Perry County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Perry County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Perry County, Illinois | |
| Map | |
| |
 Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded: | January 29, 1827 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Pinckneyville |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Perry County Courthouse P.O. Box 438 Pinckneyville, Illinois 62274 (618) 357-5116 Perry County Website |
Contents
- 1 Perry County Organization
- 2 Historical Facts
- 3 Parent County
- 4 Boundary Changes
- 5 Populated Place
- 6 Neighboring Counties
- 7 Records and Resources
- 7.1 Biography
- 7.2 Cemeteries
- 7.3 Census
- 7.4 Church Records
- 7.5 Court Records
- 7.6 Ethnic Research
- 7.7 Genealogy
- 7.8 History
- 7.9 Land and Property
- 7.10 Maps
- 7.11 Military Records
- 7.12 Naturalization
- 7.13 Newspapers and Obituaries
- 7.14 Periodicals
- 7.15 Probate Records
- 7.16 Repositories
- 7.17 Social Groups Online
- 7.18 Societies
- 7.19 Taxation
- 7.20 Vital Records
- 8 Websites
- 9 References
Perry County Organization[edit | edit source]
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1879 | 1827 | 1879 | 1827 | 1817 | 1827 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Perry County are kept, see the Perry County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
Perry County is named for Oliver Hazard Perry who was a Commodore of the United States Navy and is known for his victory at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Parent County[edit | edit source]
- 1827--Perry County was created 29 January 1827 from Randolph and Jackson Counties. County seat: Pinckneyville [2]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Oliver Hazard Perry who defeated the British fleet at the decisive Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812. The county seat is Pinckneyville and the county was organized on January 29, 1827. [3]The County is located in the Southwest area of the state.[4]
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.
Populated Place[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 | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]
Records and Resources[edit | edit source]
Biography[edit | edit source]
- All of the Perry County, Illinois family biographies from The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois (1894) published by Biographical Publishing Co. are available free online at My Genealogy Hound.
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1830 | 1,215 | — |
| 1840 | 3,222 | 165.2% |
| 1850 | 5,278 | 63.8% |
| 1860 | 9,552 | 81.0% |
| 1870 | 13,723 | 43.7% |
| 1880 | 16,007 | 16.6% |
| 1890 | 17,529 | 9.5% |
| 1900 | 19,830 | 13.1% |
| 1910 | 22,088 | 11.4% |
| 1920 | 22,901 | 3.7% |
| 1930 | 22,767 | −0.6% |
| 1940 | 23,438 | 2.9% |
| 1950 | 21,684 | −7.5% |
| 1960 | 19,184 | −11.5% |
| 1970 | 19,757 | 3.0% |
| 1980 | 21,714 | 9.9% |
| 1990 | 21,412 | −1.4% |
| 2000 | 23,094 | 7.9% |
| 2010 | 22,350 | −3.2% |
| 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, Perry County on page 188.]
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Catholic[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch has made parish records from five Belleville Diocese Catholic churches in Perry County available online. The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths:
- Church Records of Immaculate Conception Parish, Tamaroa, Perry County, Illinois 1916-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. Bruno Parish, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois 1872-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. Joseph Parish, Willisville, Perry County, Illinois 1901-1954, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Todd's Mill, Perry County, Illinois 1886-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
- Church Records of Sacred Heart Parish, Du Quoin, Perry County, Illinois 1868-1956, browsable online (no index); courtesy: FamilySearch.
Additional Resources[edit | edit source]
Additional resources for Perry County church records may be found in the FamilySearch Catalog - church records. 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.
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
- 1828–1835 County record, no. 1, book A FHL film 975937 Item 5
- 1852–1924 Insanity proceedings FHL films 1688945-9
- 1913–1937 Mother's petitions for relief FHL film 1688956
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]
- Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the Counties: Together with Biographies and Portraits of All the Presidents of the United States, and the Governors of the State of Illinois. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1894. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive. FHL Film 825600 For additional access, see WeRelate.
- Robertson, Robert Crawford. Pioneer Families of Randolph and Perry Counties, Illinois: Notes on the Campbell, Crozier, Flack, Milligan, Steele and Thompson Families: The Crawfords of Ballynease, Londonderry, Ireland, with Descendants in the U.S.A., and Their Descendants in the Elsey, Garven, Matthews and Robertson Families. Chattanooga, Tenn.: R.C. Robertson, 1960. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
- Neville, J. Wesley. Student's History of Perry County. 1990. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
Land and Property[edit | edit source]
Original land records are held in the office of the County Clerk . See Illinois Land and Property for more information about using land records.
The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online sources, the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Perry County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Resources
- Beginning 1820 Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
- 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
- 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 ($)
- Perry County Federal Township Plats
Abstracts
- 1920 Randolph County Genealogical Society (Illinois). Plat book and complete survey of Perry County, Illinois 1920. Chester, Illinois: Randolph County Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1991. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.393 R2pb
Copies of original records
- 1814–1903Land patent record IRAD (SIU)
- 1827–1863 Deed Index IRAD (SIU) Search for Perry records How to use IRAD
- 1827–1890 Grantor and grantee index FHL films 975891-3
- 1827–1950 Deeds FHL films 975894–916
- 1850s-1894 Swamp land records FHL films 1688943 IRAD (SIU)
- 1987 Land atlas and plat book FHL book 977.393 R2p
Maps[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
- Township Map of 1870 Perry County, Illinois with numerous small settlements. (My Genealogy Hound)
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Civil War service men from Perry 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 Perry County.
- - 6th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company I.
- - 12th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- - 12th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (3 months, 1861), Company G.
- - 18th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A.
- - 31st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A.
- - 71st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- - 81st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, C and K.
- - 89th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company D.
- - 110th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- - 136th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies A and D.
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]
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 Perry County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Copies of Original Records
- 1828–1858 Probate record IRAD (SIU)
- 1829–1843 Probate will record IRAD (SIU)
- 1840–1953 Index to estates FHL film 975937 Item 1
- 1843–1856 Probate administrator's bonds and letters IRAD (SIU)
- 1858–1889 Probate record FHL films 975931-6
- 1860–1875 Administrators records FHL film 975928
- 1867–1884 Proceedings on petition to sell real estate FHL film 975937 Item 4
- 1867–1909 Will record FHL film 975928-9
- 1875–1883 Estate record FHL films 975933-4
- 1897–1917 Wills and executors FHL films 975929-30
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 Perry County are kept, see the Perry 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
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 Perry County.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Cutler Public Library
409G S. Main
Cutler, IL 62238
(618) 497-2961
Du Quoin Public Library
28 South Washington Street
Du Quoin, IL 62832
(618)542-5045 Offers Heritage Quest remote access
Pinckneyville Public Library
312 South Walnut Street
Pinckneyville, IL 62274
(618) 357-2410 Has local newspapers on microfilm, and many historical publications
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
112 North Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62701-1507
(217) 524-6358 or (217)558-8844 Has online indexes for obituaries in their newspaper collections, and surnames found in Illinois county histories, biographical directories and encyclopedias. Offers genealogical research for hire.
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Perry County Historical Society
108 W. Jackson St.
Pinckneyville, IL 62274
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 Perry 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 Perry County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
General[edit | edit source]
- 1869–1876 Randolph County Genealogical Society. The Valley Clarion Newspaper, Chester, Illinois, August 1869– April 1876. Chester, Illinois: Randolph County Genealogical Society, [1990?]Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL book 977.39 D2v
Births[edit | edit source]
Abstracts
- Dickinson, H.B. and Elda Jones. Birth records, Dr. H.B. Dickinson, Coulterville, Illinois. Marissa, Illinois : Marissa Historical & Genealogical Society, 2003. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.392/C2 J4d
Copies of Original Records
- 1845–1914 Birth Certificates, Delayed IRAD (SIU)
- 1845–1877 Miscellaneous births FHL film 975917
- 1871–1915 Delayed births FHL films 975917–8
- 1878–1916 Birth index FHL film 975919 IRAD (SIU)
- 1878–1915 Births FHL films 975919–21IRAD (SIU)
Marriages:[edit | edit source]
Online Resources
- 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1790–1860 Illinois Marriage index found at Ancestry.com ($)
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1827–1850 Perry County, Illinois Marriage Records 1827–1850, available online, courtesy: USGenWeb Archives.
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
Abstracts
- 1827–1850 Cooke, Dorothy and Elizaeth Eiker. Marriage licenses issued in Perry County, Illinois beginning 1827 to 1850.[Pinckneyville, Ill., 1959]. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.393 V25c
- 1827–1850 Spurgeon, Elizabeth Eiker and Dorothy Cooke. Perry County, Illinois, marriages 1827–1850 with genealogical notes. Thomson, Illinois: Heritage House, 1973. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3 A1 no. 81
- 1868–1896 Schick, Lee, Naomi Schick, and Mary Alyce Browne Kern. Perry County, Illinois marriage records, 1868-1896, a few through 1903. Carterville, Illinois: Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois, 1992. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.393 V2s
Copies of Original Records
- 1827–1916 Marriage record IRAD (SIU)
- 1827–1974 Marriage record index IRAD (SIU)
- 1827–1867 Marriage record FHL films 975923
- 1827–1868 Parent's permission to marriage FHL films 975927 IRAD (SIU)
- 1868–1974 Marriage index FHL films 975924–5
- 1878–1916 Marriage register FHL films 975926
Deaths:[edit | edit source]
Online Resources
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885found at Ancestry.com ($)
- 1916-1950 Death Index 1916–1950, available online, courtesy: USGenWeb.
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
Copies of Original Records
- 1870-1892 Coroner's inquest record IRAD (SIU)
- 1878-1915 Death index FHL film 975922 IRAD (SIU)
- 1878-1915 Registers of death FHL film 975922 IRAD (SIU)
- 1911-1915 Coroner's death certificates FHL film 975922IRAD (SIU)
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Perry County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Perry County IL Genealogy
- Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Perry County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- USGenWeb Archives
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Perry 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).
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Perry County, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/perry/ accessed 04/19/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Perry County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_County,_Illinois 04/19/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Perry County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_County,_Illinois, accessed 17 March 2020.
