Moultrie County, Illinois Genealogy

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

Moultrie County Organization
Moultrie 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 Moultrie County are kept, see the Moultrie County Courthouse page.

Historical Facts
Moultrie County is named for William Moultrie who was a General during the Revolutionary War and later became the 35th Governor of South Carolina.

Parent County

 * 1843--Moultrie County was created 16 February 1843 from Shelby and Macon Counties. County seat:  Sullivan

Description
The county was named for South Carolina General, and later Governor, William Moultrie. General Moultrie defended Sullivan's Island, South Carolina from British attack in 1776. The county seat is Sullivan and the county was organized on February 16, 1843. The County is located in the Central area of the state.

Boundary Changes
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
1864 Fire burned the courthouse on 25 November and destroyed most records.

Neighboring Counties

 * Coles
 * Douglas
 * Macon
 * Piatt
 * Shelby

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


 * ePodunk list of Moultrie County cemeteries gives the names of the cemeteries in the county with a link to more information such as address, phone number, and web site.


 * Moultrie County Cemeteries Project lists with townships.

Church Records
Copies of Original records


 * 1883–1909 Wilburn Creek Church of Christ
 * 1881–1906 Bethany Church of Christ minutes and membership records
 * 1872–1948 Union Prairie Church of Christ membership records
 * 1891 Sacred Heart Church records
 * 1860–1909 Wellborn Creek Church
 * 1927–1994 Smyser Christian Church
 * 1867–1990 Oak Grove Baptist Church records

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Moultrie County church records may be found in the. Histories of area churches may be found in the. Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche can be ordered for viewing at Family History Centers. 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.

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

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 Moultrie County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of Original Records


 * 1849-1935 Deed and mortgage records, 1849-1935; index 1849-1935
 * 1948-1951 Chattel Mortgage Releases IRAD-EIU
 * 1948-1952 Chattel Mortgages IRAD-EIU

Abstracts


 * 1978 Moultrie County (Illinois), atlas and plat book, 1978 (Rockford, Illinois:Rockford Map Publishers, c1969) ;
 * Moultrie County Plat Books 1875, 1913, 1942, 1949, 1953, 1960

Online Resources


 * Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
 * 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * Moultrie 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



 * Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)


 * Moultrie County Federal Township Plats

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


 * 1862-1919 Military Discharge Record IRAD-EIU

Civil War
Civil War service men from Moultrie 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 Moultrie County.


 * - 21st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E
 * - 41st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
 * - 126th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and C.
 * - 143rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company I.

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 Family History Library.


 * 1871-1929 Naturalization records

Newspapers and Obituaries

 * USGenWeb, Moultrie County, Illlinios (ILGenWeb), Historical Newspapers
 * USGenWeb, Moultrie County, Illiniois (ILGenWeb), Obituaries

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.


 * 1862-1964 Will records and estate file index


 * [No probate record holdings noted in IRAD-EIU Moultrie County Listing.] Search for Moultrie County records. Information about how to use IRAD

County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Moultrie County are kept, see the Moultrie 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 ordered from the FHL collection at a nominal cost. 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 Moultrie County, Illinois: Champaign Illinois Family History Center 604 W Windsor Rd Champaign, Champaign, Illinois Phone: 217-352-8063 Hours: Thur-Sat 9:30-12:30pm; Thur 7pm-9pm; or by appt  Decatur Illinois Family History Center 3955 Lourdes Ln Decatur, Macon, Illinois Phone: 217-875-9396 Hours: T, Sat 10am-3pm; Th 6pm-9pm

Springfield Illinois Family History Center 3601 Buckeye Dr Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois Phone: 217-529-7930 Hours: T 6pm-9pm; W 10am-2pm, 6pm-9pm; Sat 10am-2pm 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 Moultrie 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
Arthur Public Library District 225 South Walnut Street Arthur, IL 61911 Phone: (217) 543-2037 Lovington Public Library District 110 West State Street Lovington, IL 61937 Phone: (217) 873-4468  Marrowbone Public Library District 216 West Main Street Bethany, IL 61914 Phone: (217) 665-3014  Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library 2 West Water Street Sullivan, IL 61951 Phone: (217) 728-7221

Social Groups Online
USGenWeb, Moultrie County, Illinois (ILGenWeb) Receive notification when new updates are available. Register for MrMoultrie's tweets on Twitter.

Societies
Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society PO Box 588 117 E. Harrison St. Sullivan, IL 61951-0588 Telephone Number: 217-728-4085 E-mail:[mailto:mocohgs@gmail.com mocohgs@gmail.com] Website Website

The Heritage Center Research Library and Museum is open to the public. Summer Hours: Monday &amp; Saturday, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Winter Hours: Monday &amp; Saturday, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Publication: Moultrie County, Illinois Heritage Journal

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


 * 1956-1967 Tax Schedules, Townships IRAD-EIU

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 Moultrie 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 Moultrie County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.

Births
Copies of Original Records


 * 1877-1900 Births, marriages, deaths, 1843-1927; indexes, 1843-1981 Index to births ca. 1877-1956; birth registers 1877-1915; birth certificates 1859-1900.
 * 1859-1900 Birth Certificates IRAD-EIU
 * 1859-1920 Birth Record IRAD-EIU:*1859-1980 Birth Record Index IRAD-EIU

Online Resources


 * Village of Arthur (Douglas and Moultrie Counties) Local Registrar's Birth Certificates Index, 1868-1925 Courtesy Illinois State Archives.
 * USGenWeb, Moultrie County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), Moultrie County Births

Marriages
Copies of Original Records


 * 1877-1900 Births, marriages, deaths, 1843-1927; indexes, 1843-1981 Index to marriages ca. 1843-1981; marriage record book A 1845-1919; marriage register 1877-1900; marriage licenses 1901-19031859-1900.
 * 1843–1919 Marriage Record IRAD-EIU
 * 1843-1981 Marriage Record Index IRAD-EIU

Online Resources


 * 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
 * 1843–1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 (1843-1900 for Moultrie County)
 * USGenWeb, Moultrie County, Illinois (ILGenWeb), Moultrie County Marriages

Deaths
Copies of Original Records


 * 1878-1973 Births, marriages, deaths, 1843-1927; indexes, 1843-1981 Index to deaths, 1878-1973; death registers 1877-1902; death certificates 1902-1927
 * 1877–1927 Death RecordIRAD-EIU
 * 1877–1973 Death Record Index IRAD-EIU

Abstracts


 * 1904-1970 Hunter, Cheri; Decatur Genealogical Society (Decatur, Illionis) and Illinois Masonic Home (Sullivan, Illinois) Illinois Masonic Home death card file, 1904-1970, Moultrie County, Illinois (Decatur, Illinois:Decatur Genealogicla Society [IL], 2004) ;

Online Resources


 * Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
 * 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
 * 1850–1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)
 * Moultrie County, Illinois Obituary and Death Notices Collection Free from GenealogyBuff.com. From various funeral homes in the Sullivan, Allenville, Bethany, Dalton City, Dora, East Nelson, Gays, Jonathan Creek, Lovington, Lowe, Marrowbone, Whitley, and surrounding area.
 * USGenWeb, Moultrie County, Illinios (ILGenWeb), Death Certificates

Web Sites

 * Moultrie County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * Moultrie County IL Genealogy
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook

Databases pertinent to Moultrie County


 * Local Governmental Records Database IRAD
 * Name Index to Illinois Local Governments IRAD
 * Moultrie County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Moultrie County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)