Moultrie County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Moultrie 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
Moultrie County was named for South Carolina General, and later Governor, William Moultrie. General Moultrie defended Sullivan's Island, South Carolina from British attack in 1776. The county was organized on February 16, 1843 and its seat is Sullivan.[1] Moultrie County is located in the central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse
Moultrie County Courthouse
10 S Main St
Sullivan, IL 61951
Phone: 217-728-2057
Moultrie County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Moultrie County are kept, see the Moultrie County Courthouse page.
Moultrie 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 |
| 1859 | 1840 | 1877 | 1840 | 1840 | 1845 | 1810 |
Record Loss
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1864 Fire burned the courthouse on 25 November and destroyed most records. 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:[5]
| Cities | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Townships | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
- 1918-1964 Burial and Removal Permits at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 3,234 | — |
| 1860 | 6,385 | 97.4% |
| 1870 | 10,385 | 62.6% |
| 1880 | 13,699 | 31.9% |
| 1890 | 14,481 | 5.7% |
| 1900 | 15,224 | 5.1% |
| 1910 | 14,630 | −3.9% |
| 1920 | 14,839 | 1.4% |
| 1930 | 13,247 | −10.7% |
| 1940 | 13,477 | 1.7% |
| 1950 | 13,171 | −2.3% |
| 1960 | 13,635 | 3.5% |
| 1970 | 13,263 | −2.7% |
| 1980 | 14,546 | 9.7% |
| 1990 | 13,930 | −4.2% |
| 2000 | 14,287 | 2.6% |
| 2010 | 14,846 | 3.9% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 at Ancestry ($)
Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- 1883-1909 Wilburn Creek Church of Christ FS Library film 1521249 item 8 and item 10
- 1881-1906 Bethany Church of Christ minutes and membership recordsFS Library film 1521249 Item 10
- 1872-1948 Union Prairie Church of Christ membership records FS Library film 1521249 Item 9
- 1891 Sacred Heart Church records FS Library film 1521249 Item 12
- 1860-1909 Wellborn Creek Church FS Library film 985957 Items 1–4
- 1927-1994 Smyser Christian Church FS Library film 1301715 Item 9
- 1867-1990 Oak Grove Baptist Church records FS Library film 1301715 Item 6
Court Records
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
African Americans
- African American Research (US) has more information about the kinds of records
- Illinois African-American Resource Guide by the Illinois State Archives describes what records are at the State Archives with an online method for ordering records.
- African-American Resources for Illinois
Funeral Homes
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Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Original land records are held in the office of the County Clerk . See Illinois Land and Property for more information about using land records.
The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online sources, the FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Moultrie County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records at Ancestry ($)
- 1800s–Present Use the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land Patent Index to obtain original federal land transfer records, including homestead, military warrants, and cash entry patents. These records help a researcher establish location and lead to National Archives’ records which may include genealogical information. Earlier land transfer records are at the National Archives.
- 1849-1935 Deed and mortgage records, 1849-1935; index 1849-1935 FS Library Film 1313216 (first of 41 films)
- 1948-1952 Mortgage Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1978 Moultrie County (Illinois), atlas and plat book, 1978 (Rockford, Illinois:Rockford Map Publishers, c1969) Other Libraries; FS Library Book 977.3675 R2m
- 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 ($).
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
- Illinois County Federal Township Plats
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
The following copies of original records may be accessed through the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Franklin County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
- 1862-1919 Military Discharge Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Civil War
- 1862-1965 Illinois, Military Discharge Records, ca.1862 - ca.1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1862-1919 Military Discharge Record IRAD-EIU
Regiments. Civil War service men from Moultrie County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies or regiments that were formed from men of Moultrie County.
- - 21st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E
- - 41st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B
- - 126th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and C
- - 143rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company I
Naturalization and Citizenship
Original naturalization records are held in the office of the County Clerk. See Illinois Naturalization Records for more information about using naturalization records.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1800-1998 Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1856-1991 Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
- 1871-1929 Naturalization records FS Library Film 1301714
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Illinois, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and EventsIndex, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- USGenWeb, Moultrie County, Illlinios (ILGenWeb), Historical Newspapers
- USGenWeb, Moultrie County, Illiniois (ILGenWeb), Obituaries
Obituaries
- 1831-Onward Illinois Obituaries at MyHeritage — index ($)
Other Records
Almshouse Records
- 1907-1911 Poor Farm Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Public Records
- 1867-1965 Public Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Periodicals
Probate Records
Original estates and wills are held in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk. See Illinois Probate Records for more information about using probate records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1772 - 1999 Illinois Wills and Probate Records 1772-1999 at Ancestry ($) — index & images
- 1819-1988 Illinois Probate Records, 1819-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
- 1862-1964 Will records and estate file index FS Library Film 1312718 (first of four films)
- [No probate record holdings noted in IRAD-EIU Moultrie County Listing.] Search for Moultrie County records. Information about how to use IRAD
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
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 ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
The following copies of original records may be accessed through the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Franklin County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Tax Indexes and Records
- 1948-1967 Tax Records at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Vital Records
Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Original birth and death certificates recorded until the year 1916 are kept by the Moultrie County Clerk while those recorded after 1916 are kept by the Illinois Department of Public Health with a copy to the County Clerk. Original marriage records are usually kept by the County Clerk from the establishment of the county to the present. Original divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.
The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online databases, the FamilySearch Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Moultrie County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
Birth
- 1859-1980 Birth Records and Index at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1877-1900 Births, marriages, deaths, 1843-1927; indexes, 1843-1981 FS Library Film 1311780 (first of 7 films) Index to births ca. 1877-1956; birth registers 1877-1915; birth certificates 1859-1900.
Marriage
- 1587-1959 Illinois, United States Marriages at Findmypast ($) — index $
- 1790-1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry ($)
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1810-1940 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1843-1981 Marriage Records and Index at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1877-1900 Births, marriages, deaths, 1843-1927; indexes, 1843-1981 FS Library Film 1312673 (first of 4 films) Index to marriages ca. 1843-1981; marriage record book A 1845-1919; marriage register 1877-1900; marriage licenses 1901-19031859-1900.
- Moultrie County Marriages at ILGenWeb
Death
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1877-1973 Death Records and Index at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1878-1973 Births, marriages, deaths, 1843-1927; indexes, 1843-1981 FS Library Film 1312674 (first of 4 films) Index to deaths, 1878-1973; death registers 1877-1902; death certificates 1902-1927
- 1904-1970 Hunter, Cheri; Decatur Genealogical Society (Decatur, Illionis) and Illinois Masonic Home (Sullivan, Illinois) Illinois Masonic Home death card file, 1904-1970, Moultrie County, Illinois (Decatur, Illinois:Decatur Genealogicla Society [IL], 2004) Other Libraries; FS Library Book 977.3 C42h
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHeritage($)
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950 at Illinois State Archives - index
- 1918-1964 Burial and Removal Permits at IRAD-EIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1916–1950 Illinois Deaths, 1916-1950 at MyHeritage - index ($)
- 1916-1972 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1972 - index
- Moultrie County, Illinois Obituary and Death Notices Collection at GenealogyBuff.com. From various funeral homes in the Sullivan, Allenville, Bethany, Dalton City, Dora, East Nelson, Gays, Jonathan Creek, Lovington, Lowe, Marrowbone, Whitley, and surrounding area.
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Moultrie County. For state-wide facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
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 Moultrie County come under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) regional depository.
Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)
Booth Library
Eastern Illinois University (EIU)
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
- Decatur Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Mattoon Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Moultrie County Historical & Genealogical Society - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Moultrie County. For state-wide library facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Arthur Public Library District
225 South Walnut Street
Arthur, IL 61911
Phone: 217-543-2037
Website
Lovington Public Library District]
110 West State Street
Lovington, IL 61937
Phone: 217-873-4468
Website
Marrowbone Public Library District
216 West Main Street
Bethany, IL 61914
Phone: 217-665-3014
Website
Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library
2 West Water Street
Sullivan, IL 61951
Phone: 217-728-7221
Website
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Moultrie County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Illinois Societies.
Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society
PO Box 588
117 E. Harrison Street
Sullivan, IL 61951-0588
Phone: 217-728-4085
Email: mocohgs@gmail.com
Facebook
Website
Websites
- Moultrie ILGenWeb
- Moultrie County IL Genealogy
- Moultrie 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, “Moultrie County, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/moultrie/ accessed 04/19/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Moultrie County, Illinois" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moultrie_County,_Illinois, accessed 04/19/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Moultrie 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, "Moultrie County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moultrie_County,_Illinois, accessed 17 March 2020.