Ogle County, Illinois Genealogy

From FamilySearch Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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

Ogle County, Illinois
Map
Boundary map of Ogle County, Illinois
Map of the U.S. highlighting Illinois
Location of Illinois in the U.S.
Facts
Founded: January 16, 1836
County Seat Oregon
Courthouse
Ogle County Courthouse.gif
Photo courtesy Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD), Illinois State Archives
Address Ogle County Courthouse
P.O. Box 69
Oregon, Illinois 61061
(815) 732-1110
Ogle County Website


Ogle County Organization[edit | edit source]

Known Beginning Dates for Major County Records[1]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1860 1837 1878 1837 1836 1836 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 Ogle County are kept, see the Ogle County Courthouse page.

Historical Facts[edit | edit source]

Ogle County is named for Captain Joseph Ogle who distinguished himself with courage in the early days of Illinois state history.

Parent County[edit | edit source]

  • 1836--Ogle County was created 16 January 1836 from Jo Daviess County.  County seat:  Oregon [2]

Description[edit | edit source]

The county was named for Captain Joseph Ogle, a veteran of the Revolutionary War who came to Illinois in 1785. The county seat is Oregon and the county was organized on January 16, 1836. The County is located in the North 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.


Record Loss[edit | edit source]

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

Places / 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
Villages
Unincorporated communities
Census-designated places
Townships
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [
  • [

Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]

Records and Resources[edit | edit source]

Biography[edit | edit source]

  • The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Ogle County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Ogle County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.

Cemeteries[edit | edit source]

Cemeteries of Ogle, 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

The following web sites have additional information on Ogle county cemeteries.

Census[edit | edit source]

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1840 3,479 —
1850 10,020 188.0%
1860 22,888 128.4%
1870 27,492 20.1%
1880 29,937 8.9%
1890 28,710 −4.1%
1900 29,129 1.5%
1910 27,864 −4.3%
1920 26,830 −3.7%
1930 28,118 4.8%
1940 29,869 6.2%
1950 33,429 11.9%
1960 38,106 14.0%
1970 42,867 12.5%
1980 46,338 8.1%
1990 45,957 −0.8%
2000 51,032 11.0%
2010 53,497 4.8%
2010 53,497 0.0%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

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, Ogle County on page 187.]

Church History and Records[edit | edit source]

List of Churches and Church Parishes

Church records may give birth, death and marriage information. It is usually best to locate church records with a search at a local level such as the city, town, or village.

  • [1894-1903] Mayer, John Lucien. [His] Pastoral Record, 1858-1903. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1985. This record covers several localities with varying time periods, including service in Forreston and Westgrove of Ogle County, 1894–1903. FHL film 1428444 Item 3

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 Northern Illinois University - search for Ogle County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the NIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of Original Records

  • 1837–1842 Circuit court records and index FHL film 1605183 Item 7
  • 1837-1842 Circuit Court Record IRAD-NIU
  • 1837-1890 Circuit Clerk's Miscellaneous Files IRAD-NIU
  • 1837-1915 Circuit and Chancery Court Case FilesIRAD-NIU
  • 1838-1904 Circuit Clerk's Oaths, Bonds and Appointments IRAD-NIU
  • 1838-1888 Jury Venires and Summonses IRAD-NIU
  • 1838-1889 Circuit Court Execution Files IRAD-NIU
  • 1858-1872 Circuit Court Narr and Cognovit Files IRAD-NIU
  • 1859-1891 Jail Reports by Grand Juries IRAD-NIU
  • 1860-1870 Circuit Court Case Files, Chancery IRAD-NIU
  • 1867-1897 County Court Miscellaneous Record IRAD-NIU
  • 1872-1900 County Court Dockets IRAD-NIU
  • 1872-1931 County Court Case Files, Criminal IRAD-NIU
  • 1873-1963 County Court Case Files, Common Law IRAD-NIU
  • 1872-1963 Jury Registers IRAD-NIU
  • 1887-1894 Circuit COurt Master's Sale Certificates IRAD-NIU
  • 1892-1894 Circuit Court Master's Sale Report IRAD-NIU

Ethnic Research[edit | edit source]

African American[edit | edit source]

The following have information concerning African American research.

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

History[edit | edit source]

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 online, through the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at Northern Illinois University -  search for Ogle County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD - Northern Illinois University NIU IRAD Wiki page.

Online Resources

  • 1800s-Present - Use the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land Patent Index to obtain original federal land transfer records including homestead, military warrants, and cash entry patents. These records help a research establish location and lead to National Archives' records which may include genealogical information. Earlier land transfer records are housed at the National Archives.
  • 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 ($)

Copies of original records

Additional Resources

Additional resources for Ogle County land and property may be found online in the FamilySearch Catalog and FamilySearch Catalog–maps. Online microfilm are indicated by the camera icon in the catalog entry. Copies of books found in the FamilySearch Catalog may be found in WorldCat catalog and ordered from your local library through interlibrary loan. Explore how to search the FamilySearch Catalog and the WorldCat Online Catalog.

Maps[edit | edit source]

Stephenson CountyWinnebago CountyBoone CountyDeKalb CountyLee CountyWhiteside CountyCarroll CountyIL OGLE.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources


David Rumsey Map Collection for Ogle County contains a large online collection of rare, old, antique historical atlases, globes, maps, charts plus other cartographic treasures.

Military[edit | edit source]

Civil War[edit | edit source]

Civil War service men from Ogle 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 Ogle County.

- 2nd Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, (Logan's Escort, Ord's Escort, Stevenson's Escort) Company A.
- 4th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company D (Also known as Quinby's Escort).
- 7th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company B (Also known as Rosecran's Escort).
- 15th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- 17th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company M
- 34th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies E, F, and H.
- 39th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- 55th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B and H.
- 65th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (Scotch Regiment), Company A.
- 92nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, D, E, H, and K.
- 140th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company I.
- 142nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies D and I.

Naturalization[edit | edit source]

  • 1839-1900, 1906-1929 Naturalization Records, Circuit Court IRAD-NIU; search for Ogle County Records. (Learn more about IRAD.)
  • 1839-1931 Naturalization Record Index, Circuit Court IRAD-NIU; search for Ogle County Records. (Learn more about IRAD.)
  • 1872-1906 Naturalization Records, County Court IRAD-NIU; search for Ogle County Records. (Learn more about IRAD.)

Online Records

Newspapers and Obituaries[edit | edit source]

Newspaperarchive.com ($) has historical newspapers available on-line. Their database has Freeport City newspapers from the late 1800's and early 1900's that covered local news on residents from Ogle County. The Rock Island Public Library provides free access to this database at its library.

Poorhouses[edit | edit source]

Probate Records[edit | edit source]

Online 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 Northern Illinois University (NIU) - search for Ogle County records. For information on how to use IRAD see theNIU IRAD Wiki page.

Copies of original records

  • 1839–1942 Probate records, wills, administrators' records, executors' records, guardian records, and miscellaneous records for Ogle County probate records are also available in Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970. Click on the browse through images link, select Olge 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 Ogle County are kept, see the Ogle 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 Libraries

Introduction to 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.

You may search your address for a center near you on the FamilySearch site.

Currently there are no Family History Centers located directly in Ogle County. The following centers are located in surrounding counties. Their wiki pages may supply hours and other information.

Dekalb Illinois Family History Center
675 Fox Avenue
Sycamore, Illinois 60178
Telephone: (815) 895–0702
Freeport Illinois Family History Center
1716 S Forest Rd.
Freeport, Illinois 61032
Telephone: (815) 232-3310
Rockford Illinois Family History Center
324 University Dr.
Rockford, Illinois 61107
Telephone: (815) 332-7782
Sterling Illinois Family History Center
2709 N 16th Avenue
Sterling, Illinois 61081
Telephone: (815) 625-1229

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

The Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD), managed by the Illinois State Archives, houses 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.

The Northern Illinois University (IRAD-NIU) holds the records for Ogle County. Learn more about finding and using their records.

Illinois Regional Archives Depository
c/o Regional History Center
Founders Memorial Library, Room 400
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
Telephone: (815) 753-1807

Societies[edit | edit source]

Ogle County Genealogical Society
PO Box 251
Oregon 61061
Website

Ogle County Historical Society and Museum
111 North Sixth Street
PO Box 183
Oregon, Illinois 61061
Telephone Number: 815-732-7545
E-mail:oglecohistory@frontier.com
Website



Public Libraries[edit | edit source]

The following Ogle County libraries have collections of specific interest to genealogists.

Bertolet Memorial Library District
705 S. Main St., Box 339
Leaf River, Illinois 61047
Telephone: (815) 738-2742
They offer microfilmed Leaf River Newspapers, photos and family history files.
Byron Public Library District
109 N. Franklin St.
Byron, Ilinois 61010
Telephone: (815) 234-5107
The library has fiche from Byron Newspapers with a printed index available.
Oregon Public Library
300 Jefferson Street
Oregon, Illinois 61061
Telephone: (815) 732-6643
Their Genealogy Department offers resources collected and maintained by the Ogle County Genealogical Society.
Polo Public Library District
302 West Mason Street
Polo, Illinois 61064-1417
Telephone: (815) 946-2713
They offer local history resources and links to online databases, including "Polo Cemetery Records."
Rockford Public Library
215 N. Wyman St.
Rockford, IL 61101
Telephone: (815) 965-6731
Although in Winnebago County, their Local History Room includes materials for Ogle County.

Social Groups Online[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 Ogle 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 Northern Illinois University (NIU) - search for Ogle County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.

General Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Birth Records[edit | edit source]

Copies of Original Birth Records

Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

Copies of original Marriage Records

Death Records[edit | edit source]

Copies of original Death Records

Additional resources for Ogle County births, marriages and deaths may be found in the Illinois, Ogle – Vital Records, and the Illinois, Ogle – Vital Records - indexes topic pages of the FamilySearch Catalog . Online microfilm are indicated by the camera icon in the catalog entry. Copies of books found in the FamilySearch Catalog may be found in WorldCat catalog and ordered from your local library through interlibrary loan. Explore how to search the FamilySearch Catalog and the WorldCat Online Catalog.

Websites[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Ogle 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. ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
  3. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Ogle County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogle_County,_Illinois 04/19/2017.
  4. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Ogle County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogle_County,_Illinois, accessed 17 March 2020.

This website requires a paid subscription for full access.

Retrieved from "https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/index.php?title=Ogle_County,_Illinois_Genealogy&oldid=4110505"