Pope County, Illinois Genealogy
Guide to Pope County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
| Pope County, Illinois | |
| Map | |
| |
 Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded: | January 10, 1816 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Golconda |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | Pope County Courthouse P.O. Box 216 Golconda, Illinois 62938 (618) 683-4466 Pope County Website |
Contents
- 1 Pope County Organization
- 2 Historical Facts
- 3 Parent County
- 4 Boundary Changes
- 5 Records and Resources
- 5.1 Biography
- 5.2 Cemeteries
- 5.3 Census
- 5.4 Church Records
- 5.5 Court Records
- 5.6 Ethnic Research
- 5.7 Genealogy
- 5.8 History
- 5.9 Land and Property
- 5.10 Maps
- 5.11 Military Records
- 5.12 Naturalization
- 5.13 Newspapers and Obituaries
- 5.14 Periodicals
- 5.15 Probate Records
- 5.16 Repositories
- 5.17 Social Groups Online
- 5.18 Societies
- 5.19 Taxation
- 5.20 Vital Records
- 6 Places / Localities
- 7 Websites
- 8 References
Pope County Organization[edit | edit source]
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1877 | 1816 | 1878 | 1816 | 1816 | 1816 | 1810 |
County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Pope County are kept, see the Pope County Courthouse page.
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
Pope County is named for Nathaniel Pope who was the first Territorial Secretary of State.
Parent County[edit | edit source]
- 1816--Pope County was created 10 January 1816 from Gallatin and Johnson Counties.County seat:Golconda [2]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Nathaniel Pope, a Secretary of the Illinois Territory. The county seat is Golconda and the county was organized on 1816. The County is located in the South East 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.
Records Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Records and Resources[edit | edit source]
Biography[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web sites have additional information on Pope county cemeteries.
- Blackman Cemetery has a list of name in the cemetery.
Census[edit | edit source]
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1820 | 2,610 | — |
| 1830 | 3,316 | 27.0% |
| 1840 | 4,094 | 23.5% |
| 1850 | 3,975 | −2.9% |
| 1860 | 6,742 | 69.6% |
| 1870 | 11,437 | 69.6% |
| 1880 | 13,256 | 15.9% |
| 1890 | 14,016 | 5.7% |
| 1900 | 13,585 | −3.1% |
| 1910 | 11,215 | −17.4% |
| 1920 | 9,625 | −14.2% |
| 1930 | 7,996 | −16.9% |
| 1940 | 7,999 | 0.0% |
| 1950 | 5,779 | −27.8% |
| 1960 | 4,061 | −29.7% |
| 1970 | 3,857 | −5.0% |
| 1980 | 4,404 | 14.2% |
| 1990 | 4,373 | −0.7% |
| 2000 | 4,413 | 0.9% |
| 2010 | 4,470 | 1.3% |
| 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, Pope County on page 187.]
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
A chapter on Pope County, Illinois church history appears in a local history, available online at Ancestry.com ($), beginning on page 27.
Baptist
[edit | edit source]
- Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1864-1972. MSS. Copy: FHL Film 986485. WorldCat (Other Libraries)
- Brownfield Baptist Church. Record, 1860-1952. MSS. Copy: FHL Film 965608 Item 1. WorldCat (Other Libraries)
- Church and Family History Research Assistance for Primitive Baptist Churches in Pope County, Illinois
- History of Dixon Springs Baptist Church: Compiled for the Homecoming, September 10, 2000. 2000. WorldCat (Other Libraries)
- United Baptist Church (New Liberty, Ill.). Church Records, 1896-1957. MSS. Copy: FHL Film 965609 Item 19.
Disciples of Christ[edit | edit source]
- History of the Disciples of Christ in Illinois, Pope County section begins on page 363, courtesy: Internet Archive.
Methodist[edit | edit source]
- Blatter, Robert K. The History of Waltersburg: The Peaceful Nineteenth Century Invasion of Pope County in Southern Illinois. 1998. FHL Book 977.3991/W1 D2b. Includes membership list (1860-1899) & baptisms (1881-1914, 1953) for a church which is referred to as the Waltersburg Methodist Church, Waltersburg German Methodist Church & the Immanuel Church.
- Zion Methodist Episcopal Church. A History of the Church and Cemeteries with a Directory of Cemeteries at Zion, Pope County, Illinois. 1978. FHL Book 977.3991 K2h. FHL Book 977.3991 K2h.
Presbyterian[edit | edit source]
- Michael Hillegan Chapter D.A.R. (Harrisburg, Ill.). Church Records Presbyterian Church of Golconda, Pope County, Illinois Founded 1819. Reputed to be the Oldest Presbyterian Church in Illinois. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); ILGenWeb (deaths).[4] FHL Book 977.3991 V2d.
- History of the First Presbyterian Church, Golconda, Illinois. Golconda, Ill.: The Session of the Church, 1937. FHL Film 965608 Item 2.
- Thompson, Mrs. Scerial et al. Records of Presbyterian Church of Golconda, Pope County, Illinois. FHL Film 964988 Item 3. Baptisms, 1818-1937 -- Session book containing members admitted, dismissed, died, 1824-1911 -- Marriages, 1911-1935 -- List of pastors, 1819-1932.
- Bannon, Marie et al. Pope County, Illinois, Genealogical Materials. Includes information about the First Presbyterian Church (Golconda, Ill.). WorldCat (Other Libraries)
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 the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Pope County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Abstracts
- 1860–1960 Lee, Judy Foreman and Carolyn Cromeenes Foss. Pope County, Illinois chancery index : approximately 1860-1960. [S.l. : s.n.], c1997. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3991 P22L
- 1886–1920 Bear, Elizabeth Woodworth and Saline county Genealogical Society. Justice docket, Pope County, 1886-1920. [Harrisburg, Illinois] : Saline County Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1994.Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3991 P2b
- 1816–1831 Foss, Carolyn Cromeenes and Judy Foreman Lee. Pope County, Illinois county court record Book A, 1816-1831. [S.l.: s.n.], 1994. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3991 P2f
Copies of original records
- 1816–1850 Court record FHL films 964530–1
- 1818–1851 Circuit Court record FHL films 965696-7
- 1824–1860 Circuit Court records FHL film 965697 Item 3
- 1818–1851 Circuit court dockets IRAD (SIU)
- 1821–1859 Circuit court miscellaneous record IRAD (SIU)
- 1900–1909 Justice of the peace dockets IRAD (SIU)
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]
- [Glass] Young, John C. Descendants of Francis and James Glass of Pope County, Illinois. Marissa, Ill.: n.p., 1975. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
History[edit | edit source]
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Allen, John W. Pope County Notes. Carbondale, Ill.: Museum of Natural and Social Sciences, Southern Illinois University, 1949. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
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 Pope 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 ($)
- Illinois Public Land Purchase Records This record extract includes over 538,000 land sales from the 19th Century. Each entry includes the purchaser's name, purchase date, number of acres, price per acre, and in some cases the purchaser's sex and residence. Available at www.ancestry.com ($)
- Pope County Federal Township Plats
Abstracts
- 1811–1850 Winget, Judith L., Saline County Genealogical Society, and Jennifer L. Spohn. Pope County, Illinois deed book, 1811 to 1850. Harrisburg, Illinois: Saline County Genealogical Society (Illinois), [19--]. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3991 R2p
- 1820 Annable, Edward L. Pope County, Illinois landowners, 1820. Cypress, Illinois: E. Annable, 1994. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3991 R2a
- Early 1900s Nelson, Ronald L. A Record of land owners in Pope County, Illinois in the early 1900's: plat maps with more than 2,000 listings. Elizabethtown, Illinois: Ronald L. Nelson, 1979. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3991 E7r
Copies of original records
- 1816–1910 Grantee and Grantor index FHL films 964513–4
- 1816–1865 Land and road tax lists, assessor's books FHL film 1688976
- 1899–1899 Mortgagor and Mortgagee indexes FHL film 964529
- 1824–1860 Circuit Court records FHL film 965697 Item 3
- 1987 Pope-Hardin County (Illinois), land atlas and plat book, 1987 Other Libraries (WorldCat); FHL book 977.39 R2p
- 1816–1819 Territorial bargain and sale record; IRAD (SIU)
- 1835–1857 School land sale record IRAD (SIU)
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
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Civil War service men from Pope 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 Pope County.
- - 6th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Companies A, B, and G.
- - 29th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
- - 56th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company K.
- - 60th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H.
- - 120th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A and E.
- - 131st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, B, and H.
- - 136th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (100 days, 1864), Companies I and K.
- 1861–1865 Militia roll record IRAD (SIU) Search for Pope records How to use IRAD
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 or the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Pope County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
- 1820–1859 Naturalization declarations of intent IRAD (SIU)
- 1864–1894 Naturalization record IRAD (SIU)
- 1868–1886 Naturalization record of soldiers and minors IRAD (SIU)
- 1888–1898 Naturalization record IRAD (SIU)
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 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 Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Pope County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Online Resources
- 1819-1888 An unspecified number of Illinois, Probate Records are available at the Family Search Records online database. The collection does not have an every name index, but the images are available to browse and may often have indexes contained within each volume.
Abstracts
- 1816–1845 Annable, Edward L. Pope County, Illinois probate records. Cypress, Illinois : E.L. Annable, c1994-c1997.Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3991 P2a 1816–1835, 1836–1845
Copies of Original Records
- 1816–1950 Index to estate and miscellaneous papers FHL film 965695
- 1861–1916 Will record FHL film 965687
- 1819–1888 Probate records and journals FHL films 965688–94
- 1867–1888 The probate journals for Pope County probate records are also available in Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970. Click on the browse through images link, select Pope County, and select the record type you are interested in.
- Index to Pope County, Illinois Will Record Volume A (1861-1916), available online, courtesy: USGenWeb.
- 1861–1916 Probate will record IRAD (SIU) Search for Pope records How to use IRAD
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 Pope County are kept, see the Pope 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 Pope County.
Public Libraries[edit | edit source]
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Pope County Historical Society
PO Box 837
Golconda, IL 62938
Telephone Number: 610-683-3058
Website
Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois has a page with details about its' activities.
Taxation[edit | edit source]
- 1826–1827 Road tax lists IRAD (SIU) Search for Pope records How to use IRAD
- 1825–1865 Taxable lands list IRAD (SIU) Search for Pope records How to use IRAD
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 Pope 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 Pope County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the SIU IRAD Wiki page.
Births:[edit | edit source]
Copies of Original Birth Records
- 1862–1930s Births FHL film 964537
- 1862–1915 Birth records and still birth register FHL films 964537–52
- 1862–1952 Birth certificate index IRAD (SIU)
- 1877–1915 Birth certificates IRAD (SIU)
- 1862–1916 Birth certificates, delayed IRAD (SIU)
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 ($)
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810-1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index
- 1833-1889 Illinois, Civil Marriages, 1833-1889 at FamilySearch — index
Abstracts of Marriage Records
- 1816–1839 Schonert, Janet. Pope County, Illinois marriages, 1816-1839. Thomson, Illinois : Heritage House, 1972. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3 A1 no. 56
- 1813–1909 Lee, Judy Foreman and Carolyn Cromeenes Foss. Pope County, Illinois :*1810–1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index and imagesmarriage books. [S.l. : s.n.], c1990-c1995. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3991 V2L v.1–4
- 1826–1845 Winget, Judy Walley. Williamson County, Illinois marriages, 1839 to 1853 and 1865; Pope County, Illinois marriages, 1826 to 1845; Johnson County, Illinois marriages, 1857 to 1860. [S.l.] : Saline County Genealogical Society (Illinois), 1984. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.399 V2w
- Pope County Marriage Records, available online, courtesy: UsGenWeb
Copies of original Marriage Records
- 1822–1960 Marriage index FHL film 964533
- 1822–1944 Marriage records FHL films 964534–6
- 1813–1915 Marriage licenses IRAD (SIU)
- 1813–1915 Marriage licenses and consents FHL film 2132307–34
- 1813–1915 Marriage licenses IRAD (SIU)
- 1816–1944 Marriage record IRAD (SIU)
- 1816–1960 Marriage record index IRAD (SIU)
Deaths:[edit | edit source]
Online Resources
- 1749-1999 Illinois Deaths and Burials, 1749-1999 at FamilySearch — index, some images
- 1850-1880 Illinois Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 at FamilySearch — index and images
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
- 1850-1885 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885found at Ancestry.com ($)
Abstracts of Death Records
- 1860 Allen, Ricky T. 1860 federal census and mortality schedule of Pope County, Illinois. Decatur, Illinois: Bowers Press, 1983.Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3991 X2af
- 1870 Allen, Ricky T. 1870 federal census and mortality schedule of Pope County, Illinois. Utica, Kentucky : McDowell Publications, [198-?].Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL book 977.3991 X2r 1870
- Some Deaths From the Presbyterian Church Records Golconda, Illinois
Copies of original Death Records
- 1877-1910 Death register and index FHL film 964532
- 1909-1917 Death record FHL film 964532
- 1877-1915 Death record IRAD (SIU)
- 1877-1909 Death record index IRAD (SIU)
- 1883-1915 Death record, stillbirths IRAD (SIU)
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:[5]
| Cities | ||
| Villages | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
|
||
Neighboring Illinois Counties[edit | edit source]
Hardin · Johnson · Massac · Saline · Williamson
Neighboring Kentucky Counties[edit | edit source]
Livingston
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Pope County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- Pope County IL Genealogy
- Illinois Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Pope 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), Pope 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).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Pope County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Illinois 04/19/2017.
- ↑ Illinois Miscellaneous Genealogical Records: From Counties, Bond, Boone, Calhoun, Cook, Crawford, Du Page, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Will, Pope: Kentucky county, Mercer: Missouri county, Ralls. Evanston, Ill.: Illinois Society, D.A.R., 1946. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Pope County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Illinois, accessed 16 March 2020 .
