Edgar County, Illinois Genealogy

United States Illinois Edgar 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 Edgar County are kept, see the Edgar County Courthouse page.

Historical Facts
The county received its name from the John Edgar who was involved in politics as a Justice of the Peace, Judge and delegate to the Legislature. He was believed to be the wealthiest man in Illinois.

Boundary Changes

 * 3 January 1823: Edgar County was created from Clark County.


 * See an interactive map of Edgar County boundary changes.

Places/Localities
To see a list of places in Edgar 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. Localities listed in red have no wiki page yet. 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 Edgar County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Edgar County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.

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


 * Edgar 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.

Census
For information and tips on using and accessing online census records, 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, Edgar 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

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

Land and Property
Illinois Land and Property for more information. 1823-present The original land and property records for Edgar County are held by the County Recorder. See the info box above for contact information. The following copies are available:


 * 1823-1919 Deed Index IRAD-EIU Search for Edgar County records. Information about how to use IRAD
 * 1823-1894 Deed Record IRAD-EIU Search for Edgar County records.


 * Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
 * Edgar 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

 * Edgar County Federal Township Plats

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


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


 * - 34th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
 * - 54th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies F and K.
 * - 59th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B and H.
 * - 62nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
 * - 64th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (Yates’ Sharpshooters), Company H.
 * - 66th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E.
 * - 70th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
 * - 79th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, C, D and H.


 * Parkinson, Scott, Edgar County Illinois in the Civil War, 1861-1865 (1988). (Thesis [M.A.]-- Eastern Illinois University, 1988). View online at Internet Archives. (accessed 2 Jun 2010)

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 Edgar County are kept, see the Edgar 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 Edgar 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 Edgar County birth records 1877- present are housed in the office of the County Clerk. The following copies are available:


 * 1857-1899 Birth Certificates, Delayed - IRAD-EIU Search for Edgar County records. How to use IRAD
 * 1877-1908 Birth Record - IRAD-EIU Search for Edgar County records.
 * 1877-1908 Birth Record Index – IRAD-EIU Search for Edgar County records.

Marriages
1823–present The original Edgar County marriage records 1823-present are housed in the office of the County Clerk. The following copies are available:


 * 1855–1855 Marriage Licenses - IRAD-EIU Search for Edgar County records. How to use IRAD
 * 1823-1904 Marriage Record - IRAD-EIU Search for Edgar County records.
 * 1878-1903 Marriage Record Index - IRAD-EIU Search for Edgar County records.
 * 1823-1903 Marriage Record, Licenses Issued - IRAD-EIU Search for Edgar County records.

The following abstracts are available:


 * 1823–1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 (1823-1900 for Edgar County)

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


 * 1877–1901 Death Record - IRAD-EIU Search for Edgar County records. How to use IRAD
 * 1877–1915 Death Record Index - IRAD-EIU Search for Edgar County records.

The following abstracts are available:


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

Web Sites

 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Edgar County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)