Perry County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Perry 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
Perry County was named for Oliver Hazard Perry who defeated the British fleet at the decisive Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812. The county was organized on January 29, 1827 and its seat is Pinckneyville.[1] Perry County is located in the southwestern area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse
Perry County Courthouse
1 Public Square
Pinckneyville, IL 62274
Phone: 618-357-6726
Perry County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Perry County are kept, see the Perry County Courthouse page.
Perry 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 |
| 1879 | 1827 | 1879 | 1827 | 1817 | 1827 | 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 | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
- Combined History of Randolph, Monroe and Perry Counties, Illinois... : and biographical sketches. Philadelphia : J. L. McDonough, 1883, microfilm copy. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive.
- 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 ($). For additional access, see WeRelate. Perry County, Illinois biographies from this book are also at My Genealogy Hound.
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 1,215 | — |
| 1840 | 3,222 | 165.2% |
| 1850 | 5,278 | 63.8% |
| 1860 | 9,552 | 81.0% |
| 1870 | 13,723 | 43.7% |
| 1880 | 16,007 | 16.6% |
| 1890 | 17,529 | 9.5% |
| 1900 | 19,830 | 13.1% |
| 1910 | 22,088 | 11.4% |
| 1920 | 22,901 | 3.7% |
| 1930 | 22,767 | −0.6% |
| 1940 | 23,438 | 2.9% |
| 1950 | 21,684 | −7.5% |
| 1960 | 19,184 | −11.5% |
| 1970 | 19,757 | 3.0% |
| 1980 | 21,714 | 9.9% |
| 1990 | 21,412 | −1.4% |
| 2000 | 23,094 | 7.9% |
| 2010 | 22,350 | −3.2% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For tips on accessing census records online, see Illinois Census.
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry ($)
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, Perry County on page 188.
Church Records
Catholic
FamilySearch has made parish records from five Belleville Diocese Catholic churches in Perry 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
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.
Online Court Indexes and Records
- 1828-1835 County record, no. 1, book A FS Library film 975937 Item 5
- 1834-1881 Indentured Servitude Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1852-1924 Insanity proceedings FS Library films 1688945-9
- 1857-1963 Court Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1913-1937 Mother's petitions for relief FS Library film 1688956
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
Campbell, Crozier, Flack, Milligan, Steele, Thompson, Crawford. Pioneer Families of Randolph and Perry Counties, Illinois: Notes on the Campbell, Crozier, Flack, Milligan, Steele and Thompson Families: The Crawfords of Ballynease, Londonderry, Ireland, with Descendants in the U.S.A., and Their Descendants in the Elsey, Garven, Matthews and Robertson Families, by Robert Crawford Robertson. Chattanooga, Tenn.: R.C. Robertson, 1960. Online at: Ancestry ($).
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 Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Perry County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry ($)
- 1814-1903 Land and Mortgage Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1820-Onward Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- 1827-1890 Grantor and grantee index FS Library films 975891-3
- 1827-1950 Deeds FS Library films 975894–916
- 1850s-1894 Swamp land records FS Library films 1688943, IRAD (SIU)
- 1920 Randolph County Genealogical Society (Illinois). Plat book and complete survey of Perry County, Illinois 1920. Chester, Illinois: Randolph County Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1991. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.393 R2pb
- 1987 Land atlas and plat book FS Catalog book 977.393 R2p
- Illinois Federal Township Plats at Illinois Digital Archives - images; by County
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales at the Illinois State Archives - index; by purchaser's name and by legal description; Also at Ancestry ($).
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- Combined History of Randolph, Monroe and Perry Counties, Illinois... : and biographical sketches. Philadelphia : J. L. McDonough, 1883, microfilm copy. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive.
- 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 ($). For additional access, see WeRelate.
- Student's History of Perry County, by J. Wesley Neville. 1990. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
- Township Map of 1870 Perry 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
Civil War
Regiments. Civil War service men from Perry 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 Perry County.
- - 6th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company I.
- - 12th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- - 12th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (3 months, 1861), Company G.
- - 18th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A.
- - 31st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A.
- - 71st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- - 81st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, C and K.
- - 89th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- - 110th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- - 136th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies A and D.
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
- 1845-1929 Naturalization Records at IRAD-SIU - 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 ($) - index & images
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Illinois, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and EventsIndex, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1869-1876 Randolph County Genealogical Society. The Valley Clarion Newspaper, Chester, Illinois, August 1869– April 1876. Chester, Illinois: Randolph County Genealogical Society, [1990?]Other libraries (WorldCat)FS Catalog book 977.39 D2v
Obituaries
- 1831-Onward Illinois Obituaries at MyHeritage — index ($)
Other Records
Almshouse Records
- 1854-1972 Almshouse Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Criminal and Punishments
- 1918-1957 Jail Registers at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Public Records
- 1835-1995 Public Records at IRAD-SIU - 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.
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 Perry 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 ($) — index & images
- 1819-1988 Illinois Probate Records, 1819-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
- 1828-1858 Probate Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1840-1953 Index to estates FS Library film 975937 Item 1
- 1858-1889 Probate record FS Library films 975931-6
- 1860-1875 Administrators records FS Library film 975928
- 1867-1884 Proceedings on petition to sell real estate FS Library film 975937 Item 4
- 1867-1909 Will record FS Library film 975928-9
- 1875-1883 Estate record FS Library films 975933-4
- 1897-1917 Wills and executors FS Library films 975929-30
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
- 1861-1988 School Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — 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
- 1827-1892 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 Perry 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 Perry County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Birth
- 1845-1877 Miscellaneous births FS Library film 975917
- 1845-1916 Birth Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1871-1915 Delayed births FS Library films 975917–8
- 1878-1915 Births FS Library films 975919–21, IRAD (SIU)
- 1878-1916 Birth index FS Library film 975919, IRAD (SIU)
- Dickinson, H.B. and Elda Jones. Birth records, Dr. H.B. Dickinson, Coulterville, Illinois. Marissa, Illinois Marissa Historical & Genealogical Society, 2003. Other libraries (WorldCat), FS Catalog book 977.392/C2 J4d
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 ($)
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
- 1827-1850 Perry County, Illinois Marriage Records 1827–1850 at USGenWeb Archives.
- 1827-1850 Cooke, Dorothy and Elizaeth Eiker. Marriage licenses issued in Perry County, Illinois beginning 1827 to 1850.[Pinckneyville, Ill., 1959]. Other libraries (WorldCat), FS Catalog book 977.393 V25c
- 1827-1850 Spurgeon, Elizabeth Eiker and Dorothy Cooke. Perry County, Illinois, marriages 1827–1850 with genealogical notes. Thomson, Illinois: Heritage House, 1973. Other libraries (WorldCat), FS Catalog book 977.3 A1 no. 81
- 1827-1867 Marriage record FS Library films 975923
- 1827-1868 Parent's permission to marriage FS Library films 975927, IRAD (SIU)
- 1827-1974 Marriage Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1868-1896 Schick, Lee, Naomi Schick, and Mary Alyce Browne Kern. Perry County, Illinois marriage records, 1868-1896, a few through 1903. Carterville, Illinois: Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois, 1992. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.393 V2s
- 1868-1974 Marriage index FS Library films 975924–5
- 1878-1916 Marriage register FS Library films 975926
Death
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1870-1915 Death Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1878-1915 Death index FS Library film 975922, IRAD (SIU)
- 1878-1915 Registers of death FS Library film 975922, IRAD (SIU)
- 1911-1915 Coroner's death certificates FS Library film 975922,IRAD (SIU)
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 at Illinois State Archives - index; Also at: MyHeritage($)
- 1916-1950 Death Index 1916–1950 at Genealogy Trails.
- 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 Perry 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 Perry 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
- Foxcroft Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Herrin City Library - an affiliate library
- Perry County Genealogical Family Research Library and Archive Center - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Perry County. For state-wide library facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Cutler Public Library
409G S. Main
Cutler, IL 62238
Phone: 618-497-2961
Du Quoin Public Library
28 South Washington Street
Du Quoin, IL 62832
Phone: 618-542-5045
Website
Pinckneyville Public Library
312 South Walnut Street
Pinckneyville, IL 62274
Phone: 618-357-2410
Website
Has local newspapers on microfilm, and many historical publications
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
112 North Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62701-1507
Phone: 217-524-6358 or 217-558-8844
Website
Has online indexes for obituaries in their newspaper collections, surnames found in Illinois county histories, biographical directories and encyclopedias.
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Perry County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Illinois Societies.
Perry County Historical Society
108 W. Jackson St.
Pinckneyville, IL 62274
Websites
- Perry County IL Genealogy
- Perry County, IL Linkpendium
- Perry ILGenWeb
- USGenWeb Archives
- 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, “Perry County, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/perry/ accessed 04/19/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Perry County, Illinois" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_County,_Illinois, accessed 04/19/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Perry 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.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Perry County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_County,_Illinois, accessed 17 March 2020.