Search Grundy County Genealogy
Grundy County genealogy records go back to 1841, when the first marriage licenses were filed at the county seat in Morris. The county clerk holds birth records from 1877, death records from 1878, and marriage records from 1841. A dedicated genealogy room on the first floor of the courthouse makes in-person research easier than in most small Illinois counties. You can search Grundy County genealogy records by visiting Room 10 in Morris, sending a mail request, or calling the genealogy line. Historical files are also preserved at the IRAD depository at Illinois State University in Normal.
Grundy County Genealogy Quick Facts
Grundy County Clerk Genealogy Office
The Grundy County Clerk at 111 E Washington St in Morris is the main source for genealogy records in the county. Birth records start in 1877 and run through 1915 in the local files. Death records cover 1878 to 1917. Marriage records go all the way back to 1841. After those cutoff dates, records were sent to the state. The Counties Code (55 ILCS 5) designates the county clerk as the official custodian of these records in Illinois.
Grundy County has a dedicated genealogy room. Room 10 is on the first floor of the courthouse. The genealogy phone line is 815-941-3368. Hours are 8 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM on weekdays. The main clerk's office number is 815-941-3222. Having a separate room and phone line for genealogy means you get staff who are used to working with researchers and know where to find older records. This setup is not common in smaller Illinois counties, so Grundy County stands out for genealogy access.
In-person copies cost $3 each. That is one of the lowest rates in the state for a genealogy record. Mail requests cost $9 per search, which covers the staff time to look up the record and mail it back. Send requests to the clerk at 111 E Washington St, Morris, IL 60450. Include the full name, any dates you have, and a check made out to the Grundy County Clerk.
| Office | Grundy County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 E Washington St Morris, IL 60450 |
| Phone | 815-941-3222 |
| Genealogy Room | Room 10: 815-941-3368 |
| Hours | 8 AM - 12 PM, 1 PM - 4 PM |
Note: Birth records at the Grundy County Clerk cover 1877 to 1915 only; later births are held by the state.
Grundy County Marriage Records
Marriage records are the oldest genealogy files in Grundy County. They start in 1841 and run through 1915 in the local collection. That is more than 70 years of marriage records all in one place. Each file lists the names of the bride and groom, the date, and usually the ages and residences of both parties. For families who lived in Grundy County before vital records began, marriage files may be the first written trace of their presence in the area.
Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records become available for genealogy research after 50 years. For Grundy County, every marriage record in the local collection (1841 to 1915) is well past that threshold. You can request copies in person for $3 or by mail for $9. The clerk's genealogy room is the best place to search the indexes if you can visit Morris in person.
The Illinois State Archives has a statewide marriage index covering 1763 to 1900. This free online tool includes Grundy County entries. It can help you confirm names and dates before ordering a copy from the clerk. If the marriage happened after 1900, the clerk's office is the only place to check the local index.
Grundy County Records at IRAD
The IRAD depository for Grundy County is at Illinois State University in Normal. IRAD holds historical county government records that have been transferred out of the courthouse for long-term storage. For Grundy County, this may include older vital records, court files, probate records, naturalization papers, and land documents. Research is free. Call (309) 452-6027 to ask about Grundy County holdings. The IRAD holdings database online lets you see what files are available before making the trip.
The Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) is the law that created the IRAD system. It requires that county records with lasting research value be preserved rather than thrown out. This is why Grundy County's historical files survive at Illinois State University. If the clerk in Morris does not have a record you need, IRAD is the next stop. Staff at IRAD accept mail and phone requests but limit each one to two names per inquiry.
The IDPH genealogy page above explains how to order birth and death records from 1916 forward through the state. Grundy County researchers can use this path for any record after the local cutoff dates of 1915 and 1917.
Searching Grundy County Records
The best way to search Grundy County genealogy records is to visit the genealogy room in Morris. Room 10 has index books and microfilm for the local collection. Staff there handle genealogy questions every day. Bring a valid photo ID and any notes on the person you are researching. A full name and rough date range will get you started. If you cannot visit, call the genealogy line at 815-941-3368 during business hours or send a mail request with a $9 check.
The Illinois Department of Public Health holds birth and death records from 1916 to present. Genealogy copies must be ordered by mail and take about 12 weeks. For Grundy County births before 1916 and deaths before 1918, the local clerk is the source. The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) covers public records in Illinois, but vital records follow their own rules under the Vital Records Act, which is stricter about who can get copies of recent files.
Grundy County Record Fees
Grundy County has some of the lowest genealogy fees in Illinois. Here are the current rates:
- In-person copy: $3 per record
- Mail search: $9 per name
- IRAD research: free for in-person visits
- State Archives out-of-state fee: $10 prepaid
- IDPH genealogy copy: $10 by mail
Make checks payable to the Grundy County Clerk. Include a valid photo ID with all mail requests. The low in-person fee makes Grundy County an easy stop for researchers driving through the area. Morris is right off Interstate 80, so it is a simple detour if you are heading across Illinois.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Grundy County in northeastern Illinois. Families who lived near a county line may have filed records in a neighboring county. Check these if your Grundy County search does not turn up what you need.