Searches of Deceased Person’s Records For Genealogical Purposes
Under Illinois law, genealogical records are defined as:
- Birth certificates older than 100 years, with proof of death.
- Marriage certificates older than 75 years.
- Death certificates older than 50 years.
Please note: Absolutely no information about a specific record can be given over the telephone regarding Vital Records.
Searching Records In-Person:
A number of resources are available for individuals doing genealogical research using vital records filed in Montgomery County, Illinois. We have indexes of the records available for the purpose of in-person, self-serve genealogical research. These indexes generally provide the name, date and place of occurrence and are located in the historic Montgomery County Courthouse. Although self-service access to the indexes is generally permitted, Illinois law limits physical access to the individual records to the clerk staff.
When you locate a record from the index, it will be necessary for the clerk to pull the actual record for you once you have paid the appropriate search fees. Please see below for forms and fees.
By Mail:
Montgomery County Recorder
P.O. Box 595
Hillsboro, IL 62049-0595
In Person:
Montgomery County Recorder
#1 Courthouse Square, Room 102
Hillsboro, IL 62049-0595
Our office is located on the 1st Floor of the Historic Courthouse. Map & Directions
Searching Records On-Line
We recommend that, as much as possible, people utilize the free on-line genealogical search information available in the “Resources” section below. While these databases do not show the actual record, and are just an index listing, this will help you determine if our office has a copy of the record you seek, during the years that the online index covers. This can help prevent you from requesting (and paying for) searches of documents that our office does not have.
When Do Our Records Begin?
- Births have been recorded in Montgomery County, Illinois since 1877, although the County Clerk’s office has a limited number of birth records beginning in 1862
- Deaths have been recorded since 1877
- Marriage records have been recorded since 1821
- Civil Union records since June 1, 2011
- Land records since 1822
Although the county began recording the above information on a certain date, this does not mean that we have a record of every birth, death, or marriage that occurred after that date. Sometimes rural births and deaths were not properly recorded, and reporting in general could have been more lax in the past.
This is why we recommend that, as much as possible, people utilize the free on-line genealogical search information available in the “Resources” section below. While these databases do not show the actual record and are just an index listing, this will help you determine if our office has a copy of the record you seek during the years that the online index covers. This can help prevent you from requesting (and paying) for searches of documents that our office does not have.
Resources
Illinois State Archives
Montgomery County Illinois Genealogical Society
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 212
Litchfield, IL 62056
Family Research Center
Located in the Rt 66 Museum/Tourism Center
Phone: (217) 556-6777
334 Historic Route 66 North
Litchfield, IL 62056
(Do not send mail to this address.)
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Litchfield Public Library
Phone: (217) 324-3866
1205 South State St
Litchfield, IL 62056
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