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United States Illinois Peoria County

	Illinois Online Records

Peoria County, Illinois
Map
Location of Illinois in the U.S.
Facts
Founded:	January 13, 1825
County Seat	Peoria
Courthouse
Photo courtesy Illinois Regional Archives Depository, Illinois State Archives
Address	Peoria County Courthouse 324 Main Street Peoria, Illinois 61602 (309) 672-6070 Peoria County Website

Peoria County Organization

Peoria County's civil records start the following years:

County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Peoria County are kept, see the Peoria County Courthouse page.

Historical Facts

Peoria County is named for the Native American tribe called the Peorias which was originally one of the tribes from the Illinois confederacy.

Boundary Changes

• 13 January 1825: Peoria County was created from Fulton County. County seat: Peoria ^[1]

• Interactive map of Peoria County boundary changes.

Places / Localities

Neighboring Counties

• Fulton
• Knox
• Marshall
• Stark
• Tazewell
• Woodford

Records and Resources

Biography

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

Cemeteries

Illinois cemetery records often identify birth, death, relationship, and military information, as well as religious affiliation.

Published Records

• 1848–1936 Poor Farm Cemetery Record IRAD–WIU

• The Family History Library Catalog lists some records of cemeteries in Peoria County.  Some of the books or others may be on Google Books or available at public libraries.

Online Gravestone Transcriptions

• Peoria County ILGenWeb. See the Cemetery page for a list of cemeteries and links to cemetery transcriptions.

• Find A Grave.com has burial information for over 100 Peoria County cemeteries. For a complete list of cemeteries, click Here.

• GenealogyTrails.com. Find or submit headstone transcriptions for Peoria County Cemeteries.

• Illinois Ancestors Tombstone Project. Find or submit Peoria County tombstone photos.

• Illinois Tombstone Transcription Project. Get accesss to online cemetery transcriptions for Peoria County Cemeteries.

• Interment.net. Has some Peoria County Cemetery Records available online.

• Linkpendium. Has links to several Peoria County Cemetery related websites.

Cemetery Gazetters

• Epodunk has a list of Peoria County Cemeteries. The website provides name of cemetery, address and telephone number when available, Google Map with cemetery marker, and other helpful Internet links.

• The Illinois State Genealogical Society's "Cemetery Location Project" has identified many Peoria County Cemeteries.

Census

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, Peoria County on page 188.]

Church Records

Church records may give birth, death and marriage information as well as indictate family relationships. See Illinois state wiki article Church Records for more ideas about how to use church records in your research. Many libraries( WorldCat) hold abstracts of church records for Peoria County. Learn more about how to search WorldCat.

• The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Peoria County edition. A discussion of Catholic missions begins on page 14. A chapter concerning all early churches in Peoria begins on page 101. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.

• A brief history of Churches in Peoria County can be found on the Peoria County webpage of Illinois Ancestors. The website host has provided extracts from James Rice's 1912 history of the city and county of Peoria, Illinois.

Catholic

• 1839 St. Patrick's Church Courtesy of Genealogy Trails.

Jewish

• 1964 Anshai Emeth Temple Courtesy of Genealogy Trails.

Espiscopal

• Old Christ Church–History, baptisms, confirmations, communicants, marriages, parishoners, burial and death records. Courtesy of Genealogy Trails.

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 copies of original records may be accessed through the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Peoria County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.

• 1825–1879 Circuit Court Case Files IRAD–WIU
• 1825–1986 Circuit Court Index IRAD–WIU
• 1858–1881 Justice of the Peace DocketsIRAD–WIU
• 1885–1895 Circuit Court Master's Sale ReportsIRAD–WIU

Online Resources

Court Chambers courtesy of Peoria County, Illinois Genealogy Trails including:

Arrests, Complaints and Trial News

• 1872-1883 Circuit Court Cases

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

History

Local Histories

• Ballance, C. The History of Peoria, Illinois. Peoria, Ill.: Printed by N.C. Nason, 1870. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive.
• The History of Peoria County, Illinois: containing a history of the Northwest, history of Illinois, history of the county, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc., etc., a sketch of its cities and towns, their improvements, industries, manufactories, churches, schools, etc., etc., a war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, biographical sketches, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, map of Peoria County, Constitution of the United States, miscellaneous matters, tables, etc., etc.. Chicago: Johnson & Co., 1880. Digital version at Ancestry ($); Google Books; Internet Archive.
  
• Portrait and Biographical Album Peoria County, Illinois. Chicago, IL, USA: Biographical Publishing, 1890. Digital version at Ancestry ($). Another Ancestry ($) version; Internet Archive.
  
• McCulloch, David. Early Days of Peoria and Chicago: An Address Read before the Chicago Historical Society at a Quarterly Meeting Held January 19, 1904. Chicago: The Society, 1904. Digital version at Ancestry ($); Google Books; Internet Archive.
  
• Bess, F. B. Eine populäre geschichte der stadt Peoria. Peoria, Ill.: unknown, 1906, c1905. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive. English translation: (which includes some biographies): A Popular History of the City Peoria. Digital version of translation at Illinois Ancestors Presents Peoria County.
  
• Rice, James M. Peoria, City and County, Illinois: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress, and Achievement. Chicago: The S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1912. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Google Books.
  
• Slane, Odillon B. Reminiscences of Early Peoria: Including Indian Stories. Peoria, Ill.: Priv. print., 1933. Digital version at Ancestry ($); World Vital Records ($).
  

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 Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Peoria County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of original records

• 1817–1862 Deed Record IRAD–WIU

• 1861 Land ownership maps FHL fiche 6079365

• 1980 Land atlas and plat book Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.352 E7p

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Peoria County land and property may be found in the FHLC and FHLC–maps. 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.

Online Resources

• Beginning 1820 Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
• 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
• Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
• Peoria County Federal Township Plats
• Land Things courtesy Peoria County, Illinois Genealogy Trails. Including Street name changes; old buildings and homes; deeds, mortgages and other land transfers from local newspapers.

Maps

Military Records

Civil War

Civil War service men from Peoria 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 Peoria County.

- 1st Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company D.

- 7th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.

- 8th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (3 months, 1861), Company E.

- 8th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E and I.

- 11th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies A, B, D, E, L, and M.

- 14th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies B and M.

- 17th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and B.

- 44th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.

- 53rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.

- 77th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, E, F, G, I and K.

- 82nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E.

- 86th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies C, D, H, I and K.

- 108th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies C, G, I and K.

- 132nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company D.

- 139th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies E and F.

- 146th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies G and I.

- 148th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies C and F.

- 151st Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Companies A and E.

- 155th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.

• Civil War Veterans of Peoria County (accessed 19 September 2011) has photos, diaries, histories, etc. relating to Peoria County and the Civil War.

Naturalization

Newspapers and Obituaries

Poor Farms

• 1848–1936 Almshouse Registers IRAD–WIU

• 1848–1936 Poor Farm Cemetery Record IRAD–WIU

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 Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Peoria County records. For information on how to use IRAD see theWIU IRAD Wiki page.

Online Resources

• Peoria County Probate Case Files Index, 1825-1887, courtesy: Illinois State Archives.

• Probate Case Files Index, 1825-1887, courtesy: Genealogy Trails.

• Estates of Revolutionary Soldiers Buried In Peoria County from the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, courtesy InternetArchive.org

Abstracts

• 1825–1887 Richards, David E. and Sharon M. Soltys. Index to Peoria County probate case files, 1825-1887. Macomb, Illinois: Ill. Regional Archives Depository System, 1989. Many libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.352 P22r

• 1825–1922 Kramer, H. Dorothy and Peoria County Genealogical Society Estate index of Peoria County IL: 1825 thru 1922. Peoria, Illinois: Peoria County Genealogical Society, 2003. Many libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.352 P22p

Copies of original records

• 1825–1887 Probate case files IRAD–WIU FHL first film 1863622 Item 3(first of 10 films) Note Index book above.

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Peoria County probates may be found in the Illinois, Peoria – Probate topic page of the Family History Library catalog (FHLC). 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.

Schools

Peoria, IL Kingman High School Alumin Records: 1906-1929

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

Family History Centers

Peoria Illinois Family History Center
3700 W Reservoir Blvd
Peoria, IL  61615
309-682-4073

To learn more about the genealogical resources available at Family History Centers, see Introduction to LDS Family History Centers.  For center hours and holiday closure information, see Peoria Illinois Family History Center.

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. Western Illinois University houses the records for Peoria County.

Public Libraries

Alpha Park Public Library District
3527 South Airport Road
Bartonville, IL 61607
Tel: 309-697-3822
Email: alpha@alphapark.org  

Brimfield Public Library District
111 S. Galena Street
Brimfield, IL 61517
Tel: 309-446-9575
Fax: 309-446-9357
Email: psmith@brimfieldlibrary.org  

Chillicothe Public Library District
822 North Second Street
Chillicothe, IL 61523
Tel: 309-274-2719
Fax: 309-274-3000
Email: cpldstaff@yahoo.com
Facebook

Dunlap Public Library District
302 South First Street
Dunlap, IL 61525
Tel:309-243-5716
Fax: 309-243-5874

Lillie M. Evans Library District
207 North Walnut Po Box 349
Princeville, IL 61559
Tel: 309-385-4540
Fax: 309-385-2661
Email: lill@lmelibrary.org
Facebook

Morrison & Mary Wiley Library
206 W. Main Street
Elmwood, IL 61529
Tel: 309-742-2431
Fax: 309-742-8298
Email: elmlib@elmnet.net  

Peoria Heights Public Library
816 East Glen Avenue
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Tel: 309-682-5578
Fax: 309-682-4457
Email: phpl@peoriaheightslibrary.com
Facebook

Peoria Public Library
107 NE Monroe
Peoria, IL 61602
Tel: 309-497-2000
Facebook

School Records

• 1896–1943 School teacher's daily registers IRAD–WIU

Social Groups Online

Societies

Peoria County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 1489
Peoria, IL 61655-1489
Facebook

Peoria Historical Society
611 SW Washington Street
Peoria, IL 61602
Tel: 309-674-1921
Fax: 309-674-1882

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 Peoria 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 Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Peoria County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.

Births

Online Resources

• Birth Records courtesy Peoria County, Illinois Genealogy Trails. Including Peoria County Court House Birth Register Index (1850 - 1877 and 1884-1889) and Birth Certificates (1850's - 1873).

Marriages

Online Resources

• 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
• 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry.com ($)
• Marriages including first marriages in the County by Township; Marriage Licenses for July 23, 1936, courtesy Peoria County, Illinois Genealogy Trails.

Deaths

Online Resources

• Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
• 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
• 1850–1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($). 1850 Mortality Schedule and 1860 Mortality index also available at Genealogytrails.com
• Death Records including Death Certificates index (1877-1899); miscellaneous death listings; and deceased Peoria County Physicians, 1804-1929 courtesy Peoria County, Illinois Genealogy Trails.

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Peoria County births, marriages and deaths may be found in the Illinois, Peoria – Vital Records topic page of the Family History Library catalog (FHLC). 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.

Web Sites

• Family History Library Catalog
• Illinois Ancestors Presents Peoria County. Extensive Biographies, Cemeteries, 1830 Census, Church Information, Directories (1861, 1879, 1883-1884, 1909, 1917), Early Settlers, Obituaries, 1954 Plat Book, Lookup Volunteers, Detailed Maps, School Information, Vital Records Gleaned from Newspapers
• Peoria County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)

References

1. ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).