Difference between revisions of "McHenry County, Illinois Genealogy"
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:*'''1805-1985''' {{RecordSearch|2534491|Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index | :*'''1805-1985''' {{RecordSearch|2534491|Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index | ||
:*'''1810–1934''' {{RecordSearch|1803970|Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] — index and images | :*'''1810–1934''' {{RecordSearch|1803970|Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934}} at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/ FamilySearch] — index and images | ||
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:*'''1837-1900'''–[http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/marriage.html Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900] Search for McHenry County marriages in this online index then find the complete marriage record in one of the above-mentioned repositories. | :*'''1837-1900'''–[http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/marriage.html Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900] Search for McHenry County marriages in this online index then find the complete marriage record in one of the above-mentioned repositories. | ||
:*'''1837-1923'''–Marriage Record Index [https://www.ilsos.gov/isa/localgovrecordssrch.jsp IRAD-NIU] Search for McHenry records. [[IRAD - Northern Illinois University|How to use IRAD]] | :*'''1837-1923'''–Marriage Record Index [https://www.ilsos.gov/isa/localgovrecordssrch.jsp IRAD-NIU] Search for McHenry records. [[IRAD - Northern Illinois University|How to use IRAD]] |
Revision as of 17:10, 15 January 2021
Guide to McHenry County, Illinois ancestry, family history, and genealogy: birth, marriage, and death records, census records, family history, and military records.
McHenry County, Illinois | |
Map | |
![]() Location in the state of Illinois, United States Genealogy | |
![]() Location of Illinois in the U.S. | |
Facts | |
Founded: | January 16, 1836 |
---|---|
County Seat | Woodstock |
Courthouse | |
Photo courtesy Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD), Illinois State Archives | |
Address | McHenry County Government Center 2200 North Seminary Avenue Woodstock, Illinois 60098 (815)334-4000 McHenry County Website |
Contents
- 1 McHenry County Organization
- 2 Historical Boundaries
- 3 Records and Resources
- 3.1 Biography
- 3.2 Cemeteries
- 3.3 Census
- 3.4 Church Records
- 3.5 Court Records
- 3.6 Ethnic Research
- 3.7 Genealogy
- 3.8 History
- 3.9 Land and Property
- 3.10 Maps
- 3.11 Military Records
- 3.12 Naturalization
- 3.13 Newspapers and Obituaries
- 3.14 Periodicals
- 3.15 Probate Records
- 3.16 Repositories
- 3.17 Social Groups Online
- 3.18 Societies
- 3.19 Taxation
- 3.20 Vital Records
- 3.21 Voter Registration
- 4 Places / Localities
- 5 Websites
- 6 References
McHenry County Organization[edit | edit source]
Circuit Clerk: maintains the court records of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, including probate and divorce records.
County Clerk: Maintains county birth, death and marriage records, voter registration.
Walk-in location: 667 Ware Road, Suite 107.
County Recorder: maintains real estate records, documents and plats of subdivision.
Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1877 | 1837 | 1877 | 1836 | 1841 | 1840 | 1810 |
Historical Boundaries[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.
McHenry County was created 16 January 1836 from Cook County.Historically, all or part of the present county were parts of the following counties[2]: If your ancestor lived in what is now McHenry County prior to the county formation in 1836, you may find records mentioning your ancestor in one of these counties.
1831–1836 Cook | 1821–1823 Pike | 1812–1815 Madison |
1831–1836 LaSalle | 1819–1821 Clark | 1801–1812 St. Clair |
1825–1831 Putnam | 1816–1819 Crawford | 1795–1801 Knox |
1823–1825 Fulton | 1815–1816 Edwards | Northwest Territory |
Boone
Cook
DeKalb
Lake
Kane
Kenosha County, Wisconsin
Walworth County, Wisconsin
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Major William McHenry, an Indian fighter who died in Vandalia in 1835. The county seat is Woodstock and the county was organized on January 16th, 1836.[3] The County is located in the West Northern area of the state.[4]
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]
Some McHenry County histories include biographies of the local citizens. See McHenry County History. See also the Illinois Biography wiki page for more biographical links. Other groups of compiled biographies include:
- [1872–1878] Swanson, Viola Ashman, et al. Autobiographies of Fox Valley Pioneers. Elgin, Illinois : Elgin Genealogical Society, 1981.Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL Book 977.32 D2s
- [1877] Biographical directory of the Tax-payers and Voters of McHenry County.Evansville, Indiana: Unigraphic, 1976. Other libraries(WorldCat)Google BooksFHL Book 977.322 E4b 1877 Online transcription courtesy of Illinois Trails.
- [1877, index] Johnson, Martin W. Index to the short biographies in the 1877 Biographical Directory of the tax-payers and voters of McHenry County. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1989. FHL Film 1421993 Item 12
- [1832–1968] Nye, Lowell Albert. McHenry County, Illinois, 1832–1968. Woodstock, Illinois: McHenry County Board of Supervisors, 1968.
- McHenry County Biographies courtesyof Illinois Trails. From various sources, including abstracts from the McHenry County 1885 History. Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co., 1885, 991 pgs. Heritage Quest Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL film 825587
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
The following web sites have additional information on McHenry county cemeteries.
- ISGS Cemetery Location Project by the Illinois State Genealogy Society Cemetery Location Project.
Census[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± |
1840 | 2,578 | — |
1850 | 14,978 | 481.0% |
1860 | 22,089 | 47.5% |
1870 | 23,762 | 7.6% |
1880 | 24,908 | 4.8% |
1890 | 26,114 | 4.8% |
1900 | 29,759 | 14.0% |
1910 | 32,509 | 9.2% |
1920 | 33,164 | 2.0% |
1930 | 35,079 | 5.8% |
1940 | 37,311 | 6.4% |
1950 | 50,656 | 35.8% |
1960 | 84,210 | 66.2% |
1970 | 111,555 | 32.5% |
1980 | 147,897 | 32.6% |
1990 | 183,241 | 23.9% |
2000 | 260,075 | 41.9% |
2010 | 308,760 | 18.7% |
Source: "Wikipedia.org". |
Federal Census
Federal population schedules 1830-1930 for McHenry County are available online. For tips on accessing census records online, see Illinois Census. See McHenry County, IL census assignments, including links to transcribed files. The USGenWeb Census Project.
Locally abstracted census indexes are often more accurate than national indexes. Abstracted indexes for federal census records in McHenry County are as follows:
- Bauer, Phyllis J., Roberta Smith, Linda Stengele. McHenry County, Illinois 1840 Federal Census. McHenry, Illinois: McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society, 1986. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL Book 977.322 X28b 1840
- McHenry County Genealogical Society. McHenry County, Illinois 1860 Federal Census. McHenry, Illinois: McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society, 1986. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL Book 977.322 X28mc 1860
- Stambazze, Dee–Ann. 1870 McHenry County, Illinois Federal Census . Crystal Lake, Illinois: McHenry County Illinois Geneal. Society, 1992. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL Book 977.322 X2s 1870
Non-Population Schedules
1850–1880 agricultural, industry and manufacturing schedules were kept for McHenry County in addtion to the population schedules. See Illinois Census for more information. Selected copies are available at Ancestry ($). See McHenry Deaths for information about the mortality schedule.
State Census
A census for the state of Illinois was taken in McHenry County in 1855 and 1865. For information about Illinois state census records, see Illinois Census. Available on Ancestry ($).
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Church records may give birth, death and marriage information. The following copies or indexes are available:
- [1852–1909] Early Records of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Johnsburg, McHenry County, Illinois. an index to Volume I, 1852-1868, has been created by the McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society. A partial online index courtesy of Illinois Trails. Other libraries(WorldCat)
- [1852–1909] Early Records of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Johnsburg, McHenry County, Illinois. an index to Volume I, 1852-1868, has been created by the McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society. A partial online index courtesy of Illinois Trails. Other libraries(WorldCat)
- Johnson, Martin William. Church Records from Four McHenry County, Illinois Churches and one Kane County, Illinois church: Abstracts of Surnames, Villages, Towns or Cities, Deaths and Confirmations. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1992. Microproduction of original manuscripts. Includes the following churches: Trinity Lutheran Church, Hampshire, Kane Co.; St. John's United Church of Christ (formerly a Lutheran Church) Harmony, McHenry Co.; Trinity Lutheran Church, Huntley, McHenry County; Zion Lutheran Church, Marengo, McHenry Co.; St. John's Lutheran Church, Union, McHenry Co. FHL Fiche 6075868 Partial online transcription of Zion's Lutheran Church only courtesy of Illinois Trails.
- Johnson, Martin William. Church Records from Four McHenry County, Illinois Churches and one Kane County, Illinois church: Abstracts of Surnames, Villages, Towns or Cities, Deaths and Confirmations. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1992. Microproduction of original manuscripts. Includes the following churches: Trinity Lutheran Church, Hampshire, Kane Co.; St. John's United Church of Christ (formerly a Lutheran Church) Harmony, McHenry Co.; Trinity Lutheran Church, Huntley, McHenry County; Zion Lutheran Church, Marengo, McHenry Co.; St. John's Lutheran Church, Union, McHenry Co. FHL Fiche 6075868 Partial online transcription of Zion's Lutheran Church only courtesy of Illinois Trails.
Other libraries also hold copies of abstracted McHenry County church records. (How to explore WorldCat).
Court Records[edit | edit source]
See Illinois Court Records for information about how to use county court records.
22nd Judicial Circuit Court, Public Case Access to search for family court cases. Database also includes traffic violations, small claims, and criminal complaints.
Ethnic Research[edit | edit source]
African American[edit | edit source]
This database includes approximately 3,400 names found in governmental records involving the servitude and emancipation of Africans and, occasionally, Indians in the French and English eras of colonial Illinois (1722–1790) and African-Americans in the American period of Illinois (1790–1863). The Archives extracted the names of servants, slaves, or free persons and masters, witnesses, or related parties from selected governmental records to produce this database. Courtesy of the Illinois State Archives.
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
German[edit | edit source]
Early German immigrants to the Algonquin area. Courtesy of the Algonquin Historic Commission.
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
- McHenry County Genealogical Society. McHenry County, Illinois Genealogical Society Surname Index. Crystal Lake, Illinois : McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society, 1982-1990 Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Book 77.322 C42m Online copy 1985–2004.
- Family Histories in the McHenry County Genealogical Society Collection. Use WorldCat to find if these publications are available at other libraries. Many histories are manuscripts submitted to the historical society. These histories are housed at the McHenry Library. See McHenry Library for contact information.
It is anticipated that this bibliography will eventually identify all known family histories published about residents of this county. Use this list to:
- Locate publications about direct ancestors
- Find the most updated accounts of an ancestor's family
- Identify publications, to quote Elizabeth Shown Mills, about an ancestor's "FAN Club" [Friends, Associates, and Neighbors]
- [Behrens] Behrens, Bradley H. The Behrens Family. Oak Park, Illinois: B.H. Behrens, ca. 1990. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Book 929.273 B395bb
- [Button-Kronwall] Walworth County Genealogical Society.Button-Kronwall Family Scrapbooks: Walworth County, WI & McHenry County IL. Delavan, Wisconsin : Walworth County Genealogical Society, 2003. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Book 977 B38b
- [Fanning] The Fanning Family Tree. Gibson, Louisiana: M.F. Giroir, 199-?. FHL Book 929.273 F216ff
- [Frink] Frink, Sidney Richard. A Saga of the Frink Family. Loves Park, Illinois: R.G. Peterson, 1982. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL Book 929.273 F916f, FHL Film 1321129 Item 11
- [Hart] Reeve, Kenneth J. Rev. Ichabod Andrews Hart, his Ancestors and Descendants: a Hart Family History and Genealogy. Columbus, Indiana : K. J. Reeve, 1980. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Film 1206429 Item 7 FHL Book 929.273 H251rk
- [Heald] Drury, Edwin. Line of descent from John Heald in Concord, Massachusetts, 1635, to Mary Elizabeth Heald who died Feb. 1, 1871, at McHenry, Illinois. Wilmette, Cook County, Illinois: E. Drury, 1880. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL Fiche 6018587 FHL Book 929.273 H347d
- [Herbes] Wollenzein, Eleanor Herbes. Henry Herbes, Come on Over: a History of the German emigrant, Henry Herbes, 1840-1901. Provo, Utah: E. H. Wollenzien, 2001. Other libraries (WorldCat);FHL Book 929.273 H415wh 2001
- [Hesselgrave] Kahler, Polly Upson. Hesselgrave Families in America. Baltimore, Maryland: Gateway Press, 1979. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL Fiche 6088481, FHL Book 929.273 H465h
- [Kline] Lee, Ruth Kline. The Ancestors and Descendants of Israel and Barbara (Notestine) Kline, 1625-1971.Washington [District of Columbia]: L.C. Photoduplication Service, 1985. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Film 1429817 Item 3
- [Neale] Carman, Gay. Carman collection: ancestry of Frederick D. Carman (b. 1858, Jacksonville, N.Y.) and Gay Neale (b. 1872, McHenry, Illinois) and Genealogical Data on the Sheffield, Gibbs, Carpenter, Gaylord, Bacon, Miner, etc. Families. Manuscript on film. FHL Film 928041 Item 19
- [Nokes] Schvaneveldt, Evelyn Crawford. Sidney Ostler Silcox and Maria Bates Nell, Their Descendants and Ancestors. Salt Lake City, Utah : E.C. Schvaneveldt, 1993. FHL Film 1750742 Item 16, FHL Book 929.273 Si32se
- [Owen] Owen, Charles Starr. Genealogy of the Descendants of Daniel Owen, Jr. of McHenry, Illinois: With Especially Attention Given to the Descendants of his son, Edwin Mortimer Owen, and the Allied Families of Norton, Warner, Stanton and Patterson.FHL Film 1036548 Item 9, FHL Book 929.273 Ow2a
- [Pfeifer] Shuman, Barbara. The family of Mathias John Pfeifer and Mary Barbara Scheuring Pfeifer.Oakes, North Dakota: B. Shuman, 1988.Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Fiche 6126178, FHL Book 929.273 P476sb
- [Schumacher] Noteman, Gene.A genealogy of the families of Michael and Anna Maria Gerber and Andrew and Anna Smith. Adams, Minnesota: G. Noterman, 1975. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Book 929.273 G313n
- [Thorne] Walker, Dorothy Thorne. The Descendants of William Thorne and his Wife, Sophronia Metcalf. Anchorage, Alaska : D.T. Walker, 1992. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Book 929.273 T393w
- [Van Ness] Van Ness family Bible records, ca. 1770-1831. Houston, Texas: Houston Genealogical Forum, 1963. FHL Film 1036745 Item 4, FHL Book 76.4 A1 no. 108.
- [Wayne] Eder, Linda Farroh. Charles H. Wayne.West Chicago, Illinois: Micro Data, 1989. FHL Film 1674468 Item 8
- [Wilson] Stevens, Ken. Scotch Wilsons from Western Massachusetts. Walpole, New Hampshire: K. Stevens, 1993. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Book 929.273 W691sk vol. L, FHL Film 1698017 Item 23
History[edit | edit source]
A short McHenry County history is found on the McHenry County Government site. Scroll to the heading "McHenry County's Early History." An additional online McHenry County history and town and township histories courtesy of Illinois Trails.
- [Pre-1885] History of McHenry County, Illinois : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens : also a condensed History of Illinois, embodying accounts of pre-historic races, aborigines, Winnebago and Black Hawk wars, and a brief review of its civil and political history. Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co., 1885, 991 pgs. Heritage Quest Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL film 825587 Online index courtesy of Illinois Trails.
- [Pre-1922]History of McHenry County, Illinois; Chicago: Munsell Pub. Co., 1922, 1076 pgs. Heritage Quest Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL film 1000504
- [1831–1857] McHenry County Old Settlers' Association members. Courtesy of Illinois Trails.
- [1855–1856]The Northern Counties Gazetteer and Directory, for 1855-6
- [1943-1996] McHenry County Yearbooks IRAD-NIU . Search for McHenry records. Information about how to use IRAD. These books include information about population, county and township offices, post offices, schools and political offices for any given year.
- Enclyclopedia of Chicago website gives short histories of most McHenry County villages. Type the name of the village in the search box.
- National Register of Historic Places in McHenry County
Land and Property[edit | edit source]
1830–present Original land and property records for McHenry County are available at the County Recorder's Office. This office is offsite from the McHenry County Government Building. See Illinois Land and Property for more information.
Land records are extraordinarily accessible in McHenry County. The County Recorder's web site includes a free web search. The index to deeds, mortgages, affidavits, liens, and more can be searched by name and/or document type and/or date. The system can return a maximum of 200 hits, and begins with the most recent transactions first. Because the index contains thousands of entries, searchers may need to include a date range as well as surname, to ensure that the oldest records are included in the results.
Records from the original leather-bound first volume of the McHenry County Commissioners’ Court Minutes from 1837 - 1848 are available in PDF format online at the County Recorder's site, as well. This Board established precincts (townships would come later), set the rate for taxable property, and began the process of laying out roads and determining the location for the county seat. Because Lake County wasn't divided off until March of 1839, early Lake County information is included.
Copies of the original records are available as follows:
- 1841-1945 Deed Index IRAD-NIU Search for McHenry records. Information about how to use IRAD.
- 1841–1901 Deed Indexes FHL film 1468339–1468346 Item 1
- 1845-1945 Deed Record IRAD-NIU Search for McHenry records. Information about how to use IRAD.
- 1845–1871 Deed RecordFHL film 1468339 first of 31 films
- Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Each purchase entry includes the purchaser's name, purchase date, number of acres, price per acre, numeric code indicating the county in which the land is located, legal description (township, section, range), volume and page numbers of original entry, and variously, the sale type, and the purchaser's sex and residence. Courtesy of the Illinois State Archives.
Maps[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- Maps of Illinois (1788-1940)
- Township map of McHenry County. Courtesy of Illinois State Archives.
- Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of McHenry County, Illinois. Norman, Oklahoma: Arphax Pub. Co.,2008. Plats the land of many nineteenth-century McHenry County residents. The publisher's bookstore includes a free online surname index. Other libraries (WorldCat) FHL Book 977.322 E7b
- McHenry County (Illinois) Land Atlas and Plat Book, 1985. Rockford, Illinois : Rockford Map Publishers, 1985. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Book 977.322 R2m Large Q Book
- Current map of McHenry County
- [1872, 1892, 1908] U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918. ($)
[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Various publishers of County Land Ownership Atlases. Microfilmed by the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. - FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Multiple Wars[edit | edit source]
Veterans Databases Courtesy of the Illinois State Archives. Includes War of 1812, Indian Wars, Mexican War and various other databases.
Civil War[edit | edit source]
Civil War service men from McHenry 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 McHenry County.
- –3rd Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company A (at right, 1863)
- –8th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company G, H, I.
- –9th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company G.
- -15th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, D, and F.
- –17th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Company G.
- –15th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, D, and F.
- –36th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company H. Diary of Wallace P. Benson courtesy of the Algonquin Historic Commission.
- –47th(Consolidated) Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company E.
- –52nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
- –95th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies A, C, D, F, H, and I.
- –141st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company F.
- –147th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company I.
- –153rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Companies B and K.
- Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Database Courtesy of the Illinois State Archives
- Database of Illinois Civil War Veterans Serving in the U.S. Navy Courtesy of the Illinois State Archives
- Database of Illinois Civil War Veterans of Missouri Units Courtesy of the Illinois State Archives
- Civil War Volunteers of McHenry County. Database including name, company, service term, death, and burial information. Courtesy of the Algonquin Historic Commission.
- [1861–1863] McHenry County Military Census for all men ages 18–45. Courtesy of Illinois Trails.
- U.S. Army Officers from McHenry County in the Civil War. Courtesy of Illinois Trails.
- [1877]Veterans listed in the 1877 McHenry County Directory. Courtesy of Illinois Trails. Biographical directory of the Tax-payers and Voters of McHenry County. Evansville, Indiana: Unigraphic, 1976. Other libraries(WorldCat)Google Books.
- [1883] List of Pensioners on the Roll January 1, 1883. Senate Document, 1883. Google Books.
World War I[edit | edit source]
- [1917–1918] World War I Draft Registration Cards Ancestry($)
World War II[edit | edit source]
- [1942] –Browsable images of WW II Draft (old men's draft) United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
- McHenry County World War II Casualties. Courtesy of Illinois Trails.
- McHenry County World War II Army Casualties.
Naturalization[edit | edit source]
Naturalization records may give immigrant information including hometown, arrival in the U.S., marriage and family data. See Illinois Naturalization and Citizenship for more about these records.
- 1840–1950 Naturalization Index Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840–1950 To access this record you must have the soundex number for your name of interest. Explore how to use soundex. Copy all information listed on the soundex card. First, check the court name of the record you are seeking, then check for which type of naturalization record is listed in the index. Compare your findings with the available records below. Or, contact the McHenry County circuit court clerk.
- 1924–1932–Naturalization Record Illinois Probate Records, 1819–1970
- 1928–1949–Naturalization Record Illinois Probate Records, 1819–1970
- 1929-1933–Declaration of Intention Illinois Probate Records, 1819–1970 Index at the beginning of the images
- 1929–1947–Naturalization Record Illinois Probate Records, 1819–1970
For each of these online records:
- Select View Browsable Images
- Select McHenry County
- Select the correct span of years and record title
Online Records
- 1800-1998 - Illinois, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1998 at FamilySearch — index and images
Newspapers and Obituaries[edit | edit source]
McHenry County obituary index spans 1884–2009. This index is provided by the McHenry County Historical Society and Museum. The organization's website states that not all people buried in McHenry County are included in the index. Copies of obituaries may not name the newspaper where the obituary was originally printed.
County-wide
- [2005–Present] Northwest Herald Genealogy Bank ($).
- [2003–2006] Northwest Herald incomplete Ancestry ($)
Algonquin
[2005–present] The Algonquin Area Newspapers Index includes obituaries appearing in the Northwest Herald and Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Countryside from January 1, 2005 - Present. Selected obituaries mentioning Algonquin or Lake in the Hills from the Daily Herald and Elgin Courier News are also included.
- [1997–2006] Algonquin Countryside. Genealogy Bank ($).
- [2006–present] Algonquin Countryside with News of Lake in the Hills Genealogy Bank ($).
Cary/Fox Grove
- Cary–Grove Countryside Genealogy Bank ($).
Crystal Lake/Nunda
Crystal Lake Herald
- [1880–1979] Marriages, 1880-1979 These indexes represent a list of couples whose notice of marriage license issued, or marriage performed or wedding conducted, or news items for anniversaries celebrated, appeared in the weekly Crystal Lake Herald newspaper. Information was not necessarily limited to residents of Crystal Lake and/or Nunda Township. Researchers should look for variant spellings within each index.
The Index, broken down by 10 year intervals, gives: Bride’s name, Groom’s name, and Issue date and page.
- [1880–1945] Index to Deaths Appearing in the Nunda (Crystal Lake) Herald. The McHenry County Genealogical Society has created an index to the names of deceased individuals whose notice of death appeared in the weekly Crystal Lake Herald newspaper. Information was gleaned from obituaries, death notices, police reports, and newspaper articles and is not necessarily limited to residents of Crystal Lake and/or Nunda Township. It was not unusual for a death notice to appear months and even years after the event, particularly in the case of war dead. Researchers should scan several indexes when searching for the name of a specific individual and look for variant spellings within each index.
1880-1890 | 1896-1900 | 1904-1905 |
1891-1895 | 1901-1903 | 1906-1910 |
- Index to Deaths Appearing in the Crystal Lake Herald
1911-1915 | 1931-1935 | 1951-1955 | 1970-1973 |
1916-1920 | 1936-1940 | 1956-1960 | 1974-1976 |
1921-1925 | 1941-1945 | 1961-1965 | 1977-1979 |
1926-1930 | 1946-1950 | 1941-1945 |
- [2005–present] Crystal Lake Herald Genealogy Bank ($)
Elgin
Daily Herald, Elgin Courier News
Marengo
Republican
- [1872–1989] Index to Deaths appearing in the Marengo Repubican. Courtesy of the McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society. Not all years are included in this index.
1872-1874 | 1901–1909 | 1930–1934 | 1950–1954 |
1881–1888 | 1914–1918 | 1934–1939 | 1970-1979 |
1890–1894 | 1919–1923 | 1940–1944 | 1980–1989 |
1895–1900 | 1924–1929 | 1940–1949 |
Woodstock
Woodstock Sentinel
- [1865–1889] Death Notices Index
1856-1869 | 1880-1884 | 1890–1894 |
1870-1979 | 1885–1889 |
- Sullivan, Gary L. Abstracts of Notices Published in the Woodstock Sentinel. Crystal Lake, Illinois: McHenry County Illinois Geneal. Society, 1998-2002. Other libraries (WorldCat)1856–1862 1863–1866 Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Film 2055535 Item 5(1856-1862) Fiche 6007504 (1863–1866) and FHL Book 977.322 V2s, 2 vols.Includes full-name indexes. Abstracted primarily from pages 3 and 4 of each issue.
Woodstock Independent
- [2003–2008] (Incomplete) Ancestry ($)
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Local periodicals can be rich with county information. Read more about periodicals on the Illinois state and U.S. wiki pages.
- McHenry County, Illinois Connection Quarterly is a publication of the McHenry County Genealogical Society. It contains general research helps and as well as ideas about research unique to McHenry County. Volumes may include abstracted records. Publication dates are from 1983 to the present. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Film 1927532 Items 18-32 and 1927533 Items 1-18 (Vols. 1–7) FHL Book 977.322 D25m Indexed in PERSI as ILMC. Online Index 1983–2008.
- Twigs and Branches (Rockford, Illinois) is a publication of the North Central Illinois Genealogical Society. Research in McHenry and surrounding counties are its subject. It is indexed in PERSI as ILTB. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Film 1976413 Items 34-40, vols 10 and 11 only
- The Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society (1950-2006)
- Illinois Heritage (1997-2008)
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Online Probate 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
- See Illinois Probate Records for more information. Probate records may give death and family relationship information. Probate records include wills, inventories, settlements, and guardianship records.
Original McHenry County probate records are available at the McHenry County Courthouse by the circuit court clerk. See Illinois Probate Records wiki page for more information about using probate records. The following copies of probate records are available:
- 1886–1976 –Non-Probated Wills 1886-1976 FHL Film 1443392 Item 1
- 1840–1843 –Probate Records 1840-1843
- 1840–1957 –Probate Packets FHL first film 1443393 Item 2 (first of 191 films)
- 1844–1985 –Probate Records v. 4 1844-1985 Index to Estate Files, v.4
- 1898–1923 –Will Records 1898-1923 FHL Film 1443392 Item 2
- 1915-1919 –Will Records 1915–1919 This record overlaps the previous record of wills.
- Wills in Alphabetical Order FHL Film 1443393 Item 1
Repositories[edit | edit source]
See also - Illinois Archives and Libraries.
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 McHenry County are kept, see the McHenry County Courthouse page.
Family History Centers[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 (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.
The FHC center in McHenry County is located in Crystal Lake. Be sure to call and visit its wiki page for hours of service and other information.
You may search your address for a center near you on the FamilySearch site, if you live outside the area.
Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD)[edit | edit source]
The Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD), managed by the Illinois State Archives, houses 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.
The Northern Illinois University (IRAD-NIU) holds the records for McHenry County. Learn more about finding and using their records.
- Illinois Regional Archives Depository
c/o Regional History Center
Founders Memorial Library, Room 400
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
Telephone: (815) 753-1807
Public Libraries[edit | edit source]
Algonquin Area Public Library
2600 Harnish Dr.
Algonquin, IL 60102
(847) 458-6060
- Genealogy and Local History collections at the Algonquin Area Public Library are described in the document Genealogy Pathfinder for Algonquin Library.
- Algonquin Area Obituary Index, a searchable listing of selected obituaries mentioning Algonquin or Lake in the Hills from from the Daily Herald and Elgin Courier News beginning January 1, 2005.
- The Illinois Digital Archives includes a collection of Algonquin and Lake in the Hills photos and documents.
Crystal Lake Public Library
126 Paddock Street
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815.459.1687
815.459.9581 fax
The Cystal Lake library has a genealogy collection that is helpful in McHenry County research. On-line resources include indexes to the the Lake Avenue, Mt. Thabor, and Union cemeteries.
The McHenry County Genealogical Society houses a portion of its collection at this library.
Harvard Diggins Library
900 East McKinley Street
Harvard, IL 60033
Telephone: (815) 943-4671
Local history collection includes Harvard and Hebron newspapers on microfilm from 1860 through 1986 (some early issues are not included.)
McHenry Public Library
809 N. Front St. (Route 31)
McHenry IL 60050
(815) 385-0036
The McHenry County Genealogical Society houses a portion of its collection at this library.
Marengo-Union Library
200 S. State St.
Marengo, Illinois 60152
(815) 568-8236
414 W. Judd Street
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 338-0542
- On-line searchable Woodstock Surname Index every-name index of 13 local history publications. Part of the Genealogy and Local History collection.
- Many of the library's local history pamphlets and local ephemera have been digitized are available on the LookAtIllinois web site.
- How to Research Your Old House is an excellent research guide to library collections and county records.
- Woodstock Illinois Historic Photographs local historic photos collection.
Reference librarians are very knowledgeable about Woodstock-area genealogical resources, and are accessible through the library's Contact Us on-line reference request form.
Social Groups Online[edit | edit source]
Illinois Research Community Facebook group which discusses Illinois resources and search strategies.
Message Boards You may subscribe to an online message board which focuses on the following areas in or near McHenry County.
IL-BARRINGTON (town of Barrington and surrounding areas)Message Board. Scroll to information about the IL-BARRINGTON message board.
IL-NORTHERN (Northern Illinois) Scroll to information about the Il-Northern message board
GenForum McHenry County Message Board.
Rootsweb McHenry County Message Board.
McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society Surname List
Societies[edit | edit source]
McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society
PO Box 184
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60039
McHenry County Illinois Historical Society and Museum
6422 Main Street
PO Box 434
Union, Illinois 60180
Telephone Number: 815-923-2267
E-mail:soinfo@mchnline.org
Reservations must be made in advance to use the collection. Call at least 24 hours in advance to make an appointment. Research fees apply unless you are a member of the society.
Cary–Grove Historical Society
PO Box 483
Cary IL 60013
Telephone Number: 847- 639-3790
Crystal Lake Historical Society
PO Box 1151
Crystal Lake, IL 60039-1151
Website
The Crystal Lake Historical Society is located in the Colonel Palmer House at the intersection of Illinois Route 176 and Terra Cotta Road in Crystal Lake. Their Research/Archives Room resources include newspapers from 1875, published county and local histories, atlases, maps and family files. On-line resources include the Index to Death Notices/Obituaries in the Nunda/Crystal Lake Herald, which provides details of name, age, date of death and date of burial for more than 33,000 people, dating back to 1875.
Fox Lake–Grant Township Historical Society
411 Washington St.
PO Box 224
Ingleside, IL 60041
Telephone Number: 847-587-0544
E-mail:FLGrantHall@yahoo.com
Website
Lake County Genealogical Society
1170 North Midlothian Road
Mundelein, Illinois 6009
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Taxation[edit | edit source]
- [1877] Biographical Directory of the Tax-payers and Voters of McHenry County Other libraries(WorldCat)FHL Book 977.322 E4b 1877
- [1877, index] Johnson, Martin W. Index to the short biographies in the 1877 Biographical Directory of the tax-payers and voters of McHenry County. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1989. FHL Film 1421993 Item 12
This book includes listings of men registered to vote or who paid taxes in 1877. Some listings include brief biographies giving his occupation, the date and place of birth for both the man and his wife, their marriage date, and the number of children.
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 since 1877 are kept by the McHenry 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 kept by the County Clerk from 1837 to the present. Original divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.
Copies of original records may be accessed through the Family History Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) located at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Search McHenry County records in the Local Governmental Records Holdings Database . For information on how to use IRAD see the IRAD–NIU Wiki page.
Explore McHenry County vital records found in the FamilySearch Catalog. Other libraries (WorldCat) also hold copies of abstracted McHenry County vital records. (How to explore WorldCat).
Births[edit | edit source]
- 1877–present - McHenry County birth records 1877-present are housed at the County Clerk's office. Original records are to 1916; copies are after 1916. Additional copies are available as follows:
- 1849-1900–Birth Certificates, Delayed IRAD–NIU. Search for McHenry records. Information about how to use IRAD.
Delayed birth records include submissions by individuals who were born before the state officially collected birth records, but who are in need of a birth record for identification.These may include affidavits by family members or Bible records.
- 1849-1916–Birth Record Index IRAD–NIU. Search for McHenry records. Information about how to use IRAD.
- 1849-1900–Birth Certificates, Delayed FHL film 1415913–16
- 1877-1902–Birth Records IRAD–NIU. Search for McHenry records. Information about how to use IRAD.
- 1878–1902–Birth Record Index FHL Film 1420735 Item 1
- 1878-1902–Birth Records FHL Film 1420735 Item 2
Marriages[edit | edit source]
The original McHenry County marriage records are held by the McHenry County Clerk and the Illinois Department of Health.
The following indexes to McHenry marriages are available:
- 1587-1959 - Illinois, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1805-1985 Illinois, Church Marriages, 1805-1985 at FamilySearch — index
- 1810–1934 Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1837-1900–Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900 Search for McHenry County marriages in this online index then find the complete marriage record in one of the above-mentioned repositories.
- 1837-1923–Marriage Record Index IRAD-NIU Search for McHenry records. How to use IRAD
- 1837-1850 Illinois Marriages to 1850 at Ancestry–($); Index, INCOMPLETE
- 1851-1900 Illinois Marriages, 1851-1900 at Ancestry–($); Index, INCOMPLETE
Copies of McHenry County marriage records are available as follows:
- 1837-1923–Marriage Records IRAD-NIU Search for McHenry records. How to use IRAD
- 1837–1923–Marriage Registers and Returns, 1837-1923 FHL films 1420735–1420737
- 1877-present– McHenry County Clerk - Vital Records Information and Request Form
- Marriages in McHenry County may also have been mentioned in area newspapers.
The following abstracts of marriage records are available:
- 1878–1899–Stengele, Linda, et al. McHenry County, Illinois, Marriages . Crystal Lake, Illinois: McHenry County Illinois Geneal. Society, 2003–2006. Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL Book 977.322 V2m Vols. 2-4 FHL lacks volume 1 and it is no longer in print.
- 1880-1979 Crystal Lake Herald Marriage Index These indexes represent a list of couples whose notice of marriage license issued, or marriage performed or wedding conducted, or news items for anniversaries celebrated, appeared in the weekly Crystal Lake Herald newspaper. Information was not necessarily limited to residents of Crystal Lake and/or Nunda Township. Researchers should look for variant spellings within each index.
Deaths[edit | edit source]
- 1877–present - The McHenry County death records 1877-present are housed at the County Clerk's office. Original records are to 1916; copies are after 1916. The following copies and indexes are available:
- 1877–1909 IRAD-NIU Search for McHenry records. Information about how to use IRAD.
- 1877–1924 Death index IRAD-NIU Search for McHenry records.
Online Records
- 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
- 1850-1880 US Census Mortality Schedule. Only those persons dying in the 12 months prior to the census are listed on this schedule. Browse for McHenry County. Ancestry ($).
- 1878–1909 Death Records and Index, 1878-1909 FHL Film 1420738 Item 3 and 4
- Pre-1916 Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916
- 1916–1947 Deaths and Stillbirths Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947
- 1916-1950 Database of Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950
- Index to deaths listed in Chapter 10 of the 1885 McHenry County History. Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co., 1885, 991 pgs. Heritage Quest Other libraries (WorldCat)FHL film 825587 Courtesy of Illinois Trails.
Additional death information can be found in indexed newspaper obituaries found in the Nunda Township/Crystal Herald.
Voter Registration[edit | edit source]
- 1877 Biographical Directory of the Tax-payers and Voters of McHenry County Other libraries(WorldCat)FHL Book 977.322 E4b 1877
- 1877, index Johnson, Martin W. Index to the short biographies in the 1877 Biographical Directory of the tax-payers and voters of McHenry County. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1989. FHL Film 1421993 Item 12
This book includes listings of men registered to vote or who paid taxes in 1877. Some listings include brief biographies giving his occupation, the date and place of birth for both the man and his wife, their marriage date, and the number of children.
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 | ||
Census-designated places | ||
Townships | ||
Historic communities | ||
Websites[edit | edit source]
- McHenry County ILGenWeb
- McHenry County, IL History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
- McHenry 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), McHenry 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.
- ↑ "McHenry County Fact Sheet."
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “McHenry County, Illinois Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/ill/mchenry/ accessed 04/18/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "McHenry County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McHenry_County,_Illinois 04/18/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "McHenry County, Illinois," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McHenry_County%2C_Illinois, accessed 22 March 2020.