Clark County, Illinois Genealogy

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

Clark County Organization
Clark County's civil records start the following years:

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

Historical Facts
Clark County is named for who was a Colonel of the Virginia militia and established Colonial control in the Illinois area by the capture of Kaskaskia and Fort Vincennes.

Description
The county was named for George Rogers Clark (older brother of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition), an officer of the army of Virginia that captured the Northwest Territory from the British during the Revolutionary War. The County Seat is Marshall and was founded 1819. It is located in the Central area of the state.

Boundary Changes

 * 22 March 1819: Clark County was created from Crawford County. '

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
1902 Some records were lost or damaged in a fire on December 30.

Places/Localities
To see a list of places in Clark County, click on [Show], 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.

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

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, Clark County on page 186.]

Church History and Records
Church records can give birth, death and marriage information as well as indictate family relationships. See Illinois state wiki article Church Records for more ideas about how to use church records in your research.


 * The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Clark County edition. Internet Archive. Free Digital Copy. Local church history is found in the church history chapter beginning on page 670. For addtional available copies, see the wiki article Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois.
 * Gertrude S. Wheeler. Illinois, Clark County Genealogical Records: Bible, Cemetery, Church, Family. Manuscript with film. Other Libraries (WordCat)
 * Zschau, Ellen Rowe. A Collection of Histories of theCchurches of Clark County, Illinois. Marshall, Ill. : Clark County Genealogical Society, 1978.Other Libraries (WorldCat)
 * Clark County Church Directory courtesty of Genealogy Trails

Methodist


 * Dolson Chapel Methodist Church Courtesy of USGenWeb. Church history, lists some members.
 * Plymouth Methodist Church Courtesy of Rootsweb. Church history, lists some members.
 * 1883 Report of Melrose Sunday School Convention. Courtesy of Rootsweb. Member lists

Methodist Episcopal


 * Wesley Chapel Courtesy of Illinois GenWeb. Church history, lists some members.

Presbyterian


 * Baliff Church Courtesy of Illinois GenWeb. Church history, lists some pastors.

United Brethren


 * Histories of Former E.U.B. and United Methodist Churches, Rural Areas, Casey, Illinois. Manuscript. 1978. Other Libraries (WorldCat)

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 Clark County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Clark County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.

Land and Property
Illinois Land and Property for more information. 1818-present The original land and property records for Clark County are held by the County Clerk. The following copies are available:


 * 1818–1890 Deed Indexes.
 * 1816–1933 Deed Records. Indexes included in some volumes.
 * 1821–1930 Deed Records. Indexes included in some volumes.
 * [No land and property record holdings noted in IRAD-EIU Clark County Listing.] Search for Clark County records. Information about how to use IRAD
 * Garver, Mazie M. Extract of Land Grant Record for Clark County, Illinois. Typescript.

Online Resources


 * 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.
 * Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
 * 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * Clark County Federal Township Plats
 * 1892 Platbook of Clark County, IL Partial M &amp; N surnames
 * Clark County Land &amp; Deed Records

Maps



 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)


 * 1892, 1947 Clark County Platbook. Courtesy of Rootsweb.
 * Clark County Federal Township Plats
 * Rockford Map Publishers. Land Atlas &amp; Plat Book, Clark County, Illinois, 1979. Rockford, Illinois: Rockford Map Publishers, 1967. Other Libraries (WorldCat)

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

Civil War
Civil War service men from Clark 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 Clark County.


 * - 10th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies G and H.
 * - 21st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
 * - 30th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
 * - 62nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
 * - 70th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
 * - 79th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies F and I.
 * - 123rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E, F, and G.
 * - 130th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
 * - 152nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Company G.

Newspapers and Obituaries
The Clark County Public Library has a list of newspapers available for genealogy research here


 * Selected Clark County Obituaries. Courtesy of Rootsweb.
 * Wabash Valley Obituary Index. Sponsored by the Vigo County Indiana Library.

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

Illinois Probate Records for more information.

Original probate records are usually held by the circuit court clerk. Probate records include wills, inventories, settlements, and guardianship records. The following copies are available:


 * 1840–1976 Probate,Will, Guardian, Conservator and Chancery Records.
 * 1841–1847 Garver, Mazie M. Probate Record Journal, Vol. 3, 1841 to 1847. Marshall, Illinois: Clark County Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1975. Other Libraries (WorldCat)

County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Clark County are kept, see the Clark 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. Microfilm and microfiche may be available at your local Family History Center. 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 Clark County, Illinois: Danville Illinois Family History Center 1941 N Bowman Ave Danville, Vermilion, Illinois Phone: 217-446-5887 Hours: Sat 9:30 am-2 pm  Linton Indiana Family History Center 1000 W Lone Tree Rd Linton, Greene, Indiana Phone: 812-847-9044 Hours: Wed. 6-9 pm, Sat 9-2 Terre Haute Indiana Family History Center 1845 N 6 1/2 St Terre Haute, Vigo, Indiana Phone: 812-234-0269 Hours: Tue 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Closed: Mondays after 6:00 p.m., all major holidays, inclement weather, whenever Vigo school are on delays or early dismissals. Attention: The Center is also available by appointment with a Family History Consultant. 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

Clark County Genealogical Library
521 Locust Street Marshall ,IL 62441 1–217–826-2864

The Clark County Genealogical Library is open Thur, Fri and Sat from 12:30pm to 3pm. They have extensive newspaper records, most of the extracts have been indexed. They also have an incredible selection of family histories, the majority of which are also indexed. They have a shelf on cemeteries of the county and listings of burials up to around 1972. Censuses are indexed, too. The ladies manning the place can help direct you to family histories for specific names. The library is located on the south side of the courthouse square in Marshall. It faces the courthouse.

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 Clark 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
'''[http://www.caseytownship.lib.il.us/ Casey Twp. Library] '''307 E Main Casey, IL 62420 Phone: 1–217–932–2105

Marshall Public Library 612 Archer Avenue Marshall, IL 62441 Phone: 1–217–826–2535 This library holds microfilm of all local newspapers since the Civil War.

Martinsville Public Library District 120 E. Cumberland St. Martinsville, IL 62442 Phone: 1–217–382–4113

West Union District Library 209 W. Union Street West Union, IL 62477 Phone: 1–217–279–3556

Societies
Clark County Genealogical Society 521 Locust St Marshall, IL 62441 Telephone Number: 217-826-2864 Website

Clark County Il Historical Society and Museum 402 S 4th Street Marshall, IL Telephone Number: 217-826-2252 Website Facebook The Clark County Historical Society buildings are open each Sunday afternoon from 2-4 p.m.

Clark County Genealogical Society 309 Maple Street Box 153 Marshall 62441

Vital Records
Illinois Vital Records for more information. See also How to order Illinois Vital Records or order electronically online.

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


 * 1877-1906 Birth Record - IRAD-EIU Search for Clark County records. How to use IRAD
 * 1877-1913 Birth Record Index – IRAD-EIU Search for Clark County records.

Marriages
1819–present The original Clark County marriage records 1819-present are housed in the office of the County Clerk. The following copies are available:


 * 1819–1899 Marriage Record - IRAD-EIU Search for Clark County records. How to use IRAD

The following abstracts and indexes are available:
 * 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1810–1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1819–1838 Early Marriages, Book 1. Courtesy of Genealogy Trails.
 * 1819–1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 (1848-June 1899 for Clark County)
 * 1819–1850  Early Marriage Index. Courtesy of Rootsweb. Alphabetical by groom.
 * 1819–1850  Illinois Marriages Ancestry ($)
 * 1851–1900 Illinois Marriages Ancestry ($)

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


 * 1877–1911 Death Record - IRAD-EIU Search for Clark County records. How to use IRAD
 * 1877–1911 Death Record Index - IRAD-EIU Search for Clark County records.

The following abstracts are available:


 * Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 (Dec 1877-Jan 1911 for Clark County)
 * 1916–1950 Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916-1950 (1916-1950 for Clark County)
 * 1800's Clark County Deaths reported in newspapers. Courtesy of Illinois GenWeb.
 * 1800's Clark County Deaths Extracted from "The Herald".Courtesy of Illinois GenWeb.

Websites
Databases pertinent to Clark County


 * Clark County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Clark County IL Genealogy
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Local Governmental Records Database IRAD
 * Name Index to Illinois Local Governments IRAD
 * USGenWeb project for Clark County, Illinois
 * Clark County, IllinoisGenealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)