Cass County, Illinois Genealogy
Cass County, Illinois genealogy and family history research page. Uncover links to record collections, history, and genealogy sources to aid you find your Cass Co., ancestors. Start now by building a Free Family Tree.
Cass County Quick Facts
- Government Website: No website
- Created Date / Origin: March 30, 1837 from Morgan County
- County Seat: Virginia (prior county seats was Beardstown from 1837–1839, Virginia from 1839–1843 and Beardstown from 1843–1867)
- Named After: Lewis Cass (1782–1866), second governor of Michigan Territory, fourteenth United States Secretary of War
- Bordering Counties: Mason County (northeast), Menard County (east), Sangamon County (southeast), Morgan County (south), Brown County (west), Schuyler County (northwest)
- Cities, Towns & Villages: Beardstown, Virginia, Arenzville, Ashland, Bluff Springs, Chandlerville, Newmansville, Philadelphia
- Townships: Hagener, Bluff Springs, Ashland, Arenzville, Beardstown, Chandlerville, Philadelphia, Panther Creek, Newmansville, Sangamon Valley, Virginia
Cass County Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources
A list of Cass County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See Also Illinois Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.
- Illinois State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Cass County Historical and Genealogical Society, 109 S. Front St., Virginia, IL 217 452-7977
- University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS), Illinois Regional Archives Depository, LIB 144, University of Illinois at Springfield, One University Plaza, MS BRK 140, Springfield, IL 62703-5407; 217-206-6520
- Cass County, Illinois Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com) read and post messages about your ancestors in Cass County
- Cass County, Illinois Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com) read and post messages with other genealogy researchers for Cass County
- USGenWeb Archives for Cass County
Cass County Courthouse and Government Records
Genealogist frequently fail to notice the significance of Cass County court, probate, and land records data as a resource of family history and genealogy details. Buried away in Illinois courthouses and archives everywhere are the dreams and worries of the many Illinois people.
The chances are very good that your forefathers have left a detailed record of at least quite a few facets of their lives in the Cass County court records. Even if your forefathers is not referred to in a Court case, take into account all of the other procedures which may have lead to her or him showing up in court records.
Remember to contact the clerk's office to determine hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics in advance of visiting or asking for information because of in some cases changing contact info. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The records and documents are readily available to interested parties, barring private issues. Most staff will help people in finding the materials, but it's up to the person to perform the researching.
The below information and facts denotes whatever death, marriage, birth, land, wills, and legal records will be in Cass County. The dates stated listed below tend to be the first noted documents for this particular county.
- Cass County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 100 E. Springfield St., Virginia, IL 62691
- Cass County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds maintains records and issues certificates of vital statistics (birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates) for the entire County. The Recorder's duties are receiving, filing and maintaining all records related to real property in our county. These documents range from all types of conveyance deeds, mortgages, releases and assignments, property liens, as well as, assorted federal, state and local liens. The Recorder’s office is responsible for the recordation and storage of plats of subdivision, land surveys and monument records. Many other types of miscellaneous documents are recorded, such as; foreign birth certificates, foreign marriage licenses, and military discharge paperwork to name a few.
- Phone: 217-452-7217
- Marriage Records: 1837
- Birth & Death Records: 1874
- Land Records: 1826
- Cass County Clerk of the Circuit Court, commonly known as the Circuit Clerk, is the keeper of the files and records of the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk's Office retains documents some of which include criminal law, chancery, support, probate, adoption, ect....
- Phone: 217-452-7225
- Probate Records: 1837
- Court Records: 1837
- Cass County Treasurer's Office is responsible for 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.
- Illinois Office of Vital Records has copies of birth and death records reported from January 1, 1916 and Marriage & Divorces since January 1 1962. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Illinois for current fees and application process.
Illinois Historical Records - Databases include Illinois Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Illinois Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Illinois Voter Lists & Census Records; Illinois Immigration & Emigration Records; Illinois Obituary Records; Illinois Military Records; Illinois Family Tree Records; Illinois Pictures; Illinois Stories, Memories & Histories; Illinois Directories & Member Lists and much more....
Cass County Genealogy Links
The following are web links to Family history and genealogy, Records and Resources associated to Cass County. These genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a cost. This is simply a collection that has been gathered or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site over another. Feel free to provide your own preferred Cass County genealogy or family history affiliated sites.
Cass Co. IL Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
Cass Co. IL Books, Newspapers & Publications
Cass Co. IL Birth, Marriage & Death Records
Cass Co. IL Court, Probate Land and Tax Records
Cass Co. IL Census Records
Cass Co. IL Cemeteries & Graveyards
Cass Co. IL Church & Bible Records
Cass Co. IL Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
Cass Co. IL General and History Websites
Cass Co. IL Military Records
Cass Co. IL Schools & Directories