Knox County, Illinois Genealogy
Knox County, Illinois genealogy and family history research page. Uncover links to record collections, history, and genealogy sources to aid you find your Knox Co., ancestors. Start now by building a Free Family Tree.
Knox County Quick Facts
- Government Website: www.knoxcountyil.com/
- Created Date / Origin: January 13, 1825 from unorganized land, Fulton County and Henry County
- County Seat: Galesburg (prior county seats was Home of John B. Gum in Henderson from 1830–1831, Henderson—New location, name changed to Knoxville from 1831–1873)
- Named After: Gen. Henry Knox (1750-1806), American Revolutionary War general and first United States Secretary of War
- Bordering Counties: Henry County (north), Stark County (east), Peoria County (southeast), Fulton County (south), Warren County (west), Mercer County (northwest)
- Cities, Towns & Villages: Abingdon, Altona, East Galesburg, Galesburg, Henderson, Knoxville, London Mills, Maquon, Oneida, Rio, St. Augustine, Victoria, Wataga, Williamsfield, Yates City
- Townships: Knox, Haw Creek, Henderson, Indian Point, Elba, Galesburg, Galesburg City, Chestnut, Cedar, Copley, Persifer, Ontario, Orange, Maquon, Lynn, Sparta, Rio, Salem, Walnut Grove, Victoria, Truro
Knox County Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources
A list of Knox 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)
- Knox County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 13, Galesburg, IL 61402
- Western Illinois University Region (WIU), Illinois Regional Archives Depository, University Library, Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455; 309-298-2716
- Knox County, Illinois Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com) read and post messages about your ancestors in Knox County
- Knox County, Illinois Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com) read and post messages with other genealogy researchers for Knox County
- USGenWeb Archives for Knox County
Knox County Courthouse and Government Records
Genealogist frequently fail to notice the significance of Knox 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 Knox 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 Knox County. The dates stated listed below tend to be the first noted documents for this particular county.
- Knox County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 200 S. Cherry St., Galesburg, IL 61401
- Knox County Clerk maintains records and issues certificates of vital statistics (birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates) for the entire County.
- Phone: (309) 345-3815
- Marriage Records: 1830
- Birth & Death Records: 1877
- Knox County Recorder of Deeds serves the people of County by 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: 309-345-3818
- Land Records:1818
- Knox 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: 309-345-3859
- Probate Records: 1830
- Court Records: 1836
- Knox 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....
Knox County Genealogy Links
The following are web links to Family history and genealogy, Records and Resources associated to Knox 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 Knox County genealogy or family history affiliated sites.
Knox Co. IL Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
Knox Co. IL Books, Newspapers & Publications
Knox Co. IL Birth, Marriage & Death Records
Knox Co. IL Court, Probate Land and Tax Records
Knox Co. IL Census Records
Knox Co. IL Cemeteries & Graveyards
Knox Co. IL Church & Bible Records
Knox Co. IL Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
Knox Co. IL General and History Websites
Knox Co. IL Military Records
Knox Co. IL Schools & Directories