Illinois Cemetery Transcriptions - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This Collection will include records from 1853 to 2009.

Images of cemetery transcriptions and records from various localities in Illinois. The general time period for this collection is 1853-2009 but varies by individual cemetery. As of April 2012, records for the following cemeteries are included in this collection:

Elmwood Cemetery, Centralia, Illinois

For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

Record Content
Information found in this collection may include:


 * Full name of Deceased
 * Name of Cemetery
 * Date of Birth
 * Date of death
 * Name of Father
 * Name of Mother
 * If the grave is for a veteran
 * Name of Mortuary
 * Lot Number

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the deceased
 * Identifying information such as the birth and death dates

Search the Collection
To search the collection: ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page ⇒Select the "Record Description" category which takes you to the images

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s burial record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Burial records are often brief so it can be easy confuse individuals. Compare what is information is given with what you already know about your ancestor to make sure it is the correct person.

Next, look at the pieces of information given in the burial record for new information. Add any new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the birth date or year to search for birth records.
 * Use the birth date along with your relative’s names to find the family in census records.
 * Use the locality and relative's name to locate church and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * The name of the undertaker or mortuary could lead you to funeral and cemetery records, which often include the names and residences of other family members.
 * Compile the entries for every person with the same surname. This is especially helpful for rural areas or unusual surnames.
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives of the deceased who may have been buried in the same cemetery or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.
 * When looking for a person with a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * Look for an index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby cemeteries.

Related Websites
Illinois Tombstone Project

Related Wiki Articles
Illinois Cemeteries

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.