Hardin County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Hardin County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Hardin County, Illinois | |
| Map | |
| |
 Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded: | March 2, 1839 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Elizabethtown |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | P.O. Box 187 Elizabethtown, Illinois 62931 618-287-2251 |
Contents
- 1 Hardin County Organization
- 2 Historical Facts
- 3 Parent County
- 4 Boundary Changes
- 5 Record Loss
- 6 Records and Resources
- 6.1 Biography
- 6.2 Cemeteries
- 6.3 Census
- 6.4 Church Records
- 6.5 Court Records
- 6.6 Cultural Groups
- 6.7 Genealogy
- 6.8 History
- 6.9 Land and Property
- 6.10 Maps
- 6.11 Military Records
- 6.12 Naturalization
- 6.13 Newspapers and Obituaries
- 6.14 Places and Localities
- 6.15 Periodicals
- 6.16 Probate Records
- 6.17 Repositories
- 6.18 Social Groups Online
- 6.19 Societies
- 6.20 Taxation
- 6.21 Vital Records
- 7 Websites
- 8 References
Hardin County Organization[edit | edit source]
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1884 | 1884 | 1884 | 1970 | 1884 | 1970 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Hardin County are kept, see the Hardin County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
Large numbers of Kentuckians settled in frontier Hardin County, Illinois. Names of the county (Hardin) and the county seat (Elizabethtown) are reminiscent of Hardin County, Kentucky Genealogy - the previous residence of many pioneer settlers.[2]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Colonel John Hardin, an officer in the Revolutionary War and the Northwest Indian War. Hardin was murdered by Shawnee Indians while he was on a peace mission in 1792 for President George Washington. The county seat is Elizabethtown and the county was organized on 1839. The County is located in the Southeast part of the state.[3]
Parent County[edit | edit source]
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]
1884 A fire burned the courthouse on 19 May 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]
Biography[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web sites have additional information on Hardin county cemeteries.
Census[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 1,378 | — |
| 1850 | 2,887 | 109.5% |
| 1860 | 3,759 | 30.2% |
| 1870 | 5,113 | 36.0% |
| 1880 | 6,024 | 17.8% |
| 1890 | 7,234 | 20.1% |
| 1900 | 7,448 | 3.0% |
| 1910 | 7,015 | −5.8% |
| 1920 | 7,533 | 7.4% |
| 1930 | 6,955 | −7.7% |
| 1940 | 7,759 | 11.6% |
| 1950 | 7,530 | −3.0% |
| 1960 | 5,879 | −21.9% |
| 1970 | 4,914 | −16.4% |
| 1980 | 5,383 | 9.5% |
| 1990 | 5,189 | −3.6% |
| 2000 | 4,800 | −7.5% |
| 2010 | 4,320 | −10.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For tips on accessing census records online, see Illinois Census.
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- 1884–1919 Reynolds, Marion Lavender. Hardin County, Illinois deaths, 1884-1919, and notes from the Pleasant Hill church register. Harrisburg, Illinois: M.L. Reynolds, 1995. At other Libraries(WorldCat) FHL book 977.398 V2r
Catholic[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch has made parish records from a Belleville Diocese Catholic church in Hardin County available online. The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths:
- Church Records of St. Joseph Parish, Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Illinois 1923-1956, 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 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 Hardin County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
- 1821-1839 Circuit Court record, Volumes A-B FHL film 988235
- 1892-1955 Police Magistrate Dockets IRAD (SIU) IRAD - Southern Illinois University
- 1915-1963 Justice of the Peace Dockets IRAD (SIU)IRAD - Southern Illinois University
Cultural Groups[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.
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 or 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 Hardin County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
- 1814-1879 Land book FHL film 965703
- 1814-1885 Entry Books IRAD (SIU)
- 1863-1904 Deed Index IRAD (SIU)
- 1863-1942 Deed Record IRAD (SIU)
- 1865–1885 Entry book FHL film 965703
- 1878–1942 Deeds, 1878-1942; index 1880-1904 FHL film 965698
- 1878, 1890 Collector's book - lists of taxable real estate and town lots. FHL film 965707
- 1987 Pope-Hardin County (Illinois), land atlas and plat book, 1987 Other Libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 977.39 R2p
Online Resources
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales See Illinois Land and Property for more information about this database. Also available at Ancestry ($)
- Hardin County Federal Township Plats
- Beginning 1820 Land Patent Search
- 1796–1907 U.S. General Land Office Records found at Ancestry.com ($)
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
Civil War service men from Hardin 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 Hardin County.
- - 29th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A and Company B.
- - 131st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B, D, and F.
Naturalization[edit | edit source]
Original naturalization records are held in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk. See Illinois Court Records for more information about using court records.
The following copies of original records may be accessed through the Family History Library
- 1824-1883 Naturalization records, intentions and final papers FHL film 988236 items 1–2 and 1426471 item 4
- 1880-1900 Naturalization record, Volume A FHL film 988236 item 3
Online Records
- 1800-1998 - Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — index and images
Newspapers and 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 | ||
| Villages | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Townships | ||
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Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate Indexes and 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 or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Hardin County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
- 1884–1888; 1888–1926 Probate court records and minutes; Will records. IRAD (SIU) and FHL film 965769
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 Hardin County are kept, see the Hardin 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
Introduction to Family History Centers
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 Hardin County.
Public Libraries[edit | edit source]
Rosiclare Memorial Public Library
Main Street
Rosiclare, IL 62982
(618)285-6213
http://www.rosiclarelibrary.org/
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 Hardin 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 Hardin County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD Wiki page.
General[edit | edit source]
- 1850s–1930s Reynolds, Marion Lavender. Early newspaper clippings of Hardin County, Illinois from Uncle George Lavender's scrapbook. Harrisburg, Illinois: M.L. Reynolds, 1994, c1994. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.398 V3r
- 1871–1908 Reynolds, Marion Lavender. Hardin County, Illinois newspaper abstracts. Harrisburg, Illinois: M.L. Reynolds, c1992. Other libraries (WorldCat); FHL books 977.398 D2r and 977.398 D2r v. 2
- Ferrell, Ed. Abstracts from Hardin County newspapers: Illinois State Historical Library microfilms. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988. FHL film 1320702 Item 9
Births[edit | edit source]
Abstracts of Birth Records
- 1879–1889 Ferrell, Ed. Revised births as recorded in Hardin County newspapers, 1879-1889. FHL fiche 6111072; book 977.3 A1 no. 288
Copies of Birth Records
- 1884-1915 Birth Record Index IRAD (SIU);IRAD - Southern Illinois University
- 1884–1918 Births, register and record IRAD (SIU);FHL film 965705
- 1884–1942 Index of births FHL film 965705
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 ($)
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810–1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
Abstracts of Marriage Records
- 1873–1914 Ferrell, Ed. Abstracts from Hardin County newspapers, 1873–1914: to reconstruct records lost in fire of 1884: Illinois State Historical Library microfilms. Juneau, AK: E. Ferrell, 1988. WorldCat 27668273; FHL film 1320702 Item 11
- 1884–1891 Lee, Judy Foreman and Carolyn Cromeenes Foss. Hardin County, Illinois marriage register 1 May 1884–December 1891, volume I with annotations plus earlier marriage dates gleaned from other sources. Evansville, Indiana: Evansville Bindery, 1996. WorldCat 35451894FHL book 977.398 V2L
Copies of Marriage Records
- 1884-1920 Marriage Record IRAD (SIU) IRAD - Southern Illinois University
- 1884–1929 Marriage Register FHL film 965704
- 1884-1969 Index of Marriages IRAD (SIU); FHL film 965704
Deaths[edit | edit source]
Online Resources
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1850–1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885found at Ancestry.com ($)
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
Abstracts of Death Records
- 1884–1919 Reynolds, Marion Lavender. Hardin County, Illinois deaths, 1884–1919, and notes from the Pleasant Hill church register. Harrisburg, Illinois: M.L. Reynolds, c1995. WorldCat 34435115 FHL book 977.398 V2r
Copies of Death Records
- 1884-1946 Index of deaths FHL film 965706
- 1884-1946 Death Record Index IRAD (SIU)IRAD - Southern Illinois University
- 1884–1919 Death register and record IRAD (SIU)IRAD - Southern Illinois University; FHL film 965706
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Hardin County, Illinois ILGenWeb
- Hardin County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Hardin 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.
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Hardin 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), Hardin 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.
- ↑ Hardin County Fact Sheet, Illinois State Archives, accessed May 28, 2011.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Hardin County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardin_County,_Illinois 04/013/2017.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002), 194. (FHL Collection Ref Book 973 D27e 2002). WorldCat entry.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Hardin County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardin_County,_Illinois, Last accessed 7 January 2020.
