Circuit Clerk’s Office
700 S. Main St.
Princeton, IL 61356
815-872-2001 ext. 5 (Genealogy) or ext. 6 (Probate)
The Circuit Clerk’s office suggests that researchers contact BCGS for assistance.
Probate Records: 1838 to present. These records include death dates, wills, heirs, inventories, appraisals, sales, distribution of assets, and other information.
Bureau County probate records from 1833-1931 are now on the free website FamilySearch.org (click this link to access the records).
TO ACCESS ONLY BUREAU COUNTY PROBATE RECORDS ON FAMILY SEARCH FROM BUREAU COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY’S WEBSITE:
- You will see Illinois Probate Records, 1819 – 1988 (only the years 1833 – 1931 will be searchable for Bureau County). In the Search Box on the right enter the first and last names of the decedent, then click Search.
- You will be asked to sign in to your familysearch.org account or to create a free account.
- To view the Probate Record, click on the DECEDENT’S NAME (on the left side of the screen).
- Click on VIEW RECORD.
- Click on VIEW ORIGINAL DOCUMENT (below the image on left side of screen).
To scroll through the records click on the “right arrow” at IMAGE _ _ OF _ _
The first image will be of the cover of the packet; it will contain the court case number for your documentation. The first few documents will confirm information about the person’s family and the date of death. The documents of most interest to genealogical researchers are the will, inventory, appraisal, sale bill and final report showing the disbursement of assets.
TO PRINT AN IMAGE:
After you have chosen an image to print, click on DOWNLOAD (under ATTACH TO FAMILY TREE). The image will appear. Click on the three dots … SEE MORE at the top of the screen. Click on PRINT. Change ORIENTATION to PORTRAIT. Click on PRINT.
Probate Records more recent than 1930 may be obtained through the Office of the Bureau County Circuit Clerk at the Bureau County Courthouse, 700 S. Main St., Princeton, IL 61356, email: dreglin@bureaucounty-il.gov. Phone 815-872-2001, extension 5.
Naturalization Records:
Early Naturalization Records: 1842-1906.
These records do not contain genealogical information in most cases.
Later Naturalization Records: 1906 and newer.
These contain good genealogical information. The Declaration of Intention is likely to give a description of that person, an occupation, date and place of birth, date when they left their native country, name of the ship they traveled on, date and place they arrived in America, and their residence when they applied to become a citizen. The final document might contain a small picture of them.
Divorce Records: Beginning 1868.