Menard County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Menard 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[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Menard County was named for Pierre Menard, the first lieutenant governor of Illinois. The county was organized on February 15, 1839 and its seat is Petersburg. Menard County is located in the central area of the state.[1]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Menard County Courthouse
102 S 7th St
Petersburg, IL 62675
Phone: 217-632-2107
Menard County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Menard County are kept, see the Menard County Courthouse page.
Menard County, Illinois Record Dates[edit | edit source]
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 | 1839 | 1877 | 1839 | 1839 | 1839 | 1810 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
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 | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
- 1877-1972 Business Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1877-1977 Agricultural and Farm Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Additional Cemeteries:
Census Records[edit | edit source]
- Federal population schedules 1830-1930 for McHenry County are available online. For tips on accessing census records online, see Illinois Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 4,431 | — |
| 1850 | 6,349 | 43.3% |
| 1860 | 9,584 | 51.0% |
| 1870 | 11,735 | 22.4% |
| 1880 | 13,024 | 11.0% |
| 1890 | 13,120 | 0.7% |
| 1900 | 14,336 | 9.3% |
| 1910 | 12,796 | −10.7% |
| 1920 | 11,694 | −8.6% |
| 1930 | 10,575 | −9.6% |
| 1940 | 10,663 | 0.8% |
| 1950 | 9,639 | −9.6% |
| 1960 | 9,248 | −4.1% |
| 1970 | 9,685 | 4.7% |
| 1980 | 11,700 | 20.8% |
| 1990 | 11,164 | −4.6% |
| 2000 | 12,486 | 11.8% |
| 2010 | 12,705 | 1.8% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
- 1840 Census Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
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 ($). See Illinois, Menard County on page 187.
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Baptists
New Salem
The church appears to one of the first churches in the area. It was actually organized in 1829 prior to Menard County being formed. The church was known as Salem until 1832, then it was listed as "New Salem." More information can be found at Church and Family History Research Assistance for Menard County, Illinois.
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[edit | edit source]
- 1839-1963 Court Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
African Americans
- African American Research (US) has more information about the kinds of records
- Illinois African-American Resource Guide by the Illinois State Archives describes what records are at the State Archives with an online method for ordering records.
- African-American Resources for Illinois
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
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Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Original land records are held in the office of the County Clerk . See Illinois Land and Property for more information about using land records.
The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed online, through the FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the University of Illinois at Springfield - search for Menard County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the Wiki article IRAD (UIS).
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry ($)
- 1822-1844 Deed records index FS Library film 1311592 Items 1-2
- 1824-1931 Land and Property Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1827-1900 Deeds records FS Library film 1311595 Items 2-3(first of 2 films)
- 1838-1898 Deed records index FS Library film 1311592 Items 3-4 (first of 4 films
- 1838-1934 Deed records FS Library film 1311596 Item 3 (first of 22 films
- 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 ($).
- BLM GLO Records. Search original land patents for Menard County from the Government Land Office (GLO) or Eastern States Office. Some searches include images of the original warrants. All search results include the patent details needed for requesting copies of the land entry files at the National Archives. The GLO is the custodian of millions of land title documents. The General Land Office Automated Records Project is responsible for making these important documents available to the public.
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- 1788-1940 Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
- 1861-1863 Militia Roll Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Regiments. Civil War service men from Menard 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 Menard County.
- - 10th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company A.
- - 14th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E.
- - 28th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies F and K
- - 71st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- - 106th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- - 114th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies F and K.
- - 133rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company I.
- - 152nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Company A.
- 1919-1959 Military Discharge Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1921-1931 Soldiers and Sailors Burial Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Menard County naturalization records on file in the Menard County Courthouse are in delicate physical condition. Coverage is also not complete and consistent. Fortunately these records have been microfilmed. For preservation of the records and greater ease in using them, it is better to research using the microfilms at your closest FamilySearch Center.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1800-1998 Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1854-1944 Naturalization Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1856-1991 Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- 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[edit | edit source]
- 1831-Onward Illinois Obituaries at MyHeritage — index ($)
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Almshouse Records[edit | edit source]
- 1879-1945 Almshouse Registers at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1936-1942 Poor Relief Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Criminal and Punishments[edit | edit source]
- 1871-1958 Jail Registers at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Public Records[edit | edit source]
- 1824-1983 Public Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Original probate records are held by the Menard. Probate records include wills, inventories, settlements, and guardianship records. Copies of probate records are held at IRAD. Explore how to search IRAD–UIS. The following copies are available at IRAD–UIS and in the FamilySearch Catalog.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1772-1999 Illinois Wills and Probate Records 1772-1999 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1819-1988 Illinois Probate Records, 1819-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
- 1839-1924 Probate Records IRAD–UIS FS Library Film 1311556 (first of 9 films)
- 1839-1937 Probate Records and Index at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1839-1963 Weaver, Jeanine Crain. Menard County, Illinois, Index to Probate Records.Petersburg, Illinois: Weaver Genealogical Publications, 1987. Other Libraries (WorldCat)FS Library Book 977.3555 P22m
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records[edit | edit source]
- 1840-1933 School Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
- 1824-1890 Tax Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Original birth (1877) and death (1877) records are kept by the Menard while those recorded after 1916 are kept by the Illinois Department of Public Health. with a copy to the County Clerk. Original marriage records are kept by the County Clerk from 1839 to the present. Original divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.
Copies of original records may be accessed through the FamilySearch Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Universtiy of Illinois–Springfield(UIS). Search Menard County records in the Local Governmental Records Holdings Database . For information on how to use IRAD see the Wiki Article IRAD (UIS).
Explore Menard County vital records and Menard County vital records indexes found in the FamilySearch Catalog. Other libraries(at WorldCat) also hold copies of abstracted Menard County vital records. How to explore WorldCat.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1877-1903 Birth Record IRAD-UIS. How to Use IRAD. FS Library Film 1311614–1311615. Includes index.
- 1877-1903 Birth Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1878-1887 Menard County Birth Records at Rootsweb.
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1587-1959 Illinois, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
- 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
- 1839-1850 Illinois Marriages 1790 to 1860 at Ancestry ($).
- 1839-1900 Illinois Marriages 1851 to 1900 at Ancestry ($).
- 1839-1932 Marriage records index IRAD-UIS. How to Use IRAD. FS Library Film 1311614
- 1839-1932 Marriage Records and Index at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1926-1932 Menard County Illinois Marriages Groom Index at Rootsweb
- 1926-1932 Menard County Illinois Marriages Bride Index at Rootsweb
Death[edit | edit source]
- 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
- 1877-1910 Death Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1877-1910 Death Record. Available at UIS IRAD Region Search for Menard county. FS Library Film 1311614 Includes index.
- 1877-1910 Menard County Death Records at Rootsweb
- 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
- 1921-1931 Soldiers and Sailors Burial Records at IRAD-UIS - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- Menard County, Illinois Death Certificates at Rootsweb
- WWII Deaths from Menard County, Illinois at Rootsweb
- Menard County Patient Deaths at the Illinois State Hospital (1910s-1930s)
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Menard 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.
The University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) houses the records for Menard County. The link will help you find and use the records. Address:
Illinois Regional Archives Depository
LIB144
University of Illinois at Springfield Region
One University Plaza, MS BRK 140
Springfield, Illinois 62703-5407
Phone: 217-206-6520
FamilySearch Centers[edit | edit source]
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
- Decatur Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Jacksonville Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Springfield Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Athens Municipal Library - an affiliate library
- Vespasian Warner Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Menard County. For state-wide library facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Athens Municipal Library
410 East Hargrave Street
Athens, IL 62613
Phone: 217-636-8047
Website
Petersburg Public Library
220 South 6th street
Petersburg, IL 62675
Phone: 217-632-2807
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site
15588 History Lane
Petersburg, IL 62675
Phone: 217-632-4000
Website
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Menard County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Illinois Societies.
Menard County Historical society
PO Box 531
125 S 7th St
Petersburg, IL 62675
Phone: 217-632-0202
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Menard ILGenWeb
- Menard County IL Genealogy
- Menard 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[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Menard County, Illinois" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menard_County,_Illinois, accessed 04/18/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Menard 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, "Menard County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menard_County,_Illinois, accessed 21 March 2020.