Pope County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Pope 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
Pope County was named for Nathaniel Pope, a Secretary of the Illinois Territory. The county was organized in 1816 and its seat is Golconda. Pope County is located in the southern area of the state.[1]
County Courthouse
Pope County Courthouse
310 E Main St
Golconda, IL 62938
Phone: 618-683-4071
Pope County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Pope County are kept, see the Pope County Courthouse page.
Pope 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 |
| 1877 | 1816 | 1878 | 1816 | 1816 | 1816 | 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:[3]
| Cities | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1820 | 2,610 | — |
| 1830 | 3,316 | 27.0% |
| 1840 | 4,094 | 23.5% |
| 1850 | 3,975 | −2.9% |
| 1860 | 6,742 | 69.6% |
| 1870 | 11,437 | 69.6% |
| 1880 | 13,256 | 15.9% |
| 1890 | 14,016 | 5.7% |
| 1900 | 13,585 | −3.1% |
| 1910 | 11,215 | −17.4% |
| 1920 | 9,625 | −14.2% |
| 1930 | 7,996 | −16.9% |
| 1940 | 7,999 | 0.0% |
| 1950 | 5,779 | −27.8% |
| 1960 | 4,061 | −29.7% |
| 1970 | 3,857 | −5.0% |
| 1980 | 4,404 | 14.2% |
| 1990 | 4,373 | −0.7% |
| 2000 | 4,413 | 0.9% |
| 2010 | 4,470 | 1.3% |
| 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, 1850-1885found 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, Pope County on page 187.
Church Records
A chapter on Pope County, Illinois church history appears in a local history, available online at Ancestry ($), beginning on page 27.
Baptist
- Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1864-1972. MSS. Copy: FS Library Film 986485. WorldCat (Other Libraries)
- Brownfield Baptist Church. Record, 1860-1952. MSS. Copy: FS Library Film 965608 Item 1. WorldCat (Other Libraries)
- Church and Family History Research Assistance for Primitive Baptist Churches in Pope County, Illinois
- History of Dixon Springs Baptist Church: Compiled for the Homecoming, September 10, 2000. 2000. WorldCat (Other Libraries)
- United Baptist Church (New Liberty, Ill.). Church Records, 1896-1957. MSS. Copy: FS Library Film 965609 Item 19.
Disciples of Christ
- History of the Disciples of Christ in Illinois, Pope County section begins on page 363, courtesy: Internet Archive.
Methodist
- Blatter, Robert K. The History of Waltersburg: The Peaceful Nineteenth Century Invasion of Pope County in Southern Illinois. 1998. FS Library Book 977.3991/W1 D2b. Includes membership list (1860-1899) & baptisms (1881-1914, 1953) for a church which is referred to as the Waltersburg Methodist Church, Waltersburg German Methodist Church & the Immanuel Church.
- Zion Methodist Episcopal Church. A History of the Church and Cemeteries with a Directory of Cemeteries at Zion, Pope County, Illinois. 1978. FS Library Book 977.3991 K2h. FS Library Book 977.3991 K2h.
Presbyterian
- Michael Hillegan Chapter D.A.R. (Harrisburg, Ill.). Church Records Presbyterian Church of Golconda, Pope County, Illinois Founded 1819. Reputed to be the Oldest Presbyterian Church in Illinois. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); ILGenWeb (deaths).[4] FS Library Book 977.3991 V2d.
- History of the First Presbyterian Church, Golconda, Illinois. Golconda, Ill.: The Session of the Church, 1937. FS Library Film 965608 Item 2.
- Thompson, Mrs. Scerial et al. Records of Presbyterian Church of Golconda, Pope County, Illinois. FS Library Film 964988 Item 3. Baptisms, 1818-1937 -- Session book containing members admitted, dismissed, died, 1824-1911 -- Marriages, 1911-1935 -- List of pastors, 1819-1932.
- Bannon, Marie et al. Pope County, Illinois, Genealogical Materials. Includes information about the First Presbyterian Church (Golconda, Ill.). WorldCat (Other Libraries)
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.
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 Pope County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Court Indexes and Records
- 1816-1831 Foss, Carolyn Cromeenes and Judy Foreman Lee. Pope County, Illinois county court record Book A, 1816-1831. [S.l.: s.n.], 1994. FS Catalog book 977.3991 P2f, Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1816-1850 Court record FS Library films 964530–1
- 1818-1851 Circuit Court record FS Library films 965696-7
- 1818-1909 Court Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1824-1860 Circuit Court records FS Library film 965697 Item 3
- 1860-1960 Lee, Judy Foreman and Carolyn Cromeenes Foss. Pope County, Illinois chancery index : approximately 1860-1960. [S.l. : s.n.], c1997. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3991 P22L
- 1886-1920 Bear, Elizabeth Woodworth and Saline county Genealogical Society. Justice docket, Pope County, 1886-1920. [Harrisburg, Illinois] : Saline County Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1994. FS Catalog book 977.3991 P2b, Other libraries (WorldCat)
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
- [Glass] Young, John C. Descendants of Francis and James Glass of Pope County, Illinois. Marissa, Ill.: n.p., 1975. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Original land records are held in the office of the County Clerk . See Illinois Land and Property for more information about using land records.
The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online sources, the FamilySearch Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Pope County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1796-1907 U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796 to 1907 at Ancestry ($) - images
- 1811-1850 Winget, Judith L., Saline County Genealogical Society, and Jennifer L. Spohn. Pope County, Illinois deed book, 1811 to 1850. Harrisburg, Illinois: Saline County Genealogical Society (Illinois), [19--]. Other libraries (WorldCat) FS Catalog book 977.3991 R2p
- 1816-1857 Land and Property Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1816-1865 Land and road tax lists, assessor's books FS Library film 1688976
- 1816-1910 Grantee and Grantor index FS Library films 964513–4
- 1820 Annable, Edward L. Pope County, Illinois landowners, 1820. Cypress, Illinois: E. Annable, 1994. FS Catalog book 977.3991 R2a
- 1820-Onward Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- 1824-1860 Circuit Court records FS Library film 965697 Item 3
- 1899-1899 Mortgagor and Mortgagee indexes FS Library film 964529
- Early 1900s Nelson, Ronald L. A Record of land owners in Pope County, Illinois in the early 1900's: plat maps with more than 2,000 listings. Elizabethtown, Illinois: Ronald L. Nelson, 1979. FS Catalog book 977.3991 E7r, Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1987 Pope-Hardin County (Illinois), land atlas and plat book, 1987. FS Catalog book 977.39 R2p, Other Libraries (WorldCat)
- 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 ($).
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
- Allen, John W. Pope County Notes. Carbondale, Ill.: Museum of Natural and Social Sciences, Southern Illinois University, 1949. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
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
- 1862-1965 Illinois, Military Discharge Records, ca.1862 - ca.1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Militia Roll Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1864-1878 Civil War Quartermaster Reports at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Regiments. Civil War service men from Pope 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 Pope County.
- - 6th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies A, B, and G.
- - 29th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
- - 56th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- - 60th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- - 120th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and E.
- - 131st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, B, and H.
- - 136th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies I and K.
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 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 Pope County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1800-1998 Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1820-1898 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 ($) - index
Obituaries
- 1831-Onward Illinois Obituaries at MyHeritage — index ($)
Other Records
Public Records
- 1816-2004 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 Pope 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 ($) — index & images
- 1816-1845 Annable, Edward L. Pope County, Illinois probate records. Cypress, Illinois : E.L. Annable, c1994-c1997.FS Catalog book 977.3991 P2a 1816–1835, 1836–1845, Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1816-1950 Index to estate and miscellaneous papers FS Library film 965695
- 1819-1988 Illinois Probate Records, 1819-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images only
- 1819-1888 Probate records and journals FS Library films 965688–94
- 1861-1916 Probate Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1861-1916 Index to Pope County, Illinois Will Record Volume A (1861-1916) at ILGenWeb
- 1861-1916 Will records FS Library film 965687
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
- 1835-1965 School Records at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — 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
Online Tax Indexes and Records
- 1825-1865 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 Pope 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 Pope County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Birth
- 1862-1915 Birth records and still birth register FS Library films 964537–52
- 1862-1930s Births FS Library film 964537
- 1862-1952 Birth Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
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
- 1810-1940 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940 at FamilySearch — [[Illinois, County Marriages -
FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Index and images
- 1813-1915 Marriage licenses and consents FS Library film 2132307–34
- 1813-1960 Marriage Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1816-1839 Schonert, Janet. Pope County, Illinois marriages, 1816-1839. Thomson, Illinois : Heritage House, 1972. FS Catalog book 977.3 A1 no. 56,Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1822-1944 Marriage records FS Library films 964534–6
- 1822-1960 Marriage index FS Library film 964533
- 1826-1860 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. [S.l.] : Saline County Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1984. FS Catalog book 977.399 V2w, Other libraries (WorldCat)
- Pope County Marriage Records at UsGenWeb Archives
Death
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index and images
- 1860 Allen, Ricky T. 1860 federal census and mortality schedule of Pope County, Illinois. Decatur, Illinois: Bowers Press, 1983. FS Catalog book 977.3991 X2af, Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1870 Allen, Ricky T. 1870 federal census and mortality schedule of Pope County, Illinois. Utica, Kentucky McDowell Publications, [198-?]. FS Catalog book 977.3991 X2r 1870, Other libraries (WorldCat)
- Some Deaths From the Presbyterian Church Records Golconda, Illinois
- 1877-1910 Death register and index FS Library film 964532
- 1877-1915 Death Records and Index at IRAD-SIU - images; physical holdings not online, copies can be requested, List of records available
- 1909-1917 Death record FS Library film 964532
- 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 Pope 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 Pope 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
- Eldorado Illinois FamilySearch Center
- Paducah Kentucky FamilySearch Center
- McCracken County Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Pope County. For state-wide library facilities, see Illinois Archives and Libraries.
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Pope County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Illinois Societies.
Pope County Historical Society
PO Box 837
206 East Main Street
Golconda, IL 62938-0837
Phone: 618-683-3341
Email: popecountyhistoricalsociety@outlook.com
Website
Websites
- Pope ILGenWeb
- 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, "Pope County, Illinois" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Illinois, accessed 04/19/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Pope 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, "Pope County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Illinois, accessed 16 March 2020 .
- ↑ 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 ($).