DeWitt County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to DeWitt County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| DeWitt County, Illinois | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Illinois | |
 Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded: | March 1, 1839 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Clinton |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | DeWitt County Building 201 W. Washington Street Clinton, Illinois 61727 (217) 935-7780 DeWitt County Website |
Contents
- 1 County Organization
- 2 Historical Facts
- 3 Boundary Changes
- 4 Record Loss
- 5 Records and Resources
- 5.1 Biography
- 5.2 Cemeteries
- 5.3 Census
- 5.4 Church Records
- 5.5 Court Records
- 5.6 Directories
- 5.7 Ethnic Research
- 5.8 Genealogy
- 5.9 History
- 5.10 Land and Property
- 5.11 Maps
- 5.12 Military History and Records
- 5.13 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 5.14 Newspapers
- 5.15 Obituaries
- 5.16 Probate Records
- 5.17 Repositories
- 5.18 Social Groups Online
- 5.19 Societies
- 5.20 Taxation
- 5.21 Vital Records
- 6 Websites
- 7 References
County Organization
DeWitt County's civil records start the following years:
| | |||||
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Census | Land | Probate |
| 1877 | 1839 | 1877 | 1840 | 1839 | 1839 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for DeWitt County are kept, see the DeWitt County Courthouse page
Historical Facts
DeWitt County, like Clinton County, is named for DeWitt Clinton who was the Governor of New York and chief promoter of the Erie Canal.
Description
The county was named for the seventh Governor of New York State, DeWitt Clinton. The county seat is Clinton and the county was organized on 1839. The County is located in the Central part of the state.[1]
Boundary Changes
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.
Record Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Records and Resources
Biography
History of DeWitt County, Illinois. Pioneer Publishing Company, 1910 FHL film 825564-825565 another filming 934982 items 2-3
History of DeWitt County, Illinois. 1882. FHL film 934981 item 2 also a FHL Book 977.3585 H2b
Portrait and Biographical Album of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois. 1891. FHl film 934981 item 3 also a FHL Book 977.3 D3de
Cemeteries
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Census
For information and tips on accessing census records online, see Illinois Census.
Federal
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 18,972 | ||
| 1910 | 18,906 | −0.3% | |
| 1920 | 19,252 | 1.8% | |
| 1930 | 18,598 | −3.4% | |
| 1940 | 18,244 | −1.9% | |
| 1950 | 16,894 | −7.4% | |
| 1960 | 17,253 | 2.1% | |
| 1970 | 16,975 | −1.6% | |
| 1980 | 18,108 | 6.7% | |
| 1990 | 16,516 | −8.8% | |
| 2000 | 16,798 | 1.7% | |
| IL Counties 1900-1990 | |||
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, DeWitt County on page 186.]
State
Church Records
Church Records, 1834-1877 : in collection of Genevieve M. Dolle. Joseph A. Roof FHL Collection
- 1873-1885 - Texas Christian Church, Texas Township, Baptism Index 1873-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C731021.[3]
- 1873-1895 - Texas Christian Church, Texas Township, Marriage Index 1873-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch M731021.
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.
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
Periodicals
History
- Portrait and Biographical Album of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois. Chicago: Chapman Brothers Publishing Company, 1891. FHL film 934981 Item 3
For DeWitt County portion only DeWitt Co. ILGenWeb
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.
Copies of original records are available:
- 1839-1875 Deed Records IRAD- ISU
Available through the Family History Library and Family History Centers
1868-1913 Deed Records. DeWitt County Recorder FHL film 1302589-1302592
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 ($)
- Illinois Public Land Purchase Records This record extract includes over 538,000 land sales from the 19th Century. Each entry includes the purchaser's name, purchase date, number of acres, price per acre, and in some cases the purchaser's sex and residence. Available at www.ancestry.com ($)
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
- DeWitt County Federal Township Plats
Maps
for more resources
Military History and Records
For information about using Military records see Illinois Military Records
Revolutionary War
Veterans Burials (source: Genealogy Trails Histroy Group)
Civil War
Civil War service men from DeWitt 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 Dewitt County.
- Artillery
- - 1st Regiment, Illinois Artillery, New Battery K
- Cavalry
- - 2nd Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company A
- - 4th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company L
- Infantry
- - 20th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E
- - 26th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K
- - 39th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D and Company I.
- - 41st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C, Company F, and Company K.
- - 46th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H
- - 68th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E
- - 107th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A, Company B, Company D, Company F, and Company I
- - 140th Regiment, Illinois, Infantry, Company H
- - 145th Regiment, Illinois, Infantry, Company G
- 1865-1939 Military Discharge Record, Civil War. IRAD-ISU
1883 List of Pensioners (Source: Internet Archives)
World War I
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918DeWitt County (Source: Ancestry)
World War II
Casualties World War II - DeWitt County, Illinois (Source: Access Genealogy)
Naturalization and Citizenship
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 Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Illinois State University (ISU) - search for DeWitt County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the ISU IRAD Wiki page.
- 1866-1903 Naturalization Records, County Court. IRAD-ISU
Available throught the Family History Library
- 1863-1898 Naturalization Records. DeWitt County Clerk FHL films 1312957 items 3-4 and 1312958 itme 1
Newspapers
DeWitt County (Source: Newspaper Abstracts)
Newspapers Published in De Witt County (Source: Illinois Newspaper Project)
Cataloged Titles (Source: Illinois Newspaper Project)
Chronicling America DeWitt County (Source: The Library of Congress)
Obituaries
Illinois Obituary Project (Source: USGenWeb Illinois Archives)
Probate Records
Online Probate records
- 1772 - 1999 Illinois Wills and Probate Records 1772-1999 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
- 1819 - 1988 Illinois Probate Records 1819-1988 at FamilySearch.org — images
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 Illinois State University (ISU) - search for DeWitt County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the ISU IRAD Wiki page.
- 1873-1894 Probate Administrator's Accounts IRAD-ISU
Available through the Family History Librar and Centers
1839-1950 Probate Listing DeWitt County, by George Wylder. FHL Book 977.3585 P22w
1850-1898 Wills and Letters. DeWitt County Clerk. FHL film 1301502 itmes 2-3
1862-1923 Records of Wills. DeWitt County Probate Court. FHL film 1295501 and 1301502
1866-1900 Adminstrative Records. DeWitt County Probate Court. FHL film 1301503 and 1301504
Repositories
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. Illinois State University houses the records for DeWitt County.
- County Courthouse
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for DeWitt County are kept, see the DeWitt County Courthouse page.
Family History Centers
Family history centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes. See family history center for more information. Search the online FHC directory for a nearby family history center.
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. Currently there are no Family History Centers located directly in DeWitt County.
You may search your address for a center near you on the FamilySearch site. The following centers are located in surrounding counties. Their wiki pages may supply hours and other information.
- Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)
Illinois State Universtiy
2016 Warehouse Road Campus
Box 1520
Normal, Illinois 61802
Phone: 1-309-452-6027
Illinois Regional Archives Depository System - Local Governmental Records Listings Arranged by County
- Public Libraries
This library has extensive DeWitt County only extractions of many census. They have marriage index. They publish a quarterly Journal with extracts about people from old newspapers that include births, marriages and funerals. The also include little family notices about who was visiting who and who was at weddings and other family news items.
Social Groups Online
Societies
DeWitt County Genealogical Society
PO Box 632
Clinton, Illinois 61717-0632
E-mail:dewittcgs@yahoo.com
Taxation
- 1845-1851 Taxable Land Lists. IRAD-ISU
- 1888-1897 Road Tax Lists, Delinquent IRAD-ISU
- 1894-1911 Road Tax List. IRAD-ISU
Vital Records
See Illinois Vital Records for more information about Vital records in Illinois. See also How to order Illinois Vital Records or order electronically online.
DeWitt County Clerk
P.O. Box 439 Clinton,IL 61727-0439
1-217- 935-2119
Births
- 1877-1905 Birth Records. IRAD-ISU
- 1880-1930 Birth Certificates, Delayed. IRAD-ISU
- 1924-1958 Cirth Certificates. IRAD-ISU
- 1860-1950 Birth Records Index, Delayed. IRAD-ISU
- 1877-1959 Birth Records Index. IRAD-ISU
Online
- 1877-1885 - DeWitt County Birth Index 1877-1885 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batch C731011.[4]
Available through the Family History Library
1877-1906 Birth Records and Index 1871-1930 FHL Collection
Marriages
- 1839-1955 Marriage Record. IRAD-ISU
- 1876-1935 Marriage License Applications. IRAD-ISU
- 1839-1949 Marriage Record Index. IRAD-ISU
Online
- 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810–1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
- 1839-1928 - DeWitt County Marriage Index 1839-1928 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free. Batches M533791, M533792, M533793, and M732122.<ref>
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
Available through the Family History Library
- 1839-1928 Marriage Records and Index 1839-1901. FHL films 1295503, 1312955-1312957
Deaths
- 1878-1917 DeWitt County Death Index 1878-1917 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.<ref>
- 1878-1917 Death Records. IRAD-ISU Also available through the Family History LibraryFHL film 1292957 item 2
- 1886-1957 Death Certificates. IRAD-ISU
- 1878-1962 Death Record Index. IRAD-ISU Also available through the Family History Library FHL film 1293528 itme 2
- 1924-1977 DeWitt County Coroner's Inquest Files Index IRAD-ISU
Online Resources
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
Websites
- DeWitt County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- DeWitt County IL Genealogy
- Illinois Genealogy Network Community on Google+
- Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- DeWitt County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
'Databases Pertinent to DeWitt County '
Local Governmental Records Database
Name Index to Illinois Local Governments
Illinois Statewide Marriage Index
Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916–1950
Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
Federal Township Plats of Illinois
DeWitt County Coroner's Inquest Files Index (1924–1977)
References
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "DeWitt County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeWitt_County,_Illinois accessed 04/012/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.; Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002 WorldCat 50140092, FHL Book 973 D27e 2002
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/9/9c/Igiillinoisd.pdf.
- ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/9/9c/Igiillinoisd.pdf.
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