Stark County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Stark County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Stark County, Illinois | |
| Map | |
| |
 Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded: | January 4, 1817 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Toulon |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Stark County Courthouse 130 West Main Street Toulon, Illinois 61483 (309) 286-5911 Stark County Website |
Contents
- 1 Stark County Organization
- 2 Historical Facts
- 3 Parent County
- 4 Boundary Changes
- 5 Populated Places
- 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 Poorhouse
- 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
Stark County Organization[edit | edit source]
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1855 | 1839 | 1878 | 1839 | 1817 | 1839 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Stark County are kept, see the Stark County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
Stark County was named for John Stark who was an officer during the American Revolution and was known as the "Hero of Bennington" because of his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington.[2]
Parent County[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for General Colonel John Stark,(August 28, 1728 – May 8, 1822) who served in the American Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He became widely known as the "Hero of Bennington" for his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington in 1777. The county seat is Toulon and the county was organized on 1839. The County is located in the Northwest Central 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 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 | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
|
||
| Townships | ||
Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]
Records and Resources[edit | edit source]
Biography[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web sites have additional information on Stark county cemeteries.
- GenealogyTrails.com. Has a list of Stark County Cemeteries.
- Illinois Ancestors Tombstone Project. Find or submit Stark County tombstone photos.
- Linkpendium. Has links to several Stark County Cemetery related websites.
- The Illinois State Genealogical Society's "Cemetery Location Project" has identified many Stark County Cemeteries.
Census[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 1,573 | — |
| 1850 | 3,710 | 135.9% |
| 1860 | 9,004 | 142.7% |
| 1870 | 10,751 | 19.4% |
| 1880 | 11,207 | 4.2% |
| 1890 | 9,982 | −10.9% |
| 1900 | 10,186 | 2.0% |
| 1910 | 10,098 | −0.9% |
| 1920 | 9,693 | −4.0% |
| 1930 | 9,184 | −5.3% |
| 1940 | 8,881 | −3.3% |
| 1950 | 8,721 | −1.8% |
| 1960 | 8,152 | −6.5% |
| 1970 | 7,510 | −7.9% |
| 1980 | 7,389 | −1.6% |
| 1990 | 6,534 | −11.6% |
| 2000 | 6,332 | −3.1% |
| 2010 | 5,994 | −5.3% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Court Records[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.
- African American Resources for Illinois
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
History[edit | edit source]
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Leeson, M. A. Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois: containing an authentic summary of records, documents, historical works and newspapers relating to Indian history, original settlement, organization and politics, courts and bar, citizen soldiers, military societies, marriages, churches, schools, secret, benevolent and literary societies, etc.: together with biography of representative men of the past and present. Chicago: M.A. Leeson & Co., 1887. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
- Stark County, Illinois and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement. Chicago: Pioneer Pub. Co., 1916. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
- Shallenberger, E. H. Stark County and Its Pioneers. Cambridge, Ill.: B.W. Seaton, Prairie Chief Office, book and job printer, 1989. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
Land and Property[edit | edit source]
Original land records are held in the office of the County Clerk . See Illinois Land and Property for more information about using land records.
The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online sources, the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Stark County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the WIU IRAD Wiki page.
- 1817–1851 Fuller book FHL film 1401977
- 1820–1984 Grantor index FHL film 1401977
- 1820–1907 Deed records FHL first film 140197(first of 18 films)
- 1874–1902 Grantee index FHL film 1401977
- 1882–1891 Deed record IRAD–WIU
Additional Resources
Additional resources for Stark County land and property may be found online in the FamilySearch Catalog. Online microfilm are indicated by the camera icon in the catalog entry. Copies of books found in the FamilySearch Catalog may be found in WorldCat catalog and ordered from your local library through interlibrary loan. Explore how to search the FamilySearch Catalog and the WorldCat Online Catalog.
Online Resources
- Beginning 1820 Land Patent Search See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database.
- 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
- Stark 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 Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Civil War service men from Stark 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 Stark County.
- - 7th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
- - 19th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
- - 37th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B.
- - 65th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (Scotch Regiment), Companies A and I.
- - 112th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, E and F.
- - 139th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Company H.
- - 151st Regiment, Illinois Infantry (1 year, 1865), Company I.
Naturalization[edit | edit source]
Online Records
- 1800-1998 - Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1892-1913 - Illinois, Stark County, Circuit Court Naturalization Records, 1892-1913 at FamilySearch — index
Newspapers and Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Poorhouse[edit | edit source]
- 1868–1941 Almshouse Registers IRAD–WIU
- Stark County Almshouse Registers Index, 1868-1941, courtesy: Illinois State Archives
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 copies of original records may be accessed through, the Family History Library.
1840–1911 Probate records (and index) FHL film 1401887 and 1401888 Items 1-3
Additional Resources[edit | edit source]
Additional resources for Stark County probates may be found in the Illinois, Stark – Probate topic page of the FamilySearch Catalog . Copies of records on FHL microfilm and microfiche can be available for viewing at Family History Centers. 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.
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 Stark County are kept, see the Stark 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 over 4500 Introduction to Family History Centers in more than 80 countries offering public access to genealogical records from all over the world. Family History Centers provide patrons with access to over a billion online records and approximately 2.5 million circulating microfilms. Centers are staffed by local volunteers who are eager to provide genealogical research assistance. Currently there are no Family History Centers located directly in Stark County. To find the nearest Family History Center, check out the Family Search Centers page on the FamilySearch.org website.
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. Western Illinois University houses the records for Stark County.
Public Libraries[edit | edit source]
Ira C. Reed Public Library
302 Commercial Street
Lafayette, IL 61449
Tel: 309-995-3042
Emai: irclibrary@winco.net
Facebook
Toulon Public Library District
306 W. Jefferson Street
Toulon, IL 61483
Tel: 309-286-5791
Fax: 309-286-4481
Email: toulon.library@gmail.com
Facebook
Wyoming Public Library District
119 N. Seventh St.
Wyoming, IL 61491
Tel: 309-695-2241
Fax: 309-695-2241
Facebook
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Stark County Genealogical Society
207 W. Main Street
Toulon, IL 61483-0083
E-mail:starkcogene@yahoo.com
Website
Stark County Historical Society
318 W. Jefferson Street
Toulon, IL 61483
Telephone Number: 309-286-7079
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 Stark County Clerk while those recorded after 1916 are kept by theIllinois 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 Western Illinois University (WIU) - search for Stark County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
Births[edit | edit source]
- 1865–1904 Birth Certificates FHL film 1403415 Item 4 thru 1403417 Items 1-3
- 1877–1904 Birth Certificates IRAD–WIU
Marriages[edit | edit source]
- 1839–1982 Marriage register index FHL film 1403417 Item 7
- 1839–1931 Marriage register FHL film 1403417 Items 4-6 and 1403418
- 1839–1931 Marriage Record IRAD–WIU
- 1839–1982 Marriage Record Index IRAD–WIU
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 ($)
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810-1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
Deaths[edit | edit source]
- 1877-1901 Death Record IRAD–WIUFHL film 1403415 Item 3
Online Resources
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885 found at Ancestry.com ($)
Additional Resources[edit | edit source]
Additional resources for Stark births, marriages and deaths may be found in the Illinois, Stark – Vital Records topic page and the Illinois, Stark – Vital Records - Newspapers topic page 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]
- Stark County ILGenWeb
- Stark County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Stark County IL Genealogy
- Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Stark 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), Stark 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.
- ↑ John Stark www.wikipedia.org
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Stark County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stark_County,_Illinois 04/20/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Stark County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stark_County,_Illinois, accessed 12 March 2020.
