Crawford County, Illinois Genealogy

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

County Organization
Crawford 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 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.

Description
The county was named for William H. Crawford, from Georgia, who was serving as Secretary of War and Secretary of the Treasury at the time. The County Seat is Robinson and was founded 1816. It is located in the East Central area of the state.

Boundary Changes

 * 31 December 1816: Crawford County was created from Edwards 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
1999 The courthouse burned on 28 March and some records were lost or damaged.

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

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

Cemeteries

 * Crawford County Cemeteries: names and locations, cemetery listings (Genealogy Trails)
 * Confederate Soldiers Buried in Crawford County (Genealogy Trails)
 * Cemeteries in or near Crawford County (ePodunk)

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.]

Church History and Records
Copies of Original records


 * 1847–1883 Grand Prairie Christian Church
 * 1871–1971 Oak Grove Federated Church of LaMotte Prairie,1971: 100 years Oak Grove Church, 100 years Brethren Church, 10 years Federated Church.
 * 1878–1938 Society of Friends-Pleasant Grove Monthly Meeting was originally known as Union Monthly Meeting

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Crawford County church records may be found in the. Histories of area churches 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.

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 Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1817-1958 Circuit Court Index and Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1912-1958 Circuit court Record, Common Law IRAD-EIU
 * 1931-1957 Circuit Court Record, Criminal IRAD-EIU
 * 1922-1960 Jail Registers IRAD-EIU

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

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 Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of Original Records


 * 1816-1939 Crawford County, Illinois Clerk of County Court, Deed Records.
 * 1817-1958 Deed Index IRAD-EIU
 * 1817-1958 Deed Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1850-1933 Surveyor's Record :*1919-1958 Military Discharge Record and Index IRAD-EIU
 * 1852-1867 Swamp Land Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1882-1957 Plat Record IRAD-EIU

Abstracts


 * 1850, 1854-1867 Crawford County Illinois, County Court, Land records: abstract, sales, plats, etc., ([Springfield, Illinois]:Office of the Secretary of State, Micrographics Division, Source Documents Unit, 1980-1981.)
 * 1980-1981 Rockford Map Publishers, Rockford, Illinois, Land atlas and plat book, Crawford County, Illinois (Rockford, Illinois:Rockford Map Publishers, c1966.) ;

Online Resources


 * Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
 * 1800s – Present - Use the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land Patent Index to obtain original federal land transfer records, including homestead, military warrants, and cash entry patents. These records help a researcher establish location and lead to National Archives’ records which may include genealogical information. Earlier land transfer records are at the National Archives.
 * 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)

Maps



 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)


 * Crawford County Federal Township Plats

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

General

 * 1919-1958 Military Discharge Record and Index IRAD-EIU

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.


 * - 5th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company F.
 * - 21st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I
 * - 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.
 * - 135th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company H.
 * - 152nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Company H.
 * - 155th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.

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
Online Probate 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 Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of Original Records


 * 1818-1923 Illinois County Court (Crawford), Record of wills.
 * 1818-1956 Probate Will Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1844-1894 Probate Dockets IRAD-EIU
 * 1845-1849 Probate Appraisement Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1845-1923 Illinois County Court (Crawford), Probate records, 1845-1923; probate ledger, 1851-1866.
 * 1849-1958 Probate Minutes IRAD-EIU
 * 1850-1887 Illinois County Court (Crawford County), Record of wills, book 2, 1850-1887.
 * 1911-1958 Probate Inventory Record IRAD-EIU

Online Resources

Crawford County Will and Estate Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives Illinois.

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.

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. Some microfilms 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 Crawford County, Illinois:

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.

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.

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.

Libraries
Robinson Public Library District 606 N Jefferson St. Robinson, IL 62454 618-544-2917

Oblong Public Library 110 E Main St. Oblong, IL 62449 Phone and FAX: 618-592-3001 E-mail: [mailto:dpoblibrary2@hotmail.com dpoblibrary2@hotmail.com]

Hutsonville Public Library 101 S. Main Street Hutsonville, IL 62433 Phone and Fax: 618-563-9603 E-Mail: hutsonvillepubliclibrary@yahoo.com Susie Wesley Memorial Library 105 S Main St. PO Box 185 Flat Rock, IL 62427 Phone and FAX: 618-584-3636 E-mail: swlib@frtci.net

Societies
Crawford County Historical Society PO Box 554 Robinson, IL 62454-0554 Website

Crawford County Museum Former Schmidt Clinic 408 S. Cross St. Robinson, IL Hours: 2 - 4 p.m. Sat 2 - 4 p.m. Sun or by appointment Website

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 Crawford 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 Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

General

 * Bailey, Chris H. Scrapbook of Robinson, Illinois, newspaper clippings (Salt Lake City, Utah:Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1972.)
 * Bailey, Imogene; Flat Rock Journal (Illinois), Crawford County, Illinois newspaper genealogical information. Primarily a collection of obituaries, historical and genealogical information from the Flat Rock Journal, newspaper. Also, many biographical sketches of prominent persons of Crawford County, Illinois, of that era.

Births
Copies of Original Records


 * 1877-1915 Birth Record - IRAD-EIU
 * 1877-1957 Birth Record Index - IRAD-EIU
 * 1878-1981 Crawford County (Illinois) Clerk of County Court, Vital records. Including Birth index 1878-1981 and Birth record Books 1 and 2 1877-1902.

Marriages
Copies of Original Records


 * 1817-1851 Crawford County (Illinois) Clerk of County Court, Crawford County, Illinois marriage register, Feb. 1817-Jan. 1851.
 * 1817-1981 Crawford County (Illinois) Clerk of County Court, Vital records. Including marriage indexes, male and female 1817-1981 and marriage record books A,B,C and 1.
 * 1817–1934 Marriage Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1817–1958 Marriage Record Index IRAD-EIU

Abstracts


 * 1843-1859 Lent, Roberta Lee Some early Crawford County, Illinois marriages: 1843-1859. ;

Online Resources
 * 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
 * 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1810–1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
 * Crawford County Marriage Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives Illinois.

Deaths
Copies of Original Records


 * 1877-1981 Crawford County (Illinois) Clerk of County Court, Vital records. Including death index from 1877-1981 and death record from 1877-1906.
 * 1877-1915 Death Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1877-1958 Death Record Index IRAD-EIU

Abstracts


 * Richland County Genealogical and Historical Society (Olney, Illinois), Mortality schedules, 1860,1870,1880 ([S.I.:s.n.], 1978.) ;

Online Resources
 * 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
 * Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
 * 1850–1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * Crawford County Register of Deaths courtesy USGenWeb Archives Illinois.
 * 1930 Miscellaneous Deaths, Crawford County, Illinois courtesy USGenWeb Archives.

Websites
Databases pertinent to Crawford County


 * Crawford County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Crawford 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
 * 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)