Search Mason County Genealogy

Mason County genealogy records are kept at the county clerk office in Havana, a small Illinois River town in central Illinois with a county population around 13,000. The clerk holds death records from 1877 and marriage licenses from 1841, making the marriage collection especially strong for early genealogy research. One thing to note is that the marriage index was organized by groom name only until 1953, which can make searching for brides more difficult in the older volumes. The IRAD depository for Mason County is at the University of Illinois Springfield. Researchers can visit the Havana courthouse, send mail requests, or contact the IRAD facility for older county documents.

Mason County Clerk Vital Records

The Mason County Clerk is at 125 N Plum, Havana, IL 62644. Call 309-543-6661 option 1 for hours and information. This office handles all birth, death, and marriage records for the county. Death records begin in 1877. Birth records follow a similar timeline. The marriage records are the highlight here. They go back to 1841, which is nearly four decades before the state vital records system started.

There is an important detail about the marriage index. Before 1953, the index was organized by groom name only. If you are looking for a female ancestor's marriage before that year, you will need to know the groom's name to find the record. After 1953, both names are indexed. This is not unusual for old Illinois counties, but it is worth knowing before you start a search.

The genealogy search fee is $10. Provide the full name, approximate dates, and what kind of record you need. Staff will check the indexes for you. Walk-in visits let you go through the volumes yourself, which is the best way to handle difficult searches. Mail requests are fine too. Send a letter with the details, a $10 check payable to the Mason County Clerk, and a copy of your photo ID. The Counties Code (55 ILCS 5) names the county clerk as the keeper of local vital records.

Mason County Marriage Records from 1841

The Mason County marriage collection from 1841 is a standout resource. Marriage records that old predate the Illinois vital records system by decades. For genealogy researchers tracing early central Illinois families, these marriage files can confirm names, dates, and family connections that no other record type provides.

Marriage records older than 50 years are available for genealogy research under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535). Since the oldest Mason County marriage records date to 1841, the vast bulk of this collection is open. The Illinois State Archives has a statewide marriage index covering 1763 to 1900. Search there first to see if the marriage appears in the state index, then request the full copy from the Mason County Clerk in Havana.

The Illinois death certificate ordering page shown above explains how to get statewide death records from 1916 onward. Local death records in Mason County start in 1877, giving you an earlier window for research.

Mason County Genealogy at IRAD

The IRAD depository for Mason County is at the University of Illinois Springfield. Call (217) 206-6520 to check hours and ask about Mason County holdings. IRAD stores older government records that the county has transferred from the Havana courthouse. These can include historical vital records, court files, probate records, naturalization papers, and other county documents. Research at IRAD is free. You can photograph documents at no charge.

Use the IRAD holdings database on the Illinois State Archives website to search what Mason County records are stored in Springfield. The Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) created the IRAD system to protect county records. Mason County's oldest files are preserved at the university archive because of this law. Always check the inventory before making the drive.

Searching Mason County Genealogy

Start at the Mason County Clerk in Havana for local records. The $10 search fee covers staff time in the indexes. For statewide records from 1916 onward, the Illinois Department of Public Health holds birth and death files. IDPH genealogy requests go by mail and take about 12 weeks. The fee is $10 per copy.

Remember the groom-only index rule for marriages before 1953. If you are searching for a female ancestor, you need the groom's surname to find the entry in the older books. After 1953, both spouses are indexed. Land records in Mason County are also public under the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) and can supplement what you find in the vital records.

• Mason County Clerk: death from 1877, marriage from 1841
• Marriage index: groom only until 1953, both names after
• IRAD at University of Illinois Springfield: older county files
• Illinois State Archives: free marriage and death indexes online
• IDPH: statewide birth and death from 1916, $10 by mail

Mason County families often had ties to the surrounding counties along the Illinois River. Check Fulton, Tazewell, and Menard counties if your Havana search comes up short.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Mason County along the Illinois River in central Illinois. Families in this region often crossed county lines, so try these neighbors when your Mason County search stalls.