Records that survive
These are the record series from DeWitt County held by the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) system, with the earliest and latest years. A span can include gaps. They include county, township and city records. This county's are held at Illinois State University in Normal.
Marriages, births and deaths
- Marriage Record1839–1955
- Marriage Record Index1839–1949
- Birth Record Index, Delayed1860–1950
- Marriage License Applications1876–1935
- Birth Record1877–1905
- Birth Record Index1877–1959
- Death Record1878–1917
- Death Record Index1878–1962
- Birth Certificates, Delayed1880–1930
- Death Certificates1886–1957
- Birth Certificates1924–1958
Deeds and land
- Deed Record1839–1875
- Surveyor's Files1839–1867
- Taxable Lands Lists1845–1851
- Chattel Mortgage Record1923–1935
Wills and estates
- Probate Administrator's Accounts1873–1894
Naturalization
- Naturalization Record, County Court1866–1903
Military and pensions
- Military Discharge Record, Civil War1865–1939
Tax records
- Collector's Books1884–1963
- Road Tax Lists, Delinquent1888–1897
- Road Tax Lists1894–1911
- Assessor's Books1943–1968
- Tax Levy and Financial Statement Files1943–1966
Court records
- County Orders, Canceled1897–1910
- Justice of the Peace Dockets1902–1958
- County Court Transfer Dockets, Criminal1915–1924
- Coroner's Inquest Files1924–1977
- Police Magistrate Dockets1941–1956
Elections and voters
- Election Papers1839–1969
- Election Papers (Santa Anna Twp.)1967–1973
- Election Papers (Farmer City)1969–1975
Town and city records
- Township Supervisor's Annual Reports (Santa Anna Twp.)1968–1969
County government
- Board of Supervisors' Proceedings Files1837–1937
- County Annual Audit Reports1934–1969
Other records
- County Boundary Change Petitions1844
- County Seat Change Petitions1844–1845
Search the IRAD database for this county
Source: Illinois State Archives, Local Government Records Database (choose the county to see every series and its accession number). Contact the depository before you visit. Illinois began statewide registration of births and deaths in 1916.
Where to find the records
- DeWitt County official website
Hours, addresses and phone numbers for the county clerk, the recorder of deeds and the clerk of the circuit court, and any online record search the county offers.
- The county clerk
Births, deaths and marriages registered in the county.
- The recorder of deeds
Deeds, mortgages and other land records (in some counties the county clerk is also the recorder).
- The clerk of the circuit court
Probate (wills and estates), divorces and civil and criminal cases.
- The Illinois State Archives
In Springfield, with older county records at its regional depositories (IRAD) on university campuses.
- Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) systemfree
The State Archives' regional depositories, which hold older county, township and city records; search its Local Government Records Database by county.
- FamilySearch Catalogfree
Search by place for "Illinois, DeWitt" to find filmed and digitized records, many viewable free online with a FamilySearch account.
Offices change their hours and access rules; call before you visit.
Boundaries and parent counties
Formed from: McLean County, Macon County
Check the parent counties for earlier records: Macon County, McLean County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1839, search the parent county. The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries shows each boundary change.
Research tip
Illinois began statewide registration of births and deaths in 1916; counties kept registers earlier, often from 1877 or 1878. The Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, from the State Archives, covers many marriages from 1763 to 1900.