DeKalb County, Illinois

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''[[United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Illinois]][[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' '''DeKalb County'''  
 
''[[United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Illinois]][[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]'' '''DeKalb County'''  
  
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{{Infobox U.S. County
 
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=== Historical Facts  ===
 
=== Historical Facts  ===
  
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[[Image:Johann de Kalb.JPG|thumb|right|175px|Johann de Kalb.JPG]] DeKalb County is named for {{wpd|Johann_de_Kalb|Johann de Kalb}} who was a German baron who fought on the side of the Americans during the Revolution.  
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[[Image:Johann de Kalb.JPG|thumb|right|175px]] DeKalb County is named for {{wpd|Johann_de_Kalb|Johann de Kalb}} who was a German baron who fought on the side of the Americans during the Revolution.  
  
 
=== Boundary Changes  ===
 
=== Boundary Changes  ===
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=== Periodicals  ===
 
=== Periodicals  ===
  
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The ''Cornsilk'', the Genealogical Society of DeKalb's newsletter, contains abstracted local records and information about research in DeKalb County. Explore an [http://dekalb.ilgenweb.net/JoinerHistoryRoom/Cornsilk_Index/1stBaptist_ColemanSchool.htm online index] to the ''Cornsilk ''courtesy of the Genealogical Society of DeKalk County, Joiner History Room.  
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The ''Cornsilk'', the Genealogical Society of DeKalb's newsletter, contains abstracted local records and information about research in DeKalb County. Explore an [http://www.joinerhistoryroom.org/Cornsilk_Index/1stBaptist_ColemanSchool.htm online index] to the ''Cornsilk ''courtesy of the Genealogical Society of DeKalk County, Joiner History Room.  
  
 
''Cornsilk'' articles can be acceessed by several different methods.  
 
''Cornsilk'' articles can be acceessed by several different methods.  
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[http://www.dekalbgenealogy.com/ DeKalb County’s Online Genealogy] allows free index searches of births, marriages, deaths and naturalizations from 1837 when the county was created. Searches can be done for births 75 years or older, marriages 50 years or older, deaths 20 years or older, and naturalizations 100 years or older. A copy of the original records can be order online for a fee.<br>  
 
[http://www.dekalbgenealogy.com/ DeKalb County’s Online Genealogy] allows free index searches of births, marriages, deaths and naturalizations from 1837 when the county was created. Searches can be done for births 75 years or older, marriages 50 years or older, deaths 20 years or older, and naturalizations 100 years or older. A copy of the original records can be order online for a fee.<br>  
  
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See [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[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 1878–1916 are kept by the [http://www.dekalbcounty.org/CoClerk/co_clerk.html DeKalb County Clerk] while those recorded after 1916 are kept by the [[Illinois Vital Records#Birth_Records|Illinois Department of Public Health]] with a copy to the County Clerk. The county clerk does not have birth records after 1916. Original marriage records are&nbsp; kept by the County Clerk from 1837 to the present. Original divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.  
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See [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[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 1878–1916 are kept by the [http://www.dekalbclerk.com DeKalb County Clerk] while those recorded after 1916 are kept by the [[Illinois Vital Records#Birth_Records|Illinois Department of Public Health]] with a copy to the County Clerk. The county clerk does not have birth records after 1916. Original marriage records are&nbsp; kept by the County Clerk from 1837 to the present. Original divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.  
  
 
No birth, marriage or death records for DeKalb county are held at the [[IRAD - Northern Illinois University|Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) at Northern Illinois University]], except for the Birth and Death Reporting Accounts 1902–1903. See below for other sources of vital records copies, indexes and abstracts.  
 
No birth, marriage or death records for DeKalb county are held at the [[IRAD - Northern Illinois University|Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) at Northern Illinois University]], except for the Birth and Death Reporting Accounts 1902–1903. See below for other sources of vital records copies, indexes and abstracts.  

Revision as of 01:10, 29 November 2012

United States Gotoarrow.png IllinoisGotoarrow.png DeKalb County

Hand and keyboard.jpg Illinois
Online Records

Coordinates: 41.89°0′N 88.77°0′W / 41.89°N 88.77°W / 41.89; -88.77

DeKalb County, Illinois
Map
Map of Illinois highlighting DeKalb County
Location in the state of Illinois
Map of the U.S. highlighting Illinois
Location of Illinois in the U.S.
Facts
Founded: January 4, 1817
County Seat Sycamore
Courthouse
Dekalb County Courthouse.gif
Photo courtesy Illinois Regional Archives Depository, Illinois State Archives
Address DeKalb County Courthouse
110 East Sycamore Street
Sycamore, Illinois 60178
(815) 895-7149
Dekalb County Website

Contents

County Organization

Dekalb County's civil records start the following years:

Beginning Dates for DeKalb County Records
Birth Marriage Death Census Land Probate
1878* 1837 1878* 1840 1837 1859

*Incomplete birth and death records

Digital images of birth, marriage, death and naturalization records are available at the DeKalb County Clerk's DeKalb County Genealogy Online website.  There is no cost to search the index, but you must first create an account.  There is a fee to access images.

For further information about where other records for DeKalb County are kept, see the DeKalb County Courthouse page.

Historical Facts

Johann de Kalb.JPG
DeKalb County is named for Johann de Kalb who was a German baron who fought on the side of the Americans during the Revolution.

Boundary Changes

Prior to County Formation

County Formation and After

For more information see Origin and Evolution of Illinois Counties or DeKalb County Fact Sheet (Illinois State Archives). For interactive county boundary maps see Illinois County Boundaries, 1790-Present, Illinois Historical Counties, or Illinois County Maps and Atlases.

Records and Resources

Biography

The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a DeKalb County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of DeKalb County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.

  • DeKalb County veterans listed in "The Voters and Tax-payers of DeKalb County, Illinois." (Civil War) Courtesy of Illinois Trails.

Cemeteries

Gotoarrow.png Find A Grave, list of cemeteries. Additional information can be found at local level (city, township, etc.)

Census

Federal

For tips on accessing census records online, see Illinois Census.

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, DeKalb County on page 186.]

Church

Church records may contain birth, marriage and death information.  Membership lists can show family and neighbors who worshipped together.

The Cornsilk, the Genealogical Society of DeKalb's newsletter, has histories and abstracted records of many early DeKalb church congregations. Explore an online index to the Cornsilk courtesy of the Genealogical Society of DeKalb County, Joiner History Room.

See Periodicals below to explore ways to access copies of Cornsilk.

In addtion, the Illinois State Historical Society Journal has also published articles about churches in DeKalb County.  See the wiki page for Illinois Periodicals for more information about this journal.

  • Davy, Harriet Wilson.  From Oxen to Jets: A History of DeKalb County 1835–1963. Illinois: DeKalb County Board of Supervisors, 1963. This history relates church names, organization dates, and reorganization information, including congregations which no longer exist. Other Libraries FHL Book 977.328 H2f

Catholic

  • [1865–1900] St John Catholic Church, Somonauk, DeKalb County. Marriages. Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly 24:201, Winter 1992.
  • [1904] St. Mary's Catholic Pew Holders, 1904, Sycamore. Cornsilk. Sycamore, Illinois. Sep 1981. Vol 6 Iss 6.

Congregational

  • Duncan, Don V. History of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, DeKalb, Illinois, 1854-1984. DeKalb, IL : Johnson Printing, 1984. Other Libraries (WorldCat) 

Evangelical

  • 100 years: An Inspiration for the Future: Hillcrest Covenant Church, 1883-1983. DeKalb, Illinois: Published for the Centennial Celebration, 1983. Other Libraries (WorldCat) Congregation formerly called Evangelical Mission Covenant and Evangelical Covenant.

Lutheran

  • The Centenary of the First Lutheran Church, DeKalb, Illinois 1858–1958. DeKalb, Ill.: The Congregation, 1958. Other Libraries (WorldCat)

Methodist

  • [1882]  Free Methodist Church Baptisms Cornsilk. Sycamore, Illinois: Winter 2000. Vol 19 Iss 4.
  • 90th Anniversary, 1854-1944, May 7-14, 1944, First Methodist Church DeKalb, Illinois. DeKalb, Illinois: 1944. Other Libraries (WorldCat}

Presbyterian

  • [1854–1858] "Sandwich Presbyterian Church Records", Cornsilk, Vol. 8 Iss 2, Summer 1989; Vol 10, Iss 1, Spring 1991. 

Court

Original court records are held in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk. See Illinois Court Records for more information about using court records.

Directories

Ethnic Research

African American

The following have information concerning African American research.

Genealogy

Genealogy Files of Dekalb County Families.  Courtesy of USGenweb.

Mailing Lists

Message Boards

History

  • Boies, Henry L. History of DeKalb County, Illinois. Chicago: O.P. Bassett, Printer, 1868. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
  • Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb County, Illinois: Containing Full-page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County: Together with Portraits and Biographies of All the Governors of Illinois, and of the Presidents of the United States: Also Containing a History of the County, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time. Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1885. Digital version at Ancestry ($); another Ancestry ($) version.
  • Gross, Lewis M. Past and Present of DeKalb County, Illinois. Chicago: Pioneer Pub. Co., 1907. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a DeKalb County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of DeKalb 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 online, through the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at Northern Illinois University - search for DeKalb County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the NIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of Original Records

  • [1838–1930] Deed Record IRAD-NIU
  • [1847–1950] Entry Books IRAD-NIU
  • [1847–1946] Mortgage Record IRAD-NIU
  • [1857–1945] Chattel Mortgage RecordIRAD-NIU
  • [1890–1934] Chattel Mortgage IndexIRAD-NIU

Abstracts

Online Resources

Maps

Military

Civil War

Civil War service men from DeKalb 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 DeKalb County.

- 8th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies B and K.
- 10th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (3 months, 1861), Company C.
- 10th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- 13th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E and F.
- 14th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company L.
- 17th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company C.
- 42nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- 52nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
- 55th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
- 58th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies C and E.
- 105th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, C, E, G, H and K.
- 132nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies F and K.
- 147th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
- 156th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.


  • List of Pensioners, 1883.  Lists certificate no., name of pensioner, address, pension cause, monthly rate, and date of original allowance. Courtesy of Illinois Trails. 
  • DeKalb County veterans listed in "The Voters and Tax-payers of DeKalb County, Illinois." (Civil War) Courtesy of Illinois Trails.

World War II

Naturalization and Citizenship

  • DeKalb County’s Online Genealogy allows free index searches of naturalizations, births, marriages, and deaths from 1837 when the county was created. Searches can be done for naturalizations 100 years or older, births 75 years or older, marriages 50 years or older, and deaths 20 years or older. A copy of the original records can be order online for a fee.
  • 1840–1950 Naturalization Index Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840–1950 To access this record you must have the soundex number for your name of interest. Explore how to use soundex.
  • 1860–1908 Genealogical Society of DeKalb County, Illinois.Naturalization Records of DeKalb County, Illinois. Sycamore, Illinois : Genealogical Society of DeKalb County, Illinois, 1981. FHL Fiche 6049988 (2 Fiche) Book 977.328 P4n

Newspapers

Obituaries

Periodicals

The Cornsilk, the Genealogical Society of DeKalb's newsletter, contains abstracted local records and information about research in DeKalb County. Explore an online index to the Cornsilk courtesy of the Genealogical Society of DeKalk County, Joiner History Room.

Cornsilk articles can be acceessed by several different methods.

  1. Find a copy at a library near you. Other libraries (WorldCat).
  2. Article copies can be ordered through PERSI
  3. Volumes 1–8 are available on film through the Family History Library. Book copies are availalbe only at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. FHL Film 1941080 Items 26 - 41; 1941081 Items 1 - 16 ; Book 977.328 D25c

Probate Records

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 DeKalb County are kept, see the DeKalb County Courthouse page.

  • Historical and Genealogical Society

See Societies, for the DeKalb County Historical–Genealogical Society (Joiner History Room). The society has a research room for the public.

Family History Centers (FHCs) are branches of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah (United States) and are located all over the world. Their goal is to provide resources to assist you in the research and study of your genealogy. The DeKalb Family History Center is located in Sycamore. Call ahead to verify operating hours.  All are welcome. Explore more about the DeKalb Family History Center.

  • Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)

The Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD), managed by the Illinois State Archives, houses 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 Northern Illinois University (IRAD-NIU) holds the records for DeKalb County. Learn more about finding and using their records.

Illinois Regional Archives Depository
c/o Regional History Center
Founders Memorial Library, Room 400
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
Telephone: (815) 753-1807
  • Public Libraries

Cortland Community Library
63 S. Somonauk Rd.
Cortland, IL 60112
Phone: 1–815-756-7274

E-Mail: 114bc@tbcnet.com

DeKalb Public Library
309 Oak Street
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
Phone: 1–815-756-9568

Genoa Public Library
232 West Main Street
Genoa, IL 60135
Phone: 1–815–784-2627

Hinkley Public Library District
100 N. Maple Street
Hinckley, IL 60520
Phone:1–815-286-3220
E-Mail: staff@hinckley.lib.il.us.

Malta Township Public Library

203 E. Adams St.
Malta, Illinois 60150
Phone: 1–815–825-2525

Somonauk Public Library District
700 E. LaSalle Street
Somonauk, Illinois 60552
Phone: 1–815-498-2440

This library holds local cemetery records and plots, marriage and death records, The Somonauk Reveille on microfilm, and much more. A microfilm reader-printer is available for making copies.

Sycamore Public Library
103 East State Street
Sycamore, Illinois 60178
1–815–895-2500

Social Groups Online

Societies

DeKalb County Historical and Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 295
Sycamore, IL 60178
e-mail: joinerhistoryroom@dekalbcounty.org

Mutiliple databases are available through the county historical society. The staff will do limited research for the cost of copies only. Scanned records can be e-mailed. Of particular interest is their obituary index, military indexes, and their index to the county genealocial society periodical, The Cornsilk. On their website, select "Archives" to see a complete listing of their holdings. Explore other online databases at their website.

Thousands of obituaries have been collected from county newspapers and other sources. These obituaries have been indexed and organized into 3-ring binders. Other obituaries are available on microfilm. Some early obits are not available. Contact the office with your request. Please include name and date of death. No charge for research time. You pay only for copies and postage. Do not send any money until you receive a copy of the obituary you requested.

Taxation

Vital Records

DeKalb County’s Online Genealogy allows free index searches of births, marriages, deaths and naturalizations from 1837 when the county was created. Searches can be done for births 75 years or older, marriages 50 years or older, deaths 20 years or older, and naturalizations 100 years or older. A copy of the original records can be order online for a fee.

See Gotoarrow.png 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 1878–1916 are kept by the DeKalb County Clerk while those recorded after 1916 are kept by the Illinois Department of Public Health with a copy to the County Clerk. The county clerk does not have birth records after 1916. Original marriage records are  kept by the County Clerk from 1837 to the present. Original divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.

No birth, marriage or death records for DeKalb county are held at the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) at Northern Illinois University, except for the Birth and Death Reporting Accounts 1902–1903. See below for other sources of vital records copies, indexes and abstracts.

Births

The following indexes to birth records are available:

  • 1878–1903 Genealogical Society of DeKalb County, Illinois. Index to Birth Record Books of DeKalb County, Illinois. Sycamore, Illinois: Genealogical Society of DeKalb County, Illinois, 198-? FHL Book 977.328 V22i v. 1-2
  • 1837–1890 Marshall, Florence Houghton. Some Early Births in DeKalb County, Ill. and Vicinity, 1837-1890.S.l.: s.n., 1987. Other LibrariesFHL Book 977.328 V28m
  • 1902–1903  Birth and Death Reporting Accounts 1902–1903. IRAD–NIU.

Marriages

  • 1837–1900  Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763–1900 Courtesy of the Illinois State Archives.
  • 1837–1850 Steenrod, Robert L. De Kalb County, Illinois marriage records, 1837-1850. Belvidere, Illinois: s.n., 1960. Other Libraries FHL Book 977.3 V25st
  • 1837–1850 Steenrod, Robert L. De Kalb County, Illinois marriage records, 1837-1850. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970. Manuscript on film FHL Film 848650 Item 3
  • 1837–1850  Illinois Marriages, 1790-1860  Ancestry ($)
  • 1837–1877 Genealogical Society of DeKalb County, Illinois.Marriage records of DeKalb County, Illinois. Sycamore, Illinois: Geneal. Society of DeKalb County, Illinois, 1979. Other Libraries FHL Book 977.328 V2m 2 vols.
  • 1865-1900 "1865-1900 Marriages Performed at St. John Catholic Church, Somonauk, DeKalb County," The Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 24, No. 4 (Winter 1992).

Deaths

Websites

References

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