White County, Illinois Genealogy

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Guide to White County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

White County, Illinois
Map
Map of Illinois highlighting White County
Location in the state of Illinois, United States Genealogy
Map of the U.S. highlighting Illinois
Location of Illinois in the U.S.
Facts
Founded: December 9, 1815
County Seat Carmi
Courthouse
White County Courthouse.gif
Address White County Courthouse
301 E. Main Street
P.O. Box 339
Carmi, IL 62821
(618) 382-7211
White County Website


White County Organization[edit | edit source]

Known Beginning Dates for Major County Records[1]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1878 1816 1878 1816 1816 1818 1810
*Statewide registration for births and deaths started 1916. General compliance by 1922.

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

Historical Facts[edit | edit source]

The first white settlers came in about 1806. White County was organized within the Illinois Territory by an act of the Territorial Legislature of 7 December 1815. The land was split off from Gallatin County. The county was named after Leonard White, a prominent citizen of Gallatin County.[2]

Description[edit | edit source]

The county was named for Captain Leonard White. The county seat is Carmi and the county was organized on 1815. The County is located in the South East area of the state.[3]

Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]

For animated maps illustrating Illinois county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Illinois County Boundary Maps" (1790-1869) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Hamilton County was set off from White County in 1821.[4]

Townships and Election Precincts[edit | edit source]

The County Court (county commissioners, county government) met for the first time on 12 February 1816. They divided the county into three townships:

  • Prairie, beginning at the mouth of the Little Wabash River, up that river to the line between Townships 4 and 5 South, and along that line to the (Big) Wabash River.
  • Fox River, the part of the county north of the line dividing Townships 4 and 5 South and east of the Little Wabash River.
  • West, the part of the county west of the Little Wabash River.[5]

In December 1819, the County Court divided the county into two townships, East and West, separated by the line between Ranges 7 and 8 East.[6]

In 1830 there were four townships: Burnt Prairie, Mantua, Fox River, and Prairie. [7]

Prior to 1871, the county had eight election precincts:

  • Indian Creek, comprising Township 6 South (T6S) Range 8 East (R8E) and the north half of T7S R8E.
  • Enfield, comprising the territory north of Indian Creek, south of the Skillet Fork, and west of Seven-Mile Creek.
  • Burnt Prairie, all the territory between the Skillet Fork and the Little Wabash River.
  • Carmi, east of Enfield, south of Skillet Fork on the west side of the Little Wabash River, and on the east side of the river south of Townships 27, 28, and 29 of T4S R10E, and extending south to Lick Creek, west of the river, and east of the river to the south line of Sections 27 and 30 of T5S R10E.
  • Grayville, east of Burnt Prairie, and south to the south line of Sections 9 and 12 of T4S R10E, the line extending eastward to the (Big) Wabash River.
  • Fox River, east of Carmi and south of Grayville to the south line of Sections 35 and 36 of T5S R14W.
  • Prairie, all south of Carmi and Fox River, and between the Little Wabash and (Big) Wabash Rivers.
  • Herald's Prairie, bounded on the north by Lick Creek, on the east by the Little Wabash River, on the south by the county line, and on the west by Indian Creek. [8]

Township government was approved by popular vote in the fall of 1871, and the following ten townships were organized. These townships have not changed down to the present.

  • Indian Creek, same as the voting precinct.
  • Enfield, T5S R8E.
  • Burnt Prairie, T4S R9E and the south half of T3S R9E.
  • Carmi, T5S R9E.
  • Gray, T3S R14W and the south halves of T3S R10E and T3S R11E.
  • Herald's Prairie, T6S R9E and the north half of T7S R9E.
  • Mill Shoals, T4S R8E and the south half of T3S R8E.
  • Phillips, T4S R10E and T4S R11E, and T4S R14W.
  • Hawthorne, T5S R10E and T5S R11E, and T5S R14W.
  • Emma, T6S R10E and T6S R11E, the north half of T7S R10E and T7S R11E, and a small part of T8S R10E and T8S R11E.[9]

Populated Places[edit | edit source]

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:[10]

Cities
Villages
Unincorporated communities
Townships

Record Loss[edit | edit source]

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Records and Resources[edit | edit source]

Biography[edit | edit source]

Cemeteries[edit | edit source]

Cemeteries of White, Illinois online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online
TombstoneTranscriptions in Print (Often more complete)
List of Cemeteries in the County
See Illinois Cemeteries for more information

Census[edit | edit source]

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1820 4,828 —
1830 6,091 26.2%
1840 7,919 30.0%
1850 8,925 12.7%
1860 12,403 39.0%
1870 16,846 35.8%
1880 23,087 37.0%
1890 25,005 8.3%
1900 25,386 1.5%
1910 23,052 −9.2%
1920 20,081 −12.9%
1930 18,149 −9.6%
1940 20,027 10.3%
1950 20,935 4.5%
1960 19,373 −7.5%
1970 17,312 −10.6%
1980 17,864 3.2%
1990 16,522 −7.5%
2000 15,371 −7.0%
2010 14,665 −4.6%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

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

1840 Pensioners[edit | edit source]

  • 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, White County on page 188.]

Church Records[edit | edit source]

List of Churches and Church Parishes

Information about early White County, Illinois churches may be found in the township histories section of a local history published in 1883, see: FHL Book 977.396 H2h 1972.


  • Gifford, Linda Darlene Brown. Antioch Church Records, Mill Shoals, Il., White Co., Il.: ca. 1867-1935. Fairfield, Ill.: Bland Books, 1984. FHL Book 977.396/M1 K2g.
  • Hopewell Congregation. Church Records, 1819-1868. MSS. Copy: FHL Film 977647 Item 7. WorldCat (Other Libraries). Contains bapts., 1819-1868 -- births, 1819-1851 -- marrs., 1819-1957 -- communicants; deaths, 1821-1867 -- and session minutes.

Baptist
[edit | edit source]

Catholic[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch has made parish records from four Belleville Diocese Catholic churches in White County available online. The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths:


  • The History of St. Patrick's Parish, Enfield, Illinois 1839-1989 is available online.

Christian
[edit | edit source]

Evangelical
[edit | edit source]

Methodist
[edit | edit source]

  • Big Prairie Methodist Church (Hawthorne Twp., Ill.). Church Records, 1881-1944. MSS. Copy: FHL Film 977648 Items 3-5.
  • Concord United Methodist Church (Emma, Ill.). Concord United Methodist Church: Homecoming and Worship Celebration. 2000. WorldCat (Other Libraries)
  • First United Methodist Church (Carmi, Ill.). Church Records, 1898-1932. MSS. Copy: FHL
  • Frazier, William and C. William Fechtig. Maunie United Methodist Church: Homecoming and Worship Celebration, 100 Years Plus, October 29, 2000. 2000?. WorldCat (Other Libraries)

Presbyterian[edit | edit source]

  • Burnt Prairie Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Church Records, 1869-1945. MSS. Copy: FHL Film 2030582 Items 2-4.
  • Delap, Sam L. and Harve E. Delap. History of Mount Oval Cumberland Presbyterian Church 1869-1969. 1969. Free digital copy at Issuu. Includes transcript of 100s of burials at the church's cemetery.
  • First Presbyterian Church (Enfield, Ill.). Church Records, 1868-1896. MSS. Copy: FHL Film 912119 Item 3.
  • Land, Margaret D. et al. Presbyterianism in White County. Typescript. Copy: FHL Film 977647 Item 11.
  • Mt. Olive Cumberland Presbyterian Church historical statistics and information are available online.
  • Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Burnt Prairie, Ill.). Church Records, 1823-1830. MSS. Copy: FHL Film 2031046 Item 13.

Quaker[edit | edit source]

  • Records: White Lick, Union Grove/Lamong, Chicago, Fairview and Beech Grove/Valley Mills Monthly Meetings. WorldCat (Other Libraries)

Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
[edit | edit source]

  • Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Springerton Branch. Church Records, 1873-1918. MSS. Copy: FHL Film 1976398 Item 11.


Court Records[edit | edit source]

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 Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for White County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.

  • 1816–1834; 1848–1855 Vaught, Harriet B. Circuit Court index book A, B, 1816-1834; index book E, 1848-1855. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970. FHL film 823710 Item 4
  • 1860–1888 Vaught, Harriet B. Index to White County court papers, White County, Illinois, 1860-1888. Carni, Illinois : H.B. Vaught, [198-?]. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.396 P22i v. 1–2
  • 1842–1859 Vaught, Harriet B. White County, Illinois, records, 1842-1859. Salt Lake City, Utah : Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1976. FHL film 928262 Item 4

Ethnic Research[edit | edit source]

African American[edit | edit source]

The following have information concerning African American research.

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

  • Rudolph, C.F. (Mrs.) Illinois White County Genealogical Records: Jacob Christopher Rudolph -- Stokes and Allied Families 1201-1946. n.p.: Illinois D.A.R., 1946. Digital version at Ancestry ($). Another digital version at Ancestry ($).

History[edit | edit source]

A variety of early White County genealogical records are transcribed in:

  • McLean County, White County, Will County Genealogical Records. Evanston, Ill.?: Illinois Society, D.A.R.?, 1945?. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

Land and Property[edit | edit source]

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 Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for White County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.

General

Abstracts

Copies of Original Records

Online Resources

Maps[edit | edit source]

Wayne CountyEdwards CountyWabash CountyHamilton CountySaline CountyGallatin CountyPosey CountyGibson CountyIL WHITE.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources


Military[edit | edit source]

Civil War[edit | edit source]

Civil War service men from White 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 White County.

- 7th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies E and G.
- 14th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company H.
- 26th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- 29th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, D, and G
- 40th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
- 56th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B and F.
- 62nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- 87th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, C, F, G, I and K.
- 98th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
- 120th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.

Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]

Online Records

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

Obituaries[edit | edit source]

Probate Records[edit | edit source]

Online Probate Indexes and 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 Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for White County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.

Abstracts

Copies of Original Records

Repositories[edit | edit source]

County Courthouse[edit | edit source]

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

Family History Center[edit | edit source]

Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries

  • Family History 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 family history center.

Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries

Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)[edit | edit source]

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 White County.

Public Libraries[edit | edit source]

White County Historical Society
Mary Smith Fay Genealogy Library
P.O. Box 121, 203 N. Church St.
Carmi, IL 62821-0121
phone:618-382-8425
email: w.c.h.s-genealogy@hotmail.com
Open Tue-Fri 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Read information published about the society's holdings in The Carmi Times.; also The Carmi Times. Online Catalog

Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois has a page with details about its' activities.

Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]

Societies[edit | edit source]

Taxation[edit | edit source]

Vital Records[edit | edit source]

See Illinois Vital Records for more information about Vital records in Illinois. See also How to order Illinois Vital Records or order electronically online.

Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Original birth and death certificates recorded until the year 1916 are kept by the White 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.

Illinois Regional Archives Depository - Southern Illinois University  (IRAD-SIU)

General[edit | edit source]

Births[edit | edit source]

Copies of Birth Records

Marriages[edit | edit source]

Abstracts of Marriage Records

  • 1816–1840 Bender, Lucy. Early settlers' records of White County, Illinois, marriages licences, 1816-1840. [S.l.] : Bender, 1936. FHL book 977.396 V25b
  • 1816–1844 Daughters of the American Revolution. Hopewell Congregation Church records, White County marriage records, 1816-1844. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970. FHL book 848656 Item 1
  • 1816–1821 Harrelson, Ralph S. Marriages, information taken from original marriage documents & old marriage record books relative to marriages celebrated in Hamilton County, Illinois, 1821-1870: also a record of marriages celebrated in White County, Illinois, 1816 through 1821. Carterville, Illinois: Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois, c1986. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.39 V28h

Copies of Marriage Records

Online Resources

Deaths[edit | edit source]

Abstracts of Death Records

  • 1877-1902 Knotter, Janice Melton. White County Illinois death register: book 1– December 1877–September 1902: with lists of doctors and undertakers and explanation in medical terms. Carmi, Illinois: Genealogy Society of White County (IL), c2008. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.396 V2k

Copies Death Records

  • 1878-1912 Index to deaths FHL films 977065
  • 1878-1915 Death register FHL films 977065
  • 1877-1915 Death record; IRAD_SIU
  • 1877-1912 Death record index; IRAD_SIU
  • 1877-1916 Death record, stillbirths; IRAD_SIU

Online Resources

Websites[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), White County, Illinois. Page 192-199 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL 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.
  2. ↑ History of White County Illinois (1883; reprint, Carmi, Illinois: White County Historical Society, 1972), 221, 297.
  3. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "White County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_County,_Illinois 04/21/2017.
  4. ↑ Ibid., 297.
  5. ↑ Ibid., 300, 301.
  6. ↑ Ibid., 297.
  7. ↑ Ibid., 307.
  8. ↑ Ibid., 298, 299.
  9. ↑ Ibid., 299.
  10. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "White County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_County,_Illinois, accessed 10 March 2020.
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