Williamson County, Illinois Genealogy

United States   Illinois    Williamson County

Parent County

 * 1839--Williamson County was created 28 February 1839 from Franklin County. County seat:

Record Loss
May 30, 1875 -- Courthouse burned and many records were damaged.

For further information on researching in burned counties, see the following:


 * Burned Counties Research
 * http://blogs.ancestry.com/circle/?p=2424

Neighboring Counties

 * Franklin
 * Jackson
 * Johnson
 * Pope
 * Saline
 * Union

African American
United States African Americans Illinois African Americans


 * Illinois State Archives pamphlet on African American Research describes what records are at the State Archives with an online method for ordering records

Cemeteries
The Illinois Cemeteries page provides explanations of the following online resources:

Census
1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 federal population schedules of Williamson County are available online. 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, Williamson County on page 188.]

Local Histories
The 1876 local history is also available at Ancestry ($).


 * History of Gallatin, Saline, Hamilton, Franklin, and Williamson Counties, Illinois: From the Earliest Time to the Present, Together with Sundry and Interesting Biographical Sketches, Notes, Reminiscences, etc., etc. Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887. Digital versions at Ancestry ($) (1967 reprint); Internet Archive.

Revolutionary War
Veterans of the Revolutionary War settled in Williamson County.

See also Census

War of 1812
Veterans of the War of 1812 settled in Williamson County.


 * List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883; Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for Why Pensioned, the Post-Office Address, the Rate of Pension Per Month, and the Date of Original Allowance... Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1883. ; digital versions at Google Books and Internet Archive. [See Vol. 3, Illinois, Williamson County, pp. 640-642. Identifies War of 1812 and other veterans living in the county in 1883.]

Civil War
Civil War service men from Williamson 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 Williamson County.


 * - 56th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E.

World War I

 * Baird, S. S. Williamson County, Illinois, in the World War: Containing a Brief Review of the World War, Complete History of Williamson County's Activities, Photographs and Service Records of Williamson County's Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, Industrial Review of Business and Professional Firms Who Have Made This History Possible. Marion: Williamson County War History Society, c1919. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive.

Societies and Libraries
Marion Carnegie Library 206 South Market Street Marion, IL 62959 618/993-5935

Web Sites

 * Williamson County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Williamson County, ILGenWeb genealogy resources, queries
 * Williamson County, ILGenWeb genealogy resources, queries