Johnson County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Johnson 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
Johnson County was named for Richard M. Johnson, a congressman from Kentucky. Johnson served in the Army in the War of 1812. He later went on to be Vice President of the United States for one term. The county was organized on 14 September 1812 and its seat is Vienna. Johnson County is located in the southern area of the state.[1]
County Courthouse
Johnson County Courthouse
401 Court St
Vienna, IL 62995
Phone: 618-658-4751
Johnson County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Johnson County are kept, see the Johnson County Courthouse page.
Johnson 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 | 1834 | 1878 | 1812 | 1815 | 1821 | 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:[4]
| Cities | ||
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| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 1,596 | — |
| 1840 | 3,626 | 127.2% |
| 1850 | 4,114 | 13.5% |
| 1860 | 9,342 | 127.1% |
| 1870 | 11,248 | 20.4% |
| 1880 | 13,078 | 16.3% |
| 1890 | 15,013 | 14.8% |
| 1900 | 15,667 | 4.4% |
| 1910 | 14,331 | −8.5% |
| 1920 | 12,022 | −16.1% |
| 1930 | 10,203 | −15.1% |
| 1940 | 10,727 | 5.1% |
| 1950 | 8,729 | −18.6% |
| 1960 | 6,928 | −20.6% |
| 1970 | 7,550 | 9.0% |
| 1980 | 9,624 | 27.5% |
| 1990 | 11,347 | 17.9% |
| 2000 | 12,878 | 13.5% |
| 2010 | 12,582 | −2.3% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For tips on accessing census records online, see Illinois Census.
- 1814-1840 Sistler, Jack K. and Ruth A. Sistler and Richard D. Sullins. 1818-1840 censuses of Johnson County, Illinois: with additional vital records before 1850, marriages, divorces, guardianships, deaths. [Vienna, Illinois]: SandS Genealogists, [200-?]. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3996 X2sj
- 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, Johnson County on page 187.
Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- 1845-1928 Records of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Vienna Circuit FS Catalog book 977.3996 K2r
- 1847-1943 Bethlehem Church of Christ FS Library film 965604 Item 7
- 1873-1918 Friendship Baptist Church FS Library film 965604 Item 4
- 1886-1921 Methodist Episcopal Church. Vienna Circuit. FS Library film 1315894 Items 2–3
Catholic
FamilySearch has made parish records from two Belleville Diocese Catholic churches in Johnson County available online. 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
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 Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Johnson County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Court Indexes and Records
- 1813-1970 Annable, Edward l. and Johnson County Genealogical and Hsitorical Society. Johnson County, Illinois, probate index, 1813–1970: index to 3485 probate cases. [Vienna, Ill.]: Johnson County Genealogical & Historical Society, 2008. Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1813-1817 Gore, Virgil and Ruth Ann Sistler. Commissioners' records, Johnson County, Illinois : July 15, 1813–1817, volume A. [Vienna, Illinois]: Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society (Illinois), c1992. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3996 P2g
- 1813-1817 Territorial County Court Minutes at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1813-1861 Commissioner record FS Library film 1316578 Items 4-6
- 1814-1817 Sistler, Ruth Ann and Jack Kent Sistler; and Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society. Court records, Johnson County, Illinois October 15, 1814–1817. [Vienna, Illinois]: Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society (Illinois), c1992. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3996 P2s
- 1818-1828 Sistler, Jack Kent, Ruth A. Sistler, Richard D. Sullins, and SandS Genealogists. Johnson County comissioner's records, book B, 16 March 1818–2 June 1828. [Vienna, Illinois] : SandS Genealogists, [1995?]. FS Catalog book 977.3996 P2ga
- 1822-1841 Sullins, Richard D., Ruth A. Sistler, Jack Kent Sistler, and SandS Genealogists. Johnson County probate records, November, 1822-March, 1841 (Including one page from October, 1843.).[Vienna, Ill. (P.O. Box 1323 62995)] : SandS Genealogists, 1997. Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1829-1835 Circuit Court Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1829-1836 Sullins, Richard D., Ruth A. Sistler, Jack Kent Sistler, and SandS Genealogists. Johnson County Circuit Court records, 1829–1836 [i.e. 1835]. [Vienna, Illinois]: SandS Genealogists, c1997. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3996 P2sr
- 1829-1836 Sullins, Richard D., Ruth A. Sistler, Jack Kent Sistler, and SandS Genealogists. Johnson County Circuit Court records, 1829–1836. [Vienna, Ill. (P.O. Box 1323 62995)] : SandS Genealogists, 1997. Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1829-1835 Circuit court record FS Library film 965636 IRAD (SIU)
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 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 the FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Johnson County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Family Maps of Johnson County, Illinois (2007) plats the land of many nineteenth-century Johnson County residents. Arphax Publishing provides online surname list. FS Library Book 977.3996 E7b
- Annable, Edward L. Johnson County, Illinois public domain land sales. Cypress, Ill. (P.O. Box 186 62923): Ed Annable Pub. Co., ©1997. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3996 R2a
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry ($)
- 1809-1907 Deed Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1820-Onward Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- 1827-1907 Grantee and Grantor index FS Library films 963307–9
- 1827-1928 Deeds FS Library films 963310-25
- 1978 Rockford Map Publishers. Johnson County, Illinois, land atlas & plat book 1978. Rockford, Ill.: Rockford Map Publishers [Vienna, Ill.]: Distributed by Johnson County Board of Commissioners, 1978. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3996 E7j
- Illinois Federal Township Plats at Illinois Digital Archives - images; by County
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales at the Illinois State Archives - index; by purchaser's name and by legal description; Also at Ancestry ($).
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
The online Shawnee Community College Local History Project includes personal interviews and newspaper clippings that give you a taste of historic Johnson County. Was your relative one of the interviewed individuals?
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
Civil War
Regiments. Civil War service men from Johnson 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 Johnson County.
- - 6th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company B
- - 9th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G
- - 14th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies E, G, and K
- - 31st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and F
- - 60th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies H and K
- - 109th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D
- - 120th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, C, G, I, and K
- - 145th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A
Naturalization and Citizenship
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 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 ($)
Obituaries
- 1831-Onward Illinois Obituaries at MyHeritage — index ($)
Other Records
Periodicals
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 Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Johnson County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1772-1999 Illinois Wills and Probate Records 1772-1999 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1819-1988 Illinois Probate Records, 1819-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
- Sistler, Jack Kent and Ruth A. Sistler and Richard D. Sullins. Probate judges docket, Johnson County, Illinois.[Vienna, Illinois] SandS Genealogists, 2002. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3996 P2sj v. 1-2
- 1822-1888 Probate records FS Library film 965635
- 1822-1973 Probate Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1859-1937 Probate records and journals, will records, and indexes for Johnson County probate records are also available in Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970. Click on the browse through images link, select Johnson County, and select the record type you are interested in.
- 1859-1948 Probate records FS Library first film 1315887(first of 12 films)
- 1870-1926 The probate journals and will records for Johnson County probate records are also available in Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970. Click on the browse through images link, select Johnson County, and select the record type you are interested in.
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
- 1860-1977 School Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — 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
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 Johnson 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 Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Johnson County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Birth
- 1878-1974 Birth Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1887-1974 Birth record index FS Library film 964802 IRAD (SIU)
Marriage
- 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
- 1820s-1850s Illinois Miscellaneous Genealogical Records: From Counties, Bond, Boone, Calhoun, Cook, Crawford, Du Page, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Will, Pope: Kentucky county, Mercer: Missouri county, Ralls. Evanston, Ill.: Illinois Society, D.A.R., 1946. Digital version at Ancestry ($). The compiler states that many of the loose marriages records indexed for Johnson County have since disappeared from the courthouse, which means some early Johnson County marriages are only documented in this book.
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
- 1834-1857 Bellamy, Mrs. Guy, Cara Slack and Johnson County (Illinois) Courts. Marriages recorded from 1834 to 1857, Johnson County, Illinois courthouse at Vienna. Copied from county clerk's records as originally recorded, not indexed. [Vienna, Ill., Mrs. G. Bellamy] 1969. Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1834-1885 Foss, Carolyn Cromeenes and Judy Foreman Lee. Johnson County, Illinois early marriages. Evansville, Indiana : Evansville Bindery, c1992. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog books 977.3996 V2f v.1-2
- 1834-1926 Marriage Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1835-1857 Index to marriage licenses FS Library film 964807 item 1
- 1835-1878 Marriage licenses FS Library films 964808 item 1 – 964810
- 1839-1853 and 1865 Winget, Judy Walley. Williamson County, Illinois marriages, 1839 to 1853 and 1865; Pope County, Illinois marriages, 1826 to 1845; Johnson County, Illinois marriages, 1857 to 1860. S.P.: Saline County Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1984. Worldcat FS Library Book 977.399 V2w
- 1857-1860 Winget, Judy Walley. Williamson County, Illinois marriages, 1839 to 1853 and 1865; Pope County, Illinois marriages, 1826 to 1845; Johnson County, Illinois marriages, 1857 to 1860. [Harrisburg, Ill]: Saline County Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1984. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.399 V2w
- 1878-1896 Bride and Groom indexes to marriage register FS Library films 964807 items 2-3
- 1878-1926 Marriage register FS Library films 964811 items 1–2
- 1886-1900 Sistler, Jack K. and Ruth A. Sistler and Richard D. Sullins. Early marriages, Johnson County, Illinois. Evansville, Ind. (221 E. Columbia St., Evansville 47711: Published for the authors by Evansville Bindery, 2004. Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1896-1926 Index to marriage register FS Library film 964807 item 4
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
- 1878-1900 Kreklow, Rebel L. Death records, Johnson County, Illinois, 1878-1900. Vienna, Illinois Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society (Illinois), c2002. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3996 V22k
- 1878-1933 Death Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1878-1933 Index; Death record and register FS Library film 964806 IRAD (SIU) Search for Johnson records How to use IRAD
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHeritage($)
- 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 Johnson 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 Johnson 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
- Carbondale Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Paducah Kentucky FamilySearch Center
- Herrin City Library - an affiliate library
- McCracken County Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Johnson County. For state-wide library facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Vienna Carnegie Public Library
401 Poplar Street
Vienna, IL 62995
Phone: 618-658-5051
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Johnson County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Illinois Societies.
Johnson County Genealogical & Historical Society
PO Box 1207
404 Vine Street
Vienna, IL 62995-1207
Facebook
Websites
- Johnson County IL Genealogy, LDS Gen.
- Johnson county, IL, Gen. village
- Johnson County, Illinois Genealogy Trails. Newspapers, Biographies, Marriage, Death records.
- Johnson ILGenWeb
- Johnson 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, “Johnson, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/johnson/, accessed 04/17/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Johnson 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, "Johnson County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_County,_Illinois, Last accessed 27 February 2020.