Effingham County Reference & Lookups

Welcome to the Effingham County, Illinois Reference Lookups page.  Below is a list of Effingham County sources, as well as the names of volunteers who will do look-ups.  (See the Guidelines for requesting lookups below).

If you would like to volunteer, please e-mail me with "Effingham County Volunteer" in the subject line; that will get my attention REAL fast!  Tell me what reference material you will be using to do the lookups.  I'll post your information below, along with your name and e-mail address.  I will assume that your return e-mail address is the one on your e-mail heading unless you note otherwise.

GUIDELINES FOR REQUESTING LOOKUPS FROM A VOLUNTEER   The volunteers WILL NOT do your research for you (you must do your own research), but they will use the reference material they have on hand.  They may also use their expertise to refer you to other possible sources.  Remember: These are volunteers, NOT paid genealogists, and their offer to help is based on their love for genealogy and their willingness to help others.  Please be as explicit as possible regarding the time period, and provide complete names and locations.  Give the volunteer as much information as you can.  For instance, if you request a census lookup, limit your request to one or two specific heads of household(s).  DON'T ask for ALL of the Smith's or Jones' on the 1880 census.  Please give the volunteer at least three weeks to respond; remember, they have lives of their own, too!  If the lookup involves "snail" mail, you will be expected to provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope as you cannot expect the volunteer to incur any costs involved with your lookup.  Finally, please be sure to let the volunteer know you appreciate their help.  Don't take them for granted.

Linda

EFFINGHAM COUNTY SOURCES

If you are asking for research, ALWAYS include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. You will be charged for copies. If extensive research is involved, you may be charged.  The Society's genealogists will search one surname for a non-refundable donation of $5.00.  This covers the cost of up to 10 copies and postage.  Volunteers are at the Library to assist with research on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10:00 AM until noon.

The membership fee is $15.00 annually, due January 1 of each year (includes "Crossroad Trails" quarterly publication and 4 newsletters per year). Regular meetings are held six times a year, one every other month (February, April, June, August, October, and December) at 7:00 P.M. at the Helen Matthes Library, 100 Market Street, Effingham, Illinois.

To apply for membership,  fill out the membership application and send to the the Effingham County Genealogical and Historical Society at the address listed above.

The library is open Monday through Thursday 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.; Friday 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. ; and Saturday 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. The library is closed on Holidays and Sundays.

Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1916. They are kept at :
The Office of Vital Records
State Department of Public Health
605 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62702
(217-782-6553)

Effingham County Clerk

The Effingham County Clerk's office has birth & death records from 1878 (very incomplete prior to 1916); marriage records from 1834; and land records from 1833.  They provide only certified copies.

Effingham County Clerk
101 North 4th Street, #201 (second floor)
P. O. Box 628
Effingham, IL 62401
217-342-6535

The Clerk's office is open 8:00 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday.  Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.
Death Certificates -- $9.00 for the first certificate; $4.00 each for each additional certificate. 
Marriage and Birth Records-- $7.00 for the first certificate; $2.00 for each additional certificate. 

For more information, refer to their web site Effingham County Clerk.

If you would like to volunteer for lookups please contact me.