WCHS FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

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Questions

Where do I find a death record ?

Where do I find an obituary ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers

Q: Where do I find a death record ?

A: For information on obtaining death records go to: 

Illinois State Archives Database of Illinois Death Certificates 1916 - 1950, here you will find an extensive collection of all deaths in Illinois between the years 1916 - 1950. You may also order a copy of the death certificate by following the links on the database.

To locate a death record before 1916 can be more challenging to locate the record (if any record exists).
The Williamson County Clerk maintains some death records dated as early as 1877, however these records are incomplete 
and there are several years with only a few deaths recorded between the years 1877 - 1915.

To locate at death record between the years 1877 - 1916, several options are available:

Call, write or visit the Williamson County Clerk's Office at:
Williamson County Clerk
200 West Jefferson St.
Marion IL, 62959
1-800-997-8680 ext. 106

Email or mail the WCHS research staff at:
Williamson County Historical Society
105 South Van Buren St.
Marion, IL 62959
618-997-5863 (Thursdays only from 9a.m. - 5p.m.)
Read the WCHS Research policy at: <http://thewchs.com/wchs_research.htm>
Email - <research@thewchs.com>

The Williamson County Historical Society has published two volumes of the Williamson County, IL Death Indexes:
Volume I, 1877 - 1885
Volume II, 1885 - 1903
For information on purchasing the above books: <thewchs.com/wchs_pubs.htm#death

For the Herrin, Carterville vicinity, Martha Mulkin has graciously provided the Storme Funeral Home Records of 
Herrin and Carterville from 1914 - 1929. This information can be found at: WCHS Online Archives


 

 

Q: Where do I find an obituary ?

A: First you must have the exact date of death for the subject you want an obituary for:

Obituaries are/were published in many local newspapers, many of these have been out of business for years.
During the 1930s newspapers, and other printed matter was collected/scanned on microfilm and microfiche, this 
process continues for many publications throughout the U.S.

Most public libraries have microfilm collections of the local or county newspapers.
This microfilm is an exact copy of the newspaper, there is no index, the date of the paper provides the only reference.
Since there is no name or subject index to the microfilm, it is important that you are able to provide an exact date for
death or whatever event you want to locate.

The Marion Carnegie Library maintains a collection of local newspapers on microfilm.
The Southern Illinoisian, The Marion Daily Republican and the Marion Evening Post, some dating to the 1860s.
The Marion Carnegie offers an obituary lookup service, go to The Marion Carnegie Library for details

The Johnston City and Herrin Libraries also maintain a collection of local newspapers on microfilm.

The Illinois State Historical Library maintins the most comprehensive microfilm for newspapers statewide, with over
4900 newspaper titles and 73,000 rolls of microfilm. The ISHL offers an obituary lookup service, $1.00 for Illinois residents
and $10.00 for non - Illinois residents. For information go to the ISHL Home Page.

The Williamson County Historical Society started collecting obituaries from the Southern Illinoisian and
Marion Daily Republican Newspapers from 1986 to present, for information:  WCHS Obituary Lookup Service.

Publications of Williamson County newspaper excerpts and obituaries can also be purchased from the authors listed at:
Williamson County Publications - Newspaper Excerpts and Obituaries

The WCHS also have some obituaries online at: The WCHS Online Archives


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