Illinois Marriage Certificates, 1860-1917

Today I thought I would share copies of marriage certificates that have occurred over time in the state of Illinois.  A majority of these marriages occurred in Will County.  However, there are a few that occurred outside of the county.  Prior to 1877 a marriage license provides little genealogical information.  After 1877 the marriage certificate includes a "Return of a Marriage to the County Clerk".  This document includes questions that both the bride and groom had answer.  This includes parental information, birth information, age, and number of marriages.  Although that does not mean they were always answered.  Or answered truthfully by both parties.

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Will County in 1861.

Filing information for the couple married in Will County in 1861.  The witnesses to the marriage signed just above where the words Marriage License is printed.  

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Will County in 1865.

Filing information for the couple married in Will County in 1865.  Once again the witnesses signature are present above the words Marriage License.  

Marriage certificate of a couple married in Will County in 1872.  

Filing information for the couple married in Will County in 1872.

Affidavit of marriage for couple married in Will County in 1872.  

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Kankakee County in 1876.  However, the marriage license was applied for and on file at the Will County Clerk's Office.

Affidavit for marriage of couple married in Kankakee County in 1876.  

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Will County in 1892. 

Filing information and "Return of a Marriage to County Clerk" for a couple married in Will County in 1892.

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Kane County in 1910.

Filing information for a couple married in Kane County in 1910.

"Return of a Marriage to County Clerk" for a couple married in Kane County in 1910. 

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Kane County in 1917.

Filing information and "Return of a Marriage to County Clerk" for a couple married in Kane County in 1917.  

Marriage affidavit for a couple married in Kane County in 1917. 

The "Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900"can be an aide in locating marriages that occurred in Illinois.  Marriages are searchable by the bride and grooms name.  Searches can be narrowed by county as well.  Currently 90 of Illinois' 98 counties are fully indexed and searchable.  Only four of the 98 counties have no entries.  Additionally, some counties go beyond the cutoff year of 1900. 

Illinois Death Certificates, 1877-1916

The official recording of deaths began in December 1877 in Will County, Illinois.  However, this does not imply that all deaths were recorded when they happened.  Stricter enforcement of death registration was not enforced until 1916.  At this time heftier penalties were applied for not registering deaths when they occurred.  Below are examples of deaths certificates spanning the years 1888 through 1918.  With the passing of time more information was required when a death certificate was filed.

Death Certificate filed in Will County, Illinois 26 August 1888

Death Certificate filed in Will County, Illinois February 1902

Death Certificate filed in Will County, Illinois 20 February 1904

Death Certificate filed in Will County, Illinois 01 May 1910

Death Certificate filed in Will County, Illinois 26 December 1914

Death Certificate filed in Will County, Illinois 17 July 1918

Still-Birth Certificate filed in Will County, Illinois 17 December 1887

There is currently a database named "Illinois Death Certificates, 1916-1950" available from the Illinois State Archives.  This page also includes a detailed history on the registration of deaths in the state of Illinois.  Also, available from the state archives is a database named "Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916".  This is an ongoing project by state archives.  Will County is not currently available in this index.  These databases do not provide actual images of the certificates.  However, names, date of death, and place of place can be discovered.  With this information the death certificate can be retrieved from the appropriate county clerk.