Franklin County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Franklin County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
Franklin County, Illinois | |
Map | |
![]() Location in the state of Illinois, United States Genealogy | |
![]() Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
Facts | |
Founded: | January 2, 1818 |
---|---|
County Seat | Benton |
Courthouse | |
Photo courtesy Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD), Illinois State Archives | |
Address | Franklin County Courthouse 202 West Main Street Benton, Illinois 62812 Franklin County Website |
Contents
- 1 County Organization
- 2 Historical Records
- 3 Records and Resources
- 3.1 Cemeteries
- 3.2 Census
- 3.3 Church Records
- 3.4 Court Records
- 3.5 Description and Travel
- 3.6 Directories
- 3.7 Emigration and Immigration
- 3.8 Ethnic Research
- 3.9 Genealogy
- 3.10 History
- 3.11 Land and Property
- 3.12 Maps
- 3.13 Medical Records
- 3.14 Military
- 3.15 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 3.16 Newspapers
- 3.17 Obituaries
- 3.18 Places and Localities
- 3.19 Periodicals
- 3.20 Probate Records
- 3.21 Periodicals
- 3.22 Public Records
- 3.23 Repositories
- 3.24 Schools
- 3.25 Social Groups Online
- 3.26 Societies
- 3.27 Taxation
- 3.28 Vital Records
- 4 Websites
- 5 References
County Organization[edit | edit source]
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1877 | 1836 | 1877 | 1843 | 1835 | 1843 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Franklin County are kept, see the Franklin County Courthouse page.
Historical Records[edit | edit source]
Benjamin Franklin County is named for the well known Benjamin Franklin of colonial days.
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Benjamin Franklin. The county seat is Benton and the county was organized on January 2, 1818. The County is located in the South-central part of the state.[2]
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.
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
1843 Fire burned the courthouse on 18 November and most records were lost.
For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
- Burned Counties. By Michael John Neill at 24-7 Family History Circle.
- When the Records are Gone. By Arlene Eakle at Arlene Eakle's Tennessee Blog.
- Burned Counties Research in the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
Records and Resources[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- Illinois Ancestors Tombstone Project
- Cemeteries of Franklin County from GenealogyTrails
- Confederate Soldiers of Franklin County
- Illinois Gravestones.org
Census[edit | edit source]
For information and tips on using and accessing online census records, see Illinois Census.
Historical populations | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1820 | 1,763 | ||
1830 | 4,083 | 131.6% | |
1840 | 3,682 | −9.8% | |
1850 | 5,681 | 54.3% | |
1860 | 9,393 | 65.3% | |
1870 | 12,652 | 34.7% | |
1880 | 16,129 | 27.5% | |
1890 | 17,138 | 6.3% | |
1900 | 19,675 | 14.8% | |
1910 | 25,943 | 31.9% | |
1920 | 57,293 | 120.8% | |
1930 | 59,442 | 3.8% | |
1940 | 53,137 | −10.6% | |
1950 | 48,685 | −8.4% | |
1960 | 39,281 | −19.3% | |
1970 | 38,329 | −2.4% | |
1980 | 43,201 | 12.7% | |
1990 | 40,319 | −6.7% | |
2000 | 39,018 | −3.2% |
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, Franklin County on page 186.]
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Copies of Original records
- 1854–1915 Methodist Episcopal Church records. Southern Illinois Conference. FHL film 1005556 Items 1–5
- 1857–1868 Statistics of Bethel Congregation from October 6, 1857 when D. S. Faris was ordained pastor and onward : ca. 1857-1868 FHL film 1698296 Item 7
Histories
- A chapter on early Franklin County, Illinois church history appears in an 1887 local history, available for free online, beginning on page 422.
- History of the Disciples of Christ in Illinois 1819-1914 Courtesy USGenWeb.org - Illinois.
- History of Shiloh Church and Shiloh Cemetery Associatoin, Ewing Township, Franklin County. Learn about WorldCat.
- Church histories of the Franklin Baptist Association:1841-1991 Learn about WorldCat.
- Elder Williams Chapel Missionary Baptist Church: a pictorial record. Learn about WorldCat.
- A history of North Benton Missionary Baptist Church, 1934-1990 Learn about WorldCat.
Belleville Diocese Catholic Churches
FamilySearch has made parish records from seven Belleville Diocese Catholic churches in Franklin County available online (requires free registration). The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths:
- Church Records of Sacred Heart Parish, Zeigler, Franklin County, Illinois 1921-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. Aloysius Parish, Royalton, Franklin County, Illinois 1919-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch
- Church Records of St. Andrew Parish, Christopher, Franklin County, Illinois 1940-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. John the Baptist Parish, West Frankfort, Franklin County, Illinois 1916-1957, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. Joseph Parish, Benton, Franklin County, Illinois 1916-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. Joseph Parish, Christopher, Franklin County, Illinois 1909-1940, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch. .
- Church Records of St. Mary Parish, Sesser, Franklin County, Illinois 1909-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
Court Records[edit | edit source]
See Illinois Court Records for information about how to use county court records.
Court records are held in both offices of the Circuit Court Clerk and County Clerk
Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) Collection
The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through: IRAD-Southern Illinois University (SIU) and search for Franklin County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
- Circuit Court
- 1837-1870 Circuit Court Record
- 1851-1893 Circuit Court Issue Dockets
- 1870-1924 Circuit Court Record, Chancery
- 1870-1964 Circuit Court Record, Common Law
- 1871-1946 Circuit Court Record, Criminal
- 1873-1927 Circuit Court Indictment Record
- County Court
- 1872-1964 County Court Record, Common Law
- 1872-1964 County Court Record, Criminal
- 1893-1916 Insanity Dockets
- 1893-1952 Insanity Record
- 1915-1942 Feeble-Minded Dockets
- 1923-1940 Dependent and Delinquent Children Record
- 1914-1941 Mother's Pension Records and Accounts
- 1930-1937 Mother's Pension Order Record
- 1874-1955 Jail Registers (See Sheriff's office)
- City Court
- 1915-1962 Benton City Court Record
- 1914-1952 West Frankfort City Court Records and Naturalization Records.
Family History Library Collection
The following copies of records may be accessed through the Family History Library
- 1836-1900 Early court records Other libraries (WorldCat). FHL book 977.394 P2p.
Description and Travel[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic Research[edit | edit source]
African American[edit | edit source]
The following have information concerning African American research.
- African American Genealogy (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.
- Servitude and Emanicpation Records, 1722-1863 of Franklin County, Illinois found at genealogytrails.com
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
Mailing Lists[edit | edit source]
Message Boards[edit | edit source]
History[edit | edit source]
- History of Gallatin, Saline, Hamilton, Franklin, and Williamson Counties, Illinois: From the Earliest Time to the Present, Together with Sundry and Interesting Biographical Sketches, Notes, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Chicago: Goodspeed, 1887. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive. FHL Film 873820 Item 1
Land and Property[edit | edit source]
See Illinois Land and Property for more information.
Original land records for Franklin County are held with the County Clerk
Franklin County "is well watered by Little Muddy river on the West, Big Muddy and its branches through the center. It is quiet, level and is largely prairie. The land is not well adapted to farming, although modern farming methods with liberal use of limestone are producing many fine farms...Slaves were held in Franklin County by the leading families until 1824, and then were taken to Missouri and sold. In some cases they were brought back to Franklin county and manumitted...The land not being very rich, the settlement of the county was slow. The law of 1854 changed the price of land in Illinois from $1.25 per acre to 12 1/2 cents per acre. Thousands of acres of land was purchased from the government under the "Bit Act." When Congress granted the land for the Illinois Central Railroad, 33,078 acres of the grant fell within the limits of Franklin county." [4]
The following abstracts or copies of records may be accessed through the Family History Library:
- 1818 and 1820 Census and original land records Other Libraries (WorldCat), FHL book 977.394 X2c
- 1819-1907 Deeds, 1819-1907 and indexes, 1835-1889 FHL film 1412155 (first film)
- 1814 Franklin County land records, book A, first deed book with dates as early as 1814 FHL book 977.394 R2d
- 1824,1829-1877 Franklin County land records, book B Other Libraries (WorldCat), FHL book 977.394 R2j
- 1853 Assessor's book personal property tax list Other Libraries (WorldCat), FHL book 977.394 R4e
- 1865 Property tax list, non-resident and personal FHL book 977.394 R2e
- 1984-1986 Land atlas and plat book Other libraries (WorldCat), FHL book 977.394 E7f
- Family maps with homesteads, roads, waterways, towns, cemeteries, railroads and more. Other Libraries (WorldCat), FHL book 977.394 R2b The publisher's bookstore includes a free online surname index.
Online Resources
- Beginning 1820 Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
- 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
- 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 ($)
- Franklin County Federal Township Plats
Maps[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Medical Records[edit | edit source]
Military[edit | edit source]
Multiple Wars[edit | edit source]
- Pension applications, Franklin County, Illinois, compiled by Carla Pulliam, ([Benton, Illinois?] : C. Pulliam, c1998). FHL Book 977.394 M2pu Includes pension applications for the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Black Hawk War Civil War.
- Discharges, Civil War and Spanish American War, by Susan Doxsie Dorris, ([S.l. : s.n.], c1993). FHL Book 977.394 M2d
- Franklin County, Illinois, War History, 1832-1919: Containing a Brief Review of the World War, Complete History of Franklin County's Activities, Photographs and Service Records of Franklin County's Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, Industrial and Biographical Review of Business and Professional Firms Who Have Made This History Possible; pub. 1920. Reprint 1977 Ancestry ($), FHL film 1036411 Item 3, Book 977.394 M2b 1977
- An index to the above is: Greenwood, Marie. Index of Franklin County Illinois War History, (Originally Published, 1920.). Index of Franklin County Illinois War History. (Originally published, 1920). Carterville, Ill.: Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois, 1975. Ancestry ($).
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Civil War service men from Franklin 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 Franklin County.
- - 15th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company C (Dollins' Cavalry Company) and Company F.
- - 31st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
- - 40th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and F.
- - 56th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E and I.
- - 63rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
- - 89th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
- - 110th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, F, K, and I.
- - 128th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and C.
- - 136th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company A.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Naturalization records for Franklin County are held in the offices of the Circuit Court and County Clerk.
The following copies of naturalization 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 Franklin County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
- 1886-1909 Naturalization records FHL film 1315957 item 3 and 1005314 items 3–4
- 1887-1904 Naturalization Record IRAD (SIU)
- 1908-1957 Naturalization Petition Record IRAD (SIU)
- 1911-1913 Naturalization records, Franklin County, Illinois Other Libraries (WorldCat) and FHL book 977.394 P4p
- 1911-1952 Naturalization Declarations of Intent IRAD (SIU)
- 1929-1957 Naturalization Order BooksIRAD (SIU)
Online Records
- 1800-1998 - Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — index and images
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Places and Localities[edit | edit source]
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:[5]
Cities | ||
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Villages | ||
Unincorporated communities | ||
Census-designated places | ||
Townships | ||
‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
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 (618) 439-2011. See Illinois Probate Records for more information about using probate records.
The following abstracts and copies of records may be accessed through the Family History Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Franklin County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
- Franklin County Probate Index Other Libraries (WorldCat). FHL book 977.394 P22f.
- 1835-1922 Recorder's Will Record IRAD(SIU)
- 1835-1922 Will records, volume A-D FHL film 1005313
- 1837-1970 Probate Case Files IndexIRAD(SIU)
- 1837-1938 Probate Record IRAD(SIU)
- 1840's–1920's Probate abstracts Other libraries (WorldCat). FHL book 977.394 P28f volumes 1-4.
- 1845-1964 Probate Will Record IRAD(SIU)
- 1848-1970 Index to estate papers, volume 2 FHL film 1005314 item 1
- 1848-1970 An unspecified number of Franklin County probate records are available in Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970. The collection does not have an every name index, but the images are available to browse and may often have indexes contained within each volume.
- 1856-1871 Probate Inventory, Appraisement and Sale RecordIRAD(SIU)
- 1859-1940 Probate Executor's Record IRAD(SIU)
- 1871-1898 Probate Appraisement Record IRAD(SIU)
- 1875-1884 Probate settlement, Volume C FHL film 1005314 item 2
- 1875-1884 Probate Administrator's and Executor's Final Reports IRAD(SIU)
- 1878-1934 Probate Widow's Relinquishment and Selection Record IRAD(SIU)
- 1889-1913 Probate Inventory and Appraisement Record, Copartnership IRAD(SIU)
- 1893-1957 Probate Administrator's Bonds and Letter IRAD(SIU)
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Public Records[edit | edit source]
Repositories[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Inventory of the county archives of Illinois, no. 28, Franklin County (Benton) FHL film 908133 Item 2, Book 977.394 A5h
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 Franklin County are kept, see the Franklin County Courthouse page.
Family History Centers [edit | edit source]
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 Franklin County.
Public Libraries[edit | edit source]
West Frankfort Public Library
402 E. Poplar
West Frankfort, Illinois 62896
Phone: 618-932-3313
Fax: 618-932-3313
Hours:
Sunday - Closed
Monday - Thursday 10 am - 7 pm
Friday 10 am - 6 pm
Saturday 11 am - 5 pm
Schools[edit | edit source]
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
West Franklin Historical District and Silkwood Inn Museum
PO Box 601
2130 School House Road
Mulkeytown, Illinois 62865
Telephone Number: 618-724-2445
Website
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. Birth and death certificates recorded until the year 1916 are kept by the Franklin County Clerk while those recorded after 1916 are kept by the Illinois Department of Public Health. with a copy to the County Clerk. Marriage records are usually kept by the County Clerk from the establishment of the county to the present. Divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.
The following abstracts and copies of records may be accessed through online databases, the Family History Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Franklin County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Births[edit | edit source]
- Franklin County, Illinois Delayed Births
- 1861-1879 Early Franklin County, Illinois birth records Other Libraries (WorldCat)FHL book 977.394 V3p
- 1861-1915 Delayed Birth Certificates IRAD (SIU)
- 1861-1915 Birth records FHL film 1005288–1005301
- 1877-1916 Birth and Death Records and Indexes IRAD (SIU)
- 1878-1888 Returns of birth by Sophia Lookinbee Doty for 1878-1888. FHL book 977.394 V2
Marriages[edit | edit source]
- 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
- 1790-1860 Illinois Marriages at Ancestry.com ($)
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810-1934 Illinois County Marriages at FamilySearch.org
- 1818-1845 Franklin County Marriage Records at Genealogy Trails.com
- 1819-1850 and 1894-1908Franklin County, Illinois Marriages Sorted by date, bride and groom.
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
- 1835-1915 Marriage Records IRAD (SIU)
- 1835-1915 Marriage records FHL film 1005304 (first of seven)
- 1836-1865 Marriage records FHL book 977.394 V25r
- 1866-1877 Marriage record index with dates, 1866-1877, Franklin County, Illinois license book A, B and a few 1874 from another book. Other Libraries (WorldCat);FHL 977.394 V2m
- 1877-1924 Marriage Record Index IRAD (SIU)
- 1878-1893 Franklin County, Illinois Marriage Index
- 1878-1893 Franklin County, Illinois marriage records Other Libraries (WorldCat);FHL book 977.394 V2ma
- 1878-1916 Marriage records, 1878-1916 FHL film 1005303 (first of three)
- 1916-1920 Marriages book 4 Other Libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 977.394 V2c
Divorces[edit | edit source]
- 1837-1875 Franklin County Divorce Records
Deaths[edit | edit source]
- Franklin County, Illinois Death Records located at Genealogytrails.com, taken from the Illinois State Archives Database of Death Certificates.
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1877-1916 Birth and Death Records and Indexes IRAD (SIU)
- 1877-1915 Death records, Volumes 1-2 FHL film 1005302 items 1–3
- 1877-1915 The first thousand recorded deaths Other Libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 977.394 V2s
- 1910-1915 Coroner's certificate of death record FHL film 1005302 item 4
- 1916-1947 Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Franklin County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Franklin County IL Genealogy
- 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.
- Franklin County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Franklin 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.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Franklin County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_County,_Illinois 04/013/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.; Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002 WorldCat 50140092, FHL Book 973 D27e 2002
- ↑ Harry L. Frier, Historical Sketch of Franklin County [Franklin County Illinois War History: 1832-1919], 1920. As cited at: https://archive.org/details/franklincountyil00bair
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Franklin County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_County,_Illinois, Last accessed 3 January 2020.
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