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Ford County, Illinois
Genealogy, History & Facts

Ford County, Illinois Facts

When was Ford County, IL Created?
Ford County was established on February 17, 1859.

What is the County Seat of Ford County, IL?
The County Seat is located in Paxton (was called Prospect City until September, 1859) also, the county government website is www.fordcounty.illinois.gov .

What counties are adjacent to Ford County, IL?
Bordering Counties are  Kankakee CountyIroquois CountyVermilion CountyChampaign CountyMcLean CountyLivingston County

Ford County, IL Census Records


What Ford County, IL census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Ford County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

Ford Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Ford Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Ford 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

Ford County, IL Courthouse and Government Records

Ford County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Ford County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Ford 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 Ford 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.

Ford County, IL Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

What other genealogical resources are available in Ford County, IL?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Ford 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.

Ford Co. IL Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Ford Co. IL Books, Newspapers & Publications

Ford Co. IL Cemeteries & Church Records

Ford Co. IL Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Ford Co. IL General and History Websites

Ford Co. IL Military Records