Effingham County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Effingham 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
Effingham County was named for Gen. Edward Effingham, who is noted for resigning his commission as general in the British army in 1775 and refusing to serve in the war against the colonies. The county was organized in 1831 and its seat is Effingham. Effingham County is located in the central area of the state.[1]
County Courthouse
Effingham County Courthouse
120 W Jefferson
Effingham, Illinois 62401
Phone: 217-342-4065
Effingham County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Effingham County are kept, see the Effingham County Courthouse page.
Effingham 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 | 1833 | 1878 | 1833 | 1833 | 1838 | 1810 |
Record Loss
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
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:[3]
| Cities | ||
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| Towns | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Townships | ||
‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
History Timeline
- 20 December 1832: Fully organized, detached from Crawford and Fayette. (Ill. Laws 1832-1833, pp. 22-23)
- 26 February 1845: Legislature authorized Effingham to gain from Shelby the northern half of township 9 north, ranges 4 to 6 east, dependent on local referendum that failed [no change]. (Ill. Laws 1844-1845, p. 164) (source: Newberry Library)
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
- Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties, Illinois. Chicago, IL: Munsell Pub. Co., 1910. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 1840-1892 Marks and Brands Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1877-1973 Business Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Cemeteries
- 1895-1896 Poor Farm Cemetery Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 1,675 | — |
| 1850 | 3,799 | 126.8% |
| 1860 | 7,816 | 105.7% |
| 1870 | 15,653 | 100.3% |
| 1880 | 18,920 | 20.9% |
| 1890 | 19,358 | 2.3% |
| 1900 | 20,465 | 5.7% |
| 1910 | 20,055 | −2.0% |
| 1920 | 19,556 | −2.5% |
| 1930 | 19,013 | −2.8% |
| 1940 | 22,034 | 15.9% |
| 1950 | 21,675 | −1.6% |
| 1960 | 23,107 | 6.6% |
| 1970 | 24,608 | 6.5% |
| 1980 | 30,944 | 25.7% |
| 1990 | 31,704 | 2.5% |
| 2000 | 34,264 | 8.1% |
| 2010 | 34,242 | −0.1% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For information and tips on using and accessing online census records, see Illinois Census.
Federal
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry ($)
- 1840-1850 1840-1850 Effingham County census FS Library 977.3796 X2e 1840-1850
- 1840 Pensioners
A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. Washington, D.C., 1841. FS Library Book973 X2pc 1840. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Illinois, Effingham County on page 186. - 1850 United States census 1850; pub. 1979 FS Library Book 977.3796 X2p 1850
- 1860 1860 census of Effingham County, Illinois; pub. 1983 FS Library 6103965 (3 fiche), Book 977.3796 X2c
- 1870 1870 Effingham County census; pub. 1984 FS Library Book 977.3796 X2e 1870
- 1880 Effingham County, Illinois 1880; pub. 1990 FS Library Book 977.3796 X2e 1880 (2 vols)
Vol. 1. Banner, Bishop, Douglas, Jackson, Liberty & Lucas townships
Vol. 2. Mason, Moccasin, Mound, St. Francis, Summit, Teutopolis, Union, Watson & West townships. - 1900 1900 federal census; pub. 1999 FS Library Film 1440430 Item 12, book 977.3796 X2o (2 vols)
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 976181 Item 11
- 1865, State Census FS Library film 972746
Church Records
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 Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the Wiki article IRAD (EIU).
- 1833-1973 Circuit Court Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1836-1964 Justice of the Peace Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1839-1963 Court Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Directories
- 1924-1925 Effingham County, Illinois city and county directories, 1924-1925: each directory in alphabetical order, surname index in back; pub. 1990 Online at:FamilySearch Digital Library
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
African Americans
- 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
- Estate settlements & genealogy; pub. 2008 Online at:FamilySearch Digital Library
- The Hirtzel family of Effingham County, Illinois; pub. 1999 FS Library 6003082 (4 fiche), book 929.273 H619hr
Guardianship
- 1871-1914 Probate Guardianship Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
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 Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the Wiki article IRAD (EIU).
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records at Ancestry ($)
- 1820-Onward Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- 1829-1895 Land Book. Effingham County (Illinois) Recorder. FS Library Film 1010042 item 3
- 1833-1945 Deeds and Mortgages, 1833-1945; index 1833-1895. Effingham County (Illinois) Recorder. FS Library Film 1008997 (first of 47 films)
- 1833-1965 Deed, Mortgage Records and Indexes at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1836-1899 Effingham County, Illinois public domain land sales, 1836-1899. (Effingham, Illinois : Effingham County Genealogical Society, 1990.) FS Library Book 977.3796 R2e; WorldCat 173315434
- 1845-1855 Delinquent tax records, 1845 through 1855, Effingham County, Illinois: these records include owner's names, parts of section, section nos., range, acres, valuation, year tax due, state revenue, state special tax, county tax, poor tax, and total amount due. (Effingham, Illinois : Effingham County Genealogical Society, 1995.) FS Library Film 1598433 item 19; Book 977.3796 R5o; Other Libraries.
- 1986 Land Atlas and plat book, Effingham County, Illinois, 1986. (Rockford, Illinois : Rockford Map Publishers, c1986.) WorldCat 17213717; FS Library Book 977.3796 E7e
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales at the Illinois State Archives. Online index to the records of Public land sales held by the State Archives. The indexes are by purchasers name and by legal description. This is a statewide collection with nearly 550,000 land sales from 54740 square miles.
- Illinois Federal Township Plats, by County
- Illinois Public Land Purchase Records at Ancestry ($). This record extract includes over 538,000 land sales from the 19th Century. Each entry includes the purchaser's name, purchase date, number of acres, price per acre, and in some cases the purchaser's sex and residence.
- Family Maps. Family Maps of Effingham County, Illinois. By Gregory A. Boyd. (Norman, Oklahoma: Arphax Pub. Co., c2007.) FS Catalog book 977.3796 E7b, Other Libraries.
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Effingham County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Effingham County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.
- Effingham, Illinois fiftieth anniversary, 1853-1903. Effingham, Illinois : Effingham County Genealogical Society, 1984. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
- History of Effingham County, Illinois. Edited by William Henry Perrin. Evansville, Indiana : Unigraphic, 1972. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- 1788-1940 Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
- 1870 Township Map of 1870 Effingham County, Illinois with numerous small settlements. (My Genealogy Hound)
- GIS Search
- 1899 1899 plat index of Effingham County, Illinois townships and towns FS Library Book 977.3796 E7o
- 1986 Land atlas and plat book, Effingham County, Illinois, 1986 FS Library Book 977.3796 E7e
- Illinois County Federal Township Plats
- Family maps of Effingham County, Illinois FS Library 977.3796 E7b
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
- The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Effingham County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Effingham County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.
- Veteran burials, Effingham County, Illinois, 1862-1955 FS Library Book 977.3796 M2v
Civil War
Regiments. Civil War service men from Effingham 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 Effingham County.
- - 5th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company L.
- - 10th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company L.
- - 11th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (3 months, 1861), Company G.
- - 11th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E, F, and G.
- - 26th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A
- - 35th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- - 38th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
- - 54th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and I.
- - 62nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- - 71st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
- - 98th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies C and K.
- - 135th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies C and D.
- - 143rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company F.
- - 154th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- Civil War Companies, Organized in Effingham County, Illinois] Effingham Co ILGenWeb
Military Records
- The Adjutant General's Report of Effingham County, Illinois soldiers, 1831-32, 1846-48 and 1861-66, 1898-99 FS Library 1697841 Item 10, book 977.3796 M2p
- Civil war soldiers from Effingham County FS Catalog book 977.3796 M2c
World War II
- World War II veterans, Effingham County, Illinois FS Library Book 977.3796 M2e
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.
The following copies of original records may be accessed through the FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the Wiki article IRAD (EIU).
- 1800-1998 Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1840-1906 Naturalization Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1849-1906 Osborn, Arnetia Bannick, Mary Brown and Rose Shadwell, Naturalization records, 1849-1906 (Effingham, Illinois: Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society.) Other Libraries; FS Library 1425418 Item 7, book 977.3796 P4o
- 1856-1991 Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
- 1859-1892 Naturalization records. FS Library film 1010162
- Naturalization records: Files 166 through 182 (no years given)
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Illinois, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and EventsIndex, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
Obituaries
- 1831-Onward Illinois Obituaries at MyHeritage — index ($)
Newspaper clippings and obituaries from Clay and Effingham counties, Illinois and Yakima County, Washington FS Library film 396345
Other Records
Almshouse Records
- 1893-1941 Insanity Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1913-1941 Mother's Pension Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1895-1896 Poor Farm Cemetery Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Criminal and Punishments
- 1872-1964 Jail and Jury Registers at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1898-1933 Register of prisoners, 1898-1933; also known as Effingham County (Illinois) County Jail. FS Library film 1689434
Public Records
- 1839-1924 Public Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1861-1964 Township Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1864-1984 Village Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Voting Records
- 1873-1874 Voter Registers at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Periodicals
- Crossroad trails FS Library films
- Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society newsletter FS Library
Probate Records
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 FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the Wiki article IRAD (EIU).
- 1772-1999 Illinois Wills and Probate Records 1772-1999 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1819-1988 Illinois Probate Records 1819-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1834-1971 Probate Records and Index at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1838-1920 Probate records FS Library 12 films
- 1836-1882 Sargent, W.F., Wills and estate settlements, 1836-1882 (Effingham, Illinois:Effingham County Geneal. Society, [198-?].) ( WorldCat 11519628; FS Library Fiche 6048797 (2 fiches), book 977.3796 R2w
- Garbe, Audrey and Eleanor Poe Bounds, Estate settlements and genealogy: Effingham County, Illinois (Effingham, Illinois: Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society, c2008.) WorldCat 746560803; FS Library Book 977.3796 P2g
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
- 1867-1913 School Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Effingham County school history, centennial 1918 online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — 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
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 Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the Wiki article IRAD (EIU).
- 1829-1972 Tax Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1845-1855 Delinquent tax records, 1845 through 1855, Effingham County, Illinois FS Library film 1598433 Item 19, book 977.3796 R4o
- 1852 Tax records 1852 FS Library 1698226 Item 16, book 977.3796 R4ta
- 1854-1858 Tax records 1854-1858 FS Library Book 977.3796 R4t
- 1890 Tax lists FS Library Book 977.3796 R4b - 2 vols
v. 1. Banner, Bishop, Douglas, Jackson, Liberty & Lucas townships
v. 2. Moccasin, Mound, St. Francis, Summit, Teutopolis, Union, Watson and West townships.
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 Clinton 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 Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Effingham County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the Wiki article IRAD (EIU).
Birth
- 1877-1916 Birth Records and Index at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1877-1916 Birth records, 1877-1916, stillbirths are included. FS Library films 1010043-1010045
Index 1877-1915 - Film 1010043
Vol. 1-2 1877-1901 - Film 1010043
Vol. 3-4 1902-1914 - Film 1010044
Vol. 5 1911-1916 - Film 1010045
Marriage
- 1587-1959 Illinois, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
- 1790-1860 Illinois Marriage index at Ancestry ($)
- 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 and images
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
- 1839-1920 Marriage Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- Marriage records, 1839-1920 at FS Library films 1010047-1010049
- Effingham County, Illinois marriages at FS Library
Death
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1869-1943 Coroner's Inquest Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1878-1915 Death Records and Index at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1895-1896 Poor Farm Cemetery Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1860, 1870, 1880 Richland County Genealogical Society, Mortality schedules, 1860, 1870, 1880 ([S.I.:s.n.] 1978.) FS Library fiche 6048135 (2 fiches), book 977.37 X2m
- 1878-1915 Death records, 1878-1915 FS Library film 1010046
- 1916-1950 Illinois Deaths, 1916-1950 at MyHeritage - index ($)
- 1916-1972 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1972
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Effingham County. For state-wide facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Inventory of the county archives of Illinois, no. 25, Effingham County (Effingham), pub. 1940 FS Library film 908556 Item 1, book 977.3796 A5h
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 Edwards County come under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) regional depository.
Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)
Booth Library
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: 217-581-6093
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
- Mattoon Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Clay County Genealogical Society - an affiliate library
- Effingham Public Library - an affiliate library
- Robinson Public Library District - multiple locations - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Effingham County. For state-wide library facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Altamont Public Library
121 W Washington
Altamont, IL 62411
Phone: 618-483-5457
Website
Beecher City Branch Library
108 N James St
Beecher City, IL 62414
Phone: 618-487-9400
Helen Matthes Library
100 E. Market Ave.
Effingham, IL 62401-3499
Phone: 217-342-2464
Fax: 217-342-2413
Email: hmlib@effinghamlibrary.org
Website
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Effingham County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Illinois Societies.
County Genealogical and Historical Society
PO Box 1166
200 N. 3rd Street
Effingham, IL 62401
Websites
- Effingham County IL Genealogy
- Effingham ILGenWeb
- Effingham County, IL Linkpendium
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Effingham County, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/effingham/ accessed 04/12/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Effingham County, Illinois. Page 192-199 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 194-197.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Effingham County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effingham_County,_Illinois, Last accessed 2 January 2020.