State and Territorial Census were began in Illinois as early as 1810, followed by 1818; 1820; 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855 & 1865.

Federal Census began in Illinois in 1820 and were performed every ten years and made available to the public with the exception of the 1890 Federal Census which was destroyed in a fire. Federal Mortality Schedules were began in 1850 and followed through to 1880.

Sangamon County in 1790 was a part of St. Clair County, Northwest Territory. By 1801 it was a part of St. Clair County, Indiana Territory. In 1809 Illinois Territory was formed and Sangamon was still a part of St. Clair County. In the 1810 State Census you would find Sangamon in St. Clair County. However, by the time of the 1818 State Census "Sangamo" territory was a part of Madison and Bond Counties with these boundaries still in effect during the 1820 Federal Census. Sangamon was formed in 1821 and encompassed a large territory. In the 1830 Federal Census, Sangamon included parts of these present day counties: Menard, Logan, Sangamon and parts of Christian and Macon. By the time of the 1840 Federal Census Sangamon was as it is today.

Submitted by Dan Dixon, President of the Sangamon County Genealogical Society

A check at the IL State Archives determined that they have the following State census records on microfilm that are believed to have been filmed by the Latter Day Saints.

There is no Sangamon County Census for 1835 or 1845 available through the State Archives.

A listing of what is available:

1825 - Edwards & Fulton Counties

1835 - Fayette, Fulton, Jasper, Morgan & Putnam Counties

1845 - Cass, Putnam and Tazewell Counties

Summary of State census of Cook County 1835 this is only a statistical listing no names.

These State census records were not kept in the most desirable locations prior to coming into the State Archives' possession so some are nearly impossible to read, some are water stained and others may have one or two visible names per page. Tax records are usually kept by most of the Counties and would be a reasonable substitute if you are trying to place your ancestors in this time period.

Non GenWeb graphics provided by Rhio's Sampler.