Adams County, Illinois Genealogy
(Redirected from Adams County, Illinois)
Guide to Adams County, Illinois ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Adams County was named for the sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams, and is located in the west-central area of the state. The county was founded in 1825 and the county seat is Quincy.[1]
County Courthouse
Adams County Courthouse
521 Vermont St #G20
Quincy, IL 62301
Phone: 217-277-2100
Adams County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Adams County are kept, see the Adams County Courthouse page.
Adams County, Illinois Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1878 | 1825 | 1878 | 1825 | 1817 | 1826 | 1810 |
Record Loss
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1835 Fire burned the courthouse on 9 December; some records were lost or damaged. For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes
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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:[4]
| Cities | ||
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| Towns | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Townships | ||
History Timeline
13 January 1825 -- Adams County was created 13 January 1825 from Pike County. [5]
03 August 1829: Hancock County fully organized, detached from Adams. (Scofield, 679)
03 March 1837: Adams boundaries were extended to the middle of the Mississippi River [not mapped]. (Ill. Laws 1836-1837, pp. 91-92)
11 February 1843: Adams lost to creation of Marquette (later Highland, extinct). (Ill. Laws 1842-1843, pp. 77-83)
27 Febrary 1847: Adams lost to Highland (extinct). (Ill. Laws 1846-1847, gen., pp. 38-41)
31 December 1848: Adams gained all of Highland (extinct) when Highland failed to become fully organized as a county; Highland eliminated. (Wilcox, David F., 1:119-120) (source: Newberry Library)
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
- The History of Adams County, Illinois: containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc.; a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late Rebellion ... portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest, history of Illinois ... etc., etc. Reprint 1977 (original 1879) FS Library Book 977.344 H2ha 1977, fiche 6048848
- The History of Adams County, Illinois: containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc.; a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men...miscellaneous matters, etc., etc., pub. 1879 FS Library Film 924761, another filming 934969 Item 1; Adams Co IL USGenWeb
- The History of Adams County, Illinois: containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc.; a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men...miscellaneous matters, etc., etc., apparent reprint with index. FS Library film 1421655 Item 7
- Memorials to those involved in the legal profession, filed by the clerk, with birth and death dates, ca. 1807-1961, FS Library Film 1845491 Item 2
- Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois: including the late Colonel John Tillson's History of Quincy, together with biographical sketches of many of its leading and prominent citizens and illustrious dead; pub. 1905. FS Library Film 934969 Item 4; Adams Co IL USGenWeb
- Portrait and biographical record of Adams County, Illinois: containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens; pub. 1892. Internet Archive; Ancestry ($); FS Library film 934969 Item 3
- Quincy and Adams County History, Vol. 1. pub. 1919 Adams County IL USGenWeb
- Quincy and Adams County History, Vol. II, pub. 1919 Adams County IL USGenWeb
Indexes
- Naturalization index and bar association index, Adams County, Illinois; pub. 1993. WorldCat, FS Library Film 1697968 Item 3, Book 977.344 P2n
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 1865-1966 Bar Association Memorial Resolutions at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1851-1875 Railroad Record, Northern Cross (Quincy) at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Cemeteries
| |
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 2,186 | — |
| 1840 | 14,476 | 562.2% |
| 1850 | 26,508 | 83.1% |
| 1860 | 41,323 | 55.9% |
| 1870 | 56,362 | 36.4% |
| 1880 | 59,135 | 4.9% |
| 1890 | 61,888 | 4.7% |
| 1900 | 67,058 | 8.4% |
| 1910 | 64,588 | −3.7% |
| 1920 | 62,188 | −3.7% |
| 1930 | 62,784 | 1.0% |
| 1940 | 65,229 | 3.9% |
| 1950 | 64,690 | −0.8% |
| 1960 | 68,467 | 5.8% |
| 1970 | 70,861 | 3.5% |
| 1980 | 71,622 | 1.1% |
| 1990 | 66,090 | −7.7% |
| 2000 | 68,277 | 3.3% |
| 2010 | 67,103 | −1.7% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
1830 Census, Quincy only: Adams County ILGenWeb Project
1840 Census, Rural Adams County (No names from Quincy): Adams County ILGenWeb Project
1850 Census, Adams County, Illinois other libraries; FS Library Fiche 6103953-6103955 9 cards
1860 Census, Adams County, Illinois other libraries; FS Library 6093946-6093948 12 cards
1870 Census of Adams County, Illinois Internet Archive
The 1890 census burned. The Adams section includes a reference to an 1892 directory that can be used to learn who lived in the county at approximately the same time.
State
- 1855 Illinois State Census, 1855 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1855, Name index to early Illinois records FS Library 248 film rolls
- 1855, State Census FS Library film 976178 Item 11
- 1865, State Census FS Library film 972746
1840 Pensioners
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. Washington, D.C., 1841. FS Catalog 973 X2pc 1840; FS Catalog 2321; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Illinois, Adams County on page 186.
Church Records
Church records may give birth, death and marriage information as well as indictate family relationships. See Illinois state wiki article Church Records for more ideas about how to use church records in your research. Many libraries( WorldCat) and the FamilySearch Library hold abstracts of church records for Adams County.
- Churches in Adams County. Courtesy of USGenWeb.
- Inventory of the McDonough County Genealogical Society's church records, ca. 1830-1991 FS Library 2 films
Anglican
- 1891-1895 St. John's Parish and Cathedral, Quincy, Marriage Index 1891-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M730301
Baptist
- Duncan, Robert S. The History of the Baptists in Missouri. Scammel and Co., St. Louis: 1882. Online at Google Books
Catholic
- 1863-1906 St. Joseph's Church Death Register, Columbus Road. Courtesy of Genealogy Trails
- 1867 St. Mary's Church. Courtesy of USGenWeb
- 1867-1905 St. Joseph's Church Death Register, Bloomfield. Courtesy of Genealogy Trails
- 1880-1906 St. John's Church Death Register. Courtesy of Genealogy Trails
- 1898-1950 St. Peter's Church MinutesFS Library film 1434887 Item 8
- St. Francis Church and School Quincy. Courtesy of USGenWeb
Church of Christ
- 1835 Pleasant View Christian Church. The History of Adams County, Illinois. Murray, Williamson and Phelps, Chicago: 1879. Online digital copy, Internet Archive. Page 969.
- 1835 Ursa Christian Church.. The History of Adams County, Illinois. Murray, Williamson and Phelps, Chicago: 1879. Online digital copy, Internet Archive. Page 969.
- 1860-1985 Bluff Fall Church (Formerly German Evangelical Zion (Lutheran) Church of Fall Creek. Courtesy of USGenWeb.
- 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Evangelical
- 1848-1923 Old Salem History and Cemetery. Courtesy of USGenWeb.
Evangelical Lutheran
- 1851 St. James (St. Jacobi). Early births, deaths and membership record. Courtesy of USGenWeb.
Jewish
- 1866-1916 Jewish Congregations.Courtesy of USGenWeb.
Lutheran
- 1848-1952 Immanuel Lutheran Church, South Prairie. Courtesy of USGenWeb. Renamed Holy Cross.
- 1851-1885 St. James Lutheran Church, Quincy, Baptism Index 1851-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batches C730291 and C730292 .
- 1851-1895 St. James Lutheran Church, Quincy, Marriage Index 1851-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batches M730291 and M730292 .
- 1863-1885 St. Matthew's Church, Burton, Baptism Index 1863-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C730171 .
- 1863-1895 St. Matthew's Church, Burton, Marriage Index 1863-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M730171 .
- 1875-1974 Trinity Lutheran Church. List of members. Courtesy of USGenWeb.
Methodist Episcopal
- Methodist Episcopal Church. Illinois Conference. Columbia Circuit Membership roll FS Library film 965275 Item 1
- 1835-1919 Pleasant View Christian Church records FS Library film 461378 Items 5–6
- 1835-1929 Methodist Episcopal Church, Payson, Baptism Index 1835-1929 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C730241 .
- 1835-1929 Methodist Episcopal Church, Payson, Marriage Index 1835-1929 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M730241 .
- 1835-1929 Methodist Episcopal Church, Payson, Death Index 1835-1929 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch B393749 .
- 1854-1898 Methodist Episcopal Church–La Prarie Circuit FS Library 965273 Items 2-6
- 1854-1895 Methodist Episcopal Church - Illinois Conference - La Prairie Circuit Marriage Index 1854-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M730111 .
- 1855-1885 Methodist Episcopal Church - Illinois Conference - La Prairie Circuit Baptism Index 1855-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C730111 .
- 1856-1907 Methodist Episcopal Church records - Payson Circuit FS Library film 965274 Items 2–4
- 1856-1885 Methodist Episcopal Church - Illinois Conference - Payson Circuit Baptism Index 1856-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C730131 .
- 1856-1895 Methodist Episcopal Church - Illinois Conference - Payson Circuit Marriage Index 1856-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M730131 .
- 1859 Ebenezer Chapel and Cemetery. History, Cemetery Records Courtesy of UsGenWeb.
- 1861-1892 Methodist Episcopal Church records - Paloma Circuit FS Library film 965272 Items 4–5
- 1875-1885 Camp Point and Hebron Methodist Episcopal Church, Camp Point, Baptism Index 1875-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C730181 .
- 1875-1895 Camp Point and Hebron Methodist Episcopal Church, Camp Point, Marriage Index 1875-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M730181 .
- 1876-1906 Methodist Episcopal Church–Lorraine Circuit FS Library film 960877 Item 9
- 1888-1928 Bluffs Methodist Church records FS Library film 1434889 Item 1
- 1892-1914 Methodist Episcopal Church records - Golden Circuit FS Library film 965273 Item 9
- 1892-1895 Methodist Episcopal Church - Illinois Conference - Golden Circuit Baptism Index 1892-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C730101 .
- 1892-1895 Methodist Episcopal Church - Illinois Conference - Golden Circuit Marriage Index 1892-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M730101 .
- 1892-1903 Melrose Episcopal Chapel Church records FS Library film 965272 Item 6
- 1895-1967 Richfield Christian Church records FS Library film 965275 Item 4
- 1896-1928 Methodist Episcopal Church, Mendon, Baptism Index 1896-1928 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C730211
- 1911 Methodist Episcopal Church, Mendon, Marriage Index 1911 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M730211 .
Presbyterian
- 1835 United Presbyterian Church (New Hope). The History of Adams County, Illinois. Murray, Williamson and Phelps, Chicago: 1879. Online digital copy, Internet Archive. Page 967.
- 1871-1908 Burton Memorial Presbyterian Church, Burton, Baptism Index 1871-1908 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C730161 .
- 1871-1905 Burton Memorial Presbyterian Church, Burton, Marriage Index 1871-1905 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M730161 .[6]
United Methodist
- 1888-1895 Bluffs United Methodist Church Marriage Index 1888-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M728508 .[7]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
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 abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through the FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Adams County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Court Indexes and Records
- Chancery index FS Library film 934668(first of 5 films)
- before 1850 Proof and final order index FS Library film 1854046 Item 14
- 1820-1931 Chancery and other court records and index FS Library first film 934668 (first of 132 films)
- 1825-1846 Circuit court related records FS Library first film 1845382 Items 2–6 (first of 2 films)
- 1825-1849 County record and record of county commissioner's courtFS Library first film 1870283 Item 1 (first of 2 films)
- 1826-1850 People's case files FS Library first film 1697967 Item 7 (first of 9 films)
- 1826-1953 Circuit Court Case Files Index, Chancery IRAD–WIU
- 1826-1844 Circuit court records (contains judgments and naturalizations) FS Library 961246
- 1826-1852 Execution dockets FS Library first film 1853894 Item 2 (first of 3 films)
- 1827-1854 Chancery case files (includes guardianship and probate) FS Library first film 1697967 Item 7 (first of 16 films)
- 1827-1850 Minutes FS Library film 1854046 Items 1–13
- 1827-1854 Judgement dockets FS Library first film 1854043 Items 3-5(first of 2 films)
- 1827-1850 Fee bills and index FS Library first film 1697967 Item 7 (first of 3 films)
- 1829-1845 Circuit Court Record IRAD–WIU
- 1830-1919 County Court and Probate Index IRAD–WIU
- 1833-1855 Fee books FS Library first film 1862848 Item 3 (first of 2 films)
- 1837-1935 Chancery records - includes guardianship, divorce, and probate related records FS Library first film 1839864 Item 4 (first of 27 films)
- 1837-1850 Certificates of land purchase FS Library film 1697967 Item 7 (first of 2 films)
- 1837-1850 Justice of the Peace records and index FS Library first film 1697967 Item 7 (first of 2 films)
- 1837-1844 Miscellaneous case files and index FS Library first film 1697967 Item 7 (first of 13 films)
- 1839 Judges docket FS Library film 1853890 Item 6
- 1839-1853 Dockets FS Library film 1854045 Items 2-7
- 1840-1852 Chancery docket FS Library film 1853893 Item 4
- 1841-1899 Chancery complete records FS Library first films 1845380 (first of 2 films)
- 1842-1848 Court ledger books FS Library first film 1853893 Item 3 (first of 2 films)
- 1845-1850 Jury lists FS Library film 1697967 Item 7 (first of 2 films)
- 1846-1849 Law and criminal record FS Library first film 1845381 Item 3 (first of 2 films)
- 1846-1937 Certificates of Moral Character IRAD–WIU
- 1851-1853 Circuit Court Case Files, Divorces IRAD–WIU
- 1853-1953 Circuit Court Record Index, Chancery IRAD–WIU
- 1855-1974 Circuit Court Judgment Dockets IRAD–WIU
- 1855-1974 Judgement docket FS Library film 961235–41
- 1858-1931 Index to court record Chancery FS Library film 961247–8
- 1883-1933 Insanity proceedings FS Library film 1862845 Items 3-4
- 1884-1937 Guardianship records index FS Catalog book 977.344 P22n
- 1945-1963 Jury Files IRAD–WIU
- Judici.com, go back only to 1987.
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
- Adams County, IL, 1892. Quincy, IL, USA: Stone & Co., 1892. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
African American
- African American Research (US) has more information about the kinds of records
- Illinois African-American Resource Guide by the Illinois State Archives describes what records are at the State Archives with an online method for ordering records.
- African-American Resources for Illinois
Funeral Homes
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Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
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 FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Adams County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry ($)
- 1817-1960 Land and Mortgage Records at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1817-1860 Original land entry FS Library film 967862
- 1817-1818, 1853, 1855 Military land warrants FS Library film 1787254 Item 7
- 1818-1832 Transcribed conveyances FS Library film 967860–1
- 1818-1847 Old deeds and index FS Library first film 1697967 Item 7 (first of 2 films)
- 1823-1872 Land record FS Library film 1853894 Item 3
- 1825-1827 Deeds and index FS Library first film 967530 (first of 86 films)
- 1832-1900 Quit claim deeds FS Library first film 1822224 Item 2 (first of 3 films)
- 1834-1853 Land sold for tax FS Library film 1853889 Item 2
- 1834-1873 Surveyor's records FS Library film 1839864 Items 2–3
- 1835-1942 Real estate records FS Library first film 1787255 Items 1-2 (first of 2 films)
- 1836-1852 Mortgages FS Library film 967869 (first of 3 films)
- 1837-1850 Certificates of land purchase FS Library film 1697967 Item 7 (first of 2 films)
- 1837-1900 Release deeds FS Library first film 1822223 (first of 3 films)
- 1839-1900 Warranty deeds FS Library film 1822227 Item 2 (first of 3 films)
- 1840-1884 Chattel mortgage packets FS Library film 1787891
- 1842-1941 Administrator's and executor's deeds FS Library film 1787254 Item 10
- 1850 Patent book FS Library film 1862848 Item 5
- 1851-1855 Swampland Records FS Library film 1688530
- 1856-1931 Guardian deeds FS Library film 1787254 Item 6
- 1820-Onward Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- Illinois Federal Township Plats at Illinois Digital Archives - images; by County
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales at the Illinois State Archives - index; by purchaser's name and by legal description; Also at Ancestry ($).
- Adams County Deeds/Land courtesy USGenWeb Archives Illinois.
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- The History of Adams County, Illinois: Containing History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, etc., A Biographical Directory of Its Citizens, War Record of Its Volunteers in the Late Rebellion, General and Local Statistics, Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men, History of the Northwest, History of Illinois, Map of Adams County, Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, etc., etc. Chicago: Murray, Williamson & Phelps, 1879. Internet Archive; Ancestry ($); Reprint: FS Library Book 977.344 H2ha 1977
- Collins, William Herzog. Past and Present of the City of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1905. Internet Archive; Ancestry ($)
- Quincy and Adams County History and Representative Men. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1919. Internet Archive; Ancestry ($).
- History of Adams County Illinois at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
Maps and Gazetteers
Click a neighboring county
for more resources
for more resources
- Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
- GIS Interactive map of Adams County
- Township Map of 1870 Adams County, Illinois with numerous small settlements. (My Genealogy Hound)
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
- 1860s-1960s Illinois, Military Discharge Records, ca.1862 - ca.1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- County Recorder. Military land warrants, 1817-1818, 1853, 1855
Civil War
- Adams County, militia rolls, book A, 1861-1862
- Illinois military census, 1861-1862 FS Library film 2209347
A list, by county, of able-bodied male citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five in pursuance of General Orders No. 99 of the War Department and instructions of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois. Adams, Cook, JoDavies and Lake counties.
Regiments. Civil War service men from Adams 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 Adams County.
- - 1st Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company F.
- - 2nd Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, (Adams County Cavalry) Company L.
- - 3rd Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company F.
- - 10th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (3 months, 1861), Companies A, D, and E.
- - 10th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
- - 16th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, C, and H.
- - 27th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A.
- - 50th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, B, C, D, and K.
- - 78th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, E, F, G, I, and K.
- - 84th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E and I.
- - 118th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D, F, and K.
- - 119th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, G, and I.
- - 137th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies A, B, D, and G.
- - 148th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, D, F, G, and H.
- - 151st Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Company H.
- - 13th Regiment, Missouri Infantry (Union), Company F
- 3rd Regiment, Enrolled Missouri Militia Cavalry (Union), Company C
- 3rd Regiment, Enrolled Missouri Militia Cavalry (Union), Company K
Naturalization and Citizenship
Original naturalization records are held in the office of the County Clerk. See Illinois Naturalization Records for more information about using naturalization records.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1800-1998 Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1826-1844 Circuit court records (contains judgements and naturalizations) FS Library 961246
- 1856-1991 Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Illinois, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and EventsIndex, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1835-1919 Historical Newspaper Archive is searchable by name and date range. Includes newspapers from 1835-1919.
Obituaries
- Illinois Obituaries at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- Index to about 800 transcribed Obituaries and Death Notices at Pike Co IL GenWeb Project.
Other Records
Almshouse Records
- 1873-1898 Almshouse Registers at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1906-1947 Poor Farm Account Books at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Criminal and Punishments
- 1873-1962 Policy Records (Quincy) at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1905-1950 Jail Registers (Quincy) at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Public Records
- 1831-2009 Public Records at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Voting Records
- 1845-1963 Election and Voter Records at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Periodicals
Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1772-1999 Illinois Wills and Probate Records 1772-1999 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1819-1988 Illinois Probate Records, 1819-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
- 1826-1969 Probate Records at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1826-1849 Probate letters of administration FS Library film 1853890 Items 4-5
- 1827-1849 Probate bonds FS Library film 1853890 Items 2-3
- 1827-1854 Chancery case files (includes guardianship and probate) FS Library first film 1697967 Item 7 (first of 16 films)
- 1830-1969 Probate index FS Library first film 961231 (first of 6 films)
- 1832-1938 Estate records and index (index to 1964) FS Library first film 961234 (first of 183 films)
- 1836-1922, 1930, 1933 Original wills and probate papers FS Library film 1854864 (first of 32 films) and book 977.344 P22w
- 1837-1908 Wills FS Library film 961242–5
- 1837-1935 Chancery records - includes guardianship, divorce, and probate related records FS Library first film 1839864 Item 4 (first of 27 films)
- 1837-1964 Probate Will Record Index FS Library first film 934657 (first of 3 films)
- 1842-1941 Administrator's and executor's deeds FS Library film 1787254 Item 10
- 1844-1943 Last wills and testaments and probate related papers FS Catalog book 977.344 P22s
- 1847-1849 Record FS Library first film 1787253 Item 4
- 1849-1943 Probate orders and decrees FS Library first film 1862204 Items 2-4 (first of 21 films)
- 1850-1890 Probate related letters and bonds FS Library first film 1862669 Items 2-3(first of 2 films)
- 1857-1925 Letters of administration, bonds and petitions FS Library first film 1862524 Items 3-4 (first of 8 films)
- 1871-1931 Will boxes FS Library first film 933954 (first of 29 films)
- 1883-1954 Widow's relinquishments and selections FS Library first film 1862518 Item 4 (first of 3 films)
- 1883-1925 Probate letters of testamentary FS Library first film 1862670 Item 4 (first of 7 films)
- 1897-1935 Conservator's bonds and letters FS Library film 1862844 Items 2-3
- 1897-1920 Probate Will Record, Extra-Jurisdictional FS Library film 967872
- 1900-1932 Letters of administration, de bonis non (of the goods not administered) with will annexed (1900–1929) FS Library first film 1862668 Items 2-4(first of 2 films)
- 1907-1925 Records of wills FS Library first film 1862847 (first of 2 films)
- 1909-1951 Partial index to Original wills and probate papers FS Library first film 1697968 Item 7(first of 2 films)
- Adams County Will Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives Illinois.
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
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.
School Records
- 1848-1987 School Records at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
- 1840-1870 Assessor's Records at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Vital Records
Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Original birth and death certificates recorded until the year 1916 are kept by the Adams 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 FamilySearch Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Adams County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
Birth
- 1855-1915 Birth Record Index and Images at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1866-1903 Adams County, Illinois births, vols. 1-7, 1866-1903. FS Library first film 1870153, item 3 (first of 3 films)
Marriage
- 1587-1959 Illinois, United States Marriages at Findmypast ($) — index
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHeritage ($)
- 1790-1860 Illinois, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1790-1860 at Ancestry ($)
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1810-1940 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1815-1935 Illinois Marriages, 1815-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1825-1926 Marriage Records at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1825-1899 Great River Genealogical Society. Marriages of Adams County, Illinois [Quincy, Illinois]: Great River Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1979. FS Catalog book 977.344 V2m v. 1–4. Many libraries (WorldCat)
- 1825-1926 Adams County, Illinois marriage records, 1825-1926. FS Library film 1870158, item 2–3
- 1834-1923 Adams County, Illinois marriage records, 1834-1923. FS Library film 1845384, item 1 (first of 4 films)
Death
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHeritage ($)
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1877-1915 Adams County, Illinois registers of deaths, 1877-1915. FS Library film 1870155, item 3
- 1877-1990 Adams County, Illinois card index to deaths, 1877-1990. FS Library film 1839122 (first of 29 films)
- 1877-1990 Adams County, Illinois, U.S., Card Index to Deaths, 1877-1990 - index ($)
- 1877-1972 Death Records at IRAD–WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1916-1947 Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1916-1950 Illinois Deaths, 1916-1950 at MyHeritage - index ($)
- 1916-1972 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1972
Divorce
- 1837-1935 Chancery records - includes guardianship, divorce, and probate related records. FS Library first film 1839864, item 4 (first of 27 films)
- 1851-1853 Circuit Court Case Files, Divorces IRAD–WIU
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Adams County. For state-wide facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Inventory of the county archives of Illinois, no. 1, Historical Records Survey, pub. 1939 FS Library Book 977.344 A5h, film 908539 Item 1
Illinois Regional Archives Depository
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 Adams County.
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Hannibal Missouri FamilySearch Center
- Nauvoo Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Quincy Illinois FamilySearch Center
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Adams County. For state-wide library facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Camp Point Public Library District
206 E. State St
Camp Point, IL 62320
217-593-7021
Website
Clayton Public Library District
211 East Main St
Clayton, IL 62324
217-894-6519
Website
Four Star Public Library District
132 W. South St
Mendon, IL 62351
217-936-2131
Website
Quincy Public Library
526 Jersey
Quincy, IL 62301
217-223-1309
Website
- Quincy Public Library hosts the valuable Quincy Historical Newspaper Archive as well as a photo archive that is part of the Illinois Digital Archives. They hold a weath of resources from Abraham Lincoln’s Quincy connections and Quincy’s Underground Railroad to early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) members and local records for genealogy research. Contact the Reference desk for help with Adams County genealogy.
- Quincy Public Library hosts the valuable Quincy Historical Newspaper Archive as well as a photo archive that is part of the Illinois Digital Archives. They hold a weath of resources from Abraham Lincoln’s Quincy connections and Quincy’s Underground Railroad to early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) members and local records for genealogy research. Contact the Reference desk for help with Adams County genealogy.
