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Edwards County, Illinois

Edwards County was created on November 28, 1814 (Territorial Laws, 1814, Pope's Digest, p. 85) and was formed from Gallatin and Madison Counties. Present area, or parts of it, formerly included in: Gallatin County (1812–1814) , Randolph County (1803–1812) , St. Clair County (1801–1809) and Knox, Northwest Territory (1790–1809).

The County was named for Ninian Edwards, Governor of the Illinois Territory and the third Governor of the State of Illinois. Edwards served as Territorial Governor from May 27, 1809 to October 6, 1818 and Governor of the State of Illinois from December 6, 1826 to December 6, 1830. The County Seat is Albion . Prior County Seats was Palmyra (1814–1821) and Albion (1821–Present) .

County Courthouse Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Illinois Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

The Official County website is located at N/A . All departments below at located at the Edwards County Courthouse, 50 E. Main Street, Albion, IL 62806 , unless a different address is listed below.

NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.

Edwards County Circuit Court Clerk has Probate Records from 1815 and Court Records from 1815 and is located at the address above. Phone Number: (618) 445-2016

Edwards County Recorder has Land Records from 1815 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number: (618) 445-2115

Edwards County Clerk has Birth / Death Records from 1877 and Marriage Records from 1815 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number: (618) 445-2115

County Treasurer’s responsibilities include the statutory duties required as County Treasurer and as Ex-Officio County Collector of Real Estate Property Taxes and Drainage District Taxes for the entire county.

Below is a list of online resources for Edwards County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Edwards County Court Records by clicking the link below:

County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Illinois

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL 62702-5097. It can take up to 6 weeks to get a vital record from Illinois.

A number of resources are available for individuals doing genealogical research using vital records filed in the state of Illinois. Births and deaths before January 1, 1916 and marriages before January 1, 1962 are recorded only in the office of the county clerk where the event occurred. Most county clerks have indexes to the records that are prior to 1916 that are available for the purpose of genealogical research. These indexes generally provide the name, date and place of occurrence and are located in county courthouses located throughout the state. Although self-service access to the indexes is generally permitted, the law limits physical access to the individual records to the clerk's staff. When you locate a record from the index, it will be necessary for the clerk to pull the record for you once you have paid the appropriate search fee. Please check with the county clerk for fees and policies on reviewing indexes.


  • Birth, Death Certificates: The Division of Vital Records and Statistics maintains birth, death and marriage records that occur in Illinois from 1916 to the present.
    • Cost: Initial search and one certified copy or certification of the record or No Record Statement is $17.00 (long) or $10.00 (uncertified) per certificate by mail [application for birth records, application for death records].
      Make your check or money order payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep check amount for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
    • In Person: In-person orders can be dropped off for mail out within two business days at the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records office, 605 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. (Large volume orders may take longer.) PLEASE NOTE: the person requesting the record will be asked to show a valid picture identification card.
  • Marriage & Divorce Certificates:The Division of Vital Records also maintains an index of marriages & divorces from 1962 to the present. Copies of the marriage & divorce records are available from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage license was obtained or divorce was granted. Fees vary.
    • Cost: $5.00 by MAIL. Make your check or money order payable to "Illinois Department of Public Health". Enclose a business-size self-addressed envelope. The cost of each record includes a ten-year search if the exact date or place of event is not known. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $5.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Ordering Vital Records - You can also order Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail.

Below is a list of online resources for Edwards County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Edwards County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Links for Illinois

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Edwards County, Illinois are 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Edwards County, Illinois are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.

The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Edwards County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Edwards County Census Records by clicking the link below:

County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Illinois

Below is a list of online resources for Edwards County Maps. Email us with websites containing Edwards County Maps by clicking the link below:

County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Illinois

Below is a list of online resources for Edwards County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Edwards County Military Records by clicking the link below:

County County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Illinois

There are many churches and cemeteries in Edwards County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Edwards County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Edwards County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Edwards County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Illinois

 

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Edwards County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Edwards County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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