Illinois Bible Records

Online Resources and Websites
Listed below are resources for Bible records specific to Illinois. To find more resources, go to the United States Bible Records page.

Databases

 * Bible and other family records at Ancestry ($)
 * Bible record for the James A. Rea family at American Ancestors ($)
 * Bible Records Collection at Iroquois County Genealogical Society
 * Bible records compiled by Illinois Society, D.A.R., 1968-1969 at Ancestry ($)
 * Bible Records Compiled by the DAR North Shore Chapter, Ilinois, Vol 1 at Ancestry ($)
 * Family Bibles & Birthday Book at Ancestry ($)
 * Family Records from Old Bibles and other Family Written Records at Ancestry ($)
 * Genealogies and Bible records gathered by the Illinois ociety, D.A.R., 1976-1977 at Ancestry ($)
 * Miscellaneous Records of Families, Bibles, Cemeteries at Ancestry ($)
 * The Family Bible Index - Illinois at Yanceyfamilygenealogy.org

Transcriptions, Indexes, and Images

 * Bible Records: Surnames at Illinois State Genealogical Society - index
 * Bureau County Church and Bible Records at Bureau County Genealogical Society — transcriptions
 * Christian County Bible Records at USGenWeb Archives - transcriptions
 * Christian County Family and Bible Records at Genealogy Trails History Group - transcriptions and images
 * Iroquois County Bible Records Collection at Iroquois County Genealogical Society - transcriptions
 * Jefferson County Bible Records at ILGenWeb - transcriptions
 * Kendall County Bible Records at ILGenWeb - transcriptions
 * Knox County Bible Records at Illinois Ancestors - transcription
 * Peoria County Bible Records at Genealogy Trails History Group - transcriptions and images
 * Peoria County Bible Records at Illinois Ancestors Presents Peoria County - transcription and images
 * Peoria County Family Bible Project at Peoria county Genealogical Society - index
 * Stephen Wood Bible Record & His History at The Heritage Lady - transcription and images
 * Will County Bible Records at USGenWeb Archives - transcription

Digital Books

 * Bible and other family records at Ancestry ($)
 * Illinois Society, D.A.R. genealogy records, 1940-41 (Bible Records) at Ancestry ($)
 * Genealogies of eleven families contributed to the Illinois Society, D.A.R. at Ancestry ($)
 * Material contributed by Springfield Chapter, Springfield, Illinois, 1968-1969 at Ancestry ($)
 * All Results for Bible Records at Ancestry ($)

Other places to look for Bible Record Collections

 * Family records: Check home sources by reaching out to older members of the family asking if they know of any Family Bibles and who might have it in their possession.
 * FamilySearch Catalog: Using the keyword search, type in the surname you are looking for and the word "Bible."
 * Card Catalog at Ancestry ($)
 * Periodical Source Index (PERSI): Many periodicals publish family data from Bible records. Periodical Source Index (PERSI) is an index to many of these periodicals. Learn how to use Periodical Source Index (PERSI).

Why Search for Family Bibles
Many families have traditionally recorded births, marriages, and deaths in a family bible, family record book, or book of remembrance. A bible was often given by relatives to a bride as a wedding gift, where she recorded information about her immediate family and close relatives. Relationships were seldom stated but were often implied. Names of parents, children, and their spouses, including maiden names, were frequently given along with dates of birth, marriage, and death. Sometimes the age of a person was given at the time of death. Many families kept bible records from the 1700s (and sometimes earlier) to more recent times, although few have survived. Family bibles that are no longer in the possession of the family may be at a historical or genealogical society. They are sometimes transcribed and published in genealogical periodicals or other databases

Bible records can be used as a substitute in providing birth, marriage, and date information when vital record information was not recorded.