Crawford County, IllinoisEdit This Page
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United States 
Illinois Crawford County
Coordinates: 39°0′N 87.76°0′W / 39°N 87.76°W
| Crawford County, Illinois | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Illinois | |
 Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded: | December 31, 1816 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Robinson |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Crawford County Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square Robinson, Illinois 62454 (618) 546-1212 Crawford County Website |
County Organization
Crawford County's civil records start the following years:
| | |||||
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Census | Land | Probate |
| 1877 | 1817 | 1877 | 1820 | 1816 | 1818 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Crawford County are kept, see the Crawford County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts
Boundary Changes
- Interactive map of Crawford County boundary changes.
Record Loss
28 March 1999: Courthouse burned and many records were damaged.
For further information on researching in burned counties, see the following:
Records and Resources
Bible Records
A Family Bible belonging to the Fitch family of Crawford County is included in an Ancestry database ($).[2]
Biography
The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Crawford County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Crawford County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.
Cemeteries
Illinois Cemeteries for more information. Find A Grave, list of cemeteries. Additional information can be found at local level (city, township, etc.)
- Crawford Co. IL USGenWeb Tombstone Project usually gives the names of the deceased in alphabetical order by last name with birth and death dates plus any remarks.
- Illinois Cemeteries by county.
- Crawford County Cemeteries: names and locations, cemetery listings (Genealogy Trails)
- Confederate Soldiers Buried in Crawford County (Genealogy Trails)
- Cemeteries in or near Crawford County (ePodunk)
Census
Federal
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 19,240 | ||
| 1910 | 26,281 | 36.6% | |
| 1920 | 22,771 | −13.4% | |
| 1930 | 21,085 | −7.4% | |
| 1940 | 21,294 | 1.0% | |
| 1950 | 21,137 | −0.7% | |
| 1960 | 20,751 | −1.8% | |
| 1970 | 19,824 | −4.5% | |
| 1980 | 20,818 | 5.0% | |
| 1990 | 19,464 | −6.5% | |
| 2000 | 20,452 | 5.1% | |
| IL Counties 1900-1990 | |||
State
1840 Pensioners
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. Washington, D.C., 1841. FHL 973 X2pc 1840; FHL 2321; digital version at Google Books. [See Illinois, Crawford County on page 186.]
Church History and Records
Copies of Original records
- 1847–1883 Grand Prairie Christian Church FHL film 874276 Item 4
- 1871–1971 Oak Grove Federated Church of LaMotte Prairie,1971: 100 years Oak Grove Church, 100 years Brethren Church, 10 years Federated Church. FHL film 874276 Item 7
- 1878–1938 Society of Friends-Pleasant Grove Monthly Meeting was originally known as Union Monthly Meeting FHL film 1535523 Items 7–9
Additional Resources
Additional resources for Crawford County church records may be found in the FHLC - church records. Histories of area churches may be found in the FHLC - church histories section. Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche can be ordered for viewing at Family History Centers. Copies of books found in the FHLC may be found in WorldCat catalog and ordered from your local library through interlibrary loan. Explore how to search the Family History Library Catalog and the Worldcat Online Catalog.
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 Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
Directories
Ethnic Research
African American
The following have information concerning African American research.
- African American Research (US) has more information about the kinds of records
- Illinois State Archives pamphlet on African American Research describes what records are at the State Archives with an online method for ordering records.
- African-American Resources for Illinois
Genealogy
Mailing Lists
Message Boards
History
The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Crawford edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Crawford County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.
Land and Property
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 Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
Copies of Original Records
- 1816-1939 Crawford County, Illinois Clerk of County Court, Deed Records. FHL Film 1310120 (first of 22 films)
- 1817-1958 Deed Index IRAD-EIU
- 1817-1958 Deed Record IRAD-EIU
- 1850-1933 Surveyor's Record :*1919-1958 Military Discharge Record and Index IRAD-EIU
- 1852-1867 Swamp Land Record IRAD-EIU
- 1882-1957 Plat Record IRAD-EIU
Abstracts
- 1850, 1854-1867 Crawford County Illinois, County Court, Land records: abstract, sales, plats, etc., ([Springfield, Illinois]:Office of the Secretary of State, Micrographics Division, Source Documents Unit, 1980-1981.) FHL Film 1688802 item 1
- 1980-1981 Rockford Map Publishers, Rockford, Illinois, Land atlas and plat book, Crawford County, Illinois (Rockford, Illinois:Rockford Map Publishers, c1966.) FHL Book 977.375 E7c; WorldCat 8345128
Online Resources
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available 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.
- 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
Maps
Military History and Records
The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Crawford County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Crawford County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.
General
- 1919-1958 Military Discharge Record and Index IRAD-EIU
Civil War
Civil War service men from Crawford 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 Crawford County.
- - 5th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company F.
- - 21st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I
- - 30th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- - 38th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- - 62nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
- - 63rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- - 79th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
- - 98th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and E.
- - 135th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company H.
- - 152nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Company H.
- - 155th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
Naturalization
Newspapers and Obituaries
- The Robinson Constitution was a newspaper printed in Robinson, the county seat of Crawford County. This link features editions of the paper from Mar 15, 1877 - Apr 21, 1894. Newspapers are very important sources for glimpses into our ancestor's daily lives.
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 Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
Copies of Original Records
- 1818-1923 Illinois County Court (Crawford), Record of wills. FHL Film 1310336–1310337 item 1
- 1818-1956 Probate Will Record IRAD-EIU
- 1844-1894 Probate Dockets IRAD-EIU
- 1845-1849 Probate Appraisement Record IRAD-EIU
- 1845-1923 Illinois County Court (Crawford), Probate records, 1845-1923; probate ledger, 1851-1866. FHL Film 1310355 item 2 (first of 20 films)
- 1849-1958 Probate Minutes IRAD-EIU
- 1850-1887 Illinois County Court (Crawford County), Record of wills, book 2, 1850-1887. FHL Film 874276 item 13
- 1911-1958 Probate Inventory Record IRAD-EIU
Online Resources
Crawford County Will and Estate Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives Illinois.
Repositories
County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Crawford County are kept, see the Crawford County Courthouse page.
Family History Centers
There are over 4500 Family History Centers worldwide which serve as branch facilities of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Volunteers provide research assistance to help patrons identify their ancestors. Microfilm and microfiche may be ordered from the FHL collection at a nominal cost. Locate your nearest Family History Center at the FamilySearch website. Call ahead to verify operating hours. All are welcome.
The following centers are accessible to residents of Crawford County, Illinois:
Linton Indiana Family History Center
1000 W Lone Tree Rd
Linton, Greene, Indiana
Phone: 812-847-9044
Hours: Wed. 6 - 9 pm, Sat 9 - 2
Terre Haute Indiana Family History Center
1845 N 6 1/2 St
Terre Haute, Vigo, Indiana
Phone: 812-234-0269
Hours: Tue 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Closed: Mondays after 6:00 p.m., all major holidays, inclement weather, whenever Vigo school are on delays or early dismissals.
Attention: The Center is also available by appointment.
Vincennes Indiana Family History Center
1940 N Old Hwy 41
Vincennes, Knox, Indiana
Phone: 812-882-4022
Hours: T, Thu 9am-12:30pm, 5pm-8:30pm
Closed: Closed 1 1/2 weeks for Christmas
Please note: Addresses posted are not mailing addresses. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries.
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 Crawford 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
Telephone: (217) 581-6093
Hours: Monday – Friday, except state holidays
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Note: The depository is staffed by graduate student interns. Because of class scheduling conflicts, hours may vary somewhat from the published schedule. Researchers are urged to call before planning a visit.
Libraries
Robinson Public Library District
606 N Jefferson St.
Robinson, IL 62454
618-544-2917
Oblong Public Library
110 E Main St.
Oblong, IL 62449
Phone and FAX: 618-592-3001
E-mail: dpoblibrary2@hotmail.com
Hutsonville Public Library
101 S. Main Street
Hutsonville, IL 62433
Phone and Fax: 618-563-9603
E-Mail: hutsonvillepubliclibrary@yahoo.com
Susie Wesley Memorial Library
105 S Main St.
PO Box 185
Flat Rock, IL 62427
Phone and FAX: 618-584-3636
E-mail: swlib@frtci.net
Schools
Social Groups Online
Societies
Crawford County Historical Society
P.O. Box 554
Robinson, IL 62454-0554
Crawford County Museum
Former Schmidt Clinic
408 S. Cross St.
Robinson, IL
Hours: 2 - 4 p.m. Sat
2 - 4 p.m. Sun
or by appointment
Taxation
Vital Records
See Illinois Vital Records for more information about Vital records in Illinois. Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Original birth and death certificates recorded until the year 1916 are kept by the Crawford 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 Family History Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) - search for Crawford County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the EIU IRAD Wiki page.
General
- Bailey, Chris H. Scrapbook of Robinson, Illinois, newspaper clippings (Salt Lake City, Utah:Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1972.) FHL Film 874276 item 1
- Bailey, Imogene; Flat Rock Journal (Illinois), Crawford County, Illinois newspaper genealogical information. FHL Film 874275 items 1–2 Primarily a collection of obituaries, historical and genealogical information from the Flat Rock Journal, newspaper. Also, many biographical sketches of prominent persons of Crawford County, Illinois, of that era.
Births
Copies of Original Records
- 1877-1915 Birth Record - IRAD-EIU
- 1877-1957 Birth Record Index - IRAD-EIU
- 1878-1981 Crawford County (Illinois) Clerk of County Court, Vital records. Including Birth index 1878-1981 and Birth record Books 1 and 2 1877-1902. FHL Film 1310117–1310119
Marriages
Copies of Original Records
- 1817-1851 Crawford County (Illinois) Clerk of County Court, Crawford County, Illinois marriage register, Feb. 1817-Jan. 1851. FHL Film 874276 item 10
- 1817-1981 Crawford County (Illinois) Clerk of County Court, Vital records. Including marriage indexes, male and female 1817-1981 and marriage record books A,B,C and 1. FHL Film 1310115–1310116
- 1817–1934 Marriage Record IRAD-EIU
- 1817–1958 Marriage Record Index IRAD-EIU
Abstracts
- 1843-1859 Lent, Roberta Lee Some early Crawford County, Illinois marriages: 1843-1859. FHL Book 977.375 V25L; Other Libraries
Online Resources
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
- 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Crawford County Marriage Records courtesy USGenWeb Archives Illinois.
Deaths
Copies of Original Records
- 1877-1981 Crawford County (Illinois) Clerk of County Court, Vital records. Including death index from 1877-1981 and death record from 1877-1906. FHL Film 1310119–1310120 items 1–2
- 1877–1915 Death Record IRAD-EIU
- 1877–1958 Death Record Index IRAD-EIU
Abstracts
- Richland County Genealogical and Historical Society (Olney, Illinois), Mortality schedules, 1860,1870,1880 ([S.I.:s.n.], 1978.) FHL Book 977.37 X2m; Other Libraries
Online Resources
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1850–1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Crawford County Register of Deaths courtesy USGenWeb Archives Illinois.
- 1930 Miscellaneous Deaths, Crawford County, Illinois courtesy USGenWeb Archives.
Web Sites
Databases pertinent to Crawford County
- Local Governmental Records Database IRAD
- Name Index to Illinois Local Governments IRAD
- Crawford County, ILGenWeb. Contains a great deal of information related to Crawford County, Illinois. Census transcriptions, court record extractions, marriage records, military records, and probate records are just some of the things you will find.
- Crawford County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.; Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002 WorldCat 50140092, FHL Book 973 D27e 2002
- ↑ 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 ($).
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