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Ogle County, Illinois

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records

Ogle County was created on January 16, 1836 (Laws, 1836, p. 274) and was formed from unorganized land (La Salle County) and Jo Daviess County. County organization was completed in 1837. Present area) , or parts of it) , formerly included in: Attached to JoDaviess [Laws, 1836, p. 277] (1836–1837) , LaSalle County (1831–1836) , JoDaviess County (1827–1836) , Putnam County (1825–1831) , Fulton County (1823–1825) , Pike County (1821–1823) , Clark County (1819–1821) , Crawford County (1816–1819) , Edwards County (1815–1816) , Madison County (1812–1815) , Bond County (1817–1821) and St. Clair County (1795–1812) .

The County was named for Joseph Ogle, pioneer politician and Lieutenant of the Territorial militia. The County Seat is Oregon (1838-Present) .

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County Courthouse Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Illinois Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

The Official County website is located at http://www.oglecounty.org/. All departments below at located at the Ogle County Courthouse, P.O. Box 357, Oregon, IL 61061 , unless a different address is listed below.

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

Ogle County Circuit Court Clerk has Probate Records from 1836 and Court Records from 1837 and is located at the address above. Phone Number: (815) 732-1130

Ogle County Recorder has Land Records from 1836 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number: (815) 732-1115

Ogle County Clerk has Birth / Death Records from 1877 and Marriage Records from 1837 and is located at the courthouse. Phone Number: (815) 732-1110

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 Ogle County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Ogle County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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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 Ogle County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Ogle County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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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 Ogle County, Illinois are 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940.Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Ogle 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 Ogle County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Ogle County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Illinois

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

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County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Illinois

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

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County County Cemeteries & Graveyards

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

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

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

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County Church & Bible Records

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

 

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

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

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County History

What is now Ogle County was once a part of the Northwest Territory.

In 1809 the Territory of Illinois was formed and included Wisconsin and Peninsular Michigan. In 1818 Illinois, in its present boundaries, became the 21st State to join the Union.

Ogle County was formed in 1836 from a part of Jo Daviess County.

The name, Ogle, was suggested by Thos. Ford in memory of Capt. Joseph Ogle who distinguished himself for his courage and coolness in the early days of the State’s history.

The first session of the Ogle County Commissioner’ Court was held at Oregon on January 3, 1837, and Oregon was chosen to be the County Seat.

Because there was so much dissension, efforts were made to divide the County and on February 27, 1839, the Legislature approved an act creating Lee County out of the southern half of Ogle county, with Dixon as its County Seat.

In December 1839, the County Board ordered the town of Oregon to be called Florence; in 1843, however, it was renamed Oregon.

Names of other towns were once different than those used today. Rochelle was once called Lane; Byron, Bloomingville; Polo, Buffalo Grove and St. Mary’s. Plans for a courthouse were adopted on December 4, 1838, and in 1841 the building was completed - only to be burned before it could be occupied.

The present couthouse was completed for occupancy in 1891 at a total cost of $106,951.46 for building and equipment.

On November 6, 1849, the electorate voted for township organization and the Commissioner’ Court appointed three men to divide the county into towns. Their report, filed February 5, 1850 named nineteen townships, comprising an area of 757 sq. mi. The first special meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held November 11, 1850.

In 1972, in compliance with the State Legislature’s decision on reapportionment, Ogle County held its first election to elect County Board members.

The county was divided into four districts, with six members from each district. This replaced the system whereby the township supervisors served as the County Board. A supervisor may also be a County Board member but not necessarily.

The 1998 estimated census shows a County population of 50,511. There are presently approximately 30,539 registered voters.

Three State parks are located in Ogle County.

  • The White Pines State Park is located on the Pines Road between Polo and Oregon.
  • Lowden Memorial Park is one mile north of Oregon on the east side of Rock River.
  • Lorado Taft’s famous Blackhawk statue and the Northern Illinois University Field Campus are located in the Lowden Memorial Park.
  • Castle Rock State Park is located on Illinois Route 2 south of Oregon.
  • Lowden-Miller State Forest is located 5 miles South of Oregon on South Lowden Road.

Weld Park, located in Marion Township, was given to the County to maintain as a County Park. Sinnissippi Farms southeast of Oregon in Oregon/Nashua Township is the home of former Governor Frank O. Lowden.

The Lowden Boy Scout Camp and Camp Medill McCormick for Girl Scouts are located in Ogle County. In 1962 the Ogle County Historical Society opened a museum in the Ruby Nash home in Oregon. This is open to the public on week ends during the summer months.

Renovation of the interior of the Courthouse was completed in 1984 at a cost of $1,500,000.00.

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