Historical Society RR 2 Avon, IL 61415 Phone 309-465-3361 E-mail:[mailto:info@warrencountyhistoricalsociety.net info@warrencountyhistoricalsociety.net]

Taxation

 * 1852–1879 Tax Sale Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1862–1911 Tax Deed AffidavitsIRAD–WIU

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

Births
Copies of Original Birth Records


 * 1866–1903 Birth Records
 * 1877–1900 Birth records
 * 1877–1900 Birth RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1877–1983 Birth Record Index IRAD–WIU
 * 1878–1983 Index to births
 * 1882–1900 Still Births

Marriage
Copies of original Marriage Records


 * 1831–1983 Index to marriages
 * 1831–1923 Marriage records

Online Resources


 * 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHertitage($)
 * 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1831–1983 Marriage Record Index IRAD–WIU
 * 1831–1932 Marriage Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1827-1915 Index to Warren County, IL Male Marriages courtesy Usgennet.org
 * 1932–1957 Marriage Licenses IRAD–WIU

Deaths
Copies of original Death Records


 * 1851-1934 Burial Record, Soldiers and Sailors IRAD–WIU
 * 1877-1983 Index to death records
 * 1877-1901 Death records
 * 1877-1900 Death RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1877-1983 Death Record Index IRAD–WIU
 * 1882-1900 Death Record, StillbirthsIRAD–WIU

Online Resources
 * 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
 * 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHertitage($)
 * 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950 at Illinois State Archives - index
 * 1916-1950 Illinois Deaths, 1916-1950 at MyHeritage - index, ($)

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

Websites

 * Warren County GAGenWeb
 * Warren County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Warren County IL Genealogy
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Warren County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Warren County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)