Henry County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Henry 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
Henry County was named for Patrick Henry, a Revolutionary War period lawyer, orator and statesman. The county county was organized in 1837 and its seat is Cambridge.[1] Henry County is located in the northwestern area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse
Henry County Courthouse
307 W Center St
Cambridge, IL 61238
Phone: 309-937-3572
Henry County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Henry County are kept, see the Henry County Courthouse page.
Henry 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 |
| 1877 | 1837 | 1877 | 1880 | 1835 | 1880 | 1810 |
Record Loss
|
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:[5]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Villages | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Townships | ||
‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 1877-1929 Agricultural and Business Records at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 1,260 | — |
| 1850 | 3,807 | 202.1% |
| 1860 | 20,660 | 442.7% |
| 1870 | 35,506 | 71.9% |
| 1880 | 36,597 | 3.1% |
| 1890 | 33,338 | −8.9% |
| 1900 | 40,049 | 20.1% |
| 1910 | 41,736 | 4.2% |
| 1920 | 45,162 | 8.2% |
| 1930 | 43,851 | −2.9% |
| 1940 | 43,798 | −0.1% |
| 1950 | 46,492 | 6.2% |
| 1960 | 49,317 | 6.1% |
| 1970 | 53,217 | 7.9% |
| 1980 | 57,968 | 8.9% |
| 1990 | 51,159 | −11.7% |
| 2000 | 51,020 | −0.3% |
| 2010 | 50,486 | −1.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
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 Henry County. Learn more about how to search WorldCat and the FamilySearch Catalog.
- 1857-1887 Gifford, B.R. Clergyman's private register. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1980. FS Library film 1290170 Item 2
- The History of Henry County. Kett, H.F., Chicago: 1877. Free digital copy. Internet Archive. FS Library Film 934986 Item 2 Many church histories are found in the town histories beginning on page 530. Churches not included in the town histories are listed beginning on page 541.
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 Henry County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.
Court Indexes and Records
- 1840-1927 Probate Record books on microfilm, FamilySearch Catalog
- 1847-1963 Circuit and County Court Records at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1849-1923 County court Minutes FS Library first film 1255918 Item 1 (first of 15 films)
- 1892-Onward Index to probate records FS Library film 1443453 Item 4 and 1443454
Directories
- 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 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 Henry County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.
Land Indexes and Records
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry ($)
- 1818-1901 Deed records FS Library first film 1434976 Items 3-4 (first of 66 films
- 1820-Onward Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- 1836-1903 Grantee index FS Library first film 1434974 Items 2-5 (first of 3 films)
- 1840-1898 Grantor index FS Library film 1434972 Item 1 (first of 2 films
- 1850-1902 Assessor's Books and Taxable Lands at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1987 Land atlas and plat book Many libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.338 E7h
- Illinois Federal Township Plats at Illinois Digital Archives - images; by County
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales at the Illinois State Archives - index; by purchasers name and by legal description; Also at Ancestry ($).
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- The History of Henry County, Illinois: Its Tax-payers and Voters: Containing also a Biographical Directory, a Condensed History of the State, Map of the County, a Business Directory, an Abstract of Every-day Laws, War Record of Henry County, Officers of Societies, Lodges, etc., etc.. Chicago: H.F. Kett & Co., 1877. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive; Internet Archive.
- Kiner, Henry L. History of Henry County, Illinois. Chicago: Pioneer Pub. Co., 1910. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Google Books; Internet Archive.
- Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois: Containing Full-page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, Together with Portraits and Biographies of All the Governors of Illinois, and of the Presidents of the United States: Also Containing a History of the County, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1885. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
General
- 1860-1975 Military Discharge Record Index IRAD–WIU
- 1860s-1960s Illinois, Military Discharge Records, ca.1862 - ca.1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Index to soldier's records and roster of soldiers entering the United States service from Henry County, Illinois during the rebellion. 2 rolls at FamilySearch Catalog. County Clerk.
- 1862-1865 Civil War Bounty Order Registers at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Regiments. Civil War service men from Henry 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 Henry County.
- - 1st Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company D.
- - 9th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies B, C, and H.
- - 17th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- - 19th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- - 27th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
- - 37th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
- - 42nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and B.
- - 57th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- - 57th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and H.
- - 65th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (Scotch Regiment), Company D.
- - 83rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- - 112th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, C, D, G, H, I, and K.
- - 124th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and F.
- - 132nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company G.
- - 134th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company H.
- - 139th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company K.
- - 148th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
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
- 1856-1991 Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
- Declarations of Intent for Citizenship of the United States courtesy Genealogytrails.com.
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 ($)
Other Records
Almshouse Records
- 1889-1902 Almshouse Registers at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1903-1932 Blind Relief Records at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Criminal and Punishments
- 1872-1961 County Court Criminal Records at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Public Records
- 1837-1967 Public Records at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate Indexes and Records
- 1772-1999 Illinois Wills and Probate Records 1772-1999 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1819-1988 Illinois Probate Records, 1819-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
- 1840-1927 Probate Record books FS Library film 1688526 Item 1
- 1851-1900 Probate Case Files at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1852-1924 Will records and index FS Library first film 1435961 Item 4(first of 9 films)
- 1856-1928 Guardian's records and index FS Library first film 1435955 Item 2(first of 3 films)
- 1856-1930 Administrator's records {FHL|533470|item|disp=FS Library first film 1435953 Item 1(first of 2 films)}}
- 1858-1923 Executor's records FS Library film 1435957 Item 3 thru 1435958 Items 3)
- 1860-1926 Widow's relinquishments and selections FS Library first film 1435959 (first of 2 films)
- 1860-1926 Probate records, and widows relinquishment records for Henry County probate records are also available in Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970.
- 1892-Onward Index to probate records FS Library film 1443453 Item 4 and 1443454
- 1907-1930 Conservator's bonds and letters FS Library film 1435969 Item 3
- 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.
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 Henry County records. For information on how to use IRAD see theWIU IRAD Wiki page.
School Records
- 1963-1972 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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
- 1850-1873 Tax Records at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Vital Records
Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Original birth and death certificates recorded until the year 1916 are kept by the Henry County Clerk while those recorded after 1916 are kept by the Illinois Department of Public Health with a copy to the County Clerk. Original marriage records are usually kept by the County Clerk from the establishment of the county to the present. Original divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.
The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online databases, the FamilySearch Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Henry County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
The website of the Henry County Clerk explains how to order birth, marriage, civil union, and death records. Downloadable Vital Records Forms.
Birth
- 1860-1915 Birth Records and Index at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1877-1901 Register of Births FS Library first film 1435939 Items 2-3 (first of 2 films)
- 1942-1975 Delayed births FS Library first film 1255913 Item 2 (first of 5 films)
- Prior to 1916 Index to births FS Library first film 1435939 Items 2-3 (first of 2 films)
Marriage
- 1587-1959 Illinois, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHeritage($)
- 1790-1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry ($)
- 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
- 1837-1985 Marriage Records and Index at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1837-1923 Index to Marriages and Marriage Records IRAD–WIU FS Library first film 1435941 Item 1 (first of 12 films)
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
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry ($)
- 1877-1902, 1905 Register of deaths, v. 1 FS Library film 1435940 Item 4
- 1870-1915 Death Records and Index at IRAD-WIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 at Illinois State Archives - index
- Pre-1916 Henry County, Il. death index. FS Library film 1435940, Item 3 and book 977.338 V22ra
- 1916–1950 Illinois Deaths, 1916-1950 at MyHeritage - index ($)
- 1916-1972 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1972 - index
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Henry County. For state-wide facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)
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 Henry 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
- Davenport Iowa FamilySearch Center
- Sterling Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Davenport Public Library - multiple locations - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Henry County. For state-wide library facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Annawan-Alba Twp. Library
200 North Meadow Lane, Suite 2
Annawan, IL 61234
Phone: 309-935-6483
Fax: 309-935-6483
Website
Atkinson Public Library District
109 South State Street
Atkinson, IL 61235
Phone: 309-936-7606
Cambridge Public Library District
212 West Center Street
Cambridge, IL 61238
Phone: 309-937-2233
Fax: 309-937-2873
Clover Library District
440 North Division Street
Woodhull, IL 61490
Phone: 309-334-2680
Fax: 309-334-2945
Email: wi_wood@winco.net
Website
Galva Public Library District
120 N.W. Third Avenue
Galva, IL 61434
Phone: 309-932-2180
Fax: 309-932-2280
Website
Geneseo Public Library District
218 S State St
Geneseo, IL 61254
Phone: 309-944-6452
Fax: 309-944-6721
Email: gpld@geneseo.lib.il.us
Website
Kewanee Public Library District
102 S. Tremont St.
Kewanee, IL 61443
Phone: 309-852-4505
Website
Colona Public Library
911 1st Street
Colona, IL 61241
Phone: 309-792-0548
Fax: 309-792-2143
Email: contact@colonalibrary.com
Website
Western District Library
1111 4th Street
Orion, IL 61273
Phone: 309-526-8375
Website
York Twp. Public Library
1005 West Main Street
Thomson, IL 61258
Phone: 815-259-2480
Fax: 815-259-2480
Email: thomsonlib@grics.net
Website
Museums
Geneseo Historical Museum
205 S State St
Geneseo, IL 61254
Phone: 309-944-3043
Website
Societies
Listed below are societies in Henry County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Illinois Societies.
Andover Historical Society
418 Locust St
Andover, IL 61282
Email: andoverhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Website
Cambridge Historical Society
RR #2 Box 96
301 North Prospect Street
Cambridge, IL 61238-9633
Phone: 309-945-6823
Galva Historical Society
906 W Division St
Galva, IL 61434
Henry County Genealogical Society
PO Box 346
Kewanee, IL 61443
Email: steven.morrison@comcast.net
Website
Henry County Historical Society
PO Box 48
202 Park Street
Bishop Hill, IL 61419
Phone: 309-927-3528
Email: director@visithenrycounty.com
Website
Kewanee Historical Society
125 N Tremont Street
Kewanee, IL 61443
Phone: 309-370-9857 or 309-854-1618
Email: kewaneehistory@kewanee.com
Website
Websites
- Henry County IL Genealogy
- Henry ILGenWeb
- Henry 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, “Henry County, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/henry/, accessed 04/13/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Henry County, Illinois" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_County,_Illinois, 04/013/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Henry 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.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).At various libraries (WorldCat); FSC Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Henry County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_County,_Illinois, Last accessed 7 January 2020.