Jackson County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Jackson 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
Jackson County was named for Andrew Jackson, who had just defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans, and who became seventh President of the United States in 1829. The county is located in the southwestern area of the state.[1]
County Courthouse
Jackson County Courthouse
1001 Walnut St
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: 618-687-7300
Jackson County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Jackson County are kept, see the Jackson County Courthouse page.
Jackson 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 |
| 1872 | 1842 | 1872 | 1843 | 1814 | 1840 | 1810 |
Record Loss
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1843 Fire burned the courthouse; 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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| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
- Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the Counties. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1894. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library,Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). For additional access, see WeRelate. Jackson County, Illinois family biographies biographies from this book also available online at My Genealogy Hound.
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 1877-1912 Business Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 1,828 | — |
| 1840 | 3,566 | 95.1% |
| 1850 | 5,862 | 64.4% |
| 1860 | 9,589 | 63.6% |
| 1870 | 19,634 | 104.8% |
| 1880 | 22,505 | 14.6% |
| 1890 | 27,809 | 23.6% |
| 1900 | 33,871 | 21.8% |
| 1910 | 35,143 | 3.8% |
| 1920 | 37,091 | 5.5% |
| 1930 | 35,680 | −3.8% |
| 1940 | 37,920 | 6.3% |
| 1950 | 38,124 | 0.5% |
| 1960 | 42,151 | 10.6% |
| 1970 | 55,008 | 30.5% |
| 1980 | 61,522 | 11.8% |
| 1990 | 61,067 | −0.7% |
| 2000 | 59,612 | −2.4% |
| 2010 | 60,218 | 1.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For tips on accessing census records online, see Illinois Census.
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry ($)
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. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Illinois, Jackson County on page 187.
Church Records
Online Records
- 1834-1871 Unity Baptist Church FS Library film 967476 Item 4
- 1849-1942 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and Oakland Evangelical Lutheran Church FS Library film 967477 Item 10
- 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1895-1970 Little Crab Orchard Christian Church FS Library film 967478 Item 8
- 1901 Minutes of the seventy-first annual session of the Clear Creek Baptist Association FS Library film 967477 Item 8
- Mt. Joy Lutheran Church records FS Library film 967476 Item 3
Catholic
FamilySearch has made parish records from more than five Belleville Diocese Catholic churches in Jackson County available for free online (free registration is required to view the images). The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths:
- 1729-1956 Illinois, Diocese of Belleville, Catholic Parish Records, 1729-1956 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records
Jackson County Court records are held in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk. For more information on court records see Illnois Court Records.
Court Indexes and Records
- 1823-1835 Illinois. County Commissioner's Court (Jackson County) and Ruth L. Hutchcraft and Barbara Burr Hubbs. County commissioners court record, Jackson County, Illinois. Murphysboro, Illinois: Jackson County Historical Society (TN), c1993. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3994 P2i
- 1823-1841 Wright, John W. D. Jackson County, Illinois meetings of county court and jury lists, 1823- 1841. Murphysboro, Illinois: Jackson County Historical Society (TN), 1981. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3994 P2w
- 1843-1855 County Court record, v. D FS Library film 968943
- 1844-1855 Circuit Court record law, v. E FS Library film 968944
- 1844-1963 Court Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
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 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
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Original land records are held in the office of the County Recorder. See Illinois Land and Property for more information about using land records.
The following abtracts and copies of original records may be accessed through the FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Jackson County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
Land Indexes and Records
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry ($)
- 1814-1840 Wright, John W.D. Jackson County, Illinois formation and early settlement. Murphysboro, Illinois: Jackson County Historical Society (TN), 1983. Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1820-Onward Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- 1836-1974 Land and Property Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1843-1889 Grantor and grantee index to deeds IRAD (SIU); FS Library films 967408–11
- 1843-1889 Deeds FS Library films 967412–35, 969237-40
- 1907 index of landowners; De Voe, Glenda. Index of landowners to the 1907 plat book of Jackson County, Illinois . Murphysboro, Illinois: Jackson County Historical Society (TN), [1986?]. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3994 R22d
- 1907 R. Allyn and George Ogle, Elisabeth Pinkerton Leighty, and Glenda DeVoe. 1878 history and 1907 atlas of Jackson County, Illinois. Murphysboro, Illinois: Jackson County Historical Society (Illinois),[1908?]. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3994 H2h
- 1986 Rockford Map Publishers. Jackson County (Illinois) land atlas and plat book, [1986]. Rockford, Illinois: Rockford Map Publishers, c1986. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3994 E7j
- Family Maps of Jackson County, Illinois (2007) plats the land of many nineteenth-century Jackson County residents. Arphax Publishing provides online surname list. FS Library Book 977.3994 E7b
- Illinois Federal Township Plats at Illinois Digital Archives - images; by County
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales at the Illinois State Archives - index; by purchasers name and by legal description; Also at Ancestry ($).
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the Counties: Together with Biographies and Portraits of All the Presidents of the United States, and the Governors of the State of Illinois. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1894. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive. FS Library Film 825600 For additional access, see WeRelate.
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- 1788-1940 Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
- Township Map of 1870 Jackson 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
- 1919-2000 Military Discharge Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Civil War
Regiments. Civil War service men from Pike 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 Pike County.
- - 9th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- - 15th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company E (Hutchens' Cavalry Company).
- - 18th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, New Company C and Company K.
- - 27th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- - 31st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- - 73rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- - 81st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, D and F.
- - 109th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
- - 145th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
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 abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through the FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Jackson County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
- 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 ($)
- 1859-1892 Naturalization records: final papers FS Library film 968942 item 1
- 1860-1906 Naturalization Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- Index to naturalization records of Jackson County, Illinois Other Libraries (WorldCat); FS Catalog book 977.3994 P4m
- 523 extractions from naturalization records of Jackson County, Illinois Other Libraries (WorldCat); FS Catalog book 977.3994 P4mL
- 826 additional extractions from naturalization records of Jackson County, Illinois Other Libraries (WorldCat); FS Catalog book 977.3994 P4mLa
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Illinois, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and EventsIndex, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1889-1891, 1919, 1927–1934 Lee, Brenda Garver and William W. Lee. Fireside tales: newspaper abstracts, 1889-1891, 1919, 1927–1934. [S.l.: s.n., c1989]. FS Catalog book 977.3994 D2
- 1889 Lee, Brenda Garver. Ava remembers, 1889. [S.l.: s.n.], c1989. FS Catalog book 977.3994 D2
- 1930-1935 Lee, Brenda Garver. Seeds of Ava, Illinois: Ava newspaper abstracts, 1930-1935 [S.l.: s.n., c19--].FS Catalog book 977.3994/A1 V2ka
- Lee, Brenda Garver. Ava lives and Ava passings, volume I: Ava citizen, Du Quoin herald, early Carbondale, early Murphysboro newspapers. Steeleville, Illinois: Westerman Print., 1993. FS Catalog book 977.3994 V2L *Lee, Brenda Garver. Memories. [S.l.: s.n., c19--]. FS Catalog book 977.3994 D2
Obituaries
- 1831-Onward Illinois Obituaries at MyHeritage — index ($)
Other Records
Almshouse Records
- 1962-1974 Old Age Assistance Lien Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Criminal and Punishments
- 1873-1937 Jail Registers at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Public Records
- 1820-1972 Public Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Voting Records
- 1865-1974 Voter Registers at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Periodicals
Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1772-1999 Illinois Wills and Probate Records 1772-1999 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1819-1988 Illinois Probate Records, 1819-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
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.
- 1840-1888 Index to probate files FS Library film 968933
- 1840-1964 Probate Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1843-1897; 1899–1822 Will record v. 1-2 1843-1864 FS Library films 968931–2
- 1843-1888 Probate record FS Library films 968934–39
- 1844-1825 Probate estate case files FS Library first film 2260596 Item 2, (first of 127 films)
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
- 1836-1962 School Records at IRAD-SIU - 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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Original tax records are held in the office of the County Clerk.
- 1827-1964 Tax Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Vital Records
Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Original birth and death certificates recorded until the year 1916 are kept by the Jackson County Clerk while those recorded after 1916 are kept by the Illinois Department of Public Health. with a copy to the County Clerk. Original marriage records are usually kept by the County Clerk from the establishment of the county to the present. Original divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.
The following abstracts and copies of original vital records may be accessed through online databases, the FamilySearch Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Jackson County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
Birth
- 1852-1915 Birth Certificates FS Library films 969242-67
- 1852-1943 Birth Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1852-1943 Index to birth certificates FS Library film 969241
- 1877-1915 Birth register and index FS Library film 969268
- 1878-1881 Kindorf, Catherine. Birth records, 1878-1881, returned by a midwife in Jackson County, Illinois.FS Library film 967482 item 18
- 1902-1915 Birth Records FS Library films 969269-70
- 1902-1940 Index to births and deaths FS Library film 969272
- 1916-1941 Delayed birth record FS Library film 969271
Marriage
- 1587-1959 Illinois, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHeritage($)
- 1790-1860 Illinois Marriage index at Ancestry ($)
- 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
- 1819-1851 Jackson County Marriage Records at USGenWeb Archives. Contains marriages from 1819 - 1851 as well as other selected marriages
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
- 1842-1915 Marriage Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1843-1875 Ellis, Roberta McDaniel and Helen Falkenheim Williams. Marriages recorded from 1843 to 1875 (Jackson County, Illinois). Murphysboro, Ill.: Ellis, 1975. Other libraries (WorldCat)FS Catalog book 977.3994 V25e; film 1036114 Items 4-7
- 1843-1915 Marriage record and register FS Library films 968927 item 2- 968929
- 1875-1895 Index to marriages (brides) FS Library film 968927 item 1
Death
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1844-1906 Gildehaus, Valerie Phillips. Index to death records, 1844-1906, Jackson County, Illinois Murphysboro, Illinois: Jackson County Historical Society (Illinois), c1996. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3994 V22g
- 1850 Wright, John W.D. Jackson County, Illinois, residents in 1850. Carbondale, Illinois: Jackson County Historical Society (TN), [c1972]. This book includes mortality schedule, showing deaths in Jackson County for the year ending June 30, 1850. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3 A1 no. 109
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1872-1974 Death Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1877-1901 Death register and index FS Library film 969273 and IRAD (SIU)
- 1902-1940 Index to births and deaths FS Library film 969272
- 1904-1915 Cox, Phoebe; Jackson County Historical Society (Ill.). Phoebe Cox; Jackson County Historical Society (Ill.)Index to Jackson County, Illinois death books: 1904–1915. Murphysboro, Illinois: Jackson County Historical Society (Illinois), c2003. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3994 V22c
- 1908-1917 Death record FS Library film 968926
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHeritage($)
- 1916-1922 Jackson County, Illinois death and stillborn certificates. FS Library films 2196390–93
- 1916–1950 Illinois Deaths, 1916-1950 at MyHeritage - index ($)
- 1916-1972 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1972 - index
- Jackson County, Illinois Obituary and Death Notices Collection at GenealogyBuff. From various funeral homes in the Carbondale, Murphysboro, Somerset, Elk, and surrounding area.
- Death Index and Selected Death records for Jackson County, Illinois on UsGenWeb Archives Illinois. The "death index" contains a few selected names which came from obituaries during the 1900's. The "selected death records" contains about fifty names.
- Jackson County, Illinois funeral card collection FS Library film 967481 Item 19
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Jackson 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. Southern Illinois University houses the records for Jackson 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
- Cape Girardeau Missouri FamilySearch Center
- Carbondale Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Foxcroft Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Herrin City Library - an affiliate library
- Perry County Genealogical Family Research Library and Archive Center - an affiliate library
- The State Historical Society of Missouri - Cape Girardeau - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Jackson County. For state-wide library facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Carbondale Public Library
405 West Main Street
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-457-0354
Website
- Has HeritageQuest and Ancestry and other genealogical tools available for use.
Grand Tower Public Library
516 Front Street
Grand Tower, IL 62942
Phone: 618-565-2181
Rick Warren Memorial Public Library
Fourth And Board
Elkville, IL 62932
Phone: 618-568-1843
Website
- Has area historical information and newspapers
Sallie Logan Public Library
1808 Walnut
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: 618-684-3271
Website
- Has Genealogical resources such as HeritageQuest, America's Genealogy Bank
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Jackson County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Illinois Societies.
Jackson County Historical Society
PO Box 7
1616 Edith St
Murphysboro, IL 62966
Phone: 618-684-6989
Email: jchsil629@gmail.com
Website
- Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois has a page with details about its activities.
Websites
- Jackson County IL Genealogy
- Jackson ILGenWeb
- Jackson 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
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Jackson County, Illinois" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_County,_Illinois 04/013/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Jackson 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, "Jackson County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_County,_Illinois, Last accessed 9 January 2020.