Records that survive
These are the record series from Fayette 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 the University of Illinois Springfield.
Marriages, births and deaths
- Marriage Record1821–1964
- Marriage Record Index1827–1964
- Birth Certificates1860–1921
- Birth Record Index1860–1925
- Birth Record1877–1917
- Birth and Death Record Index1877–1917
- Death Record1877–1915
- Death Record Index1877–1925
- Death Certificates1878–1920
- Burial Permit Record (Vandalia)1902–1949
- Death Certificates (Vandalia)1902–1949
Deeds and land
- Taxable Lands Lists1816–1904
- Deed Index1821–1970
- Deed Record1821–1972
- Swamp Land Record1852–1857
- Village Trustees' Minutes (Farina)1867–1977
Wills and estates
- Probate Fee Books1858
Military and pensions
- Military Discharge Record1917–1972
- Military Discharge Record Index1917–1973
Tax records
- Assessor's Books1853–1854
Court records
- Recorder's Unclaimed Instruments1826–1911
- Circuit Court Fee Books1831–1860
- Circuit Court Dockets1836–1842
- Justice of the Peace Dockets1839–1870
- Jury Registers1847–1858
- Township Meeting Minutes (Vandalia Twp.)1860–1894
- County Order Record1869–1889
- Police Magistrate Dockets (Farina)1895–1959
Elections and voters
- Election Papers1821–1860
Town and city records
- City Council Minutes (Vandalia)1869–1941
- City Ordinance Record (Vandalia)1869–1912
- Township Record (Carson Twp.)1889–1946
- Township Supervisor's Cash Books (Vandalia Twp.)1949–1982
- Road and Bridge Fund Record (Vandalia Twp.)1958–1998
- Bridge Construction Record (Vandalia Twp.)1961–2007
County government
- County Officials' Oath Record1839–1859
- Highway Commissioners' Record (Vandalia Twp.)1863–1941
- Local Improvements Board Proceedings Files (Vandalia)1905–1930
- Village Annual Audit Reports (Farina)1951–1969
Other records
- Circuit Clerk's Miscellaneous Files1821–1861
- County Clerk's Miscellaneous Files1821–1910
- Estray Papers1821–1861
- Estray Record1827–1892
- Marks and Brands Record1827–1891
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
- Fayette 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, Fayette" 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: Bond County, Clark County, Crawford County, Jefferson County, Wayne County
Check the parent counties for earlier records: Bond County, Clark County, Crawford County, Jefferson County, Wayne County
Later formed partly from Fayette County: Clay County, Clinton County, Effingham County, Marion County, Shelby County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1821, 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.