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Cook County, Illinois
Genealogy, History & Facts

Cook County, Illinois Facts

When was Cook County, IL Created?
Cook County was established on January 15, 1831.

What is the County Seat of Cook County, IL?
The County Seat is located in Chicago also, the county government website is blog.cookcountygov.com/ .

What counties are adjacent to Cook County, IL?
Bordering Counties are   Lake CountyBerrien County, Michigan, Porter County, Indiana, Lake County, Indiana, Will CountyDuPage CountyKane CountyMcHenry County

Cook County, IL Vital Records

Where can find Cook County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Cook County vital records can be found at the Illinois Department of Public Health has copies of birth, marriage, divorce and death records. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Illinois for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Cook County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Illinois Birth CertificateMarriage CertificateDivorce CertificateDeath Certificate Applications to mail.

Cook County, IL Census Records


What Cook County, IL census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Cook County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 18401850186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

Cook Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Cook Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Cook Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Illinois Census Records Research Guide

Cook County, IL Courthouse and Government Records

Cook County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Cook County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Cook County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in Illinois courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless Illinois residents.

The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Cook County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also Illinois Corthouse Records Research Guide.

Cook County, IL Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Cook County, IL?
A list of Cook County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Illinois Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Cook County, IL Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Cook County, IL?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Cook County. These genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a cost. This is simply a collection that has been gathered or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site over another.

Cook Co. IL Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Cook Co. IL Books, Newspapers & Publications

Cook Co. IL Cemeteries & Church Records

Cook Co. IL Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Cook Co. IL General and History Websites

Cook Co. IL Military Records

Cook Co. IL Schools & Directories