Livingston County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Livingston County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Livingston County, Illinois | |
| Map | |
| |
 Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded: | February 27, 1837 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Pontiac |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Livingston County Courthouse 112 West Madison Street Pontiac, Illinois 61764 (815) 844-2006 Livingston County Website |
Contents
- 1 County Organization
- 2 Historical Facts
- 3 Parent County
- 4 Boundary Changes
- 5 Record Loss
- 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
- 7.14 Probate Records
- 7.15 Repositories
- 7.16 School Records
- 7.17 Social Groups Online
- 7.18 Societies
- 7.19 Taxation
- 7.20 Vital Records
- 7.21 Voter Registration
- 8 Places / Localities
- 9 Websites
- 10 References
County Organization[edit | edit source]
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1878 | 1837 | 1878 | 1839 | 1835 | 1837 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Livingston County are kept, see the Livingston County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Edward Livingston, a lawyer and statesman. He was the Mayor of New York City, a representive in Congress from New York and Louisiana, United States Senator from Louisiana, Secretary of State under President Jackson and United States Minister to France.
Parent County[edit | edit source]
County seat: Pontiac [2]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Edward Livingston, Secretary of State in the cabinet of President Andrew Jackson. He was the mayor of New York City, represented New York in the United States House of Representatives, then represented Louisiana in both houses of Congress and the United States Minister to France. The county seat is Pontiac and the county was organized on February 27, 1837.[3] The County is located in the North central part 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.
- 1831-1837 LaSalle
- 1831-1837 McLean
- 1826-1837 Vermilion
- 1827-1831 Tazewell
- 1821-1827 Fayette
- 1823-1826 Edgar
- 1819-1823 Clark
- 1816-1819 Crawford
- 1815-1816 Edwards
- 1812-1815 Madison
- 1801-1812 St. Clair
- 1790-1801 Knox, Northwest Territory
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]
Records and Resources[edit | edit source]
Biography[edit | edit source]
The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois has a Livingston County edition. This includes a state history section along with a county history and biographies of Livingston County residents. See the wiki article for links to available copies and indexes.
The Biographical Record of Livingston County, Illinois 1900
Portrait and Boigraphical Album of Livingston Coutny, Illinois 1888
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1840 | 759 | — |
| 1850 | 1,552 | 104.5% |
| 1860 | 11,637 | 649.8% |
| 1870 | 31,471 | 170.4% |
| 1880 | 38,450 | 22.2% |
| 1890 | 38,455 | 0.0% |
| 1900 | 42,035 | 9.3% |
| 1910 | 40,465 | −3.7% |
| 1920 | 39,070 | −3.4% |
| 1930 | 39,092 | 0.1% |
| 1940 | 38,838 | −0.6% |
| 1950 | 37,809 | −2.6% |
| 1960 | 40,341 | 6.7% |
| 1970 | 40,690 | 0.9% |
| 1980 | 41,381 | 1.7% |
| 1990 | 39,301 | −5.0% |
| 2000 | 39,678 | 1.0% |
| 2010 | 38,950 | −1.8% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
A History of Livingston County, Illinois by Livingston Coutny History Project. Dallas, Texas: Curtis Media, c 1991. Has a section on Church and Cemetries of Livingston County. FHL book 977.361 D2h
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.
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]
The History of Livingston Coutny, Illinois
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.
1857-1865 Swamp Land Records - IRAD-ISU. Available through the Family History Library FHL Film 1689002
1859-1946 Chattel Morgage Record - IRAD-ISU
Land records available through the Family History Library:
1853-1889 General index to deeds FHL Film 1401697 Item 3.
1853-1921 Deed Records FHL 451136 first film
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]
- 1860s - 1960s Illinois, Military Discharge Records, ca.1862 - ca.1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
For information about using Military records see Illinois Military Records
Roll of Honor Livingston County - "all wars" This site list name of soldiers alphabetically, service in which war, where buried, rank, branch of service, unit, date of death
War of 1812[edit | edit source]
1862-1919 Military Discharge Record -IRAD-ISU
Indian Wars[edit | edit source]
Military Land Grants in Livingston County, Illinois For Soldiers of the Indian Wars
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Civil War service men from Livingston 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 Livingston County.
Artillery
Cavalry
Infantry
- - 20th_Regiment,_Illinois_Infantry, Company D.
- - 39th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company C.
- - 44th_Regiment,_Illinois_Infantry, Company C.
- - 52nd_Regiment,_Illinois_Infantry, Company D.
- - 53rd_Regiment,_Illinois_Infantry, Company G.
- -69th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company G.
- -129th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company A, Company B, Company C, Company E, and Company G.
- -138th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
129th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E, the company was raised in Fairbury, Livingston County - USGenWeb
Military Record available at the Family History Library
Patriotic Roster of Livingston County, Illinois. by J.B. Parsons. FHL Book 977.361 M23p
1865-1945 Soldier's Discharge Records from Livingston County, Illinois. Recorder FHL film 1392962 Item 3. First film of 3
Grand Army of the Republic 'Union_Veterans'_and_Lineage_Society_Records (GAR)
A list of GAR Post in Illinois additional site for post list Library of Congress
- Aaron Weider Post, Fairbury 1913 - USGenWeb
- Forrest Post, Forrest 1913 - USGenWeb
- T. Lyle Dickey Post, Pontiac 1913 - USGenWeb
List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883
World War I[edit | edit source]
Livingston County, Illinois in the World War (Source: Internet Archives)
World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (Source: Ancestry)
World War II[edit | edit source]
Army Casualties (Source: U.S. National Archives and Record Administration)
Naturalization[edit | edit source]
Original naturalization records are held in the office of the County Clerk. See Illinois Naturalization Records for more information about using naturalization records.
The following copies of original records may be accessed through the Family History Library.
1854-1906 Naturalization Records, Illinois. Livingston County Court. FHL film 1321643-1321646 Indexed.
Online Records
- 1800-1998 - Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — index and images
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Chronicling America Livingston County (Library of Congress)
Newspapers Published in Livingston County Illinois Newspaper Project )
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 abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through the Family History Library or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Illinois State University (ISU) - search for Livingston County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the ISU IRAD Wiki page.
1837-1958 Probate Case Files - IRAD-ISU
1917-1926 Probate Docket Index - IRAD-ISU
Probate records available through the Family History Library
1837-1905 Probate Records FHL film 1321647-1321649
1845-1891 Probate Records FHL film 1323368-1323377
Repositories[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. Illinois State University houses the records for Livingston County.
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 Livingston County are kept, see the Livingston 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
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. Currently there are no Family History Centers located directly in Livingston County.
You may search your address for a center near you on the FamilySearch site. The following centers are located in surrounding counties. Their wiki pages may supply hours and other information.
Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)[edit | edit source]
Illinois State Universtiy
2016 Warehouse Road Campus
Box 1520
Normal, Illinois 61802
Phone: 1-309-452-6027
Illinois Regional Archives Depository System - Local Governmental Records Listings Arranged by County
Public Libraries[edit | edit source]
Livingston County Public Libraries
School Records[edit | edit source]
1898-1995 School Pupil Diploma Record - IRAD-ISU
1898-1921 School Student Permanent Record, High School - IRAD-ISU
1935-1972 School Pupil Diploma Record, Prison - IRAD-ISU
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Taxation[edit | edit source]
1872-1876 Tax Lists, Delinquent - IRAD-ISU
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.
Order Birth and Death Certificates Online
Livingston County Vital Records Office
Livingston County Clerk
County Courthouse
112 W. Madison St.
Pontiac, IL 61764
1-815-844-2006
Birth[edit | edit source]
1856-1900 Birth Certificates - IRAD-ISU
1856-1903 Birth Records - IRAD-ISU
1866-1950 Birth Record Index, Delayed - IRAD-ISU
Birth records available through the Family History Library
1878-1900 Register of births and birth certificates, Birth index, 1948-1983 FHL films 1392963 First film of 12.
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1763-1900 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810–1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1837-1900 Marriage Licenses - IRAD-ISU
- 1837-1943 Marriage Record - IRAD-ISU
- 1915-1975 Marriage Record Index - IRAD-ISU
Marriage records available through the Family History Library
- 1837-1922 Marriage Registers and Certificates, FHL film 1392959 first film of 33 films.
- 1876-1923 Applications from Marriage Licenses. FHL film 1401627 item 2-4 first film of 11
Death[edit | edit source]
- 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
- 1877-1900 Death Record - IRAD-ISU. Available through the Family History Library FHL Collection item 2-3
Voter Registration[edit | edit source]
Places / Localities[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 | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
Websites[edit | edit source]
Databases Pertinent to Livingston County
Local Governmental Records Database
Name Index to Illinois Local Governments
Illinois Statewide Marriage Index
Illinois Statewide Death Index, 1916–1950
Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
Federal Township Plats of Illinois
Livingston County Probate Case Files Index (1837–1958)
- USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Livingston County, Illinois Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- Livingston County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Livingston County IL Genealogy
- Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Livingston 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, “Livingston, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/livingston/ accessed 04/17/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Livingston County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livingston_County,_Illinois 04/17/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Livingston County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livingston_County,_Illinois, accessed 20 March 2020.
