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Madison County History and Information |
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County History |
Court Records |
Vital Records |
CENSUS Records |
TAX Records |
Military Records |
Church & Cemetery | Maps & Atlases | Genealogy Addresses | Genealogy Related Sites | |
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Madison County was created on ? and was formed from St. Clair County. Present area, or parts of it, formerly included in: St. Clair County (1790–1812). The County was named for ? . The County Seat is Edwardsville . See also County History for more historical details. Counties adjacent to Madison County are Bond County (east), Clinton County (southeast), Jersey County (northwest), St. Clair County (south), Montgomery County (northeast), Macoupin County (north). Township Government Adopted on November 2, 1875. Madison County Townships include Alhambra, Alton, Chouteau (Name changed from Gillham February 14, 1876), Collinsville, Edwardsville, Fort Russell, Foster (Name changed from Fosterburg), Godfrey, Granite City (Date of creation unknown, after 1921), Hamel, Helvetia, Jarvis, Leef, Marine, Moro, Nameoki, New Douglas, Olive, Omphghent, Pin Oak, Saline, St. Jacob, Venice, Wood River Townships Cities, Towns and Communities include Alhambra, Alton, Bethalto, Collinsville, East Alton, Edwardsville, Fairmont City, Glen Carbon, Godfrey, Granite City, Grantfork, Hamel, Hartford, Highland, Livingston, Madison, Marine, Maryville, New Douglas, Pontoon Beach, Rosewood Heights, Roxana, South Roxana, St. Jacob, Troy, Venice, Williamson, Wood River, Worden
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The Official County website is located at http://www.co.madison.il.us/. All departments below at located at the Madison County Courthouse, 155 North Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025 , unless a different address is listed below. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. Madison County Circuit Court Clerk has Probate Records from 1813 and Court Records from 1803 and is located at the address above. Suite 120; Telephone: (618) 692-6240 Madison County Recorder has Land Records from 1802 and is located at the Madison County Administration Building, 157 North Main Street–Suite 211,1 Edwardsville, IL 62025; Telephone: (618) 692-8919 Madison County Clerk has Birth / Death Records from 1877 and Marriage Records from 1813 and is located at the Madison County Administration Building, 157 North Main Street–Suite 109, P.O. Box 218, Edwardsville, IL 62025; Telephone: (618) 692-6290
Below is a list of online resources for Madison County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Madison County Court Records by clicking the link below:
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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.
Below is a list of online resources for Madison County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Madison County Vital Records by clicking the link below:
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Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Madison County, Illinois are 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your Family Tree in Madison 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. See Also Statewide Records that exist for Illinois Below is a list of online resources for Madison County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Madison County Census Records by clicking the link below: |
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Genealogy Atlas has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Ohio and other states. You can view rotating animated maps for Illinois showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps Below is a list of online resources for Madison County Maps. Email us with websites containing Madison County Maps by clicking the link below: |
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The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design. Below is a list of online resources for Madison County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Madison County Military Records by clicking the link below:
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The first known tax authorization in Illinois fell under the jurisdiction of the Territory of the United States North West of the River Ohio. The tax was based on every hundred acres of unimproved uncleared prairie or wood land, divided into three classes based on quality of earth surface and soil. The rates were thirty, twenty, and ten cents, to be paid annually. Property with delinquent taxes was sold at public auction. There do not appear to be any surviving tax records from this territorial period. Beginning with statehood, tax records form a large part of county archival material. The 1819 laws provided the first taxation process, imposing taxes on land, bank stock owned, slaves and indentured negroes or mulattoes, plus a poor tax. The tax was collected by the county with income divided between the county and state. Taxpayers lists were eliminated in 1824, and in 1825 a county road tax and school taxes were enacted. Original and microfilmed tax records at Illinois Regional Archives Depositories include taxable land lists, assessors books, railroad tax books, road tax records, and collectors books, the earliest record dated 1817. Other county tax records are located in county seats. Below is a list of online resources for Madison County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Madison County Tax Records by clicking the link below: |
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The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be more generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over. Below is a list of online resources for Madison County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Madison County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
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There are many churches and cemeteries in Madison County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Madison County Tombstone Transcription Project. Despite the early Catholic missionaries in Illinois, their church had almost totally disappeared from the state by the time of the American Revolution. Later migration of English-speaking Catholics reestablished the church in the state. In 1850 the largest religious denomination in Illinois was the Methodists. Baptists, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Congregationalists followed. Episcopalians had organized in the state in 1835, the Disciples of Christ were in Illinois prior to 1830, and the Lutherans grew in numbers with the German and Scandinavian emigration of the 1840s. The Genealogical Society of Utah and the Daughters of the American Revolution have compiled cemetery records for the state of Illinois. Soldiers' Burial Places in State of Illinois for Wars 1774-1898 is available on thirty-one reels of microfilm from the FHL. Local genealogical societies may have information and possible printed records of cemeteries in their locale. Below is a list of online resources for Madison County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Madison County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
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When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Madison County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Madison County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:
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Madison County was formed before Illinois became a state. At the time of formation, the area was part of the Illinois Territory. In 1812, Madison County encompassed the majority of the state of Illinois. All of Illinois north of the current southern boundary of Madison County between the Mississippi and Wabash Rivers was part of the county. The size of the county was quickly reduced. In 1814, the formation of Edwards County removed almost half of the area (the eastern part). The final boundary change occured in 1843, when a small portion on the northeast corner of Madison County became part of Bond County. "CHARACTER OF THE EARLY SETTLERS" In territorial days the inhabitants of the county, almost without exception, were of Southern origin. Strong sectional prejudices existed, especially toward the "Yankee," which appellation was given to every man who hailed from the Northern section of the country east of the Allegheny mountains. Before the year 1817 the only representatives of the New England states, who had visited the county were the vendors of wooden clocks and tin ware, and under these circumstances the pioneers could not, perhaps, well be blamed for their first impressions of the Yankee character. An early resident of this county states that there were three classes of society known in the territory of Illinois: First, the white man, born in a slave state, who arrogated to himself the title of the real Westerner; second, the negro, generally a slave; and third the yankee, from over the Mountains. Traces of this prejudice could be discerned for many years, but among intellingent classes the emigrant from the East soon came to be appreciated for his real worth, and recognized as among the most valuable of citizens of the county. Subsequent to 1817 the county received a large Eastern immigration, in which came individuals whose merits raised them to positions of influence, and who contributed greatly to the prosperity of the county. Especially was this the case of the Marine settlement, at Edwardsville, and later at Alton, whose rapid growth and business prosperity were almost entirely due to Eastern men. The early settlers had great respect for the religious views of others. Although their opinions on theological subjects were very decided and very dissimilar, yet a quarrel on these matters was of rare occurence. The Methodists and the Baptists were the leading denominations. The Methodists camp meetings were numerously attended, and proved influential means of increasing membership of the churches. Although most of the people drank occasionally there were fewer drunkards than might have been expected. The people of those days had a great reverence for the law. The worst characters professed to be law-abiding citizens. No man claimed, that, if he did not like the law, he had the right to set it a defiance. It is claimed that the early pioneers were more moral and free from crime than people of a later day. Thefts were of rare occurrence, and forgery, perjury, and similar crimes were seldom perpetrated. But while the higher cromes were rarely committed the lesser violations of the law were not infrequent. Assault and battery was the most common breach of the statutes. there was much sensitiveness as to personal and moral standing, and any one who considered his honor or respectability impugned would fight in a moment his assailant. On holidays and at elections and musters, boisterous and quarrelsome conduct, induced by the use of intoxicating liquors, was often witnessed. Fort Russell was a place of frequent rendezvous in early times, and riotous scenes often occurred there. It was stated by one of the earliest residents of the county (Mr. S. P. Gilham) that for some years after the first settlement of the county he seldom hear of any greater crime than getting drunk, or fighting. The first punishment of crime he recollected took place in 1819, when a negro was found guilty of stealing some coffee from a boat on the Mississippi rive, and whipped. When the population began to multifly and courts were established, men began to break the law, and were often punished by whipping at the post and confinement in the stocks. The Sabbath was often employed in hunting, fishing, getting up stock, hunting bees, shooting at marks, and horse and foot-racing. It was however, a custom to cease from ordinary labor, except from necessity, on that day, and when a farmer cut his harvest on Sunday public opinin condemned it more severely than present. There was no dancing and but little drinking on the Sabbath. In many localities there were no religious meetings. The aged people generally remained at home, and read the Bible and other books. All kinds of gaming were common. Card-playing was sustained by the best classes. At the sessions of the courts judge and lawyer would frequently spend the night together playing cards for money, though the statutes rigidly forbade such a practice. Horse-racing was one of the most popular amusements. The quarter races were the most common, and at these the most chicanery and juggling were practiced. Gov. John Reynolds speaks of having attended a horse-race, which drew crowds of people, on the 4th of July, 1087, in the American Bottom near the residence of Samuel Judy. The most celebrated and famous horse race in Illinois, in early times, was run in the upper end of the Horse-prairie, in Randolph county, in the spring of the year 1803. The two horses which ran the race were of the same size. The race was three miles and repeat, for a wager of five hundred dollars. The bye-bets and all must have amounted to a thousand dollars and more, in those days considered a very large sum. In 1806 Robert Pulliam, if Illinois, and a Mr. Musick of Missouri, made a bet of two hundred dollars on a race between two quarter horses, of a quarter of a mile, to be run on the ice in the Mississippi river, a short distance above St. Louis. The race came off, and was run without injury to either the horses or riders. Foot-racing, jumping, or wrestling were much practiced. Bets of some magnitude were made on foot-races as well as horse-races. Gov. Reynolds, in his youth, was one of the best in a foot-race, and won many wagers in Randolph county, previous to the removal of the family to Madison. He ran his last race while absent from this county attending school in Tennessee. Shooting-matches occurred frequently. these were generally held on Saturdays, and during the summer, as often as once a week. A beef was usually the prize. A keg of whiskey was usually carried to these shooting-matches, on horseback, and sometimes a violin made its appearance, and the crowd danced for hours. The early pioneers were exceedingly friendly and sociable. A new-comer was given a hearty welcome. The houses were in general small and poor, but the hospitality of the occupants knew no bounds. A visitor at a house toward evening could scarcely get away so much was he importuned to stay over night, which, if he did, he was always treated to the best the house afforded, and never allowed to pay for his entertainment. Orchards and melon patches were looked on as common property, and the man who would charge for apples, or melons, would be denounced for his meanness the whole county over. No charge was ever made for assisting a neighbor at house-raisings, log-rollings, or harvesting. The women were brave and self-reliant, and it was no unusual thing for them to practice with the rifle. They were often left alone, and it was well that they should know the best means of defiance. One of the pioneers of the county (John L. Ferguson) was accustomed to say that his mother could shoot a deer, or an Indian just as well as his father could, and thought no more of it. the widow Carlock, in the Marine settlement, was also one who had the reputation of being able to use her rifle, with equal skill to any man, in shooting game, or despatching an Indian, as the case required." An 1819 publication, called "Geographical Sketches on the Western Country," designed for emigrants and settlers includes a description of the towns of Milton, Alton and Edwardsville: "About Twenty-five miles from the mouth of the Illinois on the east bank of the Mississippi and twenty-five miles above St. Louis is situated Alton. The town lies west of Edwardsville ten miles, and was located in 1816. Nearly one hundred decent houses are already erected. The spirit of enterprise displayed by the settlers who are mostly from the Eastern States, and the natural advantages attached to the place point out this town as a stand where small capitals in trade may be properly invested." "Two miles from Alton at a place called Wallace's Mill, on Wood Creek, which empties into the Mississippi, is the little town of Milton on the route by Edwardsville to Vincennes." "The place contains about fifty houses and though it seems to flourish is considered an unhealthy situation. The Creek here drives both a saw and a grist mill each of which do great business." "Edwardsville is the seat of Justice for Madison County. It lies eight miles east of Milton and twenty miles north-east from St. Louis. It is a flourishing town, containing sixty to seventy houses-Court House, Jail, Public House, Bank, Printing Office, which issues a weekly newspaper and a United States Land Office, of which Col. Stevens is the Register. As this County embraces all the lands above east of the Mississippi and all the bounty lands in Illinois, all soldiers patents and grants of Illinois Bounty land are recorded here. In the vicinity of this town is a society of Methodists." |
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