Knox County, Illinois Genealogy

Guide to Knox County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records. Illinois Online Genealogy Records

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

Historical Facts


The county is named for General Henry Knox (1750-1806), Revolutionary War hero, and the nation's first Secretary of War.

Parent County

 * 1825--Knox County was created 13 January 1825 from Fulton County. County seat: Galesburg

Description
The county was named for Henry Knox, a soldier of the American Revolution who commanded the storming party at Stony Point, was later a Major General and Washington’s Secretary of War. The county seat is Galesburg and the county was organized on January 13, 1825. The County is located in the West central part of the state.

Boundary Changes
1810 - Knox County was part of St. Clair County. 1820 - Knox County was part of Madison County. 1825 - Knox County was created.

A part of Knox County was taken to create Stark County 2 March 1839.

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
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Neighboring Counties

 * Fulton
 * Henry
 * Mercer
 * Peoria
 * Stark
 * Warren

Biography

 * Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, (Chicago : Biographical Pub., 1886). 1108 pages. BYU Archives.
 * The Family History Library has several other books and films with and  of people in Knox County.
 * The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Knox County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Knox County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.

Cemeteries
The following web sites have additional information on Knox county cemeteries.


 * Known Cemeteries in Knox County, IL by Genealogytrails lists the cemeteries with links to lists of burials. It also includes photos of many graves.


 * Linkpendium links to Knox County Cemeteries web sites and databases.

Census
1800 - First federal census taken for Illinois. Unfortunately it was lost. 1810 - Knox County was part of St. Clair County. Unfortunately the census was lost. 1820 - Knox County was part of Madison County. Census exists. 1830 - All federal censuses for Illinois were lost. 1840 through 1930 - Knox was its own county, and all censuses still exist.

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, Knox County on page 187.]

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Records


 * To see a list of church records and histories available through the Family History Library for Knox County and its communities, see the FamilyHistory Library Catalog.


 * Doubet, Mildred Cadwell, Church Records, Victoria, Knox County, Illinois: Copied from the Original Churches [sic] Records, (Galesburg, Ill.: Knox County Genealogical Society, 1992). Libraries with book (World Cat).


 * First Presbyterian Church (Knoxville, Ill.), Membership and Baptism Records of FIrst Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois, 1835 to 1900: Copied from Original Church Records, (Williamsfield, Ill.: Spoon River Chapter NSDAR, 1983). Libraries with book (World Cat).


 * Knox County Church Records on USGenWeb Archives Illinois has digital images of Presbyterian records.

Histories


 * Early Churches of Knox County, IL lists the early churches with short histories including when each started.


 * The Churches section of the Knox County, Illinois Genealogy and History site has pictures of the churches usually with brief histories.


 * Ontario Congregational Church, Ontario Township, Knox County, Ill., Ontario Congregational Church, Ontario Township, Knox County, Illinois. Centennial Celebration, 1848-1948, (n.p., 1948). Libraries with book (World Cat).

Lists of Churches

From Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County, the section on churches, starting on page 672, has short histories of the churches in Knox County as of 1899:


 * Baptist
 * -First Baptist Church, organized January 15, 1848
 * -Cherry Street Church, split from First Baptist in 1857; reunited November 9, 1864
 * -Second Baptist Church (African), organized in the fall of 1865
 * -Swedish Baptist Church, organized November 1888
 * Catholic
 * -St. Patrick's Church, started in 1857
 * Christian Church, organized April 11, 1872
 * Christian Scientist, meetings in Carr Hall
 * Congregational
 * -Old First Church, started about when Galesburg was founded; reunited January 1, 1895 with the First Congregational Church
 * -First Congregational Church, organized November 9, 1855
 * -Knox Street Church, organized August 1894
 * -East Main Street Church, organized August 8, 1894 as the Union Congregational Church of Galesburg; adopted name of East Main Street Church September 1895
 * -Central Church, organized January 1, 1895 by the reunion of the First and First Congregational Churches
 * Episcopal 
 * -St. John's Church, organized in 1889 with about 250 members of the First Luthern Church of Gales burg
 * -Grace Church, organized spring of 1858
 * Lutheran
 * -First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, organized August 24, 1851
 * -Zion Lutheran, members started in first Lutheran Church, then went to St. John's Episcopal Church, then formed the Zion Lutheran Church
 * -German Lutheran Church, organized 1864
 * Methodist Episcopal
 * -First Methodist Episcopal, formed in 1847
 * -African Methodist Episcopal, edifice erected in 1876
 * -Swedish Methodist Episcopal, organized in 1851
 * -Swedish Mission, organized in August 1868 by members of the Lutheran Church
 * Presbyterian
 * -First Presbyterian Church - See Old First Church under Congregational
 * -Second Presbyterian Church, organized May 29, 1851; merged with Presbyterian Church March 1, 1870
 * -Presbyterian Church, organized December 30, 1894; merged with Second Presbyterian Church March 1, 1870
 * -Presbyterian Church of Galesburg, formed by union of the last two churches March 1, 1870
 * Salvation Army, in Galesburg
 * Universalist, organized in January 1855
 * Volunteers of America, organized in early part of 1896, when there was a split in the Salvation Army
 * Galesburg Mission Sunday School, founded in 1858 by members of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches


 * For a list of churches within 25 miles of Galesburg with addresses, phone numbers and maps, with many links to web sites, see Searchbug or Switchboard.


 * The Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) lists the religions in Knox County with the number of people for each in 2000.

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 copies of original records may be accessed through the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Knox County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1857–1956 Justice of the Peace Dockets IRAD–WIU

Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, Knox County
Knox County Circuit Court Knox County Courthouse 200 South Cherry Street, Galesburg, IL 61401 Phone: 309-345-3859 Fax: 309-345-0098 report corrections here

The Circuit Clerk is usually the person who genealogists would contact for historical Circuit Court records.

Knox County Clerk
Office of the Knox County Clerk Knox County Courthouse 200 S. Cherry St. Galesburg, IL 61401-4992 309/345-3815 (voice) 309/345-3801 (fax) info@knoxclerk.org (e-mail)

The County Clerk has birth, marriage, and death records for Knox County. See the Genealogy page for specific information for genealogist about these records.

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

Genealogy
To see a list of genealogical books available through the Family History Library for Knox County and its communities, see the FamilyHistory Library Catalog.

History
1809, Illinois became a territory. Until that time, the area of Knox County was Indian land. 1809, Knox County land was part of St. Clair County. 1812 (September 14), Madison County was created and included what is now Knox County. 1818, Illinois became a state. 1821 (January 31), Pike County split from Madison County and took the part with Knox County land. 1823 (January 28), Fulton County split from Madison County and included the Knox County land. 1825 (January 13), Knox County was created. 1839 (March 2), part of Knox County was taken to create Stark County.

See an interactive map of Knox County boundary changes.

Local Histories
County and town histories often have short biographies of people in their area.


 * Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County. (Chicago: Munsell Pub. Co., 1899), includes many short biographies and descriptions of places in alphabetical order. The Knox County section begins on page 665. Digital version at Internet Archive; Ancestry ($); USGenNet.


 * History Book Index on Knox County has indexes to several Knox County histories with links to the appropriate book if digitized.


 * Perry, Albert J. History of Knox County, Illinois: Its Cities, Towns and People. (Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1912). Digital version at Ancestry ($); Google Books; Internet Archive.


 * Knox County, Illinois, the Honor Roll, 1917-1918-1919: Being a Record of What was Done in Knox County in Those Three Eventful Years and Who Did It. (Galesburg, Ill.: Wagoner Print. Co., 1920). Digital version at Ancestry ($).


 * For a list of histories for the Knox County area available through the Family History Library, click here.

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 Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Knox County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1818–1863 Deed Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1864–1944 Estray Record IRAD–WIU
 * 1956–1962 Chattel Mortgages IRAD–WIU
 * The Family History Library has films and books about land records of Knox County.

Online Resources


 * 1796-1907U.S General Land Office Records at Ancestry–($)
 * Illinois Public Land Purchase Recordsat Ancestry–($)
 * Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales (free) can be searched by name. See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
 * Knox County Federal Township Plats (free) shows an outline map of the townships in Knox County.
 * Federal Township Plats of Illinois(free) shows an outline map of the townships in Knox County, explanations of the rectangular system and links to the Illinois State land page.

Maps

 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)


 * Knox County on Google Maps shows towns, roads, rivers, lakes, etc.
 * Knox County Federal Township Plats (free) shows an outline map of the townships in Knox County.
 * Federal Township Plats of Illinois(free) shows an outline map of the townships in Knox County, explanations of the retangular system and links to the Illinois State land page..


 * FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places

Civil War, 1861-1865
Civil War service men from Knox 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 Knox County.


 * - 1st Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company D.
 * - 7th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies D and K.
 * - 10th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
 * - 11th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company C.
 * - 14th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company A.
 * - 17th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and E.
 * - 33rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E and H.
 * - 42nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
 * - 45th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
 * - 51st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies C.
 * - 55th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
 * - 58th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
 * - 59th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A.
 * - 64th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (Yates’ Sharpshooters), Company D.
 * - 66th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
 * - 71st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E.
 * - 72nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
 * - 77th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A.
 * - 83rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E, G, I and K.
 * - 84th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
 * - 86th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
 * - 89th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
 * - 102nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, D, F, H, and I.
 * - 132nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company G.
 * - 137th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company C.
 * - 138th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies B and E.
 * - 139th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company D.
 * - 148th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.

Naturalization
Original naturalization records are held in the office of the County Clerk. See Illinois Naturalization Records for more information about using naturalization records.

The following copies of original records may be accessed through the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Knox County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1848–1906 Naturalization Papers IRAD–WIU
 * 1856–1954 Naturalization Index Card File IRAD–WIU
 * 1856–1906 Naturalization RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1859–1906 Naturalization Index Card FileIRAD–WIU
 * 1860–1890 Naturalization RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1861–1899 Naturalization Record, FinalIRAD–WIU
 * 1865–1876 Naturalization Record of Soldiers and MinorsIRAD–WIU
 * 1866–1892 Naturalization Record of SoldiersIRAD–WIU
 * 1876–1897 Naturalization Declarations of Intent IRAD–WIU
 * 1876–1898 Naturalization Record of MinorsIRAD–WIU
 * 1876–1909 Naturalization Declarations of Intent IRAD–WIU
 * 1890–1906 Naturalization Record, final IRAD–WIU
 * 1891–1906 Naturalization Record of MinorsIRAD–WIU

Online Records
 * 1800-1998 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Newspapers and Obituaries

 * The Galesburg Republican-Register started in the mid-1800s. In 1928, it merged with the Galesburg Daily Mail to become the Galesburg Register-Mail.


 * The Galesburg Daily Mail started in the mid-1800s. In 1928, it merged with the Galesburg Republican-Register to become the Galesburg Register-Mail.


 * The Register Mail, Galesburg Galesburg Register-Mail began in 1928 with the merger of the two newpapers listed above. It is a daily newspaper.


 * The Zephyr started in 1989 and was published on Thursdays. It ended December 9, 2010. The archive of past articles is still available. Some of the articles are about historical events.

Poor House Records

 * 1932–1936 Poor relief emergency committee files IRAD–WIU

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 Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Knox County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.


 * 1832–1959 Probate Case Files Index IRAD–WIU
 * 1832–1922 Probate WillsIRAD–WIU
 * 1832–1922 Probate Wills, Non-Probated IRAD–WIU
 * 1960–1972 Probate Guardian's and Conservator's Case Files Index IRAD–WIU
 * Doubet, Mildred Cadwell, General Index to Estates, 1832-1900: as recorded in Knox County Courthouse, Galesburg, Illinois, (Galesburg, Illinois : Knox County Genealogical Society (Illinois), [19--?]), 85p., other libraries with book (WorldCat).
 * Illinois. Probate Court (Knox County), Wills, 1830-1922. Microfilm copy of original records located at the Knox County courthouse, Galesburg, Illinois. Wills are filed alphabetically in each box but also includes indexes..

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

Family History Center
There are over 4500 Family History Centers in more than 80 countries offering public access to genealogical records from all over the world. Family History Centers provide patrons with access to over a billion online records and approximately 2.5 million circulating microfilms. Centers are staffed by local volunteers who are eager to provide genealogical research assistance. Currently there are no Family History Centers located directly in Knox County. To find the nearest Family History Center, check out the Family Search Centers page on the FamilySearch.org website.

The Family History Library has many books and filmed records about Knox County. Click on one of the types of records to see a list of specific records. Click on one of the titles to see the catalog entry describing the record with the book or microfilm numbers that are needed to use the book or film.

Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)
IRAD is a system of Illinois Regional Archives Depositories managed by the Illinois State Archives, housing the archival records of local Illinois counties, townships, municipalities and school districts. The seven Regional Depositories are housed on state university campuses scattered throughout Illinois. Western Illinois University houses the records for Knox County.

Knox County, Illinois, USGenWeb
Knox County, Illinois, section of USGenWeb, provides histories, biographies, records, maps, lookups, queries and a connection to the Knox County WorldConnect Database.

Newberry Library
Newberry Library 60 West Walton Street Chicago, IL 60610 Telephone: 312-943-9090 Telephone to reference desk: 312-255-3512

The Newberry Library has many records for Knox County, as well as other Illinois counties, Illinois, other states and other countries.

Public Libraries
Galesburg Public Library 40 East Simmons Street Galesburg, Illinois 61401 Telephone: 309-343-6118 Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9AM-8PM, Fri. 9AM-5PM, closed Sun.

The Galesburg Public Library has a fine collection of local and state histories, censuses, city directories, cemetery records, county plat books, maps, newspapers, journals, yearbooks, and photographs that reflect the history and heritage of Galesburg and the surrounding area. The collection includes many rare books and original manuscripts. The Library also houses the records of the Knox County Genealogical Society.

School Records

 * 1883–1889 School teachers' registers IRAD–WIU

Societies
Knox County Genealogical Society 40 East Simmons Street Galesburg, IL 61401-0013 Website

The Knox County Genealogical Society research collection is currently housed in the Galesburg Public Library

Knox County Historical Society] PO Box 1757 Galesburg, IL 61402-1757 Email:[mailto:jward@knox.edu jward@knox.edu] Website

Taxation

 * 1902–1959 Tax Levy, Sale and Redemption Certificates IRAD–WIU
 * 1958–1962 Taxable Lands Lists IRAD–WIU

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 Knox 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 Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Knox County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.

Birth Records

 * 1858–1900 Birth Certificates, Delayed IRAD–WIU
 * 1858–1971 Birth Record Index IRAD–WIU
 * 1863–1972 Birth Certificate Index, DelayedIRAD–WIU
 * 1877–1972 Birth Certificates IRAD–WIU


 * Knox County (Illinois). Clerk of the County Court, Birth and Delayed Birth Records, 1877-1900. Microfilm copy of original records located at the Knox County courthouse, Galesburg, Illinois. On . Includes indexes.

Marriage Records

 * 1830–1922 Marriage Licenses IRAD–WIU
 * 1830–1925 Marriage RecordIRAD–WIU
 * 1905–1943 Marriage Record Index IRAD–WIU

Internet Sites


 * 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1830s-1850s - Illinois Miscellaneous Genealogical Records: From Counties, Bond, Boone, Calhoun, Cook, Crawford, Du Page, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Will, Pope: Kentucky county, Mercer: Missouri county, Ralls. Evanston, Ill.: Illinois Society, D.A.R., 1946. Digital version at Ancestry ($). Includes marriages dated 1833-1838 and 1850-1852.
 * 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1810–1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
 * To-1850 Illinois Marriages to 1850 at Ancestry–($);Index, INCOMPLETE
 * 1878-1888 State Board of Health returns of marriges
 * 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
 * 1851-1900 Illinois Marriages, 1851-1900 at Ancestry–($);Index, INCOMPLETE
 * 1790-1860 Illinois Marriages, 1790-1860 at Ancestry–($);Index, INCOMPLETE

Books and Microfilms


 * Knox County Genealogical Society (Galesburg, Illinois),Index to Marriage Records, Knox County, Illinois, (Galesburg, Illinois : Knox County Genealogical Society (Illinois), [198-?]-1990), copied from original record books in Knox County courthouse, Galesburg, Illinois by members of Knox County Genealogical Society, Contents: v. 1. 1830-1878 -- v. 2. 1879-1904., other libraries (WorldCat)
 * Knox County (Illinois). Clerk of the County Court, Knox County, Illinois Marriage Certificates, 1830-1922. Microfilm copy of original records located at the Knox County courthouse, Galesburg, Illinois.

Death Records

 * 1877-1900 Death Certificates IRAD–WIU
 * 1877-1935 Death Record Index IRAD–WIU

Internet Sites


 * 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
 * Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
 * 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1850 at FamilySearch (free).
 * 1850-1885 Mortality Schedule, United States Federal Censu, Ancestry ($).Taken once every 10 years.
 * 1916-1947 
 * 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950

Books and Microfilms


 * Knox County Genealogical Society (Galesburg, Illinois), Index, Death Records, Knox County, Illinois 1878 through 1910, (Galesburg, Illinois : Knox County Genealogical Society [Illinois], [198-?]), copied from original records books in Knox County courthouse, Galesburg, Illinois by Ruth Herrick ... [et al.], 136 p. and, other libraries (WorldCat)
 * Knox County (Illinois). Clerk of the County Court, Knox County, Illinois Death Records, 1877-1900; Index, 1878-1935. Microfilm copy of original records located at the Knox County courthouse, Galesburg, Illinois. On.

Websites

 * Knox County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Knox County IL Genealogy
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Knox County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Knox County, biographies, cemetery, tombstone photos, military and obituaries, veteran histories, township histories, family photos.
 * Knox County, Genealogy Trails has cemetery photos and transcriptions, short histories of towns and churches, as well as some other types of records.
 * Knox County, Genealogy Trails has cemetery photos and transcriptions, short histories of towns and churches, as well as some other types of records.