Genealogy Jottings

Most genealogists know that state registration of deaths usually did not begin until the early 20^th century. So we are out of luck in finding these vital records for people who passed away before then, right?

Not so fast! Individual counties began keeping records of local deaths earlier than the states did. These listings often provide surprisingly complete information on the deaths of a persons in the county. Usually the counties began recording deaths in the 1870’s or 1880’s, so you can reach back another 25 years or so from when state registration began.

Although Illinois did not initiate death certificates until 1916, Coles County began keeping a death register in 1878. Many people in my Reed and Carter families lived in Coles County from 1878 on, and many died there. I have found several of their death records.

Yet, many other family members are missing from the register. These include:

1. Susan Carter Austin, died 3 May 1884
2. Henry Paul Bovell, died 3 June 1886
3. Eliza Reed Walton, died 20 September 1886
4. Martha Jane Collins Carter, died 11 January 1888
5. Emma Jane Reed Dudley, died 13 June 1888
6. Albert M. Reed, died 8 March 1890
7. Shelton Carter, died 25 May 1890
8. Robert A. Wright, died 27 March 1895
9. James Galbreath, died 19 April 1896
10. Jane Reed Galbreath, died 11 October 1899

All these people lived in and were buried in Coles County, but after careful review I did not find their names on the Death Register. Why not?

My best guess is that compliance with the registration requirement was spotty in those days. In the early days of registration, when a person passed away out in the country people probably did what they always did. Perhaps they never thought to notify the County Clerk. Unless a physician filed a report, no one added the death details to the county register.

I am grateful to have found all the Coles County death records from the 1870’s – 1900’s that I did. It was so easy; I simply ordered the microfilm from Family Search. I just wish the deaths of the missing 10 people had been recorded as well.