Tracing Your Central Illinois Ancestors Through Lincoln-Era Records
For those researching family history in Central Illinois, an unexpected but invaluable resource lies in the records associated with Abraham Lincoln’s early years. Before his presidency, Lincoln spent much of the 1830s in New Salem, Menard County, working as a postmaster, surveyor, militia captain, and shop clerk while studying law. His persistent mingling with the community—combined with the intense interest in documenting his life—created a wealth of historical and genealogical records that can provide fresh insights into your ancestors.
From election records and land surveys to legal cases and personal anecdotes, these sources offer a unique window into the lives of early Illinois settlers. Whether your family had direct interactions with Lincoln or simply lived in the same region, his extensive paper trail can help illuminate their experiences.
Lincoln’s New Salem and the Early Settlers of Central Illinois
In 1831, a young Abraham Lincoln arrived in New Salem, Illinois, a small frontier settlement along the Sangamon River, established just two years earlier. Many early families—such as the Elmore family, who had roots in Kentucky and Tennessee—helped shape the region and frequently crossed paths with Lincoln.
Lincoln’s time in New Salem coincided with major events that impacted local families, such as the Deep Snow of 1830–1831, a deadly blizzard that isolated settlers and later became a marker for membership in the Old Settlers Society. If your ancestors lived in Menard, Sangamon, or surrounding counties, searching land records, petitions, and legal documents from this era may reveal new family connections.
Explore the Papers of Abraham Lincoln Digital Library:Papers of Abraham Lincoln
Genealogy Resources from Lincoln’s Government, Law, and Military Records
Lincoln’s various roles in government, law, and military service generated a broad set of records that genealogists can use to trace early Illinois families.
1. Election and Petition Records
Lincoln first became politically active in the 1830s, and one of his earliest recorded votes appears in the election returns for Clary’s Grove Precinct (1831). These early elections can provide insight into voter participation and political affiliations of settlers in the area. Additionally, petitions submitted to the state legislature—including those advocating for land grants, town charters, and road construction—frequently included signatures of local residents, offering another valuable genealogical resource.
Search for petitions and election records:Papers of Abraham Lincoln
Election Returns for Clary’s Grove Precinct, 1831
2. Black Hawk War Military Records
Lincoln briefly served as captain in the Black Hawk War (1832), a conflict between the U.S. government and Native American tribes resisting forced relocation. Many Illinois men served alongside Lincoln, and their names are preserved in Black Hawk War military service records, which can help identify ancestors who participated.
Search Illinois Black Hawk War veterans: Illinois State Archives Black Hawk War Database
3. Land and Surveying Records
As a county surveyor, Lincoln mapped out land for early settlers. These surveys, often commissioned for farms, roads, and town plats, contain landowner names, descriptions, and legal boundaries, making them an essential resource for tracking property history. Additionally, land purchase records from the federal government can reveal when and where your ancestors settled in Illinois.
Search Illinois land records: Bureau of Land Management Land Patents
4. Legal Cases and the Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln’s law practice from 1836–1861 involved hundreds of clients and legal disputes. Many of these cases revolved around property disputes, probate issues, debt settlements, and criminal proceedings—all of which mention other Illinois settlers. If your ancestors were involved in business transactions, lawsuits, or estate settlements, Lincoln’s legal case files may contain genealogically significant details.
Search Lincoln’s law cases:The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln
Evaluating Lincoln-Related Family Stories
Some of these stories contain valuable historical insights, while others were delivered warped or exaggerated after passing through multiple people.
William Herndon, Lincoln’s former law partner, collected numerous firsthand and secondhand accounts about Lincoln’s life in New Salem, many of which mention local settlers. Some of these stories contain valuable historical insights, while others have been misattributed or exaggerated. Genealogists should evaluate sources carefully when verifying family stories connected to Lincoln.
Browse Herndon’s Informants:Northern Illinois University Digital Collection
Herndon's Informants: https://digital.lib.niu.edu/islandora/object/niu-lincoln%3Acollection
Register of Informants: https://digital.lib.niu.edu/islandora/object/niu-lincoln:34823
Watch Backlog’s Webinar on Abe’s Papers to Explore These Records in Action
To see these record sets in action and learn how to use them for your own genealogy research, watch our webinar recording on YouTube. In this session, we dive into specific examples of Lincoln-era documents, demonstrate search techniques, and highlight real-life connections between Lincoln and early Illinois settlers.
Need help researching your Central Illinois ancestors? Email Emma at emma@backlog-archivists.com to get started!
