Shelby County, Illinois Genealogy

United States Illinois  Shelby County

History
The county is named after Kentucky's First Governor Isaac Shelby (1750-1826).

Parent County

 * 1827--Shelby County was created 23 January 1827 from Fayette County. County seat: Shelbyville

Record Loss
November 17, 1894 -- Courthouse burned and many records were damaged.

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


 * Burned Counties Research
 * http://blogs.ancestry.com/circle/?p=2424

Neighboring Counties

 * Christian
 * Coles
 * Cumberland
 * Effingham
 * Fayette
 * Macon
 * Montgomery
 * Moultrie

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

Cemeteries
Illinois cemetery records often identify birth, death, relationship, and military information, as well as religious affiliation.


 * Find A Grave can be searched by the name of a person or family to find where a person is buried. Usually gives birth and death dates often with a picture of the tombstone.  May give obituaries, names of family members and links to their information in Find A Grave.


 * Find A Grave also gives a list of cemeteries in Shelby County and links to the information for the individuals buried there.


 * Shelby 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.


 * The Family History Library Catalog lists . Some of the books or others may be on Google Books or available at public libraries.


 * ePodunk list of Shelby County cemeteries gives the names of the cemeteries in the county with a link to more information such as address, phone number, and web site.

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, Shelby County on page 188.]

Land and Property
Illinois Land and Property for more information.

Military

 * Civil War Civil War service men from Shelby 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 Shelby County.


 * - 35th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company.
 * - 41st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
 * - 53rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
 * - 54th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies F and H.

Probate Records
Illinois Probate Records for more information.

Vital Records
Illinois Vital Records for more information.

Archives, Libraries and Museums
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 Shelby 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.

Web Sites

 * Shelby County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History(Linkpendium)
 * Shelby County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History(Linkpendium)