Crawford County, Illinois Genealogy

United States Illinois Crawford County

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

Historical Facts
Crawford County was named for who was a United States Senator, and in 1824 was a candidate for United States President.

Parent County

 * 31 December 1816: - Crawford County was created from Edwards County.

Boundary Changes
See an interactive map of Crawford County boundary changes.

Record Loss =
28 March 1999: - Courthouse burned and many records were damaged.

For further information on researching in burned counties, see the following:


 * Burned Counties Research

Places/Localities
To see a list of places in Crawford County, click on [Show] in the bar, above. The preceding list of places includes incorporated cities and towns, unincorporated towns and communities, and place names that may have been used in family histories. Some have well-organized records and even have web sites. Some are simply social communities with no official records, but which may be referenced in small-town newspapers. The list is provided to help researchers identify localities within the county. As records or histories of these localities are identified, a page will be added for each of these place names.

Bible Records
A Family Bible belonging to the Fitch family of Crawford County is included in an Ancestry database ($).

Cemeteries
Find A Grave, list of cemeteries. Additional information can be found at local level (city, township, etc.)


 * Crawford Co. IL USGenWeb Tombstone Project usually gives the names of the deceased in alphabetical order by last name with birth and death dates plus any remarks.


 * Illinois Cemeteries by county.

Federal
For tips on accessing census records online, see Illinois Census.

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, Crawford County on page 186.]

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
Illinois Land and Property for more information. 1817-present The original land and property records for Crawford County are held by the County Recorder. See the info box above for contact information. The following copies are available:


 * 1817-1958 Deed Index IRAD-EIU Search for Crawford County records. Information about how to use IRAD
 * 1817-1958 Deed Record IRAD-EIU Search for Crawford County records.
 * 1882-1957 Plat Record IRAD-EIU Search for Crawford County records.
 * Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
 * Crawford 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.

Maps

 * Crawford County Federal Township Plats

Civil War
Civil War service men from Crawford 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 Crawford County.


 * - 30th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
 * - 38th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
 * - 62nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
 * - 63rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
 * - 79th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
 * - 98th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and E.

Newspapers and Obituaries

 * The Robinson Constitution was a newspaper printed in Robinson, the county seat of Crawford County. This link features editions of the paper from Mar 15, 1877 - Apr 21, 1894. Newspapers are very important sources for glimpses into our ancestor's daily lives.

Probate Records
Illinois Probate Records for more information.

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

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 Crawford 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.

Vital Records
Illinois Vital Records for more information.

Births
1877–present The original Crawford County birth records 1877- present are housed in the office of the County Clerk. The following copies are available:


 * 1877-1915 Birth Record - IRAD-EIU Search for Crawford County records. How to use IRAD
 * 1877-1957 Birth Record Index - IRAD-EIU Search for Crawford County records.

Marriages
1817–present — The original Crawford County marriage records 1817-present are housed in the office of the County Clerk. The following copies are available:


 * 1817–1934 Marriage Record IRAD-EIU Search for Crawford County records. How to use IRAD
 * 1817–1958 Marriage Record Index –IRAD-EIU Search for Crawford County records.

The following abstracts are available:


 * 1825–1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 (1825-1900 for Crawford County)

Deaths
1877–present - The original Crawford County death records 1877-present are housed in the office of the County Clerk. The following copies are available:


 * 1877–1915 Death Record IRAD-EIU Search for Crawford County records. How to use IRAD
 * 1877–1958 Death Record Index IRAD-EIU Search for Crawford County records.

The following abstracts are available:


 * Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 (No data for Crawford County as of Aug 2011. Check back again as records are being added.)
 * 1916–1950 Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916-1950 (1916-1950 for Crawford County)

Web Sites

 * Crawford County, ILGenWeb. Contains a great deal of information related to Crawford County, Illinois. Census transcriptions, court record extractions, marriage records, military records, and probate records are just some of the things you will find.
 * Crawford County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)