Search Jackson County Genealogy
Jackson County genealogy records stretch back to the 1840s and cover birth, death, marriage, and land files held by the county clerk in Murphysboro. The county has some of the oldest land records in southern Illinois, starting from 1814. A courthouse fire on June 10, 1843 destroyed some early documents, but many records still survive. If you have family roots in the Murphysboro or Carbondale area, Jackson County is a strong starting point for your research. You can search records through the clerk's office by mail, phone, email, or in person at the Walnut Street courthouse.
Jackson County Genealogy Quick Facts
Jackson County Clerk Genealogy Office
The Jackson County Clerk and Recorder in Murphysboro is the primary source for genealogy records in Jackson County. Birth records go back to 1852, which is earlier than most Illinois counties. Death records start from 1877. Marriage records begin in 1843. Land records are even older, dating to 1814. The office is at 1001 Walnut Street, Murphysboro, IL 62966. Call 618-687-7360 or email JacksonCountyVitals@jacksoncounty-il.gov to start a search.
The June 10, 1843 fire at the Jackson County courthouse destroyed some of the earliest records. If you are looking for documents from before that date, they may not exist. Records filed after the fire are generally in good shape. This is a common challenge in Illinois genealogy research. Several counties lost early files to fires, and Jackson County is one of them. Still, the collection that survives is deep and goes back further than many neighboring counties for both birth and land records.
Fees for Jackson County genealogy records are set by the clerk. Birth records cost $16 for the first copy and $7 for each extra. Death records are $22 for the first copy and $11 for additional copies. Marriage records cost $16 for the first and $7 for each one after that. Payment should be by check or money order. Include a copy of your photo ID with any mail request.
| Office | Jackson County Clerk & Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 1001 Walnut Street Murphysboro, IL 62966 |
| Phone | 618-687-7360 |
| JacksonCountyVitals@jacksoncounty-il.gov |
Note: The 1843 fire means some early Jackson County records are missing, so check IRAD and state archives for backup copies.
Jackson County Land and Property Records
Jackson County land records date back to 1814. That makes them some of the oldest land records in the state of Illinois. These files include deeds, mortgages, plat maps, and property transfers. If your ancestor owned land in the Jackson County area, these records can tell you when they bought or sold property, who they dealt with, and where the land was located. The recorder's office at the Walnut Street courthouse holds all of these documents.
Land records are a strong tool for genealogy in Jackson County because they cover a time period well before vital records were kept. Birth records here start in 1852. Death records start in 1877. But land records go back more than 60 years earlier than that. Deeds can place a family in Jackson County at a specific time and location when no birth or death file exists. The Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) requires that these county records be preserved for their research value, which is why so many early files survive.
To search Jackson County land records, contact the clerk and recorder at 618-687-7360. In-person visits let you browse the grantor and grantee indexes and pull the records yourself. Some older indexes may require staff help to locate.
Jackson County Genealogy at IRAD
The IRAD depository for Jackson County is at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. This is convenient for local researchers since Carbondale is right in Jackson County. IRAD holds historical county government records that are no longer kept at the courthouse. This includes older vital records, court files, probate cases, naturalization papers, and more. Research is free. Call (618) 453-3040 to check hours and ask about specific Jackson County holdings before you visit.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also serves as a resource for Jackson County genealogy. IDPH holds statewide birth and death records from 1916 forward. Genealogy copies must be requested by mail and take about 12 weeks. For pre-1916 records, the Jackson County Clerk is the only source since IDPH does not have files from that era.
The IDPH site is the state-level resource for birth and death records from 1916 on. Jackson County researchers can use it as a backup if the clerk's office does not have what they need for records in that range.
The Illinois State Archives in Springfield provides free online databases that include Jackson County entries. The statewide marriage index covers 1763 to 1900. The death index covers pre-1916 records and a separate set runs 1916 to 1950. You can also check the IRAD holdings database to see what Jackson County files are stored at Southern Illinois University.
Searching Jackson County Genealogy Records
You have several options for searching Jackson County genealogy records. The county clerk's office in Murphysboro is the main starting point. Walk-in visits let you browse indexes and order copies on the spot. You can also call, email, or write to the office. For mail requests, include your name, the name of the person you are looking up, any dates you know, and a check for the search fee.
Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), birth records open for genealogy when the date of birth is 75 or more years ago. Death records become available after 20 years. Marriage records open after 50 years. These rules apply to all Jackson County records. If the record you need falls inside those thresholds, you must show a direct legal interest to get a copy.
The IRAD at Southern Illinois University is a short drive from Murphysboro. It holds older Jackson County records that may not be at the courthouse anymore. If you are making a research trip to southern Illinois, plan to visit both the clerk's office and the IRAD in Carbondale. Staff at IRAD can accept phone and mail requests, but they limit each one to two names. Larger research projects should be done in person. The Counties Code (55 ILCS 5) names the county clerk as the official keeper of vital records, making the Murphysboro office your primary contact for Jackson County genealogy.
Jackson County Record Fees
Fees for Jackson County genealogy records depend on the record type. The clerk charges the following amounts:
- Birth record: $16 first copy, $7 each additional
- Death record: $22 first copy, $11 each additional
- Marriage record: $16 first copy, $7 each additional
Make checks payable to the Jackson County Clerk. Include a valid photo ID with all mail requests. Walk-in service at the Walnut Street office in Murphysboro is available during business hours. The Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) governs public records access in Illinois. However, vital records follow their own rules under the Vital Records Act, which takes priority over FOIA for birth, death, and marriage files. Genealogy copies from Jackson County get stamped to show they are for research purposes only.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Jackson County in southern Illinois. Families in this region often crossed county lines, so if you hit a dead end in Jackson County, try searching the neighboring areas. Records for your ancestor could be filed next door.