Johnson County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Johnson County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
Johnson County, Illinois | |
Map | |
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![]() Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
Facts | |
Founded: | September 14, 1812 |
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County Seat | Vienna |
Courthouse | |
Photo courtesy Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD), Illinois State Archives | |
Address | Johnson County Courthouse P.O. Box 96 Vienna, Illinois 62995 618-658-3611 Johnson County Website |
Contents
- 1 Johnson County Organization
- 2 Historical Facts
- 3 Parent County
- 4 Boundary Changes
- 5 Records and Resources
- 5.1 Biography
- 5.2 Cemeteries
- 5.3 Census
- 5.4 Church Records
- 5.5 Court Records
- 5.6 DNA
- 5.7 Ethnic Research
- 5.8 Genealogy
- 5.9 History
- 5.10 Land and Property
- 5.11 Maps
- 5.12 Military
- 5.13 Naturalization
- 5.14 Newspapers and Obituaries
- 5.15 Periodicals
- 5.16 Places and Localities
- 5.17 Probate Records
- 5.18 Repositories
- 5.19 Social Groups Online
- 5.20 Societies
- 5.21 Taxation
- 5.22 Vital Records
- 6 Places / Localities
- 7 Websites
- 8 References
Johnson County Organization[edit | edit source]
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1878 | 1834 | 1878 | 1812 | 1815 | 1821 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Johnson County are kept, see the Johnson County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
Johnson County is named for Richard Mentor Johnson who served in the Indian Wars and the War of 1812. He was also served as Vice-President of the United States from 1837 to 1841 in the administration of Martin Van Buren.
Parent County[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Richard M. Johnson, a congressman from Kentucky. Johnson served in the Army in the War of 1812. He later went on to be Vice President of the United States for one term. The county seat is Vienna and the county was organized on 1812. The County is located in the Southern part 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.
Records 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]
Census[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
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Census | Pop. | %± |
1820 | 843 | — |
1830 | 1,596 | 89.3% |
1840 | 3,626 | 127.2% |
1850 | 4,114 | 13.5% |
1860 | 9,342 | 127.1% |
1870 | 11,248 | 20.4% |
1880 | 13,078 | 16.3% |
1890 | 15,013 | 14.8% |
1900 | 15,667 | 4.4% |
1910 | 14,331 | −8.5% |
1920 | 12,022 | −16.1% |
1930 | 10,203 | −15.1% |
1940 | 10,727 | 5.1% |
1950 | 8,729 | −18.6% |
1960 | 6,928 | −20.6% |
1970 | 7,550 | 9.0% |
1980 | 9,624 | 27.5% |
1990 | 11,347 | 17.9% |
2000 | 12,878 | 13.5% |
2010 | 12,582 | −2.3% |
Source: "Wikipedia.org". |
For 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, Johnson County on page 187.]
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Copies of Original records
- 1845–1928 Records of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Vienna Circuit FHL book 977.3996 K2r
- 1847–1943 Bethlehem Church of Christ FHL film 965604 Item 7
- 1873–1918 Friendship Baptist Church FHL film 965604 Item 4
- 1886–1921 Methodist Episcopal Church. Vienna Circuit. FHL film 1315894 Items 2–3
Catholic[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch has made parish records from two Belleville Diocese Catholic churches in Johnson County available online. The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths:
- Church Records of St. John Parish, New Burnside, Johnson County, Illinois 1893-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. Paul Parish, Vienna, Johnson County, Illinois 1908-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
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 Johnson County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Abstracts
- 1813–1970 Annable, Edward l. and Johnson County Genealogical and Hsitorical Society. Johnson County, Illinois, probate index, 1813–1970: index to 3485 probate cases. [Vienna, Ill.]: Johnson County Genealogical & Historical Society, 2008. Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1813–1817 Gore, Virgil and Ruth Ann Sistler. Commissioners' records, Johnson County, Illinois : July 15, 1813–1817, volume A. [Vienna, Illinois]: Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society (Illinois), c1992. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3996 P2g
- 1814–1817 Sistler, Ruth Ann and Jack Kent Sistler; and Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society. Court records, Johnson County, Illinois October 15, 1814–1817. [Vienna, Illinois]: Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society (Illinois), c1992. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3996 P2s
- 1818–1828 Sistler, Jack Kent, Ruth A. Sistler, Richard D. Sullins, and SandS Genealogists. Johnson County comissioner's records, book B, 16 March 1818–2 June 1828. [Vienna, Illinois] : SandS Genealogists, [1995?]. FHL book 977.3996 P2ga
- 1822–1841 Sullins, Richard D., Ruth A. Sistler, Jack Kent Sistler, and SandS Genealogists. Johnson County probate records, November, 1822-March, 1841 (Including one page from October, 1843.).[Vienna, Ill. (P.O. Box 1323 62995)] : SandS Genealogists, 1997.Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1829–1836 Sullins, Richard D., Ruth A. Sistler, Jack Kent Sistler, and SandS Genealogists. Johnson County Circuit Court records, 1829–1836 [i.e. 1835]. [Vienna, Illinois]: SandS Genealogists, c1997. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3996 P2sr
- 1829–1836 Sullins, Richard D., Ruth A. Sistler, Jack Kent Sistler, and SandS Genealogists. Johnson County Circuit Court records, 1829–1836. [Vienna, Ill. (P.O. Box 1323 62995)] : SandS Genealogists, 1997. Other libraries (WorldCat)
Copies of original records
- 1813–1817 Territorial County court minutes IRAD (SIU)
- 1813–1861 Commissioner record FHL film 1316578 Items 4-6
- 1829–1835 Circuit court record FHL film 965636 IRAD (SIU)
DNA[edit | edit source]
The Johnson County, Illinois Project at FamilyTreeDNA is collecting DNA samples from descendants of historic residents of the county.
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.
- African American Resources for Illinois
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
History[edit | edit source]
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
The online Shawnee Community College Local History Project includes personal interviews and newspaper clippings that give you a taste of historic Johnson County. Was your relative one of the interviewed individuals?
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 the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Johnson County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
General
- Family Maps of Johnson County, Illinois (2007) plats the land of many nineteenth-century Johnson County residents. The publisher's bookstore includes a free online surname index. FHL Book 977.3996 E7b
- 1978 Rockford Map Publishers.Johnson County, Illinois, land atlas & plat book : 1978. Rockford, Ill.: Rockford Map Publishers [Vienna, Ill.]: Distributed by Johnson County Board of Commissioners, 1978. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3996 E7j
Abstracts
- Annable, Edward L. Johnson County, Illinois public domain land sales. Cypress, Ill. (P.O. Box 186 62923): Ed Annable Pub. Co., ©1997. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL book 977.3996 R2a
Copies of original records
- 1809–1892 Deed record IRAD (SIU)
- 1809–1907 Deed index IRAD (SIU)
- 1827–1907 Grantee and Grantor index FHL films 963307–9
- 1827–1928 Deeds FHL films 963310-25
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 ($)
- Illinois Public Land Purchase Records This record extract includes over 538,000 land sales from the 19th Century. Each entry includes the purchaser's name, purchase date, number of acres, price per acre, and in some cases the purchaser's sex and residence. Available at www.ancestry.com ($)
- Johnson 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
Military[edit | edit source]
Civil War [edit | edit source]
Civil War service men from Johnson 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 Johnson County.
- - 6th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company B.
- - 9th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- - 14th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies E, G, and K.
- - 31st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies D and F.
- - 60th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies H and K.
- - 109th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- - 120th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, C, G, I, and K.
- - 145th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A.
Naturalization[edit | edit source]
Online Records
- 1800-1998 - Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — index and images
Newspapers and Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[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:[4]
Cities | ||
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Villages | ||
Unincorporated communities | ||
‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
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. 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 Johnson County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Resources
- 1859–1937 Probate records and journals, will records, and indexes for Johnson County probate records are also available in Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970. Click on the browse through images link, select Johnson County, and select the record type you are interested in.
Abstracts
- Sistler, Jack Kent and Ruth A. Sistler and Richard D. Sullins. Probate judges docket, Johnson County, Illinois.[Vienna, Illinois] : SandS Genealogists, 2002. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3996 P2sj v. 1-2
Copies of original records
- 1822–1873 Probate minutes IRAD (SIU)
- 1822–1888 Probate records FHL film 965635
- 1859–1948 Probate records FHL first film 1315887(first of 12 films)
- 1860–1973 Probate case files index IRAD (SIU)
- 1870–1904 Probate will record IRAD (SIU)
- 1870–1926 The probate journals and will records for Johnson County probate records are also available in Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970. Click on the browse through images link, select Johnson County, and select the record type you are interested in.
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 Johnson County are kept, see the Johnson County Courthouse page.
Family History Center[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
There are many Family History Centers in or near Johnson County, please check the listing here for one close to you.
- Carbondale Illinois Family History Center
7168 Old Hwy 13 W.
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-549-3034
- Eldorado Illinois Family History Center
103 Grayson Rd.
Eldorado, IL 62930
Phone: 618-273-8172
- Foxcroft Illinois Family History Center
17947 N. Hwy 37
Johnston City, IL 62951
Phone: 618-937-4755
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 Johnson County.
Public Libraries[edit | edit source]
Vienna Carnegie Public Library
401 Poplar Street
Vienna, IL 62995
618-658-5051
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois has a page with details about its' activities.
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 Johnson 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 Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Johnson County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
General[edit | edit source]
- 1814–1840 Sistler, Jack K. and Ruth A. Sistler and Richard D. Sullins. 1818-1840 censuses of Johnson County, Illinois: with additional vital records before 1850, marriages, divorces, guardianships, deaths. [Vienna, Illinois]: SandS Genealogists, [200-?]. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3996 X2sj
Births:[edit | edit source]
Copies of Original Records
- 1878–1925 Birth Record FHL films 964802-5IRAD (SIU)
- 1887–1974 Birth record index FHL film 964802 IRAD (SIU)
Marriages:[edit | edit source]
Online Resources
- 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
- 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry.com ($)
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810–1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
Abstracts
- 1820s-1850s Illinois Miscellaneous Genealogical Records: From Counties, Bond, Boone, Calhoun, Cook, Crawford, Du Page, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Will, Pope: Kentucky county, Mercer: Missouri county, Ralls. Evanston, Ill.: Illinois Society, D.A.R., 1946. Digital version at Ancestry ($). The compiler states that many of the loose marriages records indexed for Johnson County have since disappeared from the courthouse, which means some early Johnson County marriages are only documented in this book.
- 1834–1885 Foss, Carolyn Cromeenes and Judy Foreman Lee. Johnson County, Illinois early marriages. Evansville, Indiana : Evansville Bindery, c1992. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL books 977.3996 V2f v.1-2
- 1834–1857 Bellamy, Mrs. Guy, Cara Slack and Johnson County (Illinois) Courts. Marriages recorded from 1834 to 1857, Johnson County, Illinois courthouse at Vienna. Copied from county clerk's records as originally recorded, not indexed. [Vienna, Ill., Mrs. G. Bellamy] 1969. Other libraries (WorldCat)
- 1839–1853, 1865- Winget, Judy Walley. Williamson County, Illinois marriages, 1839 to 1853 and 1865; Pope County, Illinois marriages, 1826 to 1845; Johnson County, Illinois marriages, 1857 to 1860. S.P.: Saline County Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1984. Worldcat FHL Book 977.399 V2w
- 1857–1860 Winget, Judy Walley. Williamson County, Illinois marriages, 1839 to 1853 and 1865; Pope County, Illinois marriages, 1826 to 1845; Johnson County, Illinois marriages, 1857 to 1860. [Harrisburg, Ill]: Saline County Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1984. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.399 V2w
- 1886–1900 Sistler, Jack K. and Ruth A. Sistler and Richard D. Sullins. Early marriages, Johnson County, Illinois. Evansville, Ind. (221 E. Columbia St., Evansville 47711: Published for the authors by Evansville Bindery, 2004. Other libraries (WorldCat)
Copies of Original Records
- 1834–1926 Marriage record IRAD (SIU)
- 1835–1926 Marriage record index IRAD (SIU)
- 1835–1857 Index to marriage licenses FHL film 964807 item 1
- 1835–1878 Marriage licenses FHL films 964808 item 1 – 964810
- 1878–1896 Bride and Groom indexes to marriage register FHL films 964807 items 2-3
- 1878–1926 Marriage register FHL films 964811 items 1–2
- 1896–1926 Index to marriage register FHL film 964807 item 4
Deaths[edit | edit source]
Online resources
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
Abstracts
- 1878-1900 Kreklow, Rebel L. Death records, Johnson County, Illinois, 1878-1900. Vienna, Illinois : Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society (Illinois), c2002. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3996 V22k
Copies of original records
- 1878-1933 Index; Death record and register FHL film 964806 IRAD (SIU) Search for Johnson records How to use IRAD
Places / Localities[edit | edit source]
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To see a list of places in Johnson County, click on [Show], in the bar above. The preceding list of places includes incorporated cities and towns, unincorporated towns and communities, and place names that may have been used in family histories. Some have well-organized records and even have web sites. Some are simply social communities with no official records, but which may be referenced in small-town newspapers. The list is provided to help researchers identify localities within the county. As records or histories of these localities are identified, a page will be added for each of these place names.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Johnson County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Johnson County IL Genealogy
- Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- Johnson County, Illinois Genealogy Trails. Newspapers, Biographies, Marriage, Death records.
- ILGenWeb Johnson County, Illinois. Biographies, Births, Census, Cemeteries, Court, Deeds/Land, History, Military, Newspapers, Obituaries, Photos.
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Johnson 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), Johnson 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.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002), 195. (FHL Collection Ref Book 973 D27e 2002). WorldCat entry.
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Johnson, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/johnson/ accessed 04/17/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Johnson County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_County,_Illinois, Last accessed 27 February 2020.