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United States
Illinois
Hancock County
| Hancock County, Illinois | |
| Map | |
| |
![]() Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded: | January 13, 1825 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Carthage |
| Courthouse | |
| Address | Hancock County Courthouse 500 Main Street Carthage, Illinois 62321 217-357-3911 Hancock County Website |
County Organization
Hancock County's civil records start the following years:
| Beginning Dates for Hancock County Records | |||||
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Census | Land | Probate |
| 1844 |
1829 |
1877 |
1830 |
1817 |
1830 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Hancock County are kept, see the Hancock County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts
Hancock County is named for John Hancock who was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Parent County
- 1825--Hancock County was created 13 January 1825 from Pike County and unorganized territory.
- County seat: Carthage [1]
Boundary Changes
See an interactive map of Hancock County boundary changes.
Record Loss
- Lost census: 1890
Places / Localities
Populated Places
Neighboring Counties
Records and Resources
Biography
- The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Hancock County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Hancock 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
- The Family History Library Catalog lists some records of cemeteries in Hancock County. Some of the books or others may be on Google Books or available at public libraries.
- 1831–1874 Cemetery Record IRAD–WIU
Online Gravestone Transcriptions
- Hancock County ILGenWeb. See the Cemeteries link for tombstone transcriptions for several Hancock County cemeteries.
- Find A Grave.com has burial information for over 150 Hancock County cemeteries.
- GenealogyTrails.com. Provides listing of Cemeteries of Hancock County, Illinois by township.
- Illinois Ancestors Tombstone Project. Find or submit Hancock County tombstone photos.
- Illinois Tombstone Transcription Project. Get accesss to online cemetery transcriptions for several Hancock County Cemeteries.
- Linkpendium. Has links to several Hancock County Cemetery related websites.
Individual Cemeteries
- Smith Family Cemetery, Nauvoo BillionGraves. Six burials, four headstones.
- Pioneer Saints Cemetery, Nauvoo BillionGraves
Cemetery Gazetters
- Epodunk has a list of Hancock 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 Hancock County Cemeteries.
Census
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 32,215 | ||
| 1910 | 30,638 | −4.9% | |
| 1920 | 28,523 | −6.9% | |
| 1930 | 26,420 | −7.4% | |
| 1940 | 26,297 | −0.5% | |
| 1950 | 25,790 | −1.9% | |
| 1960 | 24,574 | −4.7% | |
| 1970 | 23,645 | −3.8% | |
| 1980 | 23,877 | 1.0% | |
| 1990 | 21,373 | −10.5% | |
| 2000 | 20,121 | −5.9% | |
| IL Counties 1900-1990 | |||
- 1880 Census record IRAD–WIU
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, Hancock County on page 187.]
Church Records
Church records may give birth, death and marriage information as well as indicate family relationships. See Illinois state wiki article Church Records for more ideas about how to use church records in your research. Many libraries( WorldCat) and the Family History Library hold abstracts of church records for Hancock County. Learn more about how to search WorldCat and the Family History Library Catalog.
- Gregg, Thomas. History of Hancock County, Illinois. C.C. Chapman, Chicago: 1880. Township histories begin on page 510. Local church histories found in the respective townships. Free online digial copy. Internet Archive. FHL Film 1618155; Fiche 6046998; Book 977.343 H2g. Separate index.
- 1837–1936 Wittrup, Glenn E. A history of Methodism in & near La Harpe, Illinois, ca. 1837-1936. FHL book 977.343 K2w
- 1845–1846 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints FHL film 1917 Item 7
- 1852–1885 Pearl Creek Missionary Baptist Church records FHL film 955967 Item 7
- 1854–1898 Methodist Episcopal Church–La Prarie Circuit FHL 965273 Items 2-6
- 1876–1906 Methodist Episcopal Church–Lorraine Circuit FHL film 960877 Item 9
- Crooked Creek
- Macedonia
- Nauvoo 5
- Ramus
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 Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Hancock County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.
- 1827–1864 Circuit Clerk's Miscellaneous Files IRAD–WIU
- 1829–1838 Commissioners record (has some marriage licenses)FHL film 955146 Item 2
- 1829–1897 Circuit court records FHL first film 947495 (first of 9 films)
- 1829–1858 Circuit Court Case FilesIRAD–WIU
- 1829–1922 Circuit Court Record IRAD–WIU
- 1830–1860 Civil and criminal files FHL first film 1517128 Item 2 (first of 113 films)
- 1830–1865 Index to court papers, vol. A FHL film 955126 Items 1-2
- 1830–1964 Circuit Court Index IRAD–WIU
- 1831–1840 Court proceedings FHL film 955147 Item 3
- 1831–1857 Court records FHL film 955126 Items 1-2
- 1833–1972 Guardianship records index FHL film 947482
- 1838–1840, 1843–1847 Court records FHL film 955147 Items 1-2
- 1838–1924 Circuit Court Record, ChanceryIRAD–WIU FHL first film 955132 (first of 20 films)
- 1839–1923 Probate FHL first film 954481 (first of 26 films)
- 1841–1956 Certificates of levy and redemption FHL film 1516716 Items 2-5
- 1846–1922 County Court Case Files IRAD–WIU
- 1849–1855 County Court Dockets IRAD–WIU FHL film 955147 Item 4
- 1849–1858 Court orders FHL film 955146 Item 3
- 1849–1938 Guardianship records FHL first film 947488 (first of 5 films)
- 1849–1964 Probate index FHL first film 954465 (first of 2 films)
- 1849–1964 Plaintiff and defendant index FHL film 955129
- 1850–1963 Probate court records FHL film 955129 (first of 55 films)
- 1853–1924 Certificates of purchase FHL film 1516714 Item 2 (first of 2 films)
- 1854–1858 Justice of the Peace Dockets IRAD–WIU
- 1856–1965 Chancery court records indexesFHL first film 955126 Item 3 (first of 4 films)
- 1857–1963 Circuit court records indexes FHL films 955130–1
- 1859–1878 Circuit Court Default Judgment RecordIRAD–WIU FHL film 1516717 Item 1–2
- 1859–1925 Administrators and executors records FHL first film 1516978 Items 2-3 (first of 8 films)
- 1861–1881 Circuit Court Master's Certificate of PurchaseIRAD–WIU
- 1862–1923 Justice's Transcript RecordIRAD–WIU
- 1862–1925 Record of justice transcriptsFHL first film 1516715 Item 2 (first of 2 films)
- 1865–1928 Executor's records FHL first film 1517124 Item 3 (first of 4 films)
- 1879–1925 Widow's relinquishment and selection FHL film 1516727 Items 3-5
- 1879–1908 Conservator's record and law FHL film 1516726 Item 3 (first of 2 films)
- 1883–1904 Adoption Record IRAD–WIU FHL film 955144 Item 2
- 1886–1920 Letters of administration with will annexed FHL film 1517124 Item 2
- 1892–1916 Inventory, appraisament [sic] and sales bills, FHL film 1517127 Items 2-3
- 1894–1914 Circuit court records FHL first film 1516713 Item 1 (first of 2 films)
- 1911–1922 Will records FHL first film 1516945 Items 3-4 (first of 2 films)
- 1963–1972 Judgement index FHL 955125
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
Biographical review of Hancock County, Illinois : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past (1907) (Archive.org). Also available from Google Books.
Gregg, Thomas. History of Hancock County, Illinois: Together with an Outline History of the State, and a Digest of State Laws. Chicago: C.C. Chapman & Co., 1880. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive.
Land and Property
Original land records are held in the office of the County Clerk . See Illinois Land and Property for more information about using land records.
The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online sources, the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Hancock County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.
- 1817–1901 Deed index IRAD–WIU FHL film 954183 (first of 7 films)
- 1817–1934 Deed Record IRAD–WIU
- 1817–1838 Entry Books IRAD–WIU
- 1817–1856 Land book FHL film 954296 Item 1
- 1817–1917 Deed records FHL film 954190 (first of 76 films)
- 1829–1973 Marks and brands record IRAD–WIU FHL film 954296 Item 5
- 1834–1921 Levy and redemption records, old certificates and vol. 1-3 FHL first film 1434976 Items 3-4 (first of 66 films)
- 1834–1938 Plat Record IRAD–WIU FHL film 95954774
- 1836–1837 Land entry book FHL film 954182 Item 4
- 1836–1856 School Land Sale Record IRAD–WIU FHL film 954182 Item 1
- 1836–1884 Surveyor's Record IRAD–WIU FHL film 954775
- 1837–1856 Loan book FHL film 954182 Item 3
- 1840–1904 Bonds and mortgages FHL first film 954776 (first of 33 films
- 1841–1956 Master's and Sheriff's Levy and Redemption Certificates IRAD–WIU
- 1853–1897 Certificates of purchase FHL film 955143 (first of 2 films)
- 1853–1924 Master's and Sheriff's Certificates of Purchase IRAD–WIU FHL film 1516714 Item 2 (first of 2 films)
- 1874–1893 Plat Record, Roads IRAD–WIU FHL film 954296 Item 3
- 1882–1924 Mortgage Record IRAD–WIU
Online Resources
- Beginning 1820 Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
- 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Illinois Public Land Purchase Records This record extract includes over 538,000 land sales from the 19th Century. Each entry includes the purchaser's name, purchase date, number of acres, price per acre, and in some cases the purchaser's sex and residence. Available at www.ancestry.com ($)
- Hancock County Federal Township Plats
Additional Resources
Additional resources for Hancock 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.
Maps
Migration
Early migration routes to and from Hancock County for European settlers included:
- Mississippi River
- Mormon Trail 1846 from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah[2]
Military Records
Multiple Wars
- 1865–1965 Military Discharge Record IRAD–WIU
- 1943–1965 Military Discharge Record IndexIRAD–WIU
Civil War
Civil War service men from Hancock 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 Hancock County.
- - 2nd Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies G and L.
- - 12th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company G.
- - 16th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and I.
- - 25th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D
- - 32nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
- - 50th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E, F and G.
- - 57th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and H.
- - 78th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and H.
- - 88th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
- - 118th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, B, C, E, G, H, and I.
- - 119th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- - 137th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company A.
- - 146th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
Naturalization
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 Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Hancock County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.
- 1851–1928 Naturalization Declarations of IntentIRAD–WIU
- 1852–1868 Naturalization Record, FinalIRAD–WIU
- 1865–1880 Naturalization Record of Soldiers and MinorsIRAD–WIU
- 1876–1906 Naturalization Record, final IRAD–WIU
- 1878–1906 Naturalization Record IRAD–WIU
- 1928–1930 Naturalization Petition RecordIRAD–WIU
Newspapers and Obituaries
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 Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Hancock County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Resources
- 1827–1942 Probate journals and records, wills, administratiors' records, executors' records, guardianship records, and widows relinquishment records for Hancock County probate records are also available in Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970. Click on the browse through images link, select Hancock County, and select the record type you are interested in.
Copies and Abstracts
- 1830–1923 Probate Record IRAD–WIU
- 1830–1942 Probate Record Index IRAD–WIU
- 1830–1915 Probate Inventory, Appraisement and Sale Record IRAD–WIU
- 1831–1923 Probate Case Files IRAD–WIU
- 1833–1923 Probate Will Record IRAD–WIU
- 1835–1954 Probate Case Files, Guardians IRAD–WIU
- 1839–1949 Probate Claim and Judgment DocketsIRAD–WIU
- 1850–1963 Probate Sale Petitions Index, Real Estate IRAD–WIU
- 1859–1924 Probate Administrator's RecordIRAD–WIU
- 1864–1928 Probate Executor's Record IRAD–WIU
- 1879–1908 Probate Conservator's Record IRAD–WIU
- 1879–1937 Probate Inventory Record, Guardians IRAD–WIU
- 1879–1925 Probate Widow's Relinquishment and Selection RecordIRAD–WIU
- 1885–1920 Probate Administrator's Record with Will AnnexedIRAD–WIU
- 1887–1922 Probate Administrator's and Executor's Reports IRAD–WIU
- 1889–1938 Probate Guardian's Record IRAD–WIU
- 1833–1972 Guardianship records index FHL film 947482
- 1849–1938 Guardianship records FHL first film 947488 (first of 5 films)
- 1849–1964 Probate index FHL first film 954465 (first of 2 films)
- 1839–1923 Probate FHL first film 954481 (first of 26 films)
- 1879–1925 Widow's relinquishment and selection FHL film 1516727 Items 3-5
- 1911–1922 Will records FHL first film 1516945 Items 3-4 (first of 2 films)
- 1886–1920 Letters of administration with will annexed FHL film 1517124 Item 2
- 1865–1928 Executor's records FHL first film 1517124 Item 3 (first of 4 films)
- 1850–1963 Probate court records FHL film 955129 (first of 55 films)
- 1879–1908 Conservator's record and law FHL film 1516726 Item 3 (first of 2 films)
- 1859–1925 Administrators and executors records FHL first film 1516978 Items 2-3 (first of 8 films)
- 1892–1916 Inventory, appraisament [sic] and sales bills, FHL film 1517127 Items 2-3
Additional Resources
Additional resources for Hancock County probates may be found in the Illinois, Hancock – 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.
Repositories
Nauvoo Land and Records Office
Cor. Parley and Partridge streets
Nauvoo, IL 62354
Tel: 217-453-2733
Fax: 217-453-2757
Email: nauvoolr@ldschurch.org
Primitive Baptist Library
416 Main Street
Carthage, IL 62321-1337
Email: bwebb9@juno.com
Facebook
County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Hancock County are kept, see the Hancock County Courthouse page.
Family History Centers
Nauvoo Illinois Family History Center
385 N Wells Street, North Entrance
Nauvoo, IL 62354
217-453-6347
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 Nauvoo 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 Hancock County.
Public Libraries
Carthage Public Library District
538 Wabash Ave.
Carthage, IL 62321
Tel: 217-357-3232
Fax: 217-357-2392
Email: cartlib@adams.net
Greater West Central Public Library District
202 Center St
Augusta, IL 62311
Tel: 217-392-2211
Hamilton Public Library
861 Broadway St
Hamilton, IL 62341
Tel: 217-847-2219
Fax: 217-847-3014
Email: hamlib@adams.net
La Harpe Carnegie Public Library District
209 East Main Street
La Harpe, IL 61450
Tel: 217-659-7729
Fax: 217-659-7735
Email lahalib@yahoo.com
Nauvoo Public Library
1270 Mulholland
Nauvoo, IL 62354
Tel: 217-453-2707
Email: nauvoopl@mchsi.com
Warsaw Public Library
1025 Webster Street
Warsaw, IL 62379
Tel: 217-256-3417
Fax: 217-256-3154
Email: info@warsawlib.org
School Records
- 1879–1953 School teachers' daily registers IRAD–WIU
Social Groups Online
Societies
Hancock County Historical Society
306 Walnut Street
Carthage, IL 62321-0068
Tel: 217-357-0043
Email: info@hancockcountyhistory.com
The Hancock County Historical Society is located in the Kibbe Museum.
LaHarpe Historical & Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 289
LaHarpe, IL 61450
Tel: 217-659-3635
Nauvoo Historical Society
P.O. Box 69
Nauvoo, IL 62354
Email: historian@nauvoohistoricalsociety.org
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 Hancock 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 Hancock County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
General
- 1829–1947 Birth certificates, death records, marriage records, applications for marriage licenses FHL first film 955552 (first of 71 films)
Births
Copies of Original Birth Records
- 1844–1877 Birth Record, delayed IRAD–WIU
- 1844–1922 Birth Certificates IRAD–WIU FHL first film 955552 (first of 33 films)
- 1867–1947 Birth Record Index IRAD–WIU
- 1877–1947 Index to register of births FHL first film 955571 Item 4 (first of 2 films)
- 1877–1915 Birth register IRAD–WIU FHL first film 955571 Item 5 (first of 6 films)
- 1878–1916 Register of stillbirths FHL films 955152 Item 4
Marriages
Copies of original Marriage Records
- 1829–1849 Marriages FHL film 229486
- 1829–1915 Marriage register FHL films 954177–81
- 1829–1933 Marriage Record IRAD–WIU
- 1829–1838 Commissioners record (has some marriage licenses)FHL film 955146 Item 2
- 1830–1922 Marriage LicensesIRAD–WIU
- 1862–1940 Marriage Record Index IRAD–WIU
- 1862–1933 Index to Marriages FHL film 954176
- 1880–1925 Marriage License Applications IRAD–WIU
Online Resources
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
- 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Marriages in the Nauvoo Region, 1839-1845 available at WorldVitalRecords.com ($)
Deaths
Copies of original Death Records
- 1877–1947 Death Record Index IRAD–WIU
- 1877–1917 Death Record IRAD–WIU
- 1877–1895 Index to register of deaths FHL film 955571 Item 5
- 1877–1915 Register of deaths FHL film 955572 and 955145
- 1877–1931 Death Certificates IRAD–WIU
- 1893–1913 Coroner's Inquest Record IRAD–WIU
- 1893–1912 Coroner's record FHL film 1491985 Items 2-3
- 1878–1916 Register of stillbirths IRAD–WIU FHL films 955152 Item 4
- 1877–1947 Index to register of death FHL film 1532137 Item 4–5
- 1902–1941 Burial and Removal Permits IRAD–WIU
- 1903–1919 Death Certificates, Stillbirths IRAD–WIU
- 1910–1915 Death certificate record FHL film 955152 Item 3
Online Resources
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1850–1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)
Additional Resources
Additional resources for Hancock County births, marriages and deaths may be found in the Illinois, Hancock – Vital Records, the Illinois, Hancock – Vital Records - indexes, and the Illinois, Hancock – Vital Records - newspapers topic pages 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.
Voter Registration
Web Sites
- USGenWeb project is a great site that will has vital records, cemeteries, census, histories, newspapers, military, maps. There are links to libraries, societies, and courthouses, and mailing lists.
- Family History Library Catalog
- Early Pioneers of Nauvoo database
- Hancock County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
References
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002), 194. (FHL Collection Ref Book 973 D27e 2002). WorldCat entry.
- ↑ "The Pioneer Story: The Mormon Pioneer Trail" in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at http://lds.org/gospellibrary/pioneer/pioneerstory.htm (accessed 18 July 2011).
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